Amy L. Sullivan's Blog, page 9

Cause for Celebration

This year I didn’t make resolutions. I didn’t write a list of goals. I didn’t even pretend this would be the year I change my make-up regimen and wear something other than Cover Girl (Yearly goal since 1998. I know, I know, I am almost forty. No lecturing, please).

I just didn’t want to. This fall proved to be a weird combination of extreme highs and lows.

Honestly, I felt burned out, and what I wanted to do was discover more podcasts. Yes, podcasts. Think radio shows of 2015. They help me do the dishes better. When I am listening to podcasts, I take my time with the dishes and actually rinse the peanut butter off of our spoons. Rinsing peanut butter off spoons lessens the chance I will have to hear my husband say, “Amy, Do you think the hardened peanut butter on those spoons will be scrubbed off by magical elves who live in the dishwasher?”

My answer? Maybe, but I digress.

Listening to more podcasts felt like too much of a commitment so I bailed on that idea, but while standing firm in the Land of No Resolutions and what looked like the beginning of a commitment problem, I started something strange.

Celebrating.

This is something I didn’t plan, but something I will certainly continue.

I’m celebrating events that actually warrant celebrating (friendships) and events that happen daily, and I just don’t notice (waking up on a Monday).

This is the kind of celebrating that doesn’t come with fretting and planning. It comes from seeing and recognizing.

It’s Monday. Let’s celebrate with smoothies for breakfast. Did it on Monday, and then on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday.

A new week, a reason to celebrate.

It’s Friday. I should forget about work, and instead, drive into the mountains, hike up a steep hill, sit quietly in my gray puffy coat, and stare at the sky as it turns pink. Did it and without guilt.

A new day, a reason to celebrate.

It’s a week before my oldest gets braces. We should invite a bunch of twelve-year-old girls over for popcorn party, and we should give them less than twenty-four hours of notice (hi, they are twelve. How much notice do they need?). The party should include limbo, a make-shift, American Ninja Warrior course, and canned dog food flavored jelly beans. Did it, and I can still hear the giggling.

A new stage in life, a reason to celebrate.

The weather was ten degrees higher than normal. I should pump up the tires on the bikes, declare it Neighborhood Bike Day and watch kids wear our road thin. Did it, and I can still feel the warmth of the sun.

An unexpected warm day in January, a reason to celebrate.

I bring up these impromptu mini parties because I find myself bubbling with gratefulness, and I can’t decide if the bubbling is because of a change in attitude or a change of circumstances. Maybe both.

Either way, I’m still not making a resolution (or refraining from using a Cover Girl compact), but the way I see it, I have two choices, let daily happenings go unnoticed or see the miracles, which make up my life.

I chose to see miracles. Every time.

What mini celebrations are happening around your parts? Do tell.

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Back in December, my girl was interviewed because she and her cutie friend received a Start a Snowball grant. Here’s the replay. Start at 4:25 or watch from the beginning to see the entire segment.

Being Generous with Our Gifts and Talents

Happy 2015, friends!

I am excited to introduce you to today’s guest, Kristin of The Ruth Experience. Not only can I relate to what Kristin says about mysterious stains, which appear on my clothing (seriously, how do I spill coffee when I am not even holding coffee?), but I am guilty of deflecting compliments and being not-so-generous with myself in regards to my gifts and talents.

What gifts? What talents?

Do you see what I mean?

I’m guessing you do the same thing. We find it difficult to acknowledge our gifts and talents. We dismiss our uniqueness, and most of us maintain an all-or-nothing attitude. If I’m not really good at ______________ (fill in the blank), I must stink. The idea that our skills mean little is completely false, but this belief keeps us stagnant.

Let’s make a deal to stop thinking this way.

Deal? Deal.

Here’s Kristin.

I once heard Shauna Niequist say that in order to host people in your home, all you really need are 15 minutes and three items: bacon, a laundry basket, and baby wipes. Fifteen minutes before someone is due to arrive, throw some bacon on the stove to make your guests feel welcome, grab a laundry basket to pick up any items your guests might trip over or sit on, then finish up by using baby wipes to get rid of sticky messes lingering on tables and floors.

Not only do I love that her “necessities” concept includes bacon, I love the idea that true hospitality requires very little preparation. Instead, it requires only a willingness to invite others into your home, regardless of its imperfections.

For me, it was freeing to hear her say that less-than-perfect is really more-than-enough.

