Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 48
January 5, 2017
A Thankful Thursday: Week 1
I'm going to attempt a new blog on Thursdays, "A Thankful Thursday", throughout the year. In theory it would be nice to post every week yet rather than set myself up for failure, I'm hoping to post this at least a couple times a month. I'm going to set it up as a new catergory, see the tool bar, so we can find them easier down the road.Things I'm thankful for thus far in 2017:For a God who loves, forgives, and accepts me as I amBreath in my lungsA healthy bod A loving and fun familyA career I love and valueA roof over my headFuel in the fuel tank so we have heatRunning waterFood in the cupboardsGood health and dental insurance so we don't have to opt not to be treated when illness or accidents to happenI'm very thankful for EACH OF YOU reading this blog, you encourage me What are you thankful for this week?
January 4, 2017
An #OSJ Writers' Wednesday: A New Year
A family tradition I remember fondly was spending New Year's Eve at my Gram and Aunt Nancy's house every year. This allowed all the parents to go out or have people over without worrying about a baby-sitter. Gram and Aunt Nancy loved having us, but as I think about it, my aunt's enjoyment might not have been as great since she was the once cleaning the confetti and messes for the next week or longer. (You know how confetti can be, lol)We started a new tradition a few years ago by inviting a few people over to play games and watch Dick Clark's New Year's on television. This is a relaxing and safe way to say good-bye to one year while welcoming the new in. It gives us a chance to share goals, resolutions, and much laughter. Ending and beginning with much to be thankful for.
Happy New Year 2016!
What is your New Year's Even tradition?
January 3, 2017
TOP's Tuesday: Have You Set Goals Yet?
"Goal setting isn’t something new, especially to me.It might be the first born in me, genetic,
or my love of lists but regardless of its root…
I enjoy setting goals and determining a path to reach them.
I am a third generation list maker, and crosser-off-er-er. Yes, I just made a new word, lol.
There is great personal satisfaction
when you achieve your goals.
In order to achieve a goal though, you first must set it."
~Lisa M Buske eThe first TOP's Tuesday of the year starts with a book promo, go figure. TOP's Tuesday started as a weekly blog to share upcoming speaking engagements, publication updates, and other writing/speaking related happenings. It was my Mom's favorite blog of the week because it's also where I'd tease about new writings. I don't have anything to tease with this time but I do want to share a book I released last year.
I enjoy making lists, setting goals, and striving to reach them. I am not always successful yet I always have a plan and do my best. This book is one way I help to keep myself on course and moving forward to reach a goal or two. A few people piloted this book for me last year, like a Beta Reader but they weren't just reading, they were goal setting. At least two responded to let me know how Goal Setting for a Renewed You: Because You Deserve It helped them break down their goals and aspirations in a detailed way. They might not have done all the steps or all the sections but the way in which I broke it down, they were able to zone in on a goal they needed to set and the path to follow in order to reach it.
If you'd like to read a couple reviews online, click here. If you are one of the people who purchased Goal Setting for a Renewed You: Because You Deserve it, this year or were one of my pilot readers...will you leave a review on Amazon.com? Did you know that every review on Amazon increases the chances of Amazon sharing an author's book? Thank you in advance if you take time to review this book, or any book, by your favorite authors. It's a gift that keeps giving and helps others decide if they too should purchase a book. What Area Do You Need To Set A Goal In?
January 2, 2017
It's only January 2nd and instead of starting this unexpected day off wiht joy and relaxation like I planned, I was jarred out of bed and into someone else's drama. Why do I let myself do this? Am I the only one with good intentions to have a fun and relaxing day but allow the negativity, crankiness, or stress of another interfere with this? I don't think so.December 30, 2016
There is much to be thankful for in life. As I enjoyed time with my family and friends this week I am reminded that in the midst of life and its happenings, there are ALWAYS positives in all situations and Psalm 23 reminds us every struggle is only a valley to go THROUGH! December 28, 2016
An #OSJ Writers' Wednesday: Be Thankful
As the snow gently falls in Oswego County it is easy for me to be thankful. We have good health, a home, heat, running water, food available, and three vehicles for the three employed people who live in our home. Rather than worrying about how to stay warm or what we will eat today, we have the blessing to look out our clean windows and choose to be thankful. We don't have the biggest house or the newest cars. We might not have the all the food we "want" but we have more than enough to fill our needs. I am thankful.
