I am in home improvement hell. Yes. I thought it wouldn’t take long to redo my house so that I could sell it and move to a different state. Now I’m living with displaced furniture and the lovely odor of fresh paint. My skin is covered with green and white splotches. 
I took off a week to paint and here I am in the third day still finishing the kitchen. I’m cranky, tired and my feet hurt from standing on them for hours.
But, somewhere in here I still have a positive attitude. 
I know that all my hard work is going to pay off with more money in my pocket and a brand new home in a different state.
Attitude is everything.
It’s pretty much how I feel about writing. It’s hard work and my brain cells hurt when I’m done, but at the end I get a great reward. Another book written
I’m going back downstairs in the morning to start again. I’ve got one more doorway and the cabinet frames left to do in the kitchen. I know once this job is done I can move on to the rest of the house.
My positive attitude will get me through.
How has your positive attitude helped you through a rough patch. I’ll give one of my backlisted books to one poster and name the winner by Sunday at 5:00. I hope I’ll be done by then.
Best,
Karen
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Good luck with your project. Am sure you will enjoy the results.
Funny you should ask about positive attitude.
My son in law has an ongoing eye problem and just found out something (else) is wrong. Am trying not to be too negative. Would appreciate any prayers for him.
by Pat
on May 31st, 2006 at 11:48 pm
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Good luck Karen!
I will pray for your son-in-law Pat!
A positive attitude is what helped me through several illnesses I suffered in high school. I had to think positively that I was going to get better in order to get through it.
by Jennifer Y.
on May 31st, 2006 at 11:56 pm
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Good luck with your painting. We have been doing some around our house and it always takes a lot longer than we think. I have found that you have to have a positive attitude and a sense of humor in order to raise children. As they go through the teenage years you deal with many different issues and hope you have an independent, responsible adult in the end.
by Maureen
on June 1st, 2006 at 6:48 am
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You’re a better person than me - I’d do all the prep work and then not want to paint anymore. Hope it all goes smoothly.
You definitely need to have a sense of humor and patience and a good attitude dealing with the public. Some people are very demanding and high maintenance and you just have to learn it’s not worth it to get all worked up. It sure makes me appreciate being on the other side of the counter more than I did before. So I guess that’s a good thing
by Stacy ~
on June 1st, 2006 at 7:08 am
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Thank you very much, Jennifer Y.
by Pat
on June 1st, 2006 at 7:13 am
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Good luck with your painting. It can be a very tiring & hard job. I’ve been there before. But in the end you’ll be glad you did it … and that it is done. You will feel so much better too when it is finished.
by Tammy G.
on June 1st, 2006 at 7:43 am
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This takes me back about 15 years …we had purchased a home in June and eventually went on vacation the following January. We had electric heat which we thought we turned down to 50 F …. it turns out the thermastats were faulty and we actually turned off the heat for two weeks . We came home to a destroyed home…. every pipe had frozen and then burst …our basement flooded because we hadn’t turned the water off. A positive attitude definitely helped me cope. We were actually bathing our kids in the kitchen sink during the worst of it.
by Laurie G
on June 1st, 2006 at 8:34 am
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Good luck with your painting project!
You are so right about a positive attitude getting you through things. It is what helped me in my rehabilitation after a car accident that left me quadriplegic. I achieved more movement and relearned how to do things the doctors and therapists thought impossible.:smile:
by Susan
on June 1st, 2006 at 10:27 am
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Ah, Karen! I feel for ya, hunny! Besides a positive attitude, I find that humor helps immensely. I have a cartoon posted on my blog that may put things in perspective for you.
It actually reminded me of another author who is living through a remodeling project and she writes humorous anecdotes about it on her blog.
Attitude is everything, they say. And you could always do what we do when we have a major project like that…invite friends. With enough food and the right kind of liquid refreshment, you’d be surprised at what can be accomplished in a short amount of time! 
I am a glass half full kind of person, anyway. So I always (try!) to be positive and look for the best in all situations. It has gotten me through the deaths of my parents…within 14 months of each other, husband’s health issues, my cancer scare (benign, thank God!), and raising teen-age boys! 
{{{{Pat}}}} Your SIL is in my prayers. I know it is hard, especially the waiting. Things always work out the way the are meant to, though. And remember, no amount of worrying will change the outcome. Just keep thinking postive thoughts.
by Angie
on June 1st, 2006 at 11:10 am
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Pat, I’ll keep your son in law in my prayers.
by Susan
on June 1st, 2006 at 11:21 am
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A positive attitude has gotten me through the death of both my parents
within 2 yrs. + 1 month of each other. I just keep thinking that they are
no longer in pain anymore(which both were).
Humor, as someone stated, is so essential. It is good for the soul.
Keep on painting … it will be so much better and you’ll feel so much better.
by Robyn
on June 1st, 2006 at 2:25 pm
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i always try to stay postive becasue of a recent death of a friend and co worker. i have good friends who help too
by KIM H
on June 1st, 2006 at 2:48 pm
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i have to have a possitive attitude to help me through the process of getting my girls back otherwise i would be a major wreck right now, but by keeping a possitive attitude i know that i am doing my best and it will all work out in the end
by Bobbie M.
on June 1st, 2006 at 3:16 pm
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My husband has a life threatening disease, and without a positive attitude I don’t think I get out of bed and face a new day. I am going to make every day we have left the best I can for both of us.
by Estella Kissell
on June 1st, 2006 at 3:58 pm
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I am a stay-at-home mom of three boys and do my best at keeping a positive attitude. As if raising 3 boys ages 6 and under isn’t stressful enough, my oldest son is going through a series of tests right now because his pediatrician suspects a brain tumor. At the same time my youngest son is getting ready to undergo a surgery due to his being born deaf in one ear. He will have to undergo multiple surgeries for this. None of my children are concerned about what is going on because I do my best to keep that extra stress away from them. I am constantly pointing out the positivities in our life so that they have the opportunity to be children until they absolutely have to start realizing the seriousness of these matters. Needless to say positive attitudes are playing a huge role in our lives right now.
