Costa Women Blogs

Hi,   At the beginning of April I relaunched my blog. www.piccavey.com   I have been encouraged to take the next step and self host the domain. It isn´t actually as daunting as it sounds.   My latest posts are a Walk around Granada´s Albaicin quarter  http://piccavey.com/a-walk-around-the-albaicin/ and about the dying art of Marquetry which is only being produced in Granada nowdays http://piccavey.com/an-dying-art-unique-to-granada/    Hope you enjoy the read   Feel free to share any constructive critiscm about the blog/website too   Have a great day! Molly

Wednesday 28th March 2012 – Views from the Hills – Launch Party. On a lovely sunny afternoon in Solano, 13 woman sat together on the terrace with a fantastic view over the valley and into the hills opposite. We had brought a huge variety of home-made cakes, biscuits, savouries and delicacies which we shared and delighted in – all washed down with copious cups of hot tea and coffee. Somewhere, a bottle of wine was smuggled in – but not seen again! Some of us were old friends, some were friends just made and others were just getting to know one another but nevertheless, there was two hours of talk, laughter, sharing and ideas. Everyones goal seemed to be the same – “What can we do together? What can we share? There were such a variety of experiences and knowledge that it was easy to get sidetracked into peoples’ interests, jobs, lives and enthusiasms. Lynsey and I explained the basic idea of getting together; a travelling group that meets wherever we agree to (volunteers for hosts always welcome) once per month for new experiences, talks, demonstrations, walks, picnics and other members suggestions. The group is not for business purposes but to create a community which supports, cares, has interests and creates friendships. It seems there are a good many creative people who grow or make items so the idea of a table to sell these products was warmly received (later, I wondered about a “garden cuttings swap”). There were so many ideas and thoughts going around Lynsey and I asked if people to share them with the group on other afternoons – so we are now waiting for the diary to fill up. So, as Delia would say, let’s be having you! Other hot favourites for the afternoon were: Members Spotlight – an interview with a member each month which will be posted on Facebook. A discrete table for business cards that can be picked up as needed by other members. A write up of each meeting and photos so that those who were unable to attend still feel a part of the day. Recommendations – if members have a good experience of something they can pass the information on to others. If members are having an event they feel others would enjoy they can post it on the Facebook page. The Facebook VFTH Diary – where you will find both the monthly event and other things of interest suggested by members. Lastly, looking at the Views From The Hills Facebook page this evening it would seem “…….and a lovely day was had by all”. See you all soon. You can join our group here on Costawomen by going to the groups page 🙂 x

It happens to all of us.  We have been hibernating during the Winter, and all of the sudden Spring is upon us, at which point we find out, we are simply “out of shape” not to mention hungry, thirsty and in need of much wanted nourishment.  And it is not just about the body, but the mind and emotions tag right along with it, as well as the “I” word….(shhhhh……Intuition!) – Such a marvelous word, amazing gift, wonderful companion, and yet, so many of us tend to ignore its power, usefulness, and all together, GPS guidance system that takes us places we never knew existed; especially, when we come out of hibernation….no matter the season.  Do you agree? Mystery builds when we don’t know where higher guidance is coming from and yet, it simplifies itself when we ask for clarity and as if by magic, clarity appears, to be the guiding light to our path to development and best lives ever. This is all part of you being in spring training.  You need to learn how to be fit in all areas of your life, so that you can be ready to tackle what’s yet to come.  Hibernation is easy, coming into Spring needs training.  Let’s get ready, shall we? CONSIDER: • Do you feel like you’ve been on ICE way too long? • Are you hungry for a new way of life? • Are you ready for a new of being? • Do you have a support system? • Are the people in your life ready to be there for you NOW? OPTIONS: • Choose new beginnings.  (The past is PAST) • If your phone rings and the PAST is calling, tell them to go to voice mail, you’re sure there’s nothing new for them to say. • Be picky who you spend your time with, as they could be joining you in your next hibernation! • Your time is NOW, not tomorrow. • Exercise….your right to move, to think, to speak, to gather, and to think out-loud. • LAUGH! – Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins wisely tells us to do so.  “The more I laugh, the more I feel with glee, the more the glee, the more I’m a merrier me.” (Mary Poppins – 1964) • Spring will spark your creativity.  Give it a try.  This is where you can really begin to grow, nurture and display your greatness. • Be happy that you are who you are, and not somebody else’s version of yourself. • Strategize.  These are your most fertile months to forward-think into how your future will look like. ACTION PLAN: • Always know where you’re going.  Get a coach or mentor to help you design your future now.  • Lack of clarity is lack of light. No one can live in the dark for long.  Find a way to turn on the switch. • Identify those who can help.  • Ask them to join you. • Have a steady income, even if in a “trickled-down” kind of way.  You can start something new but NEVER by utilizing your back- up financial income or cash reserve. • Know that what you have to offer is of great benefit to others. • Relish in your greatness. For more information on Spring-Training Boot-Camp, connect with me: http://AliRodriguez.com or (386) 615-6282

