Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Wordless Wednesday ~ More Music


Buddy received a guitar from his Uncle yesterday! Next come lessons. We're pretty excited!! It's a Washburn that we purchased from Musicians Friend. Our worship leader helped us find it!
Check out some more Wordless Wednesdays at: 5 Minutes for Mom, Look What Mom Found and Dad Too, J. Leigh Designz, and Outnumbered 3 to 1.


Tuesday, March 30, 2010

WaterBrook Multnomah

Waterbrook Press News

Win a Book on Facebook and Twitter


Three Easy Ways to Win Free Books!
From Your Friends @ WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers

1) Follow @WaterBrookPress on Twitter and then tweet:
“@waterbrookpress – I want to read BOOK NAME by AUTHOR NAME http://j.mp/DDH5f”
We’ll watch for your tweets and direct message (DM) you on Twitter if you’ve won. We choose winners all the time – so be sure to enter as much as you’d like!

2) Follow WaterBrook Multnomah on Facebook and then simply post…
“I want to read BOOK NAME by AUTHOR NAME”
…in the comment box on the WaterBrook Multnomah fan page. We will choose dozens of lucky winners in the next few days!

3) Visit our contest page and tell us which book you want to win. In the “Contest Code” box enter contest code “WinABook” and then in the “Notes” section tell us which book you want to win. We’ll choose 12 winners at random and send them a free book! View our latest titles here.

In The Midst of It All by Tiffany L. Warren ~ FIRST WildCard

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!



Today's Wild Card author is:




and the book:



In the Midst of it All

Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (February 22, 2010)

***Special thanks to Miriam Parker - Associate Director, Online Marketing - at Hachette Book Group for sending me a review copy.***


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Tiffany L. Warren, is an author, playwright, songwriter, mother and wife. Her debut novel What a Sista Should Do, was released in June of 2005 and has ministered to over 50,000 readers. Her second book, Farther than I Meant to Go, Longer than I Meant to Stay was a national bestseller. In 2006, Tiffany and her husband, Brent, founded Warren Productions and released their first gospel musical. What a Sista Should Do - The Stage Play debuted in Cleveland, OH at the famed Allen Theatre.

Tiffany is also the visionary behind the Faith and Fiction Fellowship tour. Presently, the authors have visited groups in Atlanta, Houston, New York, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Charlotte.

Tiffany's third novel, The Bishop's Daughter was released in January 2009. Tiffany resides in northern Texas with her husband Brent and their five children.


Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (February 22, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446195162
ISBN-13: 978-0446195164

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:



To read the chapter, press the the button that says, "Browse Inside This Book":



This was such an amazing book! In the Midst of It All is the first book I've read by Tiffany L. Warren and will not be my last.

I absolutely felt like I was in the moment with each of the characters. The dialogue was strong and was fluid. The situations in this novel were so raw and real. I can't even put it into words how real this probably is for some people. I don't want to give too much of the story away because the storyline is so gripping.

Zee lives with her mom Audrey and because of her mom's health issues, they don't stay at one church or social setting for long. This opens the door to a church that greets them with love and acceptance. To Zee some of the rules of the church seem odd, but the members are so warm and inviting. She's never availed herself to have friends because her life was so unpredictable. Now they seemed to be coming out of the woodwork.

On top of that, Zee attracts the attention of a number of the guys from their group, and guys that aren't part of the church. Her mom seems to be fitting in well and Zee seems to think life could be getting a bit better. As with most things, nothing stays the same for long. Life begins to unravel in numerous areas of her life, and it seems even though she's found a place in this new church, God seems further away than ever.

I have to be honest, my review is somewhat vague and bland because this book is so riveting I don't want to give anything away! If you can, pick this book up and read it without reading the back. You will NOT be disappointed!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Mimi's Messy Monday: May 29th

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If you'd like to participate in Mimi's Messy Monday, head to my "Launch" page to get an overview (which I realize isn't rocket science)!

