Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 32

T,O.P.'s Tuesday: One Constant in Publication is Change

A couple months ago I started to receive emails and communications about an "upcoming" changes and merging of my current (or should I say, previous, lol) publisher. If you can't tell by my tone, I wasn't too diligent in researching and preparing for this transition.

I logged into my previous publisher's account to check on a couple things and start formatting a new book to realize I needed to "merge/transfer" my current books to the new publisher. I'm pleased to say this was not only quick, it was easy. The publishers spent a lot of time planning and prepping for a smooth transition. It surprised me at the ease then I tried to find my books, ugh.

After watching a few videos on the publishers website, I was on my way to figuring out this new navigational portal and venue. It is clean and I think once I adjust to the differences, publishing will ebb and flow a bit smoother. I won't say smooth because anyone who has published a book understands it is a complicated, busy, hectic, and wonderful process all at the same time. 

The good news, as I move forward with this next book and prepare the behind-the-scenes parts of the publishing world, it's exciting to know my next book will be a new adventure in the publication world.

Stay tuned because the inspiration is flowing...yippee...let the writing and writing and writing begin. The editing and revision will come soon enough but for now...I write!

If you haven't listened to my podcast today,
​check it out. I share a memory of love & my parents.

The only constant in the publishing
world is change...True Story!

Say Thank You Saturday: Week4

Happy Saturday to one and all!

It has been a fabulous week of blessings and things to be thankful for. Some might seem small and insignificant yet I've found in life that often the small things are really the things that can make the most difference in our life and outlook.


A few of the things I'm thankful for:Electricity to run the space heaters while we wait to move up on the waiting list to have our new heating system installedAmazing friends and family who are always thereThe love of a fur baby when we need itA loving husband who tries to help and ease my loadA daughter who still calls home everyday and lets me know when she is in for the nightA dad who is always there and reminds me how much he loves meGreen grass and cool breezes as the season transitionsSUNY Oswego Hockey STARTS TONIGHT!!!For a teachers' union that looks for ways to give back to the kiddos and the staff throughout the year and plans fun fellowship activitiesColor Street Nails to highlight my hockey spiritA new opportunity and love for makeup with AvonOwning a lot of blankets to stay warmA working washing machine and dryer so we can do laundry at homeFor finding new shoes that (hopefully) won't pinch my toes at schoolFor the ability to laugh when the hanging light arrives in the mail after waiting two weeks, only to find I ordered the wrong oneFor all of youFor those listening to Livin' With Lisa: Keeping It Real each dayFor the Bible who helps me to know who God says I am What are you thankful for today?

And the Winds Came...

Earlier this week, Monday afternoon to be exact, I captured this photo of the leaves blowing off the tree. It was beautiful! The wind was wild and strong, the dying leaves had no choice but to succumb to the wind's forceful gesture. The light rain transitioned to harder pellets yet I stood there, in awe of the beautiful change. A bountiful tree of green transformed into a naked resemblance of winter's nap.

I was unaware of the chill my bones felt until I entered the house. The girl I tutor said, "Mrs. Buske you are very wet. What happened?" I  told her it's raining so of course I got wet. I didn't want to tell her I stood in her driveway watching the leaves blow off the tree, enjoying the beautiful transformation of her tree. It's these little things we often miss, I'm thankful for the opportunity to catch a glimpse and have the time to stop and take it all in.

All to often we rush from here to there and miss the glorious things happening around us. I encourage you to slow down and watch the leaves fall, the clouds move, or listen to the birds sing. You'll be calmer, happier, and a lot more relaxed. Enjoy!

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: We Are Called to Help Each Other

If you are familiar with my blog then Elaine isn't a stranger to you. She's been a guest blogger in the past, reviewed my book on her blog, and can be seen leaving comments now and again. I'm blessed to know Elaine as an author and even more by her friendship, mentoring, and faith.

Elaine's recent cancer diagnosis could have knocked her off her feet but instead of puddling and signing a woe is me song, she stepped up, strapped on the armor of God with joy in her heart because she knew it would be a journey and one God was leading the way through. Her new book, "A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality: Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo" is available now!! Elaine's candid and encouraging message of hope to those facing the cancer diagnosis will inspire you like not other book you've yet to read. I waited to start this book because I knew that once I began at word one, I wouldn't want to put it down. I was right and couldn't wait to share it with all of you.