“The best time to
begin keeping a
journal is
whenever you
decide to.”
― Hannah Hinchman, A Life In Hand
Why do I share this today? Simple, as I volunteer at one of the local food pantries or through my job at the local school district. I have seen first hand the effect of worrying about one's basic needs being met. We too have lived this life within the past few years. This is the first year we were able to fill our fuel tank with the 150 gallon minimum. For a couple years my husband and brother-in-law were getting twenty gallons every pay day to get us through and we prayed it didn't get too cold. We kept warm in blankets and learned many lessons.
As you pick up your journal today, write about what and who you are thankful for. How have you seen God provide for you in ways that only He could have. I remember a time a couple years ago when we had to pay a bill by a certain date to avoid disconnect and as we prayed...God was already answering. On the last possible date, an unexpected check arrived in the mail for an over-payment for the exact amount needed to pay our bill. God is good.
Instead of focusing on the worries or stressors, focus on ALL THERE IS TO BE THANKFUL FOR! There is so many things we can choose to recognize and thank God for. He uses our neighbors, family, friends, churches, and strangers to meet our needs EVERY DAY. I hope you fill your journal page(s) with the ways God's provided for you. Never lose hope!
Write about what you are thankful for today!
December 21, 2016
An #OSJ Writers' Wednesday: First Day of Winter
This morning our local news counted down the last two minutes until it was "officially" winter. If you are familiar with Upstate New York then you know the effects of Winter start well before the calendar tells us it is really here. My hope is for warmth, love, and friendship this winter -
these will keep your heart and mind warm.
As we start another winter season,
share a favorite winter memory below or in your journal.
If you'd like to join others using the #OSJWritersWednesday Journal to write in each week, click here or on the photo of the book. It's only $4 and might be the start you or a friend needs to let their creative juices flow from mind to pen/pencil to paper.Have a wonderful Day and I hope you'll share your favorite Winter memory!
December 17, 2016
Where have you been Lisa?
Hello and happy Saturday everyone! I see some of you are enjoying the TOP's Tuesday and #OSJWritersWednesday posts every week. Then there are those messaging and asking me, "Where have you been? I miss your blog in the morning." If you enjoy the blog more than once a week, I apologize for my absence but sometimes we NEED to take a break to reconnect and find our inspiration. I haven't been creating stories, pictures, and emotions with my words for a couple months. Instead I've been creating with fabrics and patterns. Back in the day, a long, long, time ago my friend Ret taught me how to sew. The first thing I made was a dress for Easter. It was a simple pattern and with all it's flaws, I wore it proudly. The time and energy to sew after our daughter was born seemed to become less and less with each year. With the exception of holiday outfits or special occasions, the sewing machine collected dust.
By the time she reached middle school I basically retired my sewing maching and it only worked for minor repairs or a Christmas project here and there. Fast forward a decade or so and guess what, I remember why I enjoyed sewing so much. With Mags in college I have more time available to think and create but to sit and write has been a challenging task since my Mom passed away. Yesterday the light bulb of "why" I probably struggle to write came to the forefront, thanks to a conversation with a friend.
As I talked with a friend who blessed me with a quilting magazine and gift card for JoAnn Fabrics, I told her both are appreciated and I had a pattern (or 2 or 3, lol) I hoped to create over Christmas vacation. Somehow my writing came into the conversation and it was thanks to a magazine, the written word, and a friend that I realized something.It's a challenge to write because when I completed a chapter or piece of writing, my mom was first one to read it. She offered honest (sometimes editorial honest, lol) feedback and I went back to the drawing board. The only time she wasn't reading and editing was if the writing was a gift for she and my Dad. As I thought about this epiphany last night and woke up with it still on my heart I realized something, Mom would want me to write. She knew my heart better than myself.
