Genesis Moments - A Writer's Journey

The Handyguys Giveaway: Wood Glue and Toolbag

Check out The Handyguys for a wood glue and toolbag giveaway from EcoGlue Premium Wood Adhesive. See their page for details.

The Handyguys podcast is an downloadable audio program that shares tips and tricks for around the home. My husband, Brian and Paul, husband to Jo-Lynne of Musings of a Housewife came up with this idea earlier in the year. They are up to their 25th post and I KNOW would greatly appreciate an encouraging comment or two. The site details each post and summarizes each podcast, including links to the products mentioned.

Thanks for checking them out! Just so you know, I get no endorsement for this post. AHEM. . .Brian. Think I need a dinner for this.

When Heros Fall

I was floored. Stunned. I didn't even need my IPOD for the next two hours of driving after I got the call.

"The higher they fly the harder they fall." responded my mom. It did seem appropriate for a super hero.

My sister was the one who gave me the news. I was an hour into my long trek home when my cell phone rang.

"I read your post today, " she said. I am thinking, wow, she must have liked it to call me on the road. Something of my attempts to be clever must have caught her attention. I had worked on that Lessons from Wonder Woman for the Scribbit Writeaway contest for two days.

"I have bad news. Wonder Woman was an alcoholic."

"What?!" my mouth barely got out.

"This weekend, Lynda Carter (aka Wonder Woman) just admitted she had a past alcohol problem in her interview with the Insider."

How totally sad but what timing. I knew I should have let that contest entry sit for a day or two.

But, it does bring up a good point. Too often we do put our heros on a pedestal and they really are only human. They still need our love and forgiveness even when they mess up. How hard it must be for people who have lived in the spotlight to admit they have a problem and face it in public, much less us "every day" people. Lynda Carter is now more my hero than her character ever was. She admitted to a major enemy of her own in her past and how she fought it (just like a Super Friend!) Yeah, Lynda! You RAWK!

Do you have a "hero" that ever disappointed you? What did you think about that? (Okay, I promise to let go of the time I stood in a terribly long line for Bo Duke's (John Schneider's) signature and he leaned over and kissed my best friend on the check and not me. I am letting THAT go. I PROMISE. I mean really. Who would remember something like that after all these years. . .).

People are just people after all who struggle with how to handle life too! How often we think that life must be easier for "them" when in fact I think being a leader must be harder sometimes. There are so many pressures and expectations. Wow, deep thoughts to dream about. And, now after 10 hours of driving, I am going to do just that.

Lessons from Wonder Woman

This month's write-away theme at Scribbit is Wonder Woman.

So, you want to be Wonder Woman. No, I don't mean the one with magical bracelets that deflect bullets or carries a lasso of truth, the fictional Amazonian version of a lie detector test, or wears an highly revealing fancy bathing suit when she wants to do good in the world.

I am talking about the one that has a vision, something important she wants to share with the world, something she sees as contributing to the greater good of everyone. Or, maybe the one that just can't say no and feels compelled to meet everyone's needs before her own. Regardless, she is the one who whatever her bent, her passion, her quest, she also has to be a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife and much more.

Wonder Woman, my childhood hero, has some lessons for all of us.

1) Pick your battles and focus. You WILL have a nervous breakdown if you think you can do it all. Let others share in the fight. Hello, Superfriends.

2) Know when to make your appearance. You can't be everywhere EVER. When you have a lot going on, someone somewhere will be disappointed with you because you are not doing their bidding or following their priorities. Get over it and do what you know to be right for you. If in doubt, confirm it with those you have chosen as your private counsel (husband, friend, pastor, God, etc.).

3) Know when to disappear. Without downtime, you won't be good to anyone. Use downtime to think, observe and reenergize!

4) Know your friends from your enemies. Make sure to have wise counsel around you. Prioritize those who mean the most to you and go from there.

5) When those you love are in trouble, drop and run (to them).  Even Wonder Woman had her sister kidnapped when she wasn't looking. Life happens.

6) Know your weapons. "Strong humans become ruthless self-seekers unless they are bound by love," as quoted by Wonder Woman, when referring to a human who once wore and then removed the magic Amazonian bracelets that represented an indestructible bond of love that made them invincible. Their main defense against evil bullets and all sorts of harm were forged and worn out of a greater love for the one who held the Amazons captive. Very interesting.

7) Pass on what you have learned. There is no greater satisfaction than to empower another to carry on the good you began. Be the rock that creates a ripple. The more people you can help learn, the bigger difference you make. And, the less you end up doing by yourself.