​A final quote I'll leave you with, "Cancer is a blessing because sickness causes us to set our minds and our hearts on things above, not on earthly things. The things of this world can discourage, distract, and deflate. Daily fixing our thoughts on Heaven, God's power, His providence, and His sovereignty is a blessing we can miss when we are healthy."

​One of my favorite quotes is at the opening of Chapter 8, page 57,

"Cancer is not the big c. Christ is the big C."
​
​I love this...simple and powerful truth.

I hope you'll check out this book and share it with friends and family!

Say Thank You Saturday: Week 3

The first thing I'm thankful for this weekend is that I slept until 2:04 p.m. on Saturday morning! Yup, you read that correctly, 2:04.

Let's look at other things that stood out to me this past week:​Participating in the mission & vision work for our school districtA fun and memorable field trip with the kiddos at schoolA clean houseTime with hubbyTime writing and helping a friend develop her one-pageTime writing and organizing a booklet for a project at churchCrossing items off the to-do-list in leaps and boundsFor the ability to ignore the list and relaxRunning waterFood in the cupboardOur loan was approved so we'll have heat within a few weeks - hopefully before it gets too cold or snowing Time with good friendsA career I love and enjoyFor InternetSunshine amidst the rain and cloudsAnticipation of things yet to comeFor the breath in my lungsFor the hope I have of life in Heaven with my Mom and sisterFor all of you...you encourage me! What are you thankful for today?

Task Master or Life in a Hamster Wheel

In an attempt to achieve the goal set during the summer, I dedicated a few hours of my long Columbus-Day-Weekend writing blogs and scheduling them to post for this week and next. If you listen to my podcast, Livin' with Lisa: Keeping it Real , then you know I set goals for this school year.

In an attempt to maintain podcasts during the week, my blog, working on the next book, leading Bible Study, volunteering, working, and the joy of being a wife, mother & daughter...goal setting and scheduling was. and is, a MUST.

More than three weeks into the school year and I realize my balancing act isn't going so well. My good intentions of goal setting and scheduling aren't working as well as they did in mind or on paper in August. This is life though, isn't it. Sometimes the best plans need adjusting and modifications.

After a moment I realized it's possible to keep these goals if I manage my evening and weekend times better. Instead of sleeping until ten I need to get up earlier to complete the daily tasks and allow time to blog ahead of time for the week. Since you are reading this blog, it was a success.

Have you ever set a goal and adjusted to achieve it? This is life, whether you are a task master or running in the hamster wheel...sometimes we need to slow down and take another look at the plans and adjust. Adjustment is a life necessity. 
Where are you?
Task Master or
On the Hamster Wheel?

T.O.P.’s Tuesday: Stepping Up the Podcast

by adding a business phone line... Happy Tuesday Everyone! How are you doing? It’s great to here from you. Some of you post in the Facebook comment attached to this blog, others send a private message, and then there are those who send an email or comment on the actual blog. Regardless of how you reach out and respond, there is a new avenue coming for those wishing to “CALL IN”.

You can call me at (315) 288-6962 to leave a message that may be shared on a future podcast.

* NOTE: This new option isn’t necessarily for those who only follow the blog but if you want to call into my podcast and leave a message, you now have an option. If you are a blog follower and want to leave a message for me to share on my podcast, you can call too and your message will encourage and reach even more people now. *

If you call in and don’t wish to have your message aired on the podcast or shared with those reading the blog, simply say, “Private Message – Not for Sharing” in your message when you call so I know. Messages will be screened, and administration reserve the right to play, or not play any messages left using this number.

The hope for this number is to allow podcast listeners (and you if this sounds interesting) an opportunity to leave positive and uplifting messages for the other listeners of the Livin’ with Lisa: Keeping It Real podcast. Click here for a direct link to the podcast via Anchor .

