Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Little Hippy Camper :)


This is my latest download design.
Don't you just love it. 


 I was a teenager and a young adult during the 1960's & 70's 
This was a time when the car to own was a
VW Van or a Beetle
That is if you wanted to be cool :)

I was in my early 50's when I bought my first VW Beetle & I loved it.
You might say I was a late bloomer :)

These two photos are pages from one of our family scrapbooks.
I was so proud of this little car.


I could not drive it without a big smile on my face :)


This is the photo I used when I sold it, many years later.
I used the money to help buy my Gibson guitar.
Now I can not get it down to play, without smiling :)



Because I am an early baby boomer,
and I have worked in the health care field.
I've seen way too many cases of Alzheimer's  in my life.
It is something that we can help do something about.
If you are my age or if you have parents and grandparents my age,
think about adding some of these things to your (their) daily lives.


The health of your brain, like the health of your body, depends on many factors.
 While some factors, such as your genes, are out of your control,
many powerful lifestyle factors are within your sphere of influence.

The six pillars of a brain-healthy lifestyle are:
  1. Regular exercise
  2. Healthy diet
  3. Mental stimulation
  4. Quality sleep
  5. Stress management
  6. An active social life
The more you strengthen each of the six pillars in your daily life, 
the healthier and hardier your brain will be.
 When you lead a brain-healthy lifestyle,
 your brain will stay working stronger & longer.


#3 Is a great reason to create a blog :)
  • Learn something new. Study a foreign language, learn sign language, practice a musical instrument, read the newspaper or a good book, or take up a new hobby. The greater the novelty and challenge, the larger the deposit in your brain reserves.
  • Practice memorization. Start with something short, progressing to something a little more involved, such as the 50 U.S. state capitals. Create rhymes and patterns to strengthen your memory connections.
  • Enjoy strategy games, puzzles, and riddles. Brain teasers and strategy games provide a great mental workout and build your capacity to form and retain cognitive associations. Do a crossword puzzle, play board games or cards, or work word and number games, such as Scrabble or Sudoku.
  • Practice the 5 W’s. Observe and report like a crime detective. Keep a “Who, What, Where, When, and Why” list of your daily experiences. Capturing visual details keeps your neurons firing.
  • Follow the road less traveled. Take a new route, eat with your non-dominant hand, rearrange your computer file system. Vary your habits regularly to create new brain pathways.

* I'll add this to the list:
  • Create a Blog.  Learn a new skill like embroidery, knitting, creating "new" recipes, scrap-booking, card making, creating an art journal, re-purposing furniture etc.
Read and memorize scripture, vist the library and check out some "How to books" on subjects you are interested in, or find a good novel. 
The main thing is to make it something "new",
 newness is what keeps the brain renewing it's self. 


Even the act of photographing and writing posts is a great brain stimulate. 


I'm having so much fun learning my new machine.
And guess what, I'm fighting my chances of catching Alzheimer's at the same time.
That's a pretty super "Win, Win  situation",
Don't you think?


Well, you all get my point.
I want a healthy life style for myself and for all of you 
and your loved ones. 

 Prevention is the very best medicine :)

Put a smile on your face today.
Do something new, or visit your parents or grandparents 
and do something fresh and stimulating with them.

Our bodies are vessels of God,
let's take care of them.

I'm writing this post to reinforce this message into my brain.
I'm good at doing things in #3 on the list,
but I need help in #'s 1, 2 & 4.

Today is a new day . . .
and today I'm making a new schedule
for my daily life and planning to start
taking better care of this marvelous vessel.
This creation of God.

