Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 45

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Choosing to...

To write or not to write...

To sew or not to sew...

To read or not to read...

To do school work...or do school work.

To do laundry or to do laundry.

To put my feet on the floor or stay in bed.
Life is full of choices yet some are not really a choice. To do go to work or do the laundry is a choice, I could choose to skip school and let the laundry pile up BUT this would both be unproductive and grave consequences. One I'd lose my job and be left to wallow surrounded by piles of dirty and stinky laundry.

The first decade after Heidi's kidnapping I had to make a conscience effort to put my feet on the floor and "be" and "do". Thankfully, as my faith in God was restored, so was the gumption, energy, motivation, and inspiration to not only put my feet on the floor but to look forward to each new day. Tomorrow is a gift, a gift not everyone will be blessed with. This is how I try to look at the next minute, hour, day, week, and year. 

Facebook is a nice reminder to us all. As different memories appear on your wall, some are shared instantly because of the joy and happiness that fills your heart upon remembering that moment. Others have the opposite effect, filling our eyes with tears. Regardless, Facebook helps us to remember the precious gift each moment is.

To look back and recognize my first book released in 2013 and now I have seven, with contributions to three different anthologies. I'm a blessed woman. When my Mom passed away, a lot of my inspiration and motivation to write went with her. I still want to inspire, uplift, and encourage others yet to think of my Mom not reading the first draft is sad to me...BUT my Gram (and my mom for this  much) for say, GET OVER IT AND GET WRITING! 

I'm happy to say I am writing. I set a LOFTY goal for myself and instead of writing 1,500 a day in April, I think I've written 2,500 total. I have a book idea I'm toying with to gift my class this year but can't seem to focus on its creation - not that I don't adore them or for a lack of ideas...it's a lack of discipline.

It's time to get disciplined and find balance while reestablishing better quiet time habits and dedicating time to utilize my gifts with passion.
Life-ing ~ Writing ~ Working ~ Sewing ~ Teaching ~ Leading ~  What are you focusing on today?

Spring Break 2017...Let it Begin!

 Some will count today as the fourth day of break since we had Friday off for Good Friday but I don't start my vacation until Sunday evening, the first night I don't have to set an alarm for school the next morning. My family teases me but in my mind, this past weekend was just that, a weekend, now I'm on vacation until this next Sunday.

Now that I've bored you with my vacation start and end time, let's get to it. Usually I have color-coded list written on chart paper and hung up in our living room. The must-do, hope-to-do, and in-a-perfect-world-to-to lists organized by day and and times. This helps me keep my focus and stay on task. This year I'm trying something new...no chart paper lists! No color coding! No obligations, except my dentist appointment and tutoring this morning. Let vacation begin.

I've accomplished a lot today and look forward to the open time before me over the next six days. My new response is "I'll let you know", "No thank you", or "Can't help with that at this time"...or something along this line. 

I've been preaching to my child about doing too much and burn out but when I looked in the mirror last week as the count down to break became a reality I saw something in my reflection...burn out! Instead of telling my daughter to say no and allow more free time in her schedule, I need to model it. It's a fact, our kids listen better with their eyes than their ears... Attempting to slow down myself...
​Let's model this for the next generation!

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: #HopeHeidiAllen

Last Monday, April 3, 2017, represented the 23rd anniversary of my little sister, Heidi M Allen's kidnapping. She disappeared on Easter Sunday in 1994 from the D & W Convenience Store located at the intersection of State Route 104 and County Route 104b in the upstate New York town of New Haven. She remains missing more than two decades later...

Her family, friends, community, and so many others continue to pray and hold out hope to the answer of my parents' first question...Where's Heidi?

The photo in today's blog is of the Heidi Allen Remembrance Garden, located at the very location she was kidnapped from twenty-three years ago. It is a symbol of hope, love, and community. This year's rain surrounds it with water and made the spring clean up a challenge but with rubber boots on, flowers and a wreath brighten the garden and corner.

Hope for Heidi and and all the missing remains...

