Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 63

New Year's Eve and Nothing to Do?

Happy New Year's Eve!
How are you spending the last day of 2015?
What are your dreams, aspirations, and goals for 2016? I must admit, 2016 hasn't been a year I've looked forward to. The first time I read 2016 on a document was when we registered our daughter for Kindergarten many years ago. At the time, 2016 seemed far away but like my Gram and Mom told me, "Enjoy every day because before you know, she'll be graduating." I didn't realize the magnitude of truth in their statement until September of this year as Mags started her Senior year of high school and the college application and FAFSA conversations replaced the teen norm. 

There are days I'm more proud of our daughter than others yet one thing is true, I'm proud of her every day. Her strength, determination, goal setting, and forward thinking encourage me. Sometimes the bold leadership skills drive me crazy but if we've done our job as parents well, then the separation process is only normal. People tend to focus on "senioritis", I know it bit me in the butt (way  more than my daughter but don't tell her that)but until being the parent on the flip side of this time-to-grow-up coin...I didn't realize, the greatest difficulty is the role of parent.

I'm not taking away from the important and life changing decisions our teens face, seventeen years old and having to pick the career path and college that will meet this goal...all before February break! Yikes, no wonder our seniors get a little flighty, growing up is serious and scary stuff. As I set my goals for 2016 and run things through my brain, I'm grateful for a kid with a head on her shoulders and who applies the strategies and skills we've modeled and taught.

My goal as a parent this year is simple, yet a challenge...Let go so she can grow. As you celebrate New Year's Eve, remember not to drink and drive and as you set your goals, how can you be a model and/or catalyst for the next generation?

​Life is about more than the ball rising to the top for Midnight, how can we spur and encourage our kids to reach their goals and explode confetti of understanding, respect, peace, love, hope, generosity, empathy, and leadership in their adulthood?  How will you spur and encourage the kids in your circle of influence,
to reach their goals and explode confetti
of understanding, respect, peace, love, hope,
generosity, empathy, and leadership in their adulthood? 

From Lazy to Crazy...Busy That Is

It is vacation week for my daughter and I so we kicked off our time together with a couple lazy days. A favorite past time of ours, jammy day, is only better when we watch a movie series from beginning to end. This year's Black Friday shopping completed a series we like to watch, Harry Potter. We started on Monday afternoon and finished last night. I didn't even turn my computer on, I was queen of the "Messy Hair and I don't Care" slogan on teen apparel. But instead of wearing a shirt in public for others to see, I rocked the look at home with only my favorite peeps shaking their heads, and enjoying my VERY lazy mode.

Typically, vacation means catching up and getting ahead. There is a list for each day and little to no time for rest and refreshment. This year I tried something new and guess what...I like it. Jammies, movies, and relaxation. I feel better prepared to move forward today and into 2016. 

Breakfast with a friend this morning, bowling with my high school peeps midday, help at the food pantry this afternoon, and a late dinner with friends fill our day today. I have a couple lists started and others that need to be written before I forget all that needs to be done. My portion of dinner is in the crock pot and once I post this blog, I'll make homemade rolls to cook tonight. 

Sometimes we just have to slow down and chillax. Enjoy this "Chillax" video from YouTube, it's one of GoNoodle's videos. While you take a break from the busyness of life, leave a comment below of how you are spending the week between Chrismtas and New Year's Day. How are you spending the end of the year? Leave a comment below.

TOP'S Tuesday: Time to Get Movin'

BEFORE

When we clear the physical clutter from our lives, we literally make way for inspiration and 'good, orderly direction' to enter.
Julia Cameron

AFTER Last week I posted a blog with a picture of the piles of laundry waiting to be folded and the array of piles growing nearly as tall as us. My husband shook his head as I admitted to the blogosphere my lack of motivation and desire to do housework lately. I'm a slacker wife and mother, what can I say. Or am I grieving daughter trying to figure out how to keep moving forward with joy and care for my family? Regardless the adjectives you link to me, the truth and reality is the same. My house was a chaotic disaster. It resembled how I felt on the inside and until last week, I didn't even complain because I just didn't care.

Yet in the midst of blogging the #ChristmasCountdown, something happened. God restored the joy and desire to write. He reminded me, nudged me, and loved me through your comments and messages. He hugged me through my friends and sisters-in-Christ. He enveloped me in His grace and mercy to not just go through the motions of Christmas but to experience a little joy.

