Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 53

A Writer's Wednesday: Week 1

Let's do some writing, are you ready?

Imagine you are traveling across the country with your favorite peeps, you need a place to stay.

This is the location chose -
where are You?

You have two things in your hands/arms -
what are they?

How far down the hall must you travel to get to your room?

​The most memorable experience while staying here is...
Pick up a piece of paper and something to write with,
start typing or texting, and then share
your piece of writing with us all in a post below.

I'll even do this little exercise
but I'll wait to post my story
after a few have shared theirs.
Have fun and enjoy some time writing!

Taking a Moment to Meditate

Yesterday my daughter and I joined friends, and strangers, to participate in the "Yo Baby, Relax" in Oswego, New York. A friend's daughter and her friend are working on their Silver Project for Girl Scouts and this workshop and exercise session was part of the project. These two young ladies did a great job. They found a professional to share his expertise and lead some calming and meditation exercises, along with tidbits of how we can relax in stressful situations or while at work or in school. 

Although this isn't my typical mode of relaxation or meditation, I learned new techniques to help me chill and realized some of the things I do when stressed, are research based relaxation techniques. I think my favorite part of the entire experience was to see so many come together for different reasons, from different backgrounds, and religions to spend time with their kids and friends, and to learn how to relax in the midst of the craziness of our modern schedules. 

At one point, we were asked to clear our minds and become balanced with the earth or space around us (or something like this), I'll be honest, I felt awkward but used this quiet time to talk to God. I thanked Him for the outpouring of support for the girls, for the fellowship with friends, and the quiet time of relaxation with our daughter. There was much to be thankful for, so I used this time of meditation to express my thanks to God. 

It's important for us all to remember that because we share different beliefs than others, there are things we can learn from them and their beliefs. It doesn't mean we should try to change each other but instead, embrace our differences and build each other up. As Christians, it's a Biblical concept to "build each other up" and it's also a human need, to encourage and build each other up. With more positive encouragement to each other, imagine how our circle of control could be influenced.
"So encourage each other and build each other up,
just as you are already doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
Do you have a strategy to share to enhance
​one's personal meditation time?

A Fun Friday - What Makes Yours Fun?

It's Friday, you might say TGIF
or maybe it's just another day
because you are retired
BUT regardless of your
stance on this sixth
day of the week,
I have a question for you.


What is one fun thing you did or plan to do today?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Wind Down or Gear Up?

It's that time of year when parents gear up in preparation of sending their sweet cherubs back to school. Teachers make plans for the year and set their rooms up. The kids start counting down the days to learning, oh wait, they start counting down to Christmas vacation, who am I kidding. LOL

As the summer winds down and the back-to-school prep gears up, remember to take time to have fun and make memories. It's the positive memories that get you through the tough days so make a surplus in your memory bank to pull out when your baby goes to Kindergarten, college, or moves in with their new spouse. Our job is to raise our sweet kiddos so they can be independent, so make memories to reflect on when the house is quiet or you are having a "mommy" or "daddy" moment. What is your favorite part about this time of year?

Summer Fun & Birthday Celebrations

We are fortunate in our home to have three summer birthdays. As a child, I disliked a summer birthday because it was in the middle of August and my friends were usually on vacation and couldn't attend my party BUT as an adult, it's great! My husband is a summer baby and God gifted us our daughter in the summer. I'm thankful now for the summer fun and celebrations that we can't enjoy other times of the year in Upstate New York. 

We don't tend to give each other a lot of "gifts" per say but enjoy spending our birthday with family and friends, if it works out. To make memories with those we care the most about is a priceless gift no one can buy in a store. The pictures in today's blog are from our birthdays this summer - one thing is common for each, smiles and enjoyment.