Sakes alive, cleaning is really not my thing. Looking around I have a plethora of options when it comes to my cleaning options. I thought I was going to work on my kitchen counters, but as I was on the computer earlier, I realized my desk needed some TLC. Now, to follow my own "suggestion" I kept it just as you see it. I didn't clean anything off (except my cup because I went to get a drink when I set my timer). I took my picture and went to set the timer. My challenge while cleaning the desk? Don't get on the computer! It was right there in front of me. I was a bit distracted by a DVD I had running.
I wasn't able to finish the desk in 30 minutes because I realized not only did it need to be cleaned off, it needed to be dusted. I also had 2 wire shelves that I needed to rinse and dust off to hopefully keep my papers a bit more organized. Sheesh, I am such a piler. If I turn around in my computer chair now that my time limit is done, I will find 3 piles of papers: 1 to trash, 1 to take to different, separate rooms and 1 pile that actually needs me to do something with them.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Word of Promise: Audio Bible Review

The Word of Promise® New Testament Audio Bible (NKJV)
ISBN-13: 9780718024246
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Book Description

Hear the Bible Come Alive in Dramatic Audio Theater™!

This multi-voiced, scripted dramatization of the New King James Version (NKJV) features a star-studded cast of actors, an original music score, and incredible feature film quality sound effects. This world-class production creates a dramatic audio theater experience that makes you feel like you’re really there with Jesus and His disciples. Listen in your car, on your MP3 player, or with your family or small group to gain a new perspective of the Bible.

The Word of Promise® New Testament Audio Bible is a 20-CD set and includes a bonus “Behind-the-Scenes” DVD.

My Review

I love books on CD and to have the Bible in theatrical form on CD was an exciting option. I wasn't aware of the number of well known Cast Members included in the recording of this set. Some names you might not expect:
  • Marisa Tomei

  • Richard Dreyfuss

  • Lou Diamond Phillips

  • John Heard

  • Luke Perry

After listening to the CD, I'd have to say my favorite actor to listen to was Lou Gosset Jr. He has such a rich, convincing voice. I didn't feel as though I was being read to. Each actor/actress made theirs a vital part of the coming alive of the New Testament. The only downside for me was that I listened to it while I was driving so I couldn't flip through the little booklet that comes with the set that tells who is acting out each part. I'd hear a voice and do my best to pick out which actor I thought it might be.

I have to be honest in my personal response to the role of Jim Caviezel as Jesus. I like him as an actor, but I wasn't sure I'd like him as Jesus, again. He played Jesus in The Passion and did it spectacularly. I kind of cringed when I found out he was the voice of Jesus. I didn't feel his voice carried the strength of Jesus. He seemed to be begging us to believe him as he "acted" out his part. I just wasn't convinced and couldn't get into his narration.

I felt the creators did a good job on the background noises to help the listener feel a part of moment. I also felt the music lent itself well to the mood of the reading. The cast and sound effects makes this Audio Bible and experience. I know there are many versions of the Bible on audio, but they truly can't compare to a dramatic reading such as this. And to have such a wonderful selection of artists as part of it, made the listening that much more enjoyable.

I received my review copy from Thomas Nelson.


Saturday, March 27, 2010

Meredith Andrews "As Long As It Takes" CD & GIVEAWAY

If I were to compare Meredith Andrews' sound I would have to say she reminds me of Jewel. I don't know if she would be ok with that, but that's who her voice reminds me of. I actually like Jewel's sound and in turn really loved Meredith! Hey, did I mention my real name is Meredith? Honestly, it is.


I wouldn't categorize As Long As It Takes as a worship-y album, because I think you could say that about any Christian recording. They all worship the Lord whether it's with Rock, Alternative, Hymns, etc. That being said, Meredith has some amazing, sing it at church songs. Not only that, she has a couple of crank-it-up songs. I'm so excited to have this CD as we head into Spring & Summer because I can roll my windows down and share with the world as I rock out in worship!