As Mom made notes one night, she left this. Dad found it after she passed and shared it with me so I snapped a picture to remind me. On one page she told me to keep writing, I tear up thinking about it. A few pages later there is another note and it ends like this, "...few minutes later laughing, thinking to ask Lisa to write me book Christmas, lol" I did laugh when I read this because as I cared for her in those last weeks and days she told me I should finish a book I'd been working on. We both laughed and I told her "In my 'free time' Mom", and we laughed even more. I didn't write her a book for Christmas last year and with only a week until this Christmas, there won't be a book this year either.BUT thanks to God, friends, and a note she left behind...I'm ready to create. I'll use the gifts God's given me to share hope, inspiration, and joy with those I meet and even some of you that I'll only know via the Internet and written word. As I work out at the gym or putter in the sewing room I've realized something, both these things relieve stress AND give me ideas of things to write. I might not be writing as much as I used to or working towards a publication goal BUT my heart and desire to create and share with others has been restored.
Call it a Christmas miracle, a gift from God and my Mom from Heaven, or me finally picking my selfish head out of the sand...it's time to create and share with others. You might not have a new book to read in 2017 written by me but one thing I promise you...you can find me here blogging and sharing snip-its of stories and pictures of projects completed. There are so many ways for us to utilize our gifts to encourage, uplift, and inspire others. Mom can see and read from above, who knows, she might be enjoying me taking a break and not pushing so hard to meet self-set-deadlines.
Quilt Block Pattern used to create this Christmas Tree Block: http://www.conniekresin.com/2011/12/Christmas-tree-runner-tutorial.html
What are your gifts and desires?
What have YOU been up to?
Leave a comment below...
December 7, 2016
A Writers' Wednesday: Who do you love?
Love is a word used too easily in today's society, at least this is my opinion. I'm guilty of over using this word myself, so when I state the "common"ness to use the word love, you aren't alone. This week of Advent offers Bible verses and thoughts to ponder focusing on God's love, on Jesus' love, and our love for others. Today's story starter isn't for a story but instead, a letter. This week, let's write a letter to someone and share with them from the depths of our heart.
You might write a letter to someone you love very much and express this, and the reasons for this devotion. If it's possible, deliver this letter to them to read. If they've passed away, seal the envelope and lock it in your safe or tuck it in the junk drawer so you can be blessed in a moment when you need it. It is therapeutic to express our love for another, even if they can't read it.
On the flip side, maybe you want to write a letter to someone who has loved you with a Godly and unconditional love. Write a letter of thanksgiving to them and let them know how much their love for you has impacted your life. Sometimes we take for granted the people closest to us, your note might be the encouragement and boost your loved one needs to keep a smile on their face.
If you feel ambitious and like living out Advent to its fullest, write two letters. Write one to a person you love and one to the person who loves you. Wrap them up and gift them to these people. The best gifts at Christmas don't cost money...your words are gifts worth giving. Give it a try.
Instead of sharing your writing,
share who you are writing to
and why you chose this person
or these people. Have fun gifting love to another!
December 6, 2016
T.O.P.'s Tuesday: An Advent Full of LOVE
The next few weeks of advent focus on love, joy, and peace. Through a little research I learned that depending on your religion and possibly where you live, the order of these varies so I decided to post in the order of hope, love, joy, and peace. For some, I'll be correct and to others, you can discuss how I have them all mixed up. Either way, people will be talking about Advent, Jesus birth, and the hope, love, joy, and peace we find and you can find in Jesus. So it's a win-win, right?I remember the first Christmas celebrated after I realized the difference between going to church and having a relationship with Jesus. It's an overwhelming thought when you reflect on it. I thought about my daughter and how much I love her then I thought about what God did. He gifted Jesus to us because He loves us, He loves YOU! I love my daughter so much and can't imagine my life without her, I can't imagine letting her go into a dangerous environment, more or less sending her there. Can anyone reading this relate or even comprehend the magnitude of God's gift to us?
LOVE, this week is about love. God and Jesus modeled PURE LOVE to us. My hope lies in them, my hope is for Heidi to be found and returned home. To know how much God loves Heidi and my family, and to know God is in control, I HOPE He answers everyone's prayers and brings Heidi home and He is glorified through her discovery. May all our missing loved ones return home. May all your hurts be healed. May you know how much God loves you, yes YOU!
"I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever;Have you ever thought about how much God must love you
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
‘I will establish your line forever and
make your throne firm through all generations.’ ”
Psalm 89:1-4 NIV
to send His Only Son, Jesus, to earth?
Could you sacrifice your own child to save the world?
It's a humbling thought, eh?