I thank God for each year and day He gives me, and I thank him for these two goofballs that make life so enjoyable and fun. It's just a day and a number, soon I'll be 50 (well, not so soon as my husband tells me) and I can't wait. A sweet woman told me yesterday, "Don't rush it, I couldn't wait to get older and now that I'm older, I'd give anything to go back." As much as I look forward to joining the Red Hat Ladies, I'm going to enjoy the next five years because each day is a gift worth celebrating.
This is my favorite birthday song, one my Dad gifted me as a child
​and he continues to do so, forty-five years later. Thanks Dad! What birthday traditions or activities do you enjoy?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: On The Road Again

Did anyone else start singing or humming the song, "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson? I know I did. It was unintentional yet fun, so glad it happened. 

Over the past couple weeks a fog has lifted from my mind and heart. I'm able to see the light and good surrounding me. Don't get me wrong, I think I've stayed pretty positive and upbeat yet there are days when it's difficult to put my feet on the floor and get out, and active. After my sister's kidnapping, I chose to hide, so at least I didn't do that after my Mom passed away. Instead, I've kept my eyes and heart focused on God and taken it one day at a time. This is the best anyone can do, especially after the loss of a parent, right?

I anticipated feeling quite down at this time in August because of the anniversary of my Mom's cancer diagnosis, and the approaching departure of our daughter to her next adventure. BUT, I am feeling better than I've felt in a year, now will I have the same Polly Anna and cheerful attitude in a couple weeks? I hope so, but I won't make a promise I'm not sure I can keep. 

This I do know, I'm feeling better because of The One, God, who continues to lead, help, encourage, inspire, and motivate me to be the person He designed me to be. God uses my family and friends, you, and those I haven't even met. You are his messengers, angels, and servants...thank you for the blessing you are to me. May His light shine through me, and you, as we get on the road again.

"My heart is bursting with a new song;
    lyrics to my king erupt like a spring
    for my king, to my king;
    my tongue is the pen of a poet, ready and willing."
​Psalm 45:1 Voice

What is your heart bursting with today? Are you ready and willing?
If you are brave, leave a comment so others can
cheer you on in reaching this goal and destination.

Not Easier, But stronger!

As I looked through the available images for today's blog, I stopped when I saw this one. It wasn't the message I planned to post today BUT these eight words say a lot. "It never gets easier, you just get stronger." This is such a true statement.

In life, we face so many difficult scenarios. Each bring their own pains, angers, and frustrations. While some are easier to move on from, others stay with you each day of your life. So many try to forget or pretend these events didn't happen. I'll admit there are choices and events in my life I'm not proud of, yet these are the very moments that help to shape me into the adult and person I am today. From every mistake I've made, a valuable lesson was learned. For goodness sake, our childhoods are full of trial and error when you think about it, each correction and redirect was life not getting easier, but us getting stronger, and wiser.

Of course, there are more serious things in life than the everyday trials of growing up. For instance, the kidnapping and presumed death of my sister won't get easier to accept BUT I'm a stronger person today than I was on April 3, 1994. This isn't a road or journey I would have chosen but it's the one placed before me so I have a choice. Every day I choose to live and attempt to be the best person I can. I live each day in hopes of having no regrets. I don't always succeed yet my heart and thought process is always there. 
​A year ago, my mom's diagnosis of Stage 4 Metastasized cancer shocked us and life was even harder. The short month between her diagnosis and her passing were difficult yet precious memories I hold. I'm stronger because of the quiet moments spent with my Mom. I'm stronger because once again I was shown how short our life and time on earth is.

It hasn't been an easy year and there are days when the word "strong" or "strength" resemble the way I feel. Instead I feel broken and confused, lost in the midst of loss, BUT thankfully I also have a wonderful friends, family, and most importantly, an amazing God that remind me of the inner strength I sometimes can't see myself. This strength doesn't come from within but instead, from above.

​God gives me the strength to go through the valley of "not easy". He is there and ready to do the same for you, do you know that?
​
​"Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me."
Psalm 23:4 NIV

He is with us as we walk through the valley and if we accept His help, He offers the tools and support needed to stronger than we were before the hurt, pain, loss, or situation occurred. ​Can you think of a time when you thought the pain would never go away?
If so, this is okay, some losses and situations affected us so deeply,
we are forever changed BUT when we have our eyes focused upward,
​God gives us the strength we need to move forward.  Will you share an instance of finding strength in the midst of a difficult loss or situation? Your words could encourage another reader. 