There is a real sweetness to this CD that I think can't be missed. If you are needing songs that help you return to your first Love, remind you of the One who gave His life for you, or to just open up your arms and worship full-out, As Long As It Takes would be the CD to get!


No 1. NEVER MOVE ON: Do you ever have those worship songs where you are rockin' out lovin' the Lord? That would be this song...volume HIGH! Head to the cross, stay there and never move on!


No. 2 ONLY TO BE YOURS: Ready to be emptied? Need a song to inspire you to get to that place? This is that song. Close your eyes and lift those hands!


No. 3 CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME: Love singing this song when I'm driving in the car! I know that God can hear me, even when I feel as though He's so far away. We can't be separated from His love (remember that!)


No. 4 AS LONG AS IT TAKES: Are you a talker like I am when it comes to communicating with the Lord? I'm sure you've heard as I have that it's so good to wait (as long as it takes) to hear His voice. This song encourages us to stay in that place to hear from Him.


No. 5 COME HOME: This is a song Meredith dedicated to her brother. What a poigniant song begging him to come home, away from the lies he's bought into. This song touched me personally and brought the tears. Makes me want to hold my daughter.


No. 6 ALL WILL FADE AWAY: I want to say this song is somewhat ethereal, but I'm not sure that's the right wording. I picture Meredith singing on the side of a beautiful cliff, alone, arms raised to the Lord knowing that everything here will disappear one day when our time here is through.


No. 7 WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE: Strong and powerful song. Sometimes meeting one person won't allow us to go back to how our lives were before that meeting. Meeting the Lord is a one of those times where we won't be the same after we know Him.


No. 8 LIVE THROUGH ME: Kind of a rock-y, edgy song, especially during the chorus. Definitely a song my girls would like! If we give Him room, allow ourselves to be the clay, God can work through us!


No. 9 MY SOUL SINGS: Another great roll-your-windows down kind of song! A great worship type song. How can our souls not sing with the love of the Lord?


No. 10 IN YOUR ARMS: Complete surrender kind of song. I can totally see our worship leader leading our church in this song. Replace the loudness of this world for the quiet and peace of the Lord. You gain such a strength in the words of this song of God's grace and mercy.


No. 11 HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE: SO powerful! Honestly, how great is the love of our Savior? Would be a perfect song for Easter. Bummer that I didn't listen to this sooner because I could completely see this song being sung during our offering time! So, so powerful. God saved us, he redeemed us, He died & rose for...US. What an amazing love that is!


So, where can you find Meredith Andews? You can learn more about her at her website http://www.meredithandrews.com/ From there she can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace! At Meredith's site you can find her tour dates, see pictures from performances and sign up for her newsletter! You can even shop her site!

I would like to thank Word Label Group for the review & giveaway copies of As Long As It Takes.



I just found out that I will be able to giveaway Meredith's CD As Long As It Takes!! So, here is how you can win:


Required: Follow Meredith on Twitter and leave me your Twitter name.


Giveaway open to US Residents who are at least 18 yrs or older. Must leave an email or have it available in your profile. No email/profile = No entry. Giveaway will ends 4/15, 10pm CDT. Void where prohibited.



Extra Entries:


*Follow Woven by Words (1 entry)

*Tweet this giveaway (1 entry daily) "RT Win a copy of Meredith Andrew's CD "As Long As It Takes"! Awesome music!! @meremusic http://bit.ly/9ypPeI"

*Follow my new review site Marvelous Mom Reviews (2 entries, comment 2x)


*Sign up for the Word Label Group Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the happenings of their great artists (2 entries, comment 2x) middle of homepage


*Become Meredith's Fan on Facebook and leave a message "I'm entered to win your CD at Woven by Words". Leave me your FB name (2 entries, comment 2x)


*Check out Meredith on Myspace and leave a comment (2 entries, comment 2x)


*Register to get Updates from Meredith (1 entry)


*Purchase anything from Meredith's Shop (5 entries per purchase, comment 5x) will be verified



Friday, March 26, 2010

Me In Motion CD: Review & 3 CD GIVEAWAY

Whether you're young or young at heart, you are going to love this CD. These guys are modern Christian rock and it shows throughout the entire CD. Their songs each have a great depth of sharing their faith and walk with the Lord. They challenge the younger generation not to be complacent in their walk with the Lord, of course that could apply to anyone at any age.