by Billie Langston
on June 1st, 2006 at 5:50 pm
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Thank you everyone for all your prayers and kind words. My condolences to all who lost someone recently. And my prayers are with you, Billie and Estella. May God Bless you and your family.
by Pat
on June 1st, 2006 at 6:33 pm
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We move around a lot. I find that I need a positive attitude to get myself and the kids through that awkward “new kid” situation that keeps having to be played out over and over again.
by little lamb lost
on June 1st, 2006 at 9:32 pm
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Well, if it helps you feel any better — I went thru home improvement hell during the winter, sold my house for more $ than we’d expected in the spring, and now I’m living in my “dream” home — so there is hope!
A positive attitude paid off in my getting my first book published next month (what can I say, I’m have a heck of a year! :smile:) and I was just named June’s “Rising Star” at loveromances.com
With the right attitude you can accomplish anything!!!!
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Even though life can be rough sometimes, I always try and remember all the positives. I’m a “glass half full” kind of person. Even on my worst days, I know I have it pretty good.
by Sandra M
on June 1st, 2006 at 10:24 pm
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Even though life can be rough sometimes, I always try and remember all the positives. I’m a “glass half full” kind of person. Even on my worst days, I know I have it pretty good.
by Sandra M
on June 1st, 2006 at 10:24 pm
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Man you guys are something else. I’m bitching about painting and moving to my own dream home. I’m so impressed by the positive attitudes you all have. May God bless each one of you who are experiencing pain and uncertainty in your life. Keep being positive. You all are an inspiration to me. I’m going to keep writing books to give you all something to escape to–something sexy and fun. I’ve said this before. I thought writing this blog would be fun. Now, the connection to all of you guys is just plain wonderful. Two rooms, two bathrooms and two hallways left to do. I’m painting away. I’ll say prayers for those of you in need of God’s solace. Best, Karen
by Karen Anders
on June 1st, 2006 at 11:26 pm
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Positive attitude helped me when I had to try 3 times and wait for 2 years until I finally managed to get to the University.
by Minna
on June 2nd, 2006 at 6:07 am
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Thank you for the prayers and best of luck to you. Just imagine how that satisfaction of completion will feel.
by Billie Langston
on June 2nd, 2006 at 9:35 am
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I thank you too, Karen for your prayers. Hope your renovating gets done very quickly. It is always nice to fix up the house.
by Pat
on June 2nd, 2006 at 9:43 pm
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Susan, my hat is off, you are such an inspiration.
Pat, Billie, Estelle, my prayers and positive thoughts are with you and your families.
Bobbie, I’ve been where you are–my ex (aka ROUS) has sued me three times for full custody of our two children in as many years. Stand firm and keep fighting–your girls need you.
Having a positive attitude has helped me through some pretty rough times–from divorce in a foreign country to custody battles and deaths in the family. For me, positive attitude starts with the question, “What is the worst that could happen?” Once I have answered that, I can look for ways to either avoid that outcome, or ease the road ahead by concentrating on the good things in my life.
by azteclady
on June 3rd, 2006 at 1:15 pm
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Thank you too, Azteclady. Sorry you have had some rough spots. And hope they are all behind you.
by Pat
on June 3rd, 2006 at 3:09 pm
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Hi, Just wanted to give you an update on Jack, my so in law. Everything was pretty much as we expected.
Jack had his appt today. There us nothing they can do
for him. He has no sight in the eye. The bleeding
behind the eye is from the detached retina and will
not cause any harm. There is no tumor.
The dr increased his drops for the pain. The only
thing that will remove the pain is to have the eye
removed and prosthesis put in. He is not ready to do
this at this time. As long as the pain is bearable, he
can stay as is. He does get occasional headaches which
the dr said could be from the eye problem. But he
should see his internist to get it checked out. He
also has allergies.
Thanks again for all your prayers and concern. Just wanted to
update you all.
by Pat
on June 7th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
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Pat, thanks for the update. I know it is a mixed blessing, but I am very glad there was no tumor. I will keep your family in my prayers….
Hugs!!
by Angie
on June 8th, 2006 at 10:12 am
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Pat, we will keep him in our prayers as well. It’s sad about his eye, but it’s still good news that there’s no tumor. *virtual hugs for all of you*
by azteclady
on June 8th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
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Thank you all again ladies. Hopefully the drops will keep the pain at bay for a long time so he can keep the eye.
by Pat
on June 8th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
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I can’t find the winner but congrats.
by Robyn
on June 18th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
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I don’t think she has picked a winner yet, I haven’t found one either.
by Tammy G.
on June 18th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
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I am sure she got really busy with house renovations. Hope everyone had a great Father’s Day.
by Pat
on June 18th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
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Just a note to say I hope Ms Anders is okay.
by azteclady
on June 24th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
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Me too; it has been quite awhile.
by Joanne V.
on June 24th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
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I hope all is OK too. I’m hoping she just got involved in her home improvements she is making.
by Tammy G.
on June 24th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
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Hi all -
So VERY sorry that I spaced on the winner. Yes, the home improvements took up SO much of my time and then I had to get ready for a cruise. So you all can’t boo hoo too much. The house is on the market and I’ve just come back from the Carribean. Thanks so much for your emails, but I’m just fine. I did miss a blog opportunity and I am also sorry for that, but I’ll get back into the swing of things on Monday when my next blog is due. The winner is azteclady. Please drop me an e-mail with your address. Thanks all for posting. You’re a great bunch of ladies!
Karen
