Archive for February, 2010
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
First of all, WOW. You guys rock. Thank you so much for sharing all the things you do to be healthy (yesterday’s post). None of us can claim to be perfectly healthy, but I love that we all focused on what we are doing right.
My Monday success: I resisted all peanut M&M temptations. (Thanks for your support.)
My Monday failure: I had a mint Oreo. And it was so good. So I had 3 more.
My Tuesday goal: Defeat the mint Oreos. I will win today. I will not focus on how yummy they are with a glass of cold milk. I won’t.
Moving on.
My parents, who some of you may remember are serving a mission in Finland, sent this picture yesterday.
Oh. My. Cold. This this was not a stand-out-in-the-snow-and-pose kind of picture. Oh no. My parents seem to walk everywhere (wonderful for their hearts!) and my dad is actually outside manually shoveling sidewalks and steps nearly every day. Love that man.
And my brother Steven sent this picture from the home front (our childhood home in Maryland). This is what my parents’ driveway looks like at the moment. Awesome.
So anyway, I am just thinking about all of you who are in the depths of “real” Winter right now. For those of you who wish you weren’t, I’m sending you a little virtual sunshine today. Some blue skies and puffy clouds, albeit pre-stormish when I took this on Sunday.
Tags: Finland, health, parents, snow, will power
Posted in holidays & seasons | 5 Comments »
Monday, February 8th, 2010
Funny story.
Last Thursday, I asked a simple question on Facebook (and Twitter) that said:
Why do I get so weak around peanut M&M’s? What’s your current (food-related) weakness?
You see, I had just grabbed a(nother) handful of those little yummies to munch on while I worked. And so it caused me to wonder what your go-to snack might be. I was curious. Here’s the funny part. Of all the tweets on Twitter and notes on Facebook I’ve ever posted, this simple question led to a record-setting response. Quantity and response speed.
Why? Because we all weighed in on reporting our favorite food weakness.
Let me just say that I believe life is too short to not enjoy a favorite snack now & then. But lately, the “enjoying” has been a little too much in our home lately. Busy schedules have pushed good health to the side a bit. So here’s what I’m thinking for today. I’m going to ask another question. But this time we’re focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses. Are you with me?
Q: What is one of the specific habits you have to live a healthy life? Seriously. I want to know.
A: Post a comment. Yes, you. Surely you are willing to share just one little thing that you do.
I am no example of healthy awesomeness right now, trust me. But I’ll start the ball rolling by sharing a few of my “things”.
1. I don’t drink my calories. I have made an effort to drink more water. Throughout the day and with my meals. That’s not to say I don’t love a little root beer with Mexican food once in a while. But for the most part, I pass on juice and soda.
2. I am a slow eater. Ask anyone who eats with us. I’m the last one to finish.
3. I don’t drink. As in alcohol. Beer, wine, coffee, none of it. Actually (refrain from gasping) … I never have. Like, ever. Made a conscience choice and personal commitment as a teenager to never, ever drink alcohol. Not good for my body or my mind or my spirit. One of the best decisions in my life.
4. I work out every day. Oh. Wait. Got ahead of myself. That’s what I’m going to be able to say at a later date.
5. Baby steps. I will not touch a peanut M&M this week. Peanut M&M’s are my personal enemy this week and I will win.
Okay, so that’s us today here on my blog. Focusing on the positive. So go ahead. Be positive. Focus on your positiveness. Share your positivity with us. We want to learn from you.
Tags: habits, health, snacks, weakness, well-being
Posted in food | 8 Comments »
Friday, February 5th, 2010
For your weekend reading pleasure … these are all quick but insightful & inspiring reads. Each has invoked personal reflection and assessment and so I’m passing them along to you. Happy Weekend!
5. Kara Layne: Questions, Answers, and Stories
A reminder to share more with our children. Kara is a talented photographer and a gifted writer too, so her blog is not only eye candy but I enjoy reading just about any topic she addresses.
4. Zen Habits: How Not to Hurry
I sooo need to adapt some of these ideas on slowing down. I’m quite certain many of you feel the same way.
3. Simple Mom: Engaged Parenting
Intended for parents around the time of New Years Resolutions, but I think it’s a great topic to think about all the time.
2. Digital Photography School: 11 Tips to Succeed with a Photo365 Project
A photographer’s perspective on taking a picture-a-day. Around here, we call it POTD. Picture of the Day. Right in line with those of us taking this approach with our Project Life.
1. Actually … I’m going to come back to this one. This particular online find does not fall into the “quick read” category. And really, I think it needs its own post. So I’m going to share my favorite online find of the week … next week. Expect some challenges. : )
Tags: kara layne, parenting, photography, simple mom, zen habits
Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
So you have an idea on what to share with other families for Valentines (see “Post-it Love” below if you missed it), but how about the kiddos? Most kids will be exchanging Valentines with their friends, so here’s a simple idea for that.