Their sound and lyrics are fun and refreshing. Even their toned down and more mellow songs still have that rock edge to them. Me in Motion will be able to cross over easily from rock Christian stations to the more contemporary with ease.

I would have to say this is definitely a crowd pleaser in my house! Me in Motion is exactly the sound my teen girls are listening to, but their not so cutting edge that I can't listen to them. I'm not old!! Really I'm not!! Yes, you will find me rockin' with the windows down in my minivan to Me in Motion this Spring...if the weather is good!

I've gone through each of the songs to give you a glimpse into what they share:

LOSERS: Absolutely awesome song to start this CD out with! Society always has a group of "losers" but Jesus digs those losers!

THE GOD I KNOW: Modern rock sound that makes you want to jump around! God doesn't hide himself from us and we shouldn't hide our faith!

GOTTA BE SOMETHING: Kind of an Anthem type song! Don't try to be like all, yes ALL the other "cool" people. Don't be ok with the standard quo! Be something!!

SEEK JUSTICE, LOVE MERCY: Here they slow down (but not too much!). Fantastic song calling us to not close our eyes to the suffering around us. Look past the here and now.

LEAVING HERE SOMEDAY: Time to do some serious living room dancing!!! We're all rushing around trying to accumulate what we can. Seriously, you can't take it with you!

YOU NEVER FAIL ME: Very cool sound and awesome beat. No matter what we do, God doesn't fail us. Simple as that, really.

BACK TO YOU: Mellower yet rock-y sound. We can, and do, stray from where God is leading us, but this song reminds us how good it is to run back to Him.

WELCOME TO YOUR LIFE: Awesome message to turn around. We can get so lost in our junk and make life so much harder on ourselves. We need to do what we know and turn back to what we know!

HERE IN THE MIDDLE: Are we here just to live & die? Can we do more with our "middle" and what will we do with it? Don't be a zombie through your life!

YOU MOVE ME: The sound of this song is so smooth. The chorus makes me want to lift my hands. The least "rock" song on the album.

Want to hear what MiM sounds like? Click this link to download a Free song:

heh heh heh You should check out their website just to spray paint the loading page! Oh man, I think I could (or am) get distracted by it! When you get to their homepage, there's an M_M in the right corner. If you click on that it changes your paint and also changes into a cloth to "erase". At their homepage, you can check out:

Tour Dates
Band Updates
Photos from Concerts
Twitter Feed
Purchase Products!

Follow MiM on

I have 3 copies of Me In Motion's self titled CD to giveaway! Would you love to win a copy?

Required: Follow Me In Motion on their Facebook page saying you are entering to win one of their CD's from Woven by Words. Leave a comment with your FB name to be verified.

Giveaway open to US residents at least 18 yrs old. Must leave an email or have it available in your profile. No email/contact = Ne entry. Giveaway ends 4/13, 10pm CDT. Void where prohibited.

Extra Entries:

Follow Woven by Words (1 entry)

Follow MiM on Twitter (1 entry)

Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry DAILY) "RT Me In Motion CD Giveaway! 3 WINNERS!! If you're a "Loser" you will ♥ this CD! @meinmotionband http://bit.ly/bsGvvD"

Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

Sign up for MiM Newsletter (1 entry)

Follow my new product review site Marvelous Mom Reviews (2 entries, comment 2x)

Sign up for the Centricity Music Newsletter (2 entries, comment 2x) bottom of homepage

Purchase Centricity Music Sale of the Week (5 entries, comment 5x) must be confirmed and MiM is their sale of the week for $5

Follow Centricity Music on Twitter (1 entry)


I'd love to thank Penny from Centricity Music for my review copy and the giveaway copies! If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, head to Centricity Music and apply with the link at the bottom of the home page.







Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs & GIVEAWAY

Here Burns My Candle
by Liz Curtis Higgs
ISBN: 9781400070015
Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah


Summary:

A mother who cannot face her future.
A daughter who cannot escape her past.


Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a keeper of secrets. A Highlander by birth and a Lowlander by marriage, she honors the auld ways, even as doubts and fears stir deep within her.

Her husband, Lord Donald, has secrets of his own, well hidden from the household, yet whispered among the town gossips.

His mother, the dowager Lady Marjory, hides gold beneath her floor and guilt inside her heart. Though her two abiding passions are maintaining her place in society and coddling her grown sons, Marjory’s many regrets, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, continue to plague her.

One by one the Kerr family secrets begin to surface, even as bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh in September 1745, intent on capturing the crown.

A timeless story of love and betrayal, loss and redemption, flickering against the vivid backdrop of eighteenth-century Scotland, Here Burns My Candle illumines the dark side of human nature, even as hope, the brightest of tapers, lights the way home.



My Review:

This was my first Liz Curtis Higgs novel. WOW is the first word that comes to mind. There is a lot of attention to detail in this story without being overwhelming. It added so much to the time and situations surrounding the lives of those in Edinburgh.

At first it was so hard to accept the failings of the characters in the story. The desire to strangle Lady Marjory, but understanding how she is the way she is. Donald, ugh, Donald...is it wrong to hope a character gets what's coming to him right from the get-go? Lady Elisabeth made me want to give her a shake to shake from her ignorance and on the other hand scared me because of her ways of worship. Then there were the characters that were scattered throughout the story who each in their own way added a strength.

Here Burns My Candle honestly compels you to read til the very end. I was hooked by Liz's writing on page one. She entwines you in the lives of these characters that have you celebrating and mourning with each passing moment. This is definitely a must-read novel!

Author Bio:

LIZ CURTIS HIGGS is the author of twenty-seven books with three million copies in print, including: her best-selling historical novels, Thorn in My Heart, Fair Is the Rose, Christy Award-winner Whence Came a Prince, and Grace in Thine Eyes, a Christy Award finalist; My Heart’s in the Lowlands: Ten Days in Bonny Scotland, an armchair travel guide to Galloway; and her contemporary novels, Mixed Signals, a Rita Award finalist, and Bookends, a Christy Award finalist. Visit the author’s extensive website at http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/.

Giveaway:

If you'd like to win a copy of Here Burns My Candle leave a comment letting me know what you are reading right now. If you're not reading anything currently, what was the title of the last book you read?

Giveaway open to US residents 18 and older. You must leave a way to contact you with email or in your profile. No email/contact = No entry. Giveaway ends 4/9 at 10pm CDT. Void where prohibited.

I'd like to thank Liz from AterBrook Multnomah. This was book as well as the giveaway copy was provided by WaterBrook Multnomah. Here you will see different options where you can purchase the book online: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070015

Thursday, March 25, 2010

CSN Upcoming Review Highlight

I'm so thrilled to be working with Ashley from CSN. Their selection of departments to shop from is mind boggling! One of the departments I'm looking at right now is their bar stools. Yes, bar stools! We have a counter that doubles as a eating bar and that's where my boys always love to eat.

Well, right now we're limited to one boy eating there because our other bar stool broke. The back literally snapped off! Of course, it wasn't for NO reason that it came off. The boys were messing around and the spindles just snapped off.






