Wednesday, April 9, 2008

RANDOM - American Idol Gives Back

Like thousands of others out there - I'm an avid Idol watcher. I watched "Idol Gives Back" tonight. It was a great production to say the least. I was super amazed with the ending - Mariah Carey did a GREAT job - sung a wonderful song and then "Shout to the Lord" by the Idols was also AWESOME! Wow - ending the show by turning our thoughts to Jesus Christ - the only One who can truely save any of us. Props to the idols and producers. Glory to God!

I will add a link to video as soon as I can.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Inspiration - Valorie Burton

I signed up for weekly e-newsletters from Rich Minds, Rich Rewards a few months ago. I look forward to receiving them each week so I thought I'd share the one from this week and encourage you to sign up for the newsletters as well.

"What have you been putting off? Almost all of us do it from time to time. I'm convinced that procrastination is one of the biggest causes of stress. You have something you know needs to be done. Often, it's not even something difficult. But you've made it difficult in your mind, and as a result, you never get started. Instead, you do everything else you can think of - wash dishes, organize your files, surf the internet, check email - rather than the thing you actually need to do. Perhaps you're even procrastinating right now. It drains your energy and wastes precious time.

This week, I challenge you to focus your energy and just do what needs to be done. There are two antidotes to procrastination:

1. Drop the goal or project, and don't do it.
2. Exercise some discipline, and just go ahead and do it.

Sometimes procrastination is a sign that you don't want or need to do the thing you're dreading, in which case Option 1 is a good choice (this does not apply to filing taxes, paying bills, picking kids up from school, etc.). At other times, procrastination is a sign of perfectionism, stubbornness or lack of self-discipline, all of which you have the power to change. If this is the category you relate to, Option 2 is your best choice. Don't make the task or project a big deal. Break it into smaller pieces and just get started.

So what is it that you need to do? Don't wait for inspiration, just start. You don't have to "feel" like doing something to do it. Often, in the process of starting, your mood develops. And even if it doesn't, the feeling you have after completing something you didn't want to do is well worth it.

My challenge to you this week:
Stop procrastinating. Get it done!


www.valorieburton.com

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Recommendation - Garage Sale

If you have kids - you know that they constantly need new clothes to accomodate their growth.

So- if you're in the Tulsa area - you might want to check out this sale on March 29th:
http://tulsamoms.org/images/Documents/GSFlyer.pdf

It's hosted by Mothers of Multiples...but anyone can go check it out as a consumer.
They usually have a spring and a fall sale....over 100 contributers!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Random - Spring

It's Spring! Finally! I'm so excited about longer days and warmer weather. My kids can actually play outside. I can throw on shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops. YAY!
Here are a few other things about Spring:

Parks - I love taking the kids to the parks around town. They get exercise and sun but best of all it's FREE fun. =)

Landscaping - It's time to do something with my landscaping. I tore out some old bushes so now I am researching what to plant. I may just spread out some mulch and buy a park bench and call it good. No upkeep! haha I don't have a green thumb. I'll post again if I decide to be more creative than that.

Garage Sales - I like going to garage sales though I'm a very picky consumer. It's really just going for the chance they will have kids play clothes the correct size for a way marked down price....the possible chance that I'll find a unique piece of furniture or other random item I might not have been able to live with out. haha

Spring Break - I actually took a couple days off. It was really nice. I actually didn't even sign on a computer for 3 days! WOW. It actually rained the days I had off so we didn't get to go to the lake or the zoo as we had planned. The kids still enjoyed getting to visit the grandparents, sleeping in and fighting with each other! lol

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Random - Easter Shopping


When I was a child, one of my favorite times of the year was Easter...primarily because I got new clothes and a basket full of candy.
I remember one year though that the shopping wasn't any fun. I was 11 years old...the age where I wanted to look a little more "grown up" and my grandma had offered to buy my sister and I outfits this year. I was a skinny girl and my parents strictly regulated that I wore sleeves which meant sun dresses were out. We had a difficult time finding anything and finally settled on an outfit that I hated! It was a crisp white shirt with a pilgrim styled collar edged with tiny yellow flowers and a long yellow skirt...it was full and gathered at the waist. I never wore it again after that Easter Sunday.
Now - as a parent I want to make sure my investments are going to "pay off"....even if it means my 7 yr old daughter picks out something I wouldn't have preferred....if she loves it - she will wear it again!
This year we ended up at Old Navy and left with the whole ensemble: a cute fushia dress, sandals and a matching purse....all for less than $35...we're both happy!


Monday, March 3, 2008

Random - Lost Hobbies

I don't know about you but I had some hobbies that I've not enjoyed in quite a while...blame it on kids, marriage, the internet....whatever I just haven't made time for them. I think hobbies help create a "well rounded" person so I'm trying this year to make time for them and see if they still interest me or not.

1. Reading - I have actually still done this....with my Bible reading & a book or two in the "inspirational" type of book...not books purely for entertainment. So I'm currently reading a novel "I Heard That Song Before" by Mary Higgins Clark. She writes good mysteries...not too gross for the faint at heart most of the time.

2. Sewing - I haven't settled on a project yet. I'm thinking maybe I'll make an Easter outfit for my daughter but she really likes to shop and Easter comes early this year SO maybe not! Maybe I'll start with a smaller project to get myself back in the sewing game.

There are others - that I will post some other time. Do you have hobbies that you have neglected? What is your excuse? Do you think you would like to restart those hobbies?

Random - Too Busy

Woah - I just realized it's been over 2 weeks since I posted anything. Just when I thought I was going to stay caught up with the "every day" stuff...I got busy again. You know how it is - planning parties, getting sick, kids school stuff, on and on.
Life should slow back down for me a little bit...hopefully I haven't spoken too soon.