Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 42

"Faith's Feather Pen" Released 8/12/17

Inspired by a class of students with energy, creativity, and determination to succeed.

To write is fun for some, like me, yet some struggle to come up with an idea or how to take an idea and make it come alive on paper.

"Faith's Feather Pen" is a gift from a lover of words for future generations.

Never give up, you only need Faith and feather pen and your stories will fill the pages of your journals and scrap papers. Click HERE to order your copy today! Thank you and if you feel so kind, 
please leave a review on Amazon.com
​
Have a great day and inspire a 
young writer today!

Fitness Friday: 1 Week Check In

My plan was to share SUCCESS and INCHES LOST, or maybe even BETTER SLEEP. Guess what? I have none of these life changing and beneficial things to share with you. 

Instead, I have to admit I tried one day and didn't get through the first 1 1/2 minutes of the routine. I'm rethinking what to do next. Here are the options

I have thought of as of now:
1) reduce the time for each exercise for a bit
OR
2) find a new routine today to start  tomorrow.

I'm leaning towards staying with the one I have and lessen the time per exercise and work my way up. 

The only option I won't consider or accept is to quit. If you started a new exercise routine, how did you do this past week? Share a word or two.
I'm trying again...I won't give up
My health is worth it. Is yours?

Meet Faith...My Main Character

Faith is our newest family member. She is a sweet, energetic, and loving puppy.

As I worked on a childrens' book about a character who struggled to come up with something to write about, I struggled to determine the main character.

​At first it was going to be a bunny with other forest friends but my poor rabbit drawing as of yet eliminated this idea. ​One evening I sat on the couch doodling and thinking of who my main character could be when Faith snuggled in and nudged my pencils. I asked her to stop but she continued and that is when I realized she would be the struggling writer. I included our beloved and aging Tink as her mentor. The parts of the book I was still playing with came to me once Faith was chosen.

To make this a family project, our daughter grabbed her camera each time she took Faith out to play or do her "business" and captured the photographs within the book. She did a great job and left little editing to me when I put the book together.

This week I'm mailing signed copies to the kiddos who inspired this book along with their own feather pens to start writing. At the back of the book there are a few pages lined and ready for budding authors to write. This is exciting stuff...right?! When "Faith's Feather Pen" releases next week, are you getting a copy for yourself or as a gift? Click HERE to pre-order your copy today!

Fitness Friday: A 30 Day Challenge

I found this 30 day challenge on www.health.com and found myself an accountability partner. We started on August 1st, it's been four days and I can feel it.

I'm posting my "before pic" on the blog as a way to hold myself accountable. My hope is to post each Friday with an updated pic but it is summer and my brain is flighty so I'll do my best.

As I look as these pics I can't believe I'm sharing it here. If you want to attempt this 30 day journey with me, leave a message below and tag me on Facebook when you give updates. We can spur each other on to healthier and more fit versions of ourselves.
The challenge I'm using is from www.health.com but you should set goals and use exercises that are comfortable and fitting for you. I looked at a few on Pinterest and this is one I decided to try. I chose a 30-day challenge in hopes of instilling healthier habits into my mornings. In addition to this morning routine, I hope to make it to the gym 3 x a week. This is my first goal, I'll adjust it on September 1st if needed. I'm Ready to Get Fit...Are you?

T.O.P.s Tuesday ~ A NEW Book Soon

Some ask, "What is your next book about?", "What are you writing?" or "When is your next book coming out?" 

I can't answer all of these BUT I can share this...I am writing and the next book to release is for struggling writers.

My hope is to encourage elementary aged students to write but who knows, it might inspire someone older too, maybe even you. 

You can visit Amazon for more information. "Faith's Feather Pen" isn't available yet BUT stay tuned...once my inspirations receive the first copies, it will be available to the public.

What is Faith's Feather Pen About?
Faith is anxious when it comes to writing yet her friend Tink helps her overcome her fear by giving her a "magic" feather pen. In the end, Faith learns the magic isn't in the feather but within her. A lesson every struggling writer benefits from realizing.

Look for a release date in August...who do you know that will benefit from this book? More information to come and I hope to try something new when this one releases...stay tuned. Click HERE to pre-order your copy today!

Looking Forward...What do you see?

It's usually January when you read articles and blogs about looking to, and planning for the future BUT why wait? If you think about it, more people set resolutions and goals in January than any other time of year and some research suggests most of us don't accomplish any of them. 

Let's not focus on goal setting but instead on looking forward. When you look into the near future, the last six weeks of summer, what do you see yourself doing? Alone? With family? With Friends? At Work?

Personally, with the exception of working summer school and a few appointments, I'm doing something different this summer and not over planning my summer away. I'm taking the days and evenings as they come and I must say, we are all much more relaxed and enjoying the summer. Part of this ease and transition is having a daughter in college and not "having to" entertain, travel, and stay busy like we do when our kiddos are younger. Both are equally fun, enjoyable, and rewarding. As you look forward
into the weeks before school starts...
​What do you see yourself doing?