Have a happy day.
Your blogging sister,
Connie :)  


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53 comments:

  1. Fabulous advice!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. Thank you . . . we all want a healthy life for ourselves and our loved ones :)

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  2. Dearest Connie,
    I needed to read this post today. Its amazing. These last few weeks, I have been thinking of changing a few things in my life.
    I have a few things in mind.
    How true you write.. So well written Connie. You write from the heart.
    I can feel it.
    My son owns one of the original "Beatles" VW..its a yellow soft top.. He has a couple of old cars.. the VW is in perfect condition and he drives around to the beach side with the kids for an ice cream sometimes.. only of the weekend.
    I still love the VW auto van.. I would love one.. They are so expensive now.
    you are a master with the sewing machine Connie.. its a great cushion cover.
    Thank you for this post Connie.
    Our minds must be active all the time.
    wishing you happy blessings.. and a joyful weekend..
    Val x x x

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    1. Hi Val, if this post helped you, then I've done my good deed for today.
      I needed it as much as anyone.
      I'm putting my best foot forward today and working on more healthy changes :)

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  3. I love this post Connie ~ You have made some great suggestions for keeping our brains going ~ something I never really thought of but am glad to become aware ~ such fun ideas for #3, but admit I could use work in the other areas ~ When I was a kid our family vehicle was a Volkswagen "bus" as we called it so it was fun to see your new embroidery ~ Judi

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    1. Hi Judi, thank you for your sweet comment :)

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  4. Love your little VW, Connie and your applique van is wonderful! I grew up in the same era and remember these well. Thank you for your tips on keeping your brain healthy. My Dear Father passed a year ago after battling Alzheimer's for many years. I miss him like crazy. Thanks for sharing such important information. Hugs xoxo

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    1. Hi Karen, it's a very sad disease and if we can do anything to prevent it . . . we must :)
      I'm very sorry about your loss.

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  5. Dear Connie - what excellent advice you give. Having now passed my finals and got my BA (Hons) degree I know only too well that I need to carry on exercising my brain after six years of study. You have so many good ideas. I've got lots of ideas but its just getting round to them. Making lists is also good advice too. What a strange co-incidence, as I am typing this I had an email from blogger to say you'd left a comment on my last post for which I thank you so much. Have a great weekend. I love the VW download too.
    Patricia x

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    1. Hi Patricia, I like that you suggested making lists. That is a very good brain exercise and one that most of us enjoy :)

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  6. I love your camper van and the car, both so sweet. Lately I heard that creating a memory box when you are younger will help stimulate the brain later in life if you are unlucky enough to suffer from dementia. Have a great weekend xxx

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    1. Hi Fran, I agree, also, creating family scrapbooks and photos. They are a great way to look back and keep memories fresh :)

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  7. Oh, I love this post!!! What a wonderful message and so empowering. Yes, I agree and love that I have been learning new things while blogging as well! I Think that your VW Van is really neat! I have not tried to do applique yet with my machine. This was so neat the way you showed all your steps.
    We had a little VW Van as I was growing up. It was orange and black!! I don't remember what year it was, but maybe from the 50's. Then one of my cars I bought and my brother in law helped me fix up was a really cute Yellow 1069 VW Bug! I loved it! It had pop out back windows and a moon roof that cranked it back into the roof. It even had a name, Lemonade! But I had to sell it unfortunately. But it was freezing in the winter! I had to scrape the inside of the windshield at every light!!
    Blessings,
    Susie

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    1. Hi Susie, They were not known for having good heaters, LOL. :)

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  8. I love your adorable peace van! And your old orange bug! Do you ever want it back? We grew up in the same time, I even had peace beads.

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    1. Hi Ginny, it was fun while I had it, but I only drove it in the summer and then when it wasn't too hot. It did not have A/C. and we live in a very hot part of the country. I guess now that I'm older I appreciate comfort over being cool, LOL.

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  9. very cute,connie! love your tips and that adorable bug:) have a wonderful weekend!