Being the DIY that I am, I figured we'd be able to fix it ourselves. I brought it over to my husband's place and asked if he could work on it. Thinking about it and how it could be fixed, it will be shorter than the other one if the spindles will go back in the same holes. So, instead of going through all that goofiness, I figure it's probably much easier and less stressful to just find a new set at be done with it! What do you think?

Keep an eye out for my upcoming review & giveaway from CSN.com. I have some Rachel Ray bakeware on the way!! So very excited!

How To Train Your Dragon: Special Mom Screening!

Get Tickets to How to Train Your Dragon Online!
Visit the Official How to Train Your Dragon Site


The reviews are SCORCHING HOT and the movie looks like a ton of fun. Check your local movie listings for information about time and location for other showings. Special morning screenings for moms this Friday, March 26th at 10 am in these cities:

○ Chicago (suburbs only)
○ Denver (Douglas County, Boulder Valley, Littleton)
○ Los Angeles (Inland Empire ONLY)
○ Miami (Broward County)
○ Minneapolis (Rosemount & Burnsville Eagan)
○ Orlando (Orange County, Brevard, Volusia)
○ Portland
○ Sacramento (Stockton, Lodi & Vacaville Counties)
○ Salt Lake City (Weber, Toolele & Murray Counties)
○ Tampa (Mantee, Sarasota, Hernando & Citrus County)
○ Washington D.C. (Prince Georges County & Spotslyvania)

From the studio that brought you “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda” comes “How to Train Your Dragon.” Set in the mythical world of burly Vikings and wild dragons, and based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn’t exactly fit in with his tribe’s longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup’s world is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that challenges him and his fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view.

DreamWorks Animation's “How to Train Your Dragon” was produced by Bonnie Arnold and directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois. Rated PG.

The boys have Spring Break next week so I was planning on taking them to see the movie! We've been excited since the Super Bowl commercials for it to come out!

I'd also like to thank Megan from Twittermoms.com for letting us know about the opportunity to share this with our followers!


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: A Garden Yet to Come


This is what I'm looking forward to. I know we're supposed to have yucky weather this weekend (flurries even), but I'm holding on to the fact that there are buds coming out of the dirt! I love Spring!

Link up to more Wordless Wednesdays at: 5 Minutes for Mom, Look What Mom Found, and JLeighDesignz.


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

i heart faces "Focusing On Angles"


This will be my first time entering a challenge at iheartfaces! If you haven't been to their site, you are truly missing out!

This past winter, I had a bad mom moment (I know, no surprise). This time it affected my little one in a negative way physically. The boys had been outside playing when I thought they were playing inside at the neighbors house. As soon as Doodle came in, I panicked! His cheeks were so frost bitten. I wanted to make sure I took pictures in case I needed to show them to a doctor. They were raised, mostly red except right underneath the eyes which was like a dark color, and then there was kind of a white ring around it. My poor little Doodle!

I felt so terrible after this happened. Of course, he was having so much fun outside playing he didn't feel his cheeks hurting. And what 6 yr old stops and thinks to himself, "I wonder if I've been outside in the elements too long. Maybe frost bite is setting in on my cheeks!" I'm happy to report that his cheeks are fine and there is no permanent damage.


*As a side note: My 16 yr old has my camera ~ translation, I don't have it around when I want to take photos. Then, this was my first time entering a challenge and the "idea" we had yesterday didn't fit the requirements. We were taking pictures of my dog. Hmmm what part of iheartfaces am I missing? Maybe the FACE of a human? hahahaha So, I got home late from work, had dinner, helped Buddy with his AWANA Grand Prix car. All of sudden, I remember I want to enter this challenge. I ran to the computer and started searching through tons of pictures. This one has NO editing. I'm sure I could've done something with it, but I was under the gun and got it in with only minutes to spare. Next time I tell ya, next time! :)

Monday, March 22, 2010

Mimi's Messy Monday ~ Launch

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So, I'm thinking (maybe hoping) that I'm not the only messy mom/woman. Then again, I could be wrong. You could be looking at this and wondering what planet I just fell off of. If I'm not alone, maybe you want to join in my first Link Up. I'm not a packrat or hoarder, just messy. I thought if we tidied up at least one spot once a week, we could become a bit tidier ~ together?

