Genesis Moments - A Writer's Journey

Rice, Rice, Baby . . . And the winner is . . .

Your comments have blown me AWAY! I can't believe all the people out there wanting a rice cooker for the microwave. Granted, it is a great product - versatile and useful but being a small-time blogger I didn't expect the 505 comments. You are wonderful people with so many encouraging remarks. I wanted to give you all one for the many reasons listed from birthdays to college dorm rooms to the incredible link love to other sites.

BUT, there can only be one winner and it is: Angela at Seven Dogs and a Baby who I noticed is holding her own AllyZabba giveaway so go check her out and leave a comment to win.

Fascinated with this whole rice obsession, I had to do some research. Did you know?

"With high nutrients, rice is a good source of insoluble fiber, which is also found in whole wheat, brand and nuts.  Insoluble fiber reduces the risk of bowel disorders and fights constipation. Among other nutrients, rice is rich in carbohydrates, the main sources of energy,  low in fat, contains some protein and plenty of B vitamins." All About Rice at Pechsiam.

IRRI in Rice around the World adds: "World rice production in 2007 was approximately 645 million t. At least 114 countries grow rice and more than 50 have an annual production of 100,000 t or more. Asian farmers produce about 90% of the total, with two countries, China and India, growing more than half the total crop." Lots more facts on this site!

THAT'S A LOTTA RICE!

There was so much more to write but I don't have time for a rice thesis today.

(By the way, my middle name is Rice but don't tell, okay? Old family name.)

Thank you again for playing. Please feel free to contact me directly about quality home cooking products since I can no longer post the link on my blog site.

Fight the Frump: Beauty Care for the Tongue

After writing a post on rules of engagement: when bloggers meet face to face, I started reading a little out-of print 1972 Christian devotional book called Beauty Care for the Tongue by LeRoy Koopman. I was given this suggestion of a little book by a dear friend who knows me well and knew she could give this to me in love. I do need all the help I can get.

I haven't gotten far into the book but the titles of the chapters are inspiring and include:

Beauty Hint #1. The Importance of a Beautiful Tongue
Beauty Hint #2. A Beautiful Tongue is a Silent Tongue
Beauty Hint #3. A Beautiful Tongue is an Appreciative Tongue
Beauty Hint #4. A Beautiful Tongue is a Witnessing Tongue
Beauty Hint #5. A Beautiful Tongue is a Clean Tongue
Beauty Hint #6. A Beautiful Tongue is a Kind Tongue
Beauty Hint #7. A Beautiful Tongue is a Tongue That Does Not Gossip
Beauty Hint #8. A Beautiful Tongue is a Truthful Tongue
Beauty Hint #9. A Beautiful Tongue is a Contented Tongue
Beauty Hint #10. A Beautiful Tongue is a Simple Tongue

Chapter Five shares "Breath Fresheners" with the caution: "These may have a paralyzing effect on the tongue."

"Know this, my beloved sisters. Let every woman be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." James 1:19
"A fool takes no pleassure in understanding, but only in expressing her opinion." Proverbs 18:2
"Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord." Zechariah 2:13
"(There is) a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." Ecclesiastes 3:17

I love women's ministries with all my heart and I know how we women struggle. Let's spiff up that tongue the way we spiff up our hair, our shoes, our wardrobe. Bring in the beautifiers.Throw out what not to say!

This little book is set up for individual and group study and I look forward to seeing how it could be used in our women's group at church. For now, I will stick with the individual study. If we did it in a group, I might be convicted to have tongue plastic surgery and remove the offending body part altogether!

Go make someone's day! AND check out Fussy's Frump Fighting Manifesto today at Mrs. Fussypants Guide to Life.

Rules of Engagement: Bloggers Meeting Face-to-Face

Blogging has introduced a whole new form of communicating to the world. Unfortunately it has made some  personal interactions a little more awkward.

