Generosity and Divorce are themes as we Read the Bible this year

Reading the Bible in 1 Year: History of the Children of Israel

The Nation of Israel - Reading the Bible in 1 Year

Friday, December 31, 2010

Earth-Friendly in More Ways than One

I’ve ridden my bike to work a few times but want to try to do it more often this spring. Unfortunately, I’m one of those fair-weathered riders. And, I know I need to toughen up—at least a little.

Lucky for me, I have some inspiration right around my own office. One of my friends rides her bike to work every day—rain or shine. And, believe me, in Portland, Oregon, it’s more often rain than shine.

She’s a true inspiration.

But, on top of that, she just told me about Trek Eco, it’s a sustainable biking company. They build and sell bikes that have been made out of recycled materials. Now, how cool is that? Not only is she doing her part by riding to work on her bike, but her bike is doing its part too by being earth-friendly from the start.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

BREAK THE RULES in 2011

People tell us to “Set realistic goals”.

I say, "WHY?"

New Year’s Eve
Is the perfect time
for new beginnings,
forgiving and forgetting
things better left behind.


Goals shouldn’t be practical. Not at a time like this. This is the dawning of a new year, a new decade, perhaps even a new life.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life
. Start it right. Dare to dream, believe in yourself, try something new. Have faith. There’s no better time than NOW.

We’re all standing on the edge, leaning over a precipice, take the leap, plunge headfirst into the New Year.

You can become the person you want to be
Don’t tell yourself “It’s just not me”
Step outside your box today
Remember
You’re never to old to run or play


Mom used to say, “If you have the faith of a mustard seed, you can move mountains”.

I’m saying it doesn’t need to be a mountain you move, but at least start with a molehill.

Change something, try something, dare something, become something. . .new.

Turn the page and start anew
Try something you never thought you’d do
Wear red or yellow, pink, chartreuse
Order calamari, duck or goose


Isn’t that what the New Year brings to all of us. . .the chance to change?

You can achieve something you’ve never done before. All it takes is opening, not closing, the door. . . to possibilities.

Goals shouldn’t be realistic. I say, “Shoot for the Moon even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”


So, start by setting some Resolutions or goals for yourself. Remember a goal is only an objective or stated intention. Even if you don't make it all the way, you'll get farther than if you never had any focus.

Let's state our intentions or, a goal or two, maybe even ten.

One piece of advice is to make goals specific and measurable: “I want to enter a cooking contest” rather than “I want to be a good cook." People need quantifiable results and I love to set goals so I can cross those little suckers off my never-ending bucket list.

Here are my goals for 2011:

1) Train for a marathon
2) Run a 15k, a half-marathon and get ready for the biggie in 2012 (baby steps)
3) Knit some fingerless gloves (I started some in 2010 but never finished them)
4) Take a class (it doesn't matter what - I want to be a lifetime learner)
5) Start skiing again (snow-I never gave up on water)
6) Volunteer (I volunteered for Wordstock in 2010 and it's worth doing again)
7) Write another novel (I have a few manuscripts but want to finish another one)
8) Share seeds, plants, and flowers
9) Ride my bike to work more than I did in 2010
10)Plant more vegetables in 2011

I could go on and on...how 'bout you? Share some of your goals in "comments" and I'll leave you with: Auld Lang Syne (translated: Old Long Since)

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,
and never thought upon;
The flames of Love extinguished,
and fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,
that loving Breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
on Old long syne.

CHORUS:
On Old long since my Jo,
in Old long since,
That thou canst never once reflect,
on Old long since.
My Heart is ravished with delight,
when thee I think upon;
All Grief and Sorrow takes the flight,
and speedily is gone;
The bright resemblance of thy Face,
so fills this, Heart of mine;
That Force nor Fate can me displease,
for Old long since.