Some days are more difficult than others, this is a fact. But to know that each day I put my feet on the floor and have the opportunity to share about the joy and smile Heidi offered to everyone she met, the easier it is to keep moving forward. Last week was a busy and emotional week, and one full of #HopeHeidiAllen and encouragement for our family and community.

​Stay tuned to learn more about the blessings in the midst of the pain...they are always there, we just need to look closer.

What are You Doing This Weekend?

I have good news to share, I'm writing again. Woot Woot! Thanks to our school's involvement with the Leader In Me, I set a writing goal for the month of April. I have a couple different book ideas I'm working on during my writing time with a goal of having at least one in first draft format by 12:00 a.m. on May 1st, 2017. 

Thanks to the rain this afternoon, our plans were postponed so I set up my laptop and writing stuff and "assumed the position", the writing position that is. If you are a writer then you know the excitement and exhilaration to hear the keys on the keyboard tapping away again. 

One of the stories I'm working this month is actually an older story, one I started in 2007. It might not go any farther than my computer screen or possibly to a few friends, but you never know. It's fun to play with words and a fictional story. 

The other is a children's book inspired by a fabulous group of kids. My goal is to have at least a proof book available before the last day of school so I can read it to the kiddos at school. God uses them to inspire me to write.

With this being said, it's back to reaching my writing goal for the day, 1,500 words a day. Hmm...I set a lofty goal for myself. My hubby encourages me to adjust my daily goal to 1,000. I told him I would consider it after the weekend, after I attempt to make up the words I'm short. If you are a writer, what are you working on at the moment?
Will you share?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: YOU Encourage Me

If you are a faithful reader to the blog then you are used to me sharing how YOU encourage me. Today is another one of those days. 

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to speak at the New York State Reading Association's Delegates Assembly. It was a lot of fun. I reconnected with old friends, made new ones, and shared about writing and books. Their theme this year was "Sisters". Everyone at the assembly brought a "sister" book to share. These books ranged from early readers to adult fiction and non-fiction. I wrote down a few titles as did my daughter who joined me for the evening. 

After my presentation and the evening's meeting I had time to visit with those in attendance and even sold a book. The sale was a blessing but it was hearing the ladies stories of loss , finding hope, and the healing they experienced that truly brought me joy and encouragement. 

Since I started to speak and share with others over six years ago, it still amazes me to see how sharing from my heart with honesty (sometimes too much, lol) how it frees those listening to share their own heart aches and pains. They understand they aren't alone and there is hope and most importantly it is possible to survive loss and tragedy.

One woman bought a copy of Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey to read and we enjoyed a nice conversation. Within the week I heard from her. She thanked me for writing the book and how it encouraged her. Then what she said next encouraged me, she asked, "Can I order 5 more copies please? Others need to read this." Wow...a blessing I'm still counting almost three weeks later. This is a compliment and answer to prayer.

As I wrote Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey I prayed for God to use the words within it to encourage, uplift, and inspire at least one person. God continues to answer this prayer four years later. I'm thankful and this is a blessing I count. As I communicated with this woman via the Internet she introduced me to PayPal and because of our connection, I'm now able to take orders for books and accept payments through PayPal. 

We were doubly blessed...I love it when it's a win-win, don't you?
We both were encouraged and learned something new...
Thank you for encouraging me!
Have you been encouraged lately?

What are you thankful for today?

It is typical for bloggers, myself included, to post a "thankfulness" post on Thursday because of the /th/ similarities. As I look back at the beautiful weekend I had, I decided to do it today. In the midst of life's happenings there are ALWAYS things to be thankful for. Sometimes we need to look a little closer and with more intent, but they are always there. 

I'll share a few to get you started. I made it to the gym twice this weekend and was able to work out for more than half an hour each timeI enjoyed lunch with a friendI had the opportunity to spend time with some of my favorite 2nd grade peeps - they fill my  heart with such joy and inspirationI crossed many things off the never ending listI completed one sewing project and have fabric cut for the nextWe enjoyed homemade cinnamon rolls (Yummy!)The inspiration from lunch and time spent with the kiddos resulted in the notes and planning for another book I'm thankful for the goal setting we are doing at school as I set a lofty goal and look forward to the kiddos keeping me on target to accomplish my goalI'm thankful for each of you...have a great week! Can you share TWO THINGS
​you are thankful for right now?