If your F2F (face to face) conversations include the following, you have officially entered the blogging vortex:

"I said it better on my blog, go read it there."

"Did I tell you about . . ." "No, but I read it on your blog." "Oh, what do I say now?"

"I read you were coming today."

BUT, what I have come to realize, as more people are outed for their secret blogging and more and more meet-ups are being planned, there are certain rules of F2F etiquette that we need to remember (myself as much as anyone else).

1) DON'T OUT A BLOGGER
    If someone wants to keep their private thoughts available to everyone else BUT closest family and friends and co-workers, it is not your place to announce their website. I had to realize with one friend that though she was successful and I was proud of her, she wanted to share it first and I had to hold back my references to her favorite pastime until she was more comfortable with everyone knowing.

2) DON'T TELL SOMEONE YOU WILL NEVER READ THEIR BLOG
    As in any conversation, graciousness has to rule because though you might not agree with a blogger's views or maybe aren't at the same point in life, never tell someone you won't ever read their blog. It only makes you look bad and if you want to make or keep that friend, show a little interest in what they consider important. If you are seeing them F2F now, you might just run into them again.

3) DON'T TAKE EMBARRASSING PHOTOS TO POST WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION
    I so appreciate one friend asking me before posting a picture of us drinking coffee together. It wasn't the greatest picture of me but I just appreciated her asking first and so I let it go up. Everyone knows that a multi-dimensional blogger has a digital camera hidden somewhere on their person at every occasion. It is okay to take pictures, just ask before you share them with the world.

4) DON'T COMMENT ON HOW MUCH BETTER THEIR ONLINE PHOTO LOOKS
    When you meet the first time, you might be tempted to note how different a blogger looks. Please refrain for the long lasting relationship of both of you. People do tend to post flattering photos. I know, I do.

5) DON'T LET ON YOU KNOW THEIR WHOLE LIFE STORY
    Even if you have read every scenario of a person's life, people who are proliferate writers may be proliferate speakers and want to something to say that you don't know. Fortunately, there are a vast number of experiences in life to talk about and your perspective is unique and so is theirs.

6) DO YOUR RESEARCH
    If you have forewarning of meeting a person for the first time and haven't read their blog, take a few minutes to at least know what their blog is about. It helps to move the conversation along.

7) DO ASK QUESTIONS
    F2F is not the time for YOU to share everything you never wrote. If you listen, you might just get more interesting blog fodder you never thought about. Conversations are just like blogs -- if your focus is only ever just about you, people won't stay around long.

8) DO TAKE FUN PICTURES TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD
    People love to hear what happens when computer glued, pajama and glasses with chipping pedicure mamas actually get dressed, do some spiffing up and see each other F2F.

9) TAKE YOUR LITTLE NOTEBOOK EVERYWHERE
    You never know when a person's comment, new hat, new shoes, new diet, choice of entree and more can spark a whole new post or article (just don't let on who it is about). If you think you might not remember and don't want to look like a journalist in an interview, excuse yourself to the ladies room and write like MAD! Don't stay too long or a post about you might be more unfavorable than you would like.

10) REALIZE YOUR OWN VULNERABILITY
    While the world is your blogging fodder, you are theirs too!

Finally, please read The Art of Civilized Conversation by Margaret Shepherd which I will summarize here in her Ten Rules of Conversation:
 
   Tell the Truth
    Don't Ramble
    Don't Interrupt
    Ask Questions and Listen to Answers
    Don't Take Advantage of People
    Don't Dwell on Appearances
    Don't Touch Taboo Topics
    Disagree in a Civilized Fashion
    Don't Be A Bore
    Don't Gossip


Now, Fellow Bloggers, I want enough comments to make a new post on this topic.

What have your experiences been and what would you add?

WW: Behold the Friendly Gorilla - Zoo shots

The Gorilla wanted my daughter's pita bread!