I know, I'm dreaming. My mom told me growing up I needed to marry someone rich so I could have a maid. I didn't marry a rich man and things haven't changed much since I lived at home, oh so many years ago. My messes only bother me when I'm missing a spoon for cereal, tripping over my kids' toys, or heaven forbid someone is coming over!

So, what is the first step? Take a before picture. Yep, the way it looks right now. Honesty will make you a better person or at least encourage you to head in that direction, right? Ok, so I'm not so good at psychology. AND, no tidying to have a cleaner picture.

Spend 30 minutes cleaning or organizing. Once that time is up, take your finished picture. Even if it isn't perfect or a completed project, take a picture! It will be a great reminder to you of what you've accomplished in a short period of time. It's ok not to finish, and that's what we have to be ok with. The fact that there was an attempt (at least at my house) is fantastic! If you finish before the 30 minutes, let us know. I think often I "know" cleaning this or that will take at least 3 hours when in reality it only might take 15 mintues or 47 minutes. In my mind, the pile or mess becomes Mt. Kilimanjaro!
Down the road I might implement some spots for us to work on as an assignment, maybe get the kids involved. It's just a thought. We'll see what comes of this. If everyone is mortified about airing their dirty laundy (literally) then I won't worry about it. =)

Alrighty readers. So last night (Sunday) before I went to bed, I thought to myself, "I wonder if I have anything that's going to post in the morning. Nah, I don't have any reviews tomorrow." Yeah...WHAT ABOUT PERSONAL POSTS YOU'VE FORGOTTEN ABOUT?! So, this morning I wake up to a lovely note from Pam telling me she liked the pictures with my cat. My what? Oh STINK, my Messy Monday post posted! I'm totally not prepared. I was working on a button last week and this weekend was so busy I forgot to get it made. I also forgot to put a link button up, but I at least have that ready. I will work on my button when I get home from Moms In Touch (which I'll be going to the 1st time this month since none of my kids is home sick). Sigh...somedays (ne most days) I wonder about myself. :)



Sunday, March 21, 2010

Spring Read Thing 2010


Katrina at Callapidder Days has the Spring Read Thing 2010 up and running today! So it's that time of year again when we get to post about the books we hope to read for Spring. For some reason, I'm not prepared this Spring. So, I'm going to have to scramble to get an idea of what I'll be reading. I've learned from past Reading challenges that I list too many books that I don't get around to reading AND I always get books during the challenge that weren't on my list.

Being part of several book tour groups, I get requests all the time and never know what books are going to be offered. So, I'm going to have a separate group this Spring Read Thing for books that fall within the time frame of being read, but didn't know I was going to get to read them. No, that won't be the title of the category!

So here goes nothin':

YOUTH

Let's Have a Daddy Day by Karen Kingsbury

Starlighter by Bryan Davis

Lost Island Smugglers by Max Elliot Anderson

Allon by Shawn Lamb

The Prophecy by Dawn Miller

This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano



FICTION

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs

Somwhere to Belong by Judith Miller

In the Midst of It All by Tiffany L. Warren

A Promise Kept by Cara C. Putman

My Name is Russell Fink by Michael Snyder

A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Texas Roads by Cathy Bryant

Finding Jeena by Miralee Ferrell

Morning for Dove by Martha Rogers

Seeds of Summer by Deborah Vogts



NON-FICTION

Disrupting Grace by Kristen Richburg


SURPRISE BOOKS



Saturday, March 20, 2010

Faith'n'Fiction Saturday: Let's Discuss Young Adult Fiction


Faith'n'Fiction Saturday is a weekly discussion about the intersection of faith and fiction. You may participate by posting a comment or writing a post on your blog. Next week is the second round table discussion. The book we discussed was In the Garden of the North American Martyrs. For a complete schedule of the round tables for the rest of the year, please refer to this list.