Something I try to do with any of these little holiday exchanges, is make it personal. I want my kids to be involved in creating these little gifts that they give to their buddies. Plus, it’s awesome, creative togetherness time. Here’s the end result of Porter’s Valentines that he’ll be exchanging next week with his first grade classmates:
(Claire’s art is pretty darn cute too … she just needs to finish coloring it.)
And this is how it’s done. Put some goodies or yummies in small, clear bags. Check the craft store or use plain ol’ ziplock bags. I use those most of the time, but happen to have like a thousand of these sturdy poly bags, so that’s why I used those instead. Anyway, no matter what you use … give the bag some sugar. : )
Have your child create a little bit of Valentines art. Let them be creative and express their wishes however they choose. You just need to provide the paper already cut down to a horizontal rectangle, knowing that it will be a bag topper. Porter wanted to write this message and add a few hearts. Appropriate. Then … scan the art and pop that image a document a couple of times, keeping in mind that the width needs to be adjusted to be whatever your bag width is. Also keep in mind that it will be folded, so your art is toward the bottom with space above it for the folding. This is what my finished document looks like.
Then of course, you print as many as you need, cut the labels, fold them over the bags, and staple. Done.
Here’s what the kids did last year. Again, personalizing with their own creativity: “Valentines & Another Give-away”
And another idea from the year before: “A Simple Valentine”
Tags: kids' art, valentines
Posted in DIY, giving, holidays & seasons | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
Jessie left a comment that was probably going through some of your minds as well. Great idea, Jessie! Here is the note card in a blank version so you can print & hand-write your own personal message. I’m also sharing a file that has a generic message already on it so you can just print & sign your name at the bottom and be done. : )
(I’m referring to the post right before this one.)
Blank card: blank.card.pdf
Card with message: note.card.pdf
Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
More on love today. Wanted to share with you an idea with Valentines Day coming up. This is actually something that we did for a few friends at Christmas time. The idea behind this — with love being on my mind so much lately — is that love is shown in so many different ways. Small and big.
One of the small ways that we can show love for our family is to leave quick notes for one another. Notes of encouragement, paying a compliment, expressing gratitude, saying we’re sorry, and even just a simple “I love you”. I have fond memories of my brothers & I putting post-it notes on the bathroom mirror for my parents. My mom kept them collaged all over the inside of the cabinet door for years.
Little expressions of post-it love. That’s it. Simple.
This is how we shared some post-it love with our friends. You can find little containers in the organizational section of WalMart or Target or the dollar store.
1. I “decorated” the top of the box with a simple label (attached with a piece of clear packaging tape). I’m more simple when it comes to decorating, but you could get really creative with your presentation.
2. The first thing you see when you open the box is a card with a note from our family, explaining what the post-it notes are for.
3. The next little card is a scripture to remind us that love is a commandment.
4. Then you see a couple of pens and post-it note pads.
5. And who wouldn’t love some candy at the bottom? Some fun red & pink wrapped Valentines candy would be so fun.
In case you’d like to do this for Valentines Day, here are a couple PDFs, ready to print.
Box label: box.label.pdf
Scripture card: scripture.card.pdf
The personal note from you should be, well … personal. So while I’m not sharing my file for you to print, here’s what our note said (click on it to see it larger):
Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments »
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Hello February!
LOVE is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. Not just because Valentines Day is coming up. And not just in the romantic or even parental sense. So regardless if you think you have a “special someone” in your life right now … stick with me on this. We all need to have more love in our hearts right now.
There are a lot of pretty rotten things that swirl around us. This world is a crazy place. We may have people in our circle of influence that are choosing to do hurtful things. Hearts are breaking. Decisions are being made about our communities, our schools, and our countries that we can’t control. Natural disaster is causing so many to lose hope.
There’s no doubt about it: It’s a tough world out there.
Turn inward for a moment. Think about your heart and where it is right now. Are your thoughts and your actions portraying love?
AT HOME. What is the feeling in your home lately? Is your home a haven and a refuge from the world? When someone messes up, how do you react? When your child walks in the door from school or your husband walks in from a long day at work, how do you greet them?
Because I know that 90-95% of you reading this are women, I am directing this to you: YOU are the heart of your home. YOU set the tone. YOU have the greatest influence on your family. I truly believe that. Are you setting the tone of love? Are you frequently and sincerely and proactively reminding your family how you feel about them through your thoughts, words, and actions?
EXTENDING LOVE OUTSIDE YOUR HOME. If we all had a little more love in our hearts, I believe there would be less criticism, less driving frustration, less bickering about how people are doing their job, less gossip, and absolutely less hurt.
Let us increase in our desire to strengthen and uplift those around us. Use kinder words. Hold back when you have the urge to gossip or criticize. Let go of that grudge. Serve someone. Serve someone today. If you have specific ideas for how you can increase love in your heart and in your home, feel free to share in the Comments. I’m certain someone else will benefit from your experience.
To truly love is to act in love.
Love,
Becky
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
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