For more Wordless Wednesdays, check out the WW HQ and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Michele's Marathon Update and Book Review

FROM THE GUEST POSTER (My sister, the marathon newbie)

Hi everyone!   Yes, I’m still at it and haven’t collapsed yet – September will be here soon!!    What an interesting journey this has been – learning so much about those who struggle with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers.   I’m really excited to be supporting all of the great efforts of this organization, and challenging myself and others in the process.

I wanted to apologize to some of you who tried to contribute to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the past few weeks to support my campaign, but had difficulties with the website.  It looks like everything has been corrected now, so please try again if you had trouble.   I’m almost ½ way to my goal, and every little bit helps!

 
http://pages.teamintraining.org/snj/phildist08/mjuliana

 
For any of you who might be remotely interested in thinking about starting to run longer distances (especially for charity events),  I would highly recommend this book:

 
“The Non-Runner’s Marathon Guide for Women:  Get Off Your Butt and On With Your Training”

by Dawn Dais

 This book was recommended by Women’s Health magazine, and is both absolutely hilarious and very informative for someone new to this crazy world of pushing (or punishing) yourself beyond what you can imagine for a good cause.   I learned so many tips, and was inspired to take on the challenge of a ½ marathon because Dawn convinced me that yes, even someone who has never run more than a mile can actually do this.  She includes critical tips on important items such as Shopping for the Right Running Outfit (critical to success!), finding the Right Reason (what could possibly motivate you to get out of bed on a Saturday morning and run 10 miles, when you could just get in your perfectly good vehicle and drive to Dunkin’ Donuts), and learning to live The LifeStyle (including such very critical moments as the “carbo-load” parties – gotta love those!)

 

Love,

Michele

Back to Life . . . Back to Reality

Vacation is over. The lovely breezes, twittering birds (not bloggers) and bubbling brook by my cottage window are left behind. Oh, the piles. Fortunately the day is free (technically) and I have much to do before I rest. I know that there is a tackle it tuesday linkie out there somewhere in blogland and maybe later I'll find you people. Here is what I am tackling today:

Make a grocery list and go shopping. (Laundry detergent is out!)

Laundry piles from semi-camping at campmeeting in our little cottage with no running water.

Write a more poignant picturesque post and download my digital pictures for that purpose. (My daughter got an awesome shot at the zoo last week of a gorilla right up at the glass watching her eat pita bread that looked similar to the cardboard he was eating.)

Sort bill piles and revamp budget.

Sort food piles and revamp diet. (I walked more than ever this last weekend and still managed to plump on 5 pounds from eating. I fluctuate so wildly it is depressing. Time to get back on track so it doesn't become permanent.)

Exercise by running clothes up the stairs and luggage down the stairs.

Take my afternoon nap. (They say sleeping is good for the whole body system. I'll get some zzz for ya!)

Hmm. . . that should keep me busy.

What are you doing today?

AND, thanks everyone for growing comment list for my Pampered Chef Giveaway. So many of you have been so encouraging of my new business. I appreciate it! If you know anyone getting married in the coming months, please remind them to check out the wedding registry!

Rice Cooker *GIVEAWAY

*** THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED *** THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

The winner will be notified by e-mail and I will post the winner later today. Check back in June for more fun giveaways!

In honor of my new independent consulting business, I gave away a Rice Cooker Plus! For more information on quality home cooking products, please contact me directly.

Fight the Frump: OCD Camp

On the treadmill this week, I saw a quick clip on one of the screens about OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) camp. Now, I had to look into that.  Purely, of course, for the sake of my fellow bloggers. I personally have no issues in this area and wish I could bottle it and take a pill to make me more OCD once in awhile. Instead, I just go visit my OCD friends and come home and clean out a closet or junk drawer to make myself feel better.

Having OCD friends is definitely a great motivator but when commenting on it, one friend said, "Sarah, you don't want to be me." She is really hard on herself if things aren't perfect. Okay, she's right I don't want to live like THAT. I just want my house and kids as clean as hers! We can all have aspirations. I need an OCD maid, bookeeper and nanny, that all.