Did I get the Christmas decorations down from the attic? No. Did we put up a tree and bling the house out in red and green? No. Did we slowly figure out this year's normal and what worked for our family? Yes. Did we celebrate the birth of Jesus with our church family? Yes. Did the tradition of Christmas breakfast at my parent's house continue? Yes. Was it a different kind of year? Yes.

Were we right or wrong in the decisions we made? I don't think so. With grief, there is no right or wrong as long as we don't dwell in any one area too long. I received some great gifts from my Dad, husband, and daughter. Mostly for the kitchen, a gentle nudge from heaven to get baking and cooking. These things bring me joy and help me think and relax, of course my family reaps the benefits too. A multitude of Dunkin Donuts and even some Minion apparel (my first thanks to my daughter). Even with the fabulousness of these items, I think God delivered the greatest of gifts...He restored hope, joy, love, and even forgiveness in my heart. 

I'm not where I need to be but I'm closer than I was a week ago, or even yesterday for that matter. It's the little things that help us move forward with joy and a smile on our face.  With this in mind, check it out...I cleaned the house and each time I walk in and even as I sit in my new reading nook, I say out loud, "I like this". Something as simple as moving the furniture and running the vacumm cleared more than physical clutter, it removed spiritual clutter. I'm not where I need to be but I'm closer than I was a week ago, or even yesterday for that matter. It's the little things that help us move forward with joy and a smile on our face.  With this in mind, check it out...I cleaned the house and each time I walk in and even as I sit in my new reading nook, I say out loud, "I like this".

Something as simple as moving the furniture and running the vacuum cleared more than physical clutter, it removed spiritual clutter. My favorite aspect of the move, my new reading and study nook. Since taking this picture, I've organized the shelf between the two chairs and it's neat and tidy too. Feeling thankful for the motivation to "get over it" as my Gram would say and not just go through the motions but to move forward with purpose and hope...one day and step at a time. If you ever experienced loss or a struggle
that made it difficult to do the ordinary,
what helped you clear the clutter (physical, emotional, spiritual)
to move forward one step and day at a time?
​Will you share below?

What is your favorite vacation spot or memory?

​Laughter
is
an
instant
vacation.
Milton Berle

Is their your vacation? As an educator, this is vacation for me. One of my greatest joys in choosing education as a career is the blessing to be home with my daughter when she doesn't have school. Snow days and day care weren't concerns I needed to worry about. The only worry on a snow day, what time would the home made cinnamon rolls will be finished and ready to frost. As if these aren't cause enough to celebrate, vacations and summer break are times of memory making and busyness typically.

This Christmas break, we took a break from the busy and slowed it down to an open and bare schedule. A time for ourselves to recharge and reconnect. My Dad teased because an empty calendar usually means I didn't write something down or it didn't get carried over from the calendar on my phone (that my daughter encourages me to keep attempting) to my "old fashioned" calendar in the kitchen. Not this time though. In addition to the open time slots and freedom to sleep in or get up and do something, I have even limited tech time during vacation.

My computer had almost 48 hours of "off" time until Saturday when I logged a couple hours to write my blogs so Sunday could be tech free. I thought I'd miss the Internet time but it has been the latter. It's been nice to disconnect part of the day, so much so, it might develop into the norm.

As our family enjoys family time to recharge and reconnect, how are you spending this Christmas vacation? Traveling or at home? If this isn't a vacation time for you, what is your favorite vacation location or memory? Will you share below?

Have a great day, see you tomorrow for TOP's Tuesday on the blog.

Joyful Reminders Found While Cleaning

​I have hidden your word
in my heart
that I might not sin
against you."
Psalm 119:11

Yesterday I organized and puttered around the house, things that have been on a perpetual lists since last school year. As some know, it is only a dream until it is written down. So the things I accomplished aren't goals achieved because I never wrote them down. Instead, they are the little things you notice when you sit on the couch and stare with no purpose across the room (but get up to do anything about it). Am I the only one who has these moments?

While, regardless, the furniture in our living room and kitchen are rearranged. This might not shock those close to us because moving around the furniture while I clean is one of my favorite things to do. It's been quite awhile though since the mood struck and it struck on Christmas Eve and I finished yesterday. I took Christmas Day off. In the midst of the shuffling of furniture and "organizing" items, I came across years worth of index cards with Bible verses on them.