Thank you in advance for taking time to call in to the podcast, as long as you don’t say “Private Message – Not for Sharing”, by leaving a message, you are granting me permission to share this message publicly.  Thank you for the encouragement to try something new...

Say Thank You Saturday: Week 2

A few items I'm thankful for this week:Good time with family and friendsA weekend with our daughterCelebrating 80 years of life with our auntTime & Memory-Making with family from Fl and NJFood in the cupboardsThe heater repair/replacement man came two weeks earlier than expectedA husband who loves and stands up for me, claiming me as HIS wife​Fabulous and fun co-workersA career I love and enjoyQuiet in the morningAudibles so I can can get some reading (listening) in during the weekOwning an umbrella and raincoat since it's duck weatherTo have a great relationship with my DadBeating levels on Candy CrushInspiration to writeIdeas for a new bookThe ability to type with my fingersFor each of you and my listeners, you encourage meFur baby lovins - they are members of the family What are you thankful for today?

Say Thank You Saturday: Week 1

A few years ago, after reading, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are , by Ann Voscamp, I, and many others, started journaling the things we were thankful for. Bloggers dedicated a day each week to share their lists. I was one. Like me, some have stopped sharing their lists and possibly writing them in private too.

Others, like Terri Groh, author and blogger, continues her list of things to be thankful. As I look at this past week and reflect on where we were five years ago and praying for where we might be five years into the future I realized I've lost touch with being thankful each day then sharing this list with others.

I think I'm still a positive person and focus on the positive yet there is always room for growth. I started to type, "I'm not sure why or how" this realization came to me" THEN I chuckled to myself when I realized I know exactly why and who is responsible...the Holy Spirit came me a nudge, tap on the shoulder, a kiss from the king, or a Godstop...or whatever you call these moments of God working in your life. 

This is the first thing I'll chose to be thankful for. I used to share my list on Wednesdays as a participant of Ann VosCamps challenge but with my new Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday blog schedule...I'll dedicate Saturdays as my day of thanks. It will be a way to reflect on the previous week and move forward with more joy. 

My goal is to make a written list through the week, hence, start a gratitude journal again, then share the highlights on Saturdays. 

Without Further Ado...let me share my list of thanks and praise:Thankful for my faith and a God who loves me even when I act like a toddlerFor my husband who remains calm in the midst of financial stress when I struggle not to puddleFor wonderful friends who listen and lift me upFor the ladies at Bible Study and their excitement and energy to delve into their Bibles and learn what God has for themFor my podcast, a new way to reach more people and share hope, inspiration, and encouragement. For my husband who has electrical training and might be able to fix our heater using parts from my parents old Monitor that doesn't work any longer (prayers it works are appreciated)For my Dad who remembered he had their old Monitor in the garage and suggested we check it for similar partsTo God for having the same exact model Monitor in the garage for my husband to work off to possibly fix our heaterFor family visiting from out of stateFor a family birthday party celebrating an aunt's 80th birthday that brings family from across the United StatesTo have our daughter home for the weekend, first time since she she had a few days off over the summer (which we spent traveling), enjoying our time with herFor the necessities that so many don't have: a roof over our head, food in the cupboards, multiple cars with gasoline for transportation, running water, and electricityFor Wifi...For the desire and inspiration to write againFor all of you because you continue to encourage and support me as I venture forward
This might be a short list for a week but these are the ones that stand out this morning. Have a great day and remember to be thankful, each day is a blessing and tomorrow is not a guarantee. 

Have a great weekend!
Make some memories with family and friends...

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: FB Live Event 9/19/2018 at 4:30 p.m. EST

It is time to celebrate on the podcast, tomorrow, September 19, 2018, I will air my 100th podcast episode!

To make this exciting podcast even more fun, I'll be recording the podcast while doing a LIVE FACEBOOK event too!

You'll be able to message on the live feed, you can call in to the podcast via anchor, and comment via the website. 

I hope to "meet" you tomorrow on Facebook, on my "Livin' with Lisa: Keeping It Real" Facebook page as I record my 100th episode. If you haven't liked my podcast FB page, be sure to do it today so you are notified when I go live. Thank you for your
continued encouragement
​and support!