Dr. Oz says OCD, which affects an estimated one in 40 Americans, is both learned and biological. "Their brains are a little more sensitive to uncertainty, so it makes them more anxious than it makes other people. But the form it takes is learned," he says. "So I could [be] afraid of germs and worry about getting sick, or I could be worried about the thoughts in my head." Apparently, Oprah follows Dr. Oz's journey to an OCD camp where six people have 72 hours to overcome their disorder. Personally, I don't think that's going to be long enough. I had an uncle who by the end of his life opened his own doors in his own house with his hanky. I hope he didn't blow his nose on the hanky. Sorry dear twin brother but I think you, with the same name, are headed down the same path. I see a stack of clean hankies in your future. Fortunately I know you don't read this but our sister does - so don't tell him I said so! Unless he needs a particular camping experience with Dr. Oz.

Apparently, there is also an Obsessive Compulsive Foundation for those of you with true issues. BUT, for those of you who live near me, all you have to do is pack your bags and come with me this weekend to our cottage that requires hauling in spring water by jugs to wash dishes and sharing your shower with any number of critters in the yellow-painted cement block public restrooms. The newer bathrooms aren't as bad but somehow things do sneak in on occasion.

There is even help for kids if you see "particular" turn into distructive early. It is sad when people get so obsessed with perfection but in some cases, I do wish I could be more like my friends who are because they don't stop until a job is done right and keep working on it after that. I have a stopping point that could be pushed a little farther, okay a lot farther which is why I am now feeling guilty about even thinking about not going to work out at the Y this AM! Gotta run if I am going to make it before packing up for the weekend.

Are you OCD? How does it affect your life, your friendships, your family?

Click here for more Fight the Frump Friday posts!

One heck of an awesome day!

Nothing like a cathartic trip to the mall to lift all our spirits last night!

We hit the motherload of sales at Kohl's. If you have a Kohl's card, they are sending out more 15% off on a day of your choice coupons than I have ever seen. AND, the sales are great right now. I stocked up on cute thin sweaters on sale and capris. I have yet to figure out how to be "in with the times" and be warm.

The girls got bathing suits, flip flops, capris and t's and I think a pair of "cool" sunglasses got thrown in there! My girls are finally hitting the age that it MATTERS what they look like. My daughter is actually quite amazed with herself that she actually cares. It is so cute! I have never imposed a particular wardrobe or style except clean and modest. Now, we are working together to see that her little style needs are satisfied while maintaining my goals of clean and modest.

Today was yet another cathartic day in that I went to the end of the year CBS brunch and ate my weight in awesome food.

Nothing like eating and shopping to overcome a difficult start to the week. After a rough Monday, Tuesday I went into volunteer at a local pregnancy center and the receptionist was quitting as I was walking in which made the day kinda crazy being there alone with several new clients and me a new counselor. BUT, needs were met and I felt better for staying and helping one get formula and other material needs, another get maternity clothes and baby stuff and another more materials needs and a recommendation for a good local church. It is a good ministry and I am glad to be part of the journey these women are on.

And, so, on that note, a laundry pile the size of a mountain awaits and my family needs me!

Go be. Go do. Go see. Go skip to the loo.

In a Small Place

By Annie Flint Johnson, 1944

Fret not because thy place is small,
Thy service need not be,
For thou canst make it all there is
of joy and ministry.

The dewdrop, as the boundless sea,
In God's great plan has part;
And this is all He asks of thee;
Be faithful where thou art.

In thee His mighty hand can show
The wonders of His grace,
And He can make the humblest room
A high and holy place.

Thy life can know the blessedness
Of resting in His will;
His fulness flows unceasingly
Thy cup of need to fill.

His strength upon thy weakness waits,
His power for thy task.
What more, O child of all His care,
Could any great one ask?