Easter processions in Granada, Seville and Malaga are being prepared in the last few days before Holy week Here´s so more information about them:   http://mollysp.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/easter-in-andalucia/   16%20abril%202011%20Granada%20%288%29.JPG   Enjoy the read   Molly

A priest, once told me (after I asked him why was I always struggling and suffering, since I was a good person) why wasn’t I asking for help?  I replied that I didn’t like to bother people with my problems and that anyway, nobody wanted to help nowadays. He told me that I was too proud, then, asked me if I was praying. I said yes, every night. “what do you ask God” he asked? I, then, said to him my night prayer: “My God, thank you for everything you give me every day. Thank you for protecting and keeping my children healthy. Please God, continue to protect them from harm and danger to the end of their long lives.Let them grow healthy, become successful adults, happy with their family, happy in their careers, and see their children and grandchildren grow healthy and happy as well.Protect people and animals, who are abandoned, sick, hungry, cold, in fear and alleviate their suffering.Protect our planet and make mankind become loving and compassionate.Please keep me healthy and give me strength to take care of my children until my last breath.Give me the happiness to see them and their children grow, happy and healthy.Thank you with all my heart, I love you my God.   He, then, made me notice that, besides asking to be in good health, I was not asking a thing for me. “Ask and you will receive” he said to me. I tried, but I have to say that it didn’t feel right to me to be asking God for money, I found rather materialistic, surely not very spiritual. Few years later, one of my wealthy client who became a friend, told me something: “You must love and respect money in order to have money”. I did understand the concept, but as far as I can remember, I always had a bad relation with money. I always thought that money was spoiling, I should say rotting, people, relationships, families, and the world. Everything bad that happens is mostly because of money. So I never wished of being billionaire, but just to have enough to live comfortably, care for my family and enjoy simple pleasures of life. The very few times I asked The Almighty to be really rich, it was with the promise to give some of it to the ones who didn’t have anything. It was the only way for me to ask for money. But I never could love and respect money. I just only needed it. Maybe it is the reason why I kept going from high to low and high to low until now.  So here I am, today, walking down the hill of time, alone, carrying a load of struggles, when I should bear nothing more than serenity on my shoulders, share my experience and knowledge with my loved ones, enjoy my family and please myself. Here I am, trying to survive in a world where women are more than ever pushed back again, increasingly vulnerable and exploited, where aging is a disgrace instead of the recognition of experience and wisdom. What should I do? I don’t lack ideas, but as always, don’t have the money to give them life. I have 2 weeks left until the end of the month, time of rent and bills. I have no job. therefore no money. So, although it is very hard for me to “beg” and expose myself, I am putting my pride aside and turn to you Costa Women. Because the situation is critic, I ask you ladies living in the Marbella area to kindly help me by purchasing a series of facials from me.  I would come to your place. You would save me from hitting rock bottom. If you wish to know more about the services and prices, please see attachement. SERVICES%20%26%20PRICES.docx You can also email me at dianef20@aol.com or call me at 634 30 53 63   I thank you all very much in advance for your understanding.   A priest once told me: “Ask and you will receive”

When was the last time you told someone “I am successful”?  We don’t do we because it’s not quite nice.  OK we shout and applaud the success of our friends and family; sharing what they achieved and have done.  Then it comes to us and err well ….  “pride comes before a fall”, “oh that little thing, well yes I did get a mention, BUT I just happened to be there at the right time and there was no one else…” Shirley MacLaine in her 1984 acceptance speech for the Oscars said:- I don’t believe there are such things as accidents. I think that we all manifest what we want and what we need. I don’t think there’s a difference really between what you feel you have to do in your heart, and success — they’re inseparable … God bless that potential that we all have for making anything possible if we think we deserve it. I deserve this. Thank you! When was the last time you put something down to serendipity and a positive new opportunity came your way which you felt you deserved?  A business contract, a new job, recognition for who you are or what you have achieved, a chance to have a second go at something, an opportunity that turned up because you were the right person to contact? And did you tell anyone; did you shout it from the roof tops or is your success so far hidden down the page its in the small ads section? 10 day challenge For the next 10 days, I challenge you to compliment people on their successes and see the reactions.  Grab a friend and ask them to promote “You”.  Update your Linkedin profile, Google +, etc. with things you have achieved.   Stand in your friend’s Jimmy Choos – what would he or she say to you in response to all you have and are achieving? Might feel strange at first, but get used to the emotion; you ARE successful – go on… celebrate! First published on 3plus  Follow 3Plus International, Women Worth Knowing on Linkedin and Facebook