When You CAN'T Work Towards the Goal

Earlier in the summer, shortly after school finished for the 201i5-16 year, I posted about setting goals and the road to reaching them. One of my goals for the short time between school years was to establish an exercise regimen, at least five times a week. With the help of my accountability partners, this goal was being reached and a new habit is formed. Until...injury occurs. Well, not necessarily an injury, but two terrible heel blisters from my sneakers.

Even though the scale doesn't show weight loss, my feet have thinned out and are sloshing around in my sneaks. I've tried band-aids on my heels, band-aids on the back of my sneakers, and even heel liners. Ugh...all I have to show for it, are two blisters getting worse. I soaked, cleaned, and treated with triple antibiotic but they were still not healing well. (Did I mention I didn't really slow my walking down too much, lol) I gave in and went to the doctor yesterday. Too many had me nervous I would get an infection or something. The good news, the doctor said I had done a good job of keeping it clean and preparing it to heal. She had me stop the nightly soaks and her recommendation, to stop walking for a week or until the blisters healed completely and then to get new sneakers.

I'm off to Fleet Feet once my blisters are ready to try on new sneaks. The ones I have are only six weeks new but they haven't fit right from the get-go. Anyone have a walking sneaker they love, or love to avoid? What about shin splints? Any advice or tricks of the trade from avid walkers and runners? My walking buddy struggles with shin splints and the exercises aren't doing the trick. 

On one hand, I'm not working towards the goal of exercising and walking at least five times a week BUT I haven't given up and I'm dedicating time to healing up the blisters so I can get back to it, and plan on a trip to Fleet Feet as soon as I can. I miss walking in the morning and it's only been 2 days. Do you miss your daily exercise regimen when you can't do it?
Thanks for leaving some input on sneakers, shin splints,
and other walking/exercise tidbits.
You won't just help me, you'll help everyone
who reads this blog. Have a great day!

A Slide Down Means a Move Up

The sun is shining and it is warm in upstate New York, we are hoping and praying for rain to water the flowers, grass, and dry waterways around us. But as we wait, we are making memories and celebrating life's moments. This past June our daughter graduated from high school, and last month we enjoyed a time of memory making with family and friends.

Graduation is a great accomplishment, considering that only 76.4% of the 2011 cohort (Class of 2015) graduated, the 2016 statistics aren't available yet. To graduate is a note-worthy and important milestone in one's life. We need to celebrate the milestones, our children need our encouragement, support, and recognition so they stay the course.

"The New York State Education Department today released high school graduation rates for the 2011 cohort (students who entered 9th grade in 2011). The overall graduation rate for the 2011 cohort increased to 78.1 percent, up 1.7 percentage points from 76.4 percent for the 2010 cohort. The data were presented during the Board of Regents meeting on Monday." To read the entire article, click here.

And with a milestone comes the grief and pain of remembering those who aren't here to celebrate with us. While this thought can be crippling, if we allow it, it's normal and healthy to remember those who have passed before us. These are the very people who helped us, and our kiddos become the people we are today. The important thing to focus on is that we are alive and well, as long as we have breath in our lungs, we have a purpose.  What's your purpose today? We always have choices, instead of focusing on the grief...
find the joy in each situation. 
Where is your joy found today?

Don't Focus on the Empty Nest!

Focus on the Bird Learningto Fly on Their Her Own There are times when I think about our daughter starting her collegiate adventure and I fill with excitement and anticipation for the world and growth before her. Then there are the times when I realize how different our home will be when she moves into the dorm. There are pros and cons, but when I think about the adult and educator she is in process of while at college, I smile and am thankful for the journey before her. I might have an "empty nest" as some call it by the end of August but one thing that isn't empty is my heart and mind. They both hold endless memories to carry me from move-in day to the first college break. Foundation is in place, the rest is up to God and Mags. What were the weeks prior to your child's departure like?
Did you experience an empty nest or did you seize opportunities?