Today I'd like to talk about YA fiction for Christian teens. The Christian fiction market for YA is still quite small and not varied. It seems heavy on fantasy or girly books. Let's be honest.

But that doesn't mean there's not a wealth of great books published in the general market for Christian teens. Today's challenge is to compile a list of recommended books, Christian or general market for Christians teens.

Here's My List:








Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are by Alex & Brett Harris (giving this away here)


Kingdom Series by Chuck Black





















DragonKeeper Chronicles Series by Donita K. Paul









Hollywood Nobody Series by Lisa Samson

Wingfeather Saga Series by Andrew Peterson

The Book of Names by D. Barkley Briggs

The Dreamhouse Kings by Robert Liparulo









All About Us Series by Shelley Adina

Friday, March 19, 2010

SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Alright, I'm no doctor, but I've been living with myself for 40 yrs now. I have a feeling I know myself better than anyone. I think I'm being affected by SAD. It's a phenomenon I'd never heard of until a few years ago.

I know many say that living in Seattle would depress anyone, but having lived there for 15 yrs, I can honestly say, the rain never got to me emotionally. At least not enough to give me a disorder. In fact, I love rain. Sigh...love it!

I've now lived in Minnesota for 12 yrs, which is nearly beyond baffling to me. I feel like I've been here 1/2 that time. I know it has to do with the fact that our lives speed up the older we get. You would think that after being here for over a decade I'd begin to get used to the depressingly long winters. Well, I haven't. Until last year, I had never had what I called the "winter blues" or "cabin fever".
SAD hit me for the first time pretty hard last year about this same time, starting in February. From WebMD here are some signs of SAD:
  • decreased levels of energy

  • difficulty concentrating

  • fatigue

  • increase in appetite

  • increased desire to be alone

  • increased need for sleep

  • weight gain

I want to state for the record that WebMD says we should not diagnose ourselves and that we should see a specialist! I completely agree.

I think I have a hard time during this time of the year for a number of reasons. Work is cut back significantly. The last 3 yrs I have worked 3 days a week through the winter, but this year, I'm cut back to 2. Thankfully last week I worked a full week working in a different department. But, 1 week out of 5 isn't helpful to my brain, my body, or my checkbook!

This year I have definitely gained weight. Not a lot that people can tell by looking at me, but my jeans can tell. I can feel it and it's not a good feeling! I haven't felt this way for years and years. I've been eating out of boredom and sitting at home I seem to be hungry more often.

Definitely having issues with fatigue. I took a nap today that was an hour and a half and when I woke up, I wanted to keep sleeping. Of course, but then 1/2 my day was gone. I hate wasting mornings to sleep.

And the issue I'm having the hardest time with is my desire to be alone. I have no desire to call anyone, do anything, or be involved in any activities. When I look back at my time when my girls were little, I was so active! I was volunteering at the elementary school constantly. I knew all the teachers, knew all of their friends. It was so much fun. I have all of this time on my hands and you'd think I'd do something with it. Nah, seems I'd rather sit at home in my pajamas and on the computer getting absolutely nothing accomplished.

What I do know is I can't continue this way. I will end up a 200 lb blob with absolutely no friends and depressed 24/7/365 if I don't do something. The hard part is finding the desire to do that something! Yesterday I went and did some running around and I was exhausted by the end of the day. How ridiculous is that? Tomorrow I'm going to my son's school to make pancakes to celebrate "If You Give A Pig A Pancake".

I've learned over the last couple weeks that I probably won't do well with retirement unless I keep busy. I always thought, "Oh, I can't wait until I retire. I'll sit around reading books, watching tv, and just doing nothing in general." Surprise, guess I don't know myself as well as I thought!

 
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Woven by Words by Mimi B is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.