The ones in this picture are the memory verses our pastor at the time put in the bulletin as a tactile reminder of that week's Bible verse. I would hang them next to the bathroom mirror, over my kitchen sink, and even on the front door so I would "see and read" them throughout the day. There was also years worth of index cards with Bible verse handwritten by me too, some dated 2006. I smiled and read the dates and the particular verse. Some were hole punched and held together with a ring from different Bible studies and some were clipped together based on something I must have needed God's help to get through. 

I share this memory for those who cherish God's Word and write it on index cards to help you memorize it, or in my case, to read during the day as a tool to help keep the mind focused on God and not the struggle or trouble. This is a strategy and life lesson I've gotten away from but cleaning out the file and bins of index cares rekindled this practice. I contemplated tossing the "old" cards and starting fresh and then decided against it.

First and foremost, God's Word never grows old or goes void. Secondly, the dates and notes written along with the Bible verses are part of my life history and remind me of lessons learned, lessons I still need to learn, and obstacles I've overcome. To throw the cards away would be like throwing away the progress made, the forward motion I'm still in, and the chance to reflect later in life and say..."I might be a slow study but at least I kept studying." I remember my cousin sharing her ring binder of index cards when my Aunt Kit was in the hospital. She talked about how God encouraged her during the day and it fit in her pocket book or even jacket pocket if need be. I had a few verses on index cards at that point but became "hooked" after our conversation. Sometimes it is the little things that end up making a big difference.

Index cards are inexpensive and come in a variety of colors and sizes. My size and color variations are running low but never enough to stop writing the verse I might need to get me through the day. I gift you this virtual index card, what Bible verse does God want you to write on it? Write it down and carry it with you today. Let me know how this helped, sometimes...the verse and card isn't for you. You might meet someone that "just happens" to need that particular card. Share the gift, you never know when this 3 x 5 might change a heart. What are some ways you use index cards
​to help you through life?

The Day After...Jammy Day

Thank you for joining me on my countdown to Christmas the past twelve days. They were fabulous blogs and some days may have been less than interesting yet I accomplished my goal - to blog every day until Christmas. As I bum around the house in my jammies today, I thought there might be some who do the same thing. In case you missed the countdown or wanted to share it on social media because somewhere in the midst of my writing, your heart was blessed, the entire countdown is included in this one blog.
Click on the picture to read each blog. 
Have a great day and catch up on your sleep! 
​Thanks for reading!
11 Days until Christmas
Families are Forever

​​Christmas Countdown...
10 days until Christmas
Christmas Countdown...
​9 Days

​The Christmas Countdown Continues...
8 Days

​Christmas Countdown...
Find Your Sparkle

The Christmas Countdown
Continues...
​Let it Snow!!
Christmas Countdown
​Thanks a Minion
Final Preparations 
As we Countdown
To Christmas
​TOP's Tuesday:
Counting Down
​to Christmas
​An Acrostic
Christmas
Countdown

​It's Christmas Eve
​Let the Traditions Begin

​Merry Christmas...
Enjoying family 
and the Perfect Tree
What is your favorite...memory, gift given/received,
or time spent this Christmas?

Merry Christmas

The Christmas Story according to Luke:
Luke 2:8 - 13 from the VOICE Read Entire Chapter HERE

"Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light—the shining light of God’s glory. They were terrified!
Messenger: Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere.  Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough.
At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers—a vast heavenly choir. They praised God."
Merry Christmas from our family to yours...

It's Christmas Eve...Let the Traditions Begin

For some reading today you are used to warmer temperatures during the holidays but those of us in New York are more comfortable and accepting of snow and cold for Christmas. I opened the door this morning to let the dog out and my bare feet were greeted with warmth on the porch followed by a deep breath of fresh air. Not the typical freeze your nose hairs and bones greeting one receives this time of year.

It felt nice yet at the same time, a little snow for the lights to bounce off would be nice. So as I stood with the door open, letting the fresh warm air in the house, I realized something. The weather is out of my circle of control, rather than let it be one more let down this Christmas, I'm going to embrace it with a walk or two. How will you modify traditions to fit the bizarre weather? I did something new to start our Christmas holiday this morning. We usually have Hawaiian blend, but this year we are trying something new.  As I purchased a pound of Starbuck's "2015 Christmas Blend", I laughed out loud because if I was closer to home, someone might suggest I pick up the, "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks" t-shirt at my next Dunkin Donuts stop.