CHORUS
Since thoughts of thee doth banish grief,
when from thee I am gone;
will not thy presence yield relief,
to this sad Heart of mine:
Why doth thy presence me defeat,
with excellence divine?
Especially when I reflect
on Old long since

If you want to read more on blogs, resolutions and writing, check out RedRoom.com

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Kindle Tips and Hints

Okay, I just got my Kindle so I might not be an authority - yet - but I've learned a few things in a day or two and one is that Squidoo did a post that links some great books to fill up your empty 'cyber' bookshelf with.

But, I've been checking out samples to see what I want to buy. Amazon lets you browse through books, just like at a bookstore, to see if you like the writer's style and the way the story is moving. I've checked out two books and looked through the first three chapters to see if I want to buy them. I'm probably going to be buying more books than I did before - just because of the convenience factor. But, I've also heard that I can "check out" books from my local library - on my Kindle. I haven't figured that one out- yet. But, like I said, I'm just getting started.

One thing I did do, I uploaded one of my own manuscripts so I could work on it during my lunch hour. That was way cool and super simple to do. I just had to email the story to my "approved" email and then send it to my kindle email address. Within a minute, there it was. Waiting for me.

Another thing I really like is how light the kindle is. I tend to read very late at night - or maybe I should say very early because it's usually after midnight when I crawl into bed to read. And, lots of times I fall asleep reading. The Kindle saves my spot - so no more re-reading pages to find my place the next night.

I do have one gripe. I wish the screen was a touchscreen, just like my phone. But, I'm not complaining, or maybe only a little.

Still, I think I'm going to love this.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Tuesday Emo-Trauma and Drama

We all wanted to go rock wall climbing on Sunday, it was one of our "family gifts" from the holidays. So we climbed in the car(s) and headed toward the Portland Rock Wall Gym. Unfortunately, as soon as we arrived in the parking lot the person who was planning to belay for us suddenly got ill. He said he could still hold us, but I'm a Mom and didn't want to take any chances having someone "hold our lives in their hands" when those hands might be weakened by the flu-like symptoms we were witnessing. I wasn't so reassured.

So it was a quick EZ decision: alternate event.

We headed off to the movies:

Narnia and the Little Fockers.

I laughed so hard at the Little Fockers my son even commented on the tears rolling down my cheeks. I told him, "Maybe you have to have in-laws to find it so funny". Not that I've ever been asked to take a lie-detector test...that I remember ;) of course I'm data dumping from my hard drive (or cerebrum and little neurons) all the time as I get older and older.

Still, I had a great time. Then we went home to catch up on a little more movie-madness. We watched The Walking Dead on Demand. Nothing like a little zombiefied footage to help finish off your holiday festivities and the weekend.

I enjoyed it-not so much my husband. He's not a zombie-kind-of-guy, unless it's Saturday morning and I haven't had my coffee yet--then he's totally hanging with the zombiettes.

So, this weekend we'll be celebrating by ringing in the the New Year while we're making up our previously scheduled Rock Climbing.

How 'bout you? Any special plans for the holiday?

Monday, December 27, 2010

Kindle for Christmas

I got a Kindle for Christmas! I've been wanting one of these for a couple of years but, with two kids in college, I just couldn't justify the expense. Now I have one! Yipee!

I've been playing with it. I've only gotten about 70% through the tutorial but, already it's much cooler than I thought. I had no idea it could cruise the net like it can.

I'm enjoying the gift and I haven't even read any books on it -- yet.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Friday, December 24, 2010

Pretty as a Present


Presentation is everything. And it's amazing how the "devil is in the details". Just look out how a simple bow can do the trick when it comes to making a square box look beautiful. Take a peek at this present...ation. Isn't the package pretty?

And, believe me, the picture doesn't do justice to the pretty, pretty perfect present. The silver paper acted like a mirror and reflected the light back when I tried to take the picture. But, I think you'll get the idea.

Remember sometimes it's the small things that matter the most: a smile, a gentle touch, or even a kind word. So take a moment to add that final touch. You'll be glad you did.