8) Look really cool when you have to shine! Otherwise, don't let fashion obsessions get the best of you or your budget. Did you see Wonder Woman's blue office suit? Nothing to write home about. But that bathing suit. . . Va Va Voom!

These are lessons I am sharing with you because I need to improve on all of them and I totally loved watching every single Wonder Woman episode, had the doll, the Halloween costume. . . . I also want to be a woman my children are inspired by just like my mom has been to me but time will tell on that one.

Hopefully ten other people don't do exactly the same thing for this contest. If they do, oh well. I had fun. Thanks for reading.

Launch of New Baby.com

There is a rumble in the blogosphere this week! And it is not just the holiday fireworks.

New Baby.com has launched and is giving away prizes for the next month. NewBaby.com is the online video resource for moms featuring thousands of mom generated videos, product Vcasts and Expert solutions segments.  It's an online community where moms can learn, share and create videos in a safe, secure and Free environment.  Come Vlog with us at NewBaby.com (www.NewBaby.com)!

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.

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.

And the winner is . . .

The Bloggy Party Balloons have deflated and all the cake is eaten.

BUT, the goodie bags are still being announced and the winner of my Lisa Scottoline CD set giveway is Home on the Range. Congratulations! I wish I had more but for those of you who have not read her, I highly recommend you start.

Have a great weekend. Read a good book. Relax. Enjoy. Breathe. Go take on the world.

Giveaway - Lisa Scottoline's Lady Killer on CD

*** Thanks for stopping by. THIS CONTEST IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED ***

Its Bloggy Carnival Giveaway Week over at Rocks in My Dryer. I am giving away a  CD set of Lisa Scottoline's new book Lady Killer. It's a good one. but then again all of hers are! Stop here for more info on Lisa Scottoline. Leave me a comment this week and I'll pick a winner on Friday. Head over to the giveaway site for many more great prizes.

I look forward to hearing from you! Have a great week.

Home Office Arm Pit

Only for you, Lisa of the ultimate organizing swap and hop, would I invite the world into the armpit of my life. This room is my nest, my sanctuary, my messy drawer and room of piles. I promise that the rest of the house is not like this (unless you count my own room right now which holds a couple of laundry stacks.)

I will preface my home office pictures by saying that what you are seeing is the result of multiple "dump and runs" when I am cleaning for guests, my family, etc. I am definitely guilty of the "Do it later" syndrome.

I have begun to believe that in this room I must have some nesting desire or major denial factor going or perhaps just avoidance. I know that in minutes (okay - really an hour or two), it gets looking pretty good. But, right now, not so good -- and when I come in, I can't tear myself away from the computer blogosphere long enough to do anything about it. It goes beyond procrastination. It is the vortex of the online mind pulling me away from the tangible hard copy. Okay, okay, I am just blaming the computer for my laziness. I promise to take responsibility now.

If the first picture, note the multiple projects going on with various pieces stuck all over the place (Do I get brownie points for reading "For the Write Reason") and cups and mugs and lotion.

Below this picture is what is left of the vain attempt to try homeschooling before running to the nearby Christian school in tears. These are my girls' unattended desks and finally the shelves with all the stuff they wanted to save over the last two years. This is all crammed into the same little room where we hide everything.

Some people have messy drawers, we have a messy 4th bedroom. The final picture is the left side of my desk, where truly important stuff is put to the side so that I can focus on the the more immediate tasks at hand - like blogging.

I know that bins and baskets and labels would help significantly. I just need the motivation and a great book by Karen Ehman to get me started! (By the way, you can check out Lisa's site to add your own organization challenges, so head on over there but make it quick!)

Most importantly, I need to get off the computer and get sorting! I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I can do all things . . . . Lord, HELP!

 

(UPDATED: As grateful as I have been to have everyone stop by to see the train wreck in my house, I can no longer stand the thought of the pictures out on the internet so I took them off. You will just have to use your imagination! Thanks for stoppping by.)

Haiku for Spring

Joining the fun with Pensieve, I have attempted a couple selections of Spring Haiku and will be adding it to the Mr. Linky on Friday but needed a post for today so here it is a day early:

Open, open, opening. . .
Brilliant colors shock the mind
a winter's demise.

Sunshine fills the day . . .
Light shadows reality
Night shrivels away.

Petunias petal. . .
Daisy lovers uniting
Under tulip skys

Silver moons bring spring. . .
The craggy man is smiling
As we rest in peace.

(Rhyming must stop now
Lest Mindy's Zombie's eat me
a sure spring delight.)

l