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  10. That is SO cute! I love it! We bought a VW Westfalia when our daughter was a baby and we did a lot of traveling and camping in it. It was great! We often miss it. Hubby restored a 1965 VW Bug a few years ago. It's like new now! So cool! Thanks for all the tips for keeping a happy, healthy mind. I appreciate the tips. We went line dancing with our daughter a couple of weeks ago. It sounded fun and it was. But, I'd also heard that learning to dance is really great for the brain and preventing alzheimers. During the dance lessons, I understood why. It was like I could feel brain cells growing and stretching. :-) We're planning to go again this week. This just might become a regular thing. :-) Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Dancing is wonderful! It's great for the mind and the body and so much more fun than sitting home watching the TV. My brother lives in a retirement trailer park in Florida and when I was visiting him, one of the things that was going on in the club house was line dancing. I loved it, (it was all women and we had a ball)and if I lived in a place where so many cool activities where going on, I'd be down there having fun all the time. I'm really happy for you and your hubby . . . this could be the thing that keeps you both young for many, many years to come :)

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  11. Thanks, Connie! I love the VW Beetle and your story! Your suggestions for the "mind" are great, too! My grandmomie had symptoms of Alzheimer's (called something else at the time) when I was about 15. Nearly every one of her siblings has had it since then. I am involved in genetic DNA testing for genealogy and DNA testing told us what we already knew. I think genealogy is a great way to keep the brain working (like a puzzle)!- Revis

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    1. Hi Revis, I think that it is wonderful that they are doing so much research and finding that this is a disease that we can actually do something about, and without pills and treatments.

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  12. Connie- Your VW applique is just darling. I love it. My 2nd roommate had a little VW bug that we tooled all over the county. lol You are so right about Alzheimer's. It is an awful disease- terrible to watch. My Mom suffered from it and it was sad to see her slide downhill. xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, it is a very sad disease . . . heart breaking.

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  13. Connie, your applique is adorable, I had a VW bug in the early 70's and a VW van in the late 70"s oh yes I was groovy!!! I know how important it is to keep the brain working and learning, I think us DIYers will never get Dementia, we are always learning. Which brings me to the pont...How do you applique, is is free hand sewing or a program on your machine? Yours is so perfect I can't imagine that you are free handing it? Anyway, keep my mind working..do a post on exactly how it is done...only If you would like to of course! Your work is beautiful!

    Carol

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    1. Hi Carol, I am doing it on my new machine, but you do have to download the design first. I'll put a post together. Do you have a machine that embroiders?

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  14. Oh I love the van. Looks like you have the whole downloading thing figured out. I still haven't tried applique on my machine yet. When things quiet down around here I've got to try it

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    1. Hi Ann, when you get around to trying applique, buy a can of temporary bond spray. It is wonderful. You can precision your fabric, and if it's not exact, you can pick it up and play with it until you have it in the perfect shot. I saw this recommended on a You Tube video ... works great :)

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  15. Your Volkswagon design is really cute! Good list of things to keep the brain working! I don't think you will have any problem with all you do! Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, I hope that I do enough. I think having projects and staying busy is the key to staying young. Having a social outlet is great too. Somewhere where you are surrounded my friends and family. Something Steve and I enjoy each night is playing along with Alex Trebek and Jeopardy. If they would just give us another minute to think about the questions, we could answer way more, LOL.

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  16. Evening Connie, What wonderful advise!! I agree with you and one must do everything we can to keep our minds and bodies healthy!! And I had a 1969 white VW Beetle....in my 20's....wish I had it now! And Hubby had a 67 VW BUS in high school and early 20's....OH HOW WE BOTH WISH HE HAD THAT NOW!! Your applique is too sweet....LOVE it!! You work is fabulous! Blessings and a wonderful weekend~~~Roxie

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    1. Hi Roxie, it sounds like the two of you were very cool and groovy, young adults . . . , LOL I loved my bug, even if I got a late start. I do have the cutest jean jacket, that has little VW beetles embroidery all around it. I would have let it go with my beetle, if a woman would had bought it, but since it was a young man that purchased it, I still enjoy wearing it :)

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  17. Connie, we're kindred spirits - a VW beetle was my first car! Once the engine caught on fire, my Dad put it out and the little bug cranked right up like nothing had happened. They were indestructible! And your applique is amazing. You're one of the most talented bloggers on the 'net. You're right about staying involved, active, and always learning. Not only are those great ways to fight Alzheimers, they make your life better all around. Praying for you! -- Jan

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    1. Hi Jan, it is always a pleasure getting a visit from you. Having your bug catch on fire must have been a scarey ordeal. They were great little cars :) Thank you for the generous compliment and thank you especially for the prayers.