A Beautiful Shower of Love

This afternoon we had the opportunity to "shower" a beautiful young woman with love and gifts, along with her friends and family. She and her husband are expecting their first child. A baby and your first child is a priceless and precious gift from God and also the most difficult and rewarding job a parent accepts. Yet, this humbling and miraculous joy isn't what I'd like to focus on this afternoon.

Instead, I want to share something different. In addition to her showering of gifts, love, and prayers...there were reunions filling the room.

I'm thankful to be a part of this couples life and even more blessed for the friendships created through knowing both the bride and the groom. Mags joined me and we both were able to reconnect with dear and special friends. Although the time was short, it was special and means a lot to each of us. We enjoyed time around the table with some sweet ladies we haven't seen in a few months. It was a time of laughter and joy. 

Before leaving, both Mags and I spent time visiting with friends that moved away a few years ago. I enjoy friendships when you reunite, there is no awkwardness but instead, excitement to catch up. As it came time to leave, my heart saddened a little, I realized how much I miss my friend. I'm thinking a road trip is needed in the near future to catch up when she isn't the mother of the mother-to-be, for a proper time of catching up.
What is your favorite
​part of seeing an old friend? 

Hello Everyone! How are you today?

It's nice to be back, how have you all been? As I stood in the living room talking with Ed this morning a flash of red caught my eye. Isn't he beautiful. As I watched him flit and fluttered from one branch to another I smiled. Some believe this is a sign from a loved one that passed away stopping in to say "Hi". I asked him to stay a couple more minutes while so I could grab my camera, and he cooperated. This was a wonderful way to start the day. A hello from heaven. 

After enjoying a visit with hubby and one of his friends over to watch the SU basketball game, I woke up Mags and planned our day. She enjoyed time with a good friend and I returned to the gym. After over three weeks of fighting illness, it was GREAT to get back on the treadmill and sweat. My goal was to achieve 30 minutes with a 10 minute massage as a reward. I'm happy to report I managed 40 minutes on the tread mill, with even a couple minutes of running before relaxing on the massage bed.

As I ran with my running/walking playlist jamming in my head phones (yes I wear head phones and not ear buds) I found myself thanking God for the renewed energy, improved health, the inspiration, motivation, and encouragement He continues to offer me and those I love. There have been some changes in my life that have helped spark this renewed faith, hope, and energy but I'll get to that in another blog.

For today, I just wanted to say Hello and "I'M BACK!!" Are you ready?

Ready to Write? It's #OSJWritersWednesday

#OSJWritersWednesday

My hope is for others, like you, to experience the joy and fun of creating an image, place, adventure, or scene with words. Finish this statement:
I walked into the white-out and then...
I hope you'll share your writing in a comment below.

TOP's Tuesday: Where to Begin?

"My favorite thing to do when I'm not sure what to write or where
to start is to get outside. I do my most productive writing
once I can sit out on my deck and after a good walk.
​
The fresh air and being outside seems to connect me
closer to God and this helps clear away whatever
thoughts or stress might be slowing the writing process."
~ Lisa M Buske ~
As I surfed the net for a quote for today's blog I found this one and then smiled, it was written by me. Kind of funny, at least to me. I wasn't going to share it but decided it delivers the message I was looking for.

What are some of your favorite things to do? What do you need to do them? Is it something you do independently or are there others with you? When you are in a lull of life, what motivates and inspires you to keep moving forward and enjoying the little things in life?

A few thoughts to ponder today...although the deck is under a few feet of snow and there isn't any signs of spring in the near future, I am encouraged when I reread the above statement because warmer, sunnier, and brighter days are yet to come. Are you ready?
​What are some of your favorite things to do?