Cherish Each Moment...

One never knows what tomorrow or even a minute from now will bring. This week I heard from a friend who is facing an unexpected struggle. As I pray and think of her and her family I am reminded to cherish EVERY minute and moment we have with those we love.

I don't mean to start your Sunday on a sad or depressing note, instead, I hope to encourage you to look at your list of things to do and prioritize the people on your list and not the things. I'm guilty of putting the "stuff" first sometimes yet most of the time, it's the people I care about who come first.

The stuff will be there in an hour or even tomorrow. Sadly, our to-do-lists never seem to end or go away. Can you relate? My sister's kidnapping over twenty-three years ago was an instant reminder of how valuable and precious each moment is. I'm thankful for my faith and relationship with Jesus and the knowledge of seeing my loved ones again in heaven one day. I'm also thankful for each day I'm gifted here on earth to enjoy those nearest and dearest to me. 

Choose to make memories and cherish the moments. Some of our smallest ones end up being the most precious. YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU MIGHT THINK YOU ARE! Regardless of what you might be facing, celebrate life, and cherish the moments each and every day. I do.
Do you take time to cherish EVERY moment with those you love?

Is a "perfect" vacation reality or fiction?

My husband went on vacation with his brother a bit ago to visit one of their brothers out-of-state. They had so much fun.

I had the choice, to join them or stay home and work summer school. I opted for a stay-cation, taking advantage of some one-on-one with our daughter, sleeping in, and not having a set schedule for a couple weeks. It was GREAT!

As I think about the differing opinions just in our home about the "perfect vacation" I want to seek your input. 

Is there such thing as a "perfect" vacation?

Does a vacation require you to leave your home?

Do you have to travel a certain number of hours away?

Who should join you?

Are you noticing a pattern with these questions? So many people spend a lot of time and money to plan the perfect vacation in order to make memories. Then there are some that have never left the state they reside in and are just as happy, if not happier. 

I don't think a perfect vacation exists unless you count making memories with the people you care for the most, in a place that means something to each of you. This could be perfect...maybe?
What is your favorite vacation memory?

What is your perfect vacation?

Is a "perfect" vacation reality or fiction?
Give us a fun reason for your answers.

If you typically say "No",try YES

A couple days ago I blogged about learning to say "no" and make time for yourself because you not only deserve it, but you NEED it. 

For today, let's flip the coin...

As I heard back from some of you and from conversations I've heard over the years, for as many of us that always seem to say "yes", there are just as many that say "no" all the time. Can you relate? Have you ever heard, "If more people volunteered or said yes then I wouldn't feel like I have to but..." 

We can't control what someone else does. We don't know their circumstances or their heart. I believe some people might be saying no because there are things going on in their life that few, if any, are aware of. Us yes-ers need to be more understanding and patient with the no-ers AND the no-ers that say no simply to avoid getting involved or because they don't have enough time....try saying "yes" just once.

Not only will you be blessed by participating in whatever it is, know you might have just gifted and evening to someone else who is always saying yes. We all want to stay home, spend our free moments with our kids, and maximize our family time yet this isn't a reality for most. 

If you are a no-sayer, will you try saying yes and stepping out of your box and gifting an evening or day off to another in your group, organization, office, or whatever it is? You will be blessed ten-fold. Try it, you might like it. If you avoid saying yes...why?

If you usually say "No", 
what will you say yes to next time?

Leave a comment below...thanks.

A SUPER Summer So Far

How is your summer progressing so far? Mine is one of much needed relaxation and "sharpening of the saw" (for those familiar with the Leader In Me).

​Summer school started this week and it's nice to return to a structured schedule and routine yet I must admit, the past couple weeks of no alarms or booked days has been just what my heart, soul, and body needed.

One of the hardest things for me, and probably 95% of you reading this is to take the necessary time for yourself to avoid burn-out, exhaustion, and/or illness. I don't think I'm alone in this struggle so let's just admit it, we all need a day, week, or so to let go of our schedules and recharge. I'm thankful I listened to my body and obeyed the past two weeks. I have a new, and renewed energy.

This being said, I also learned another valuable lesson, I'm going to do my best (this will be a challenge) to say no the remainder of the summer and into the upcoming school year. Rather than over-filling my schedule, I plan to prioritize what is important and necessary and let some stuff go and start using the ever-so-difficult-and-little-word-NO more often. 

Will you join me? If so, leave a comment below to help hold your self accountable - the first step is admitting you need to slow down and set a goal. I know you can do and I'm sure I'm not alone. Am I?  If you are a "yes-person", 
can you challenge yourself to say "NO" 
and take some time to relax & recharge?
Why or why not? Leave a comment below.