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  18. Fabulous VW and Fabulous post too! xx

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  19. You did a wonderful job Connie, it looks great I always like them to.. great post .. Have a great new week with love Janice

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    1. Hi Janice, thank you for stopping by, you're a sweetie pie :)

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  20. I love VDubs, whether camper vans or cars! I have had a go at appliqueing some too, but they're not as neat as yours! Some wise advice here too - thanks for making me think!
    x

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    1. I think that the temporary bond spray makes all the difference. It holds your piece exactly where to place them without sliding around. Much better than pinning or basting.

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  21. Great post!! Our family took a cross country trip in a VW bus when I was 12...so much fun!! Have a great day...thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Linda, thank for visiting . . . I love hearing from my friends :)

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  22. Hi Connie! Visiting some followers of my blog. Love your VW camper applique piece. What a cute thing for a pillow in a camper van. They are so popular once again. It would be fun to have one. Guess we have enough on our hands with our home and our little cottage in the woods.

    I always say that being creating with quilting and stitching keeps you young in mind and heart.

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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    1. Hi Heidi, thank you for this sweet visit, I love hearing from my blogging sisters.
      Staying young in mind and heart is something creative people have in common.
      Have a lovely week and thanks again for this nice visit.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  23. Hi Connie, Your camper vans look amazing. In fact I'm going to point a fellow blogger in your direction as she's a big camper van fan. Can't wait to start exploring your blog and discovering what you create. I noticed your a John Denver fan, I've know got country roads playing in my head :) My parent brought me up on country music. Thanks for stopping by mine.
    Ali x
    Oh by the way it was a great post on how to keep your brain ticking over.

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    1. Hi Ali,it's great to have you visit, and thank you so much for following. I always get excited when I see that I have a new blogging sister following my blog. There is something very soothing in the music of John Denver. It's very sad that he died so young, I'm sure he had a lot of songs yet to sing. He's probably singing with the angels, now, or maybe leading the choir :)

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  24. Oh, I love your VW Bug! The car you had AND the embroidery you're doing. My uncle had that car in the late 60's/early 70's and it was so cool. From your healthy list, I need to work more on #1 - the consistent exercise. I'm pretty good with everything else. :-) But off I go in an hour to yoga class...too bad it's only once/week!

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  25. Your VW patch is great! How well you have designed it! My mom had a little bug and she just loved it :)

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  26. Hi Connie thanks for hopping over and leaving a sweet comment. So great to see your VW split screen embroidery. My son has one of these and an old beetle we bought him when he was 17. He's 32 now!

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  27. Hi Connie I'm not sure if my previous message has gotten through to you i accident.y pressed publish before I'd finished ! but suffice it to say I love your Vw patch, so clever to design and embroider that it looks really lovely . i was telling you that my son has a split screen and a beetle and we have a type 25. My brother who is a bluesman would think that a beetle for a gibson is a fair swap! If you have time you can see him on you tube. His name is Steve Ajao and he plays with a band called the Blues Giants. He is very good he also plays jazz saxophone. So thankyou for the visit carry on creating! X

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  28. Hi Connie....your words ring so true! I started a blog, just to prove that I could. I am left-handed and play the guitar as a right-hand person. Love the new pattern.

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  29. So glad you enjoyed listening to my brother i shall tell him when i next see him x

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  30. Love the words of wisdom. My father had dementia and it is a horrible disease. I worry sometimes when I can't remember stuff....

    I just love those VW embroideries!! They are just adorable. Love the orange one you had, it was adorable. I remember riding in one during the mid 60's.

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