The thruway attendant at this particular Starbucks let me have a sample to sip and smell. I thought, this could be a new tradition. My understanding is they have a new blend each Christmas. I ground the beans this morning, the house smells lovely and the coffee taste delicious. This might be a new tradition for us, Starbuck's Christmas Blend each year. Of course we'll have to travel to Syracuse or on the thruway to get it, but it's an excuse for a road trip.
Something as simple as coffee to kick off Christmas...
​What are you doing today?

An Acrostic Christmas Countdown

Inspired by ten amazing, talented, and poetic students. I had the opportunity to teach an after school writing enrichment program for eight sessions. Initially I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it as the proposal was due soon after my Mom's passing but I knew I needed to do something to keep my head in the game. 

To write is a passion, and one I was struggling to find so instead of giving up I wrote a proposal to inspire students to write and decided to focus on poetry. Poetry isn't a strength so I used it as an opportunity to improve my own craft and force me to delve into a little writing 101. I never expected the impact the students would have on me, my writing, and rekindling the spark to write. I'm thankful my proposal was accepted and even more thankful I put one foot in front of the other to move forward and focus on the good. The blessings abound.

To teach the kids about poetry and see them excited to learn, read, and write brought me such joy. Each session recharged me and I found myself modifying my initial plans each week to meet the student's interests and talents. Not only did they write poetry, they illustrated a poem, reading both in front of their families on the last night. The energy and love in the classroom that night was amazing and I believe the next generation of authors and poets is only beginning.

Today's blog is dedicated to them and I hope they keep writing. Without knowing it, God used my passion to write and teach, and my wonderful students, to help me find a piece of me I lost and restore light and love to my heart. I was invited to church by a student and a class of students reminded me why I teach, learn, write, and speak. God knows the way to my heart, I think my Mom would be happy to know I didn't give up and even more tickled to know it was my kiddos at school who triggered the forward motion.  Never underestimate the power of a child. C atching up with old friends H aving coffee and tea with cookies R eading Christmas Classics I nviting family over for dinner S inging carols around the piano T asting new kinds of cookies  M aking memories with each activity A rriving late because I had to do "just one more thing" S ales motivating me to get out at 7 a.m. C lement Clark Moore's Twas the Night read aloud O pportunities to bless others  U nwrapping gifts of love  N ever underestimating the good in people T elling stories of the past to the next generation D elivering cookies, gifts, and hugs to brighten another's day O rganizing gatherings and festivities W ondering if the miracle of Christmas is contagious  N estled in with a good book  Merry Christmas...what poem will you share?

TOP's Tuesday: Counting Down to Christmas

My apologies for not posting this morning. The good news, it wasn't because I overslept or chose to ignore the blog. Instead, I was working through a couple lists in order to get a few things completed before businesses are closed for the holiday. I even managed to have time for a shower, without rushing. So this morning was a win, with the exception of not posting this blog until after 8 p.m. At least it's posted, right?

Anyway, as I contemplated what to blog about, a few things came to mind. This in itself brought a smile to my face since the past few months it felt as if inspiration was far and few between. After working today, stopping to visit with my Dad, a quick visit with my Auntie, and our dinner smorgasbord...I still lacked direction of what to post. It was a phone call from a friend that confirmed the direction to take, belief, or in this case...BELIEVE. What do you believe? I believe Christmas is the celebration and remembrance of Jesus birth in a manger, in Bethlehem, so many years ago. Jesus birth offered hope to a hurting nation and still offers this same hope to us today. You might not believe in Jesus or God yet they believe in, and love you. 

Life is a journey, a train ride if you will. Great things can happen when you believe. Put your dreams in writing and create goals, believe you can and will achieve them as you trust God to lead the way throughout the journey and process. Christmas is a season of hope with a multitude of miracles evident when you choose to believe and "see" with your heart. Merry Christmas!

Hope of all hopes, dream of our dreams,
    a child is born, sweet-breathed; a son is given to us: a living gift.
And even now, with tiny features and dewy hair, He is great.
    The power of leadership, and the weight of authority, will rest on His shoulders.
His name? His name we’ll know in many ways—
    He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Dear Father everlasting, ever-present never-failing,
    Master of Wholeness, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 the VOICE

You can trust the starlight when you remember Who created the stars.
What are you believing God for this Christmas season?