You see, even though a good friend of mine recently told me that hospitality is a gift of mine, my natural impulse is to think of all the reasons it couldn’t possibly be true: Well, she doesn’t know that I nagged my husband about moving his pile from the kitchen counter and yelled at my kids to get upstairs just before she arrived. And even though I didn’t have time to bake anything homemade, I’m mystified as to how a giant stain appeared on my pregnant belly. So, really, I’m not sure I’m gifted!

Compared to Martha Stewart, I wouldn’t consider myself a maven of hospitality, so my so-called gift seems unimportant, at best.

I’ve found that all too often, being generous with our gifts and talents first requires us to be generous with ourselves. So often it’s easy to deflect a compliment or bypass things that seem unimportant, rather than recognizing the underlying gift they imply: You have a beautiful voice. Your house is so organized! You really have an eye for photography. Before we can share our gift with someone else, we first have to recognize it within ourselves.

In her book Carry On, Warrior, Glennon Doyle Melton puts it this way: “If you feel something calling you to dance or write or paint or sing, please refuse to worry about whether you’re good enough. Just do it. Be generous. Offer a gift to the world that no one else can offer: yourself.”

Own your gift, and share it. You’re the only person who can.

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A Jill-of-all-trades with a background in journalism, Kristin Demery has done everything from managing a social network site for mothers to working as an editorial assistant for an academic journal. You can find Kristin writing about mistakes, motherhood, and the power of grace on the blog she co-writes, The Ruth Experience , or connect via Facebook , Twitter , or Pinterest .

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Thank you, Kristin.

This post correlates with Chapter Four in When More is Not Enough to view other posts which relate to the chapters, clickity click on the following links. Generous with Prayer, Generous with Time, Generous with Money (even when money is tight).

Thrilled to be joining the ladies of Make a Difference Mondays.

Rabid Raccoons and The Tree that Won’t Stand

Dear Friends,

I’ve been thinking of you. Yes, indeedy. I have.

I’m wondering if this time of year makes you feel joyous and giddy or if it makes you feel as if you have been punched in the throat. I know Christmas has the uncanny ability to do both.

Around these parts we’ve had an episode with a rabid raccoon. We’ve been battling our disobedient tree which refuses to stand. We can’t stop making three ingredient sugar cookies, and we stand determined to wring every minute out of every day. On Tuesday, I even snuck a nap. It was glorious.

Have I told  you how much I appreciate you?

Have I said that even on days when I want to unplug from the online world and find a very tall building to hurl my computer from that I’m still thankful for you?

Updates:

The Kindle version of When More is Not Enough is on sale for $1.99 through Thursday (yes, today). I probably should have told you this fact sooner, but I was much too busy dealing with rabid raccoons and eating three ingredient sugar cookies. Anyway, several book clubs have told me this is going to be a January read, and I’m all about a deal. So there you have it, book clubbers.

Local friends, please remember to watch these two as they spread joy and cuteness to the world on Friday, December 19th on UNC TV at 7:30 pm.

Lastly, this guy and I just celebrated sixteen years together. Peek at our date night fun (and random pictures of my other love, Jimmy Fallon) here. Sixteen years? Sixteen years.

Much love, Amy

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PS: Have you found a gift for everyone on your list yet? If not, peek here.

Teach Your Girls to Speak

Teach your girls to speak.

And eventually, you will stand in awe.

Because the girls who giggle until tears drip from their eyes are the same girls who are smart and confident and full of love for others.

This is our girl and her friend. Aren’t they the cutest? They are being interviewed by a TV station because they are Start a Snowball grant recipients.

Start a Snowball awards grants to do-gooding kids who have big ideas and little bank accounts. Applying for the grant is easy and fun. Plus, it doesn’t matter if you live in Minneapolis, Minnesota or Machiasport, Maine, the grant is open to kids anywhere in the U.S.

For all of you North Carolina peeps, mark your calendars, our girl’s segment will air December 19th at 7:30 pm on UNC TV. We have already planned a popcorn party to celebrate her six minute TV debut.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

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Have you peeked at the The Ultimate List of Gifts that Give Back? This is a good one to save or pin.

The Ultimate List of Gifts that Give Back 2014

The Ultimate List of Gifts that Give Back has arrived. I asked you to share your giving related pictures in a #RaisingGivers photo challenge, and you did (which, by the way, thank you! Expect a slideshow of my favorite shots soon!). Therefore, here is the promised list of gifts that give back.

I debated about the organization of this list and decided to highlight specific products, and then leave the link to the organization, nonprofit, or store which the sells the product in parentheses. The links listed will take you to the product described, but you may have to clickity click around the site to discover details about the organization selling the product. If you find yourself  lost on the site and think, Amy, what in the world does a corqueted bow tie have to do with giving back? just leave me a note in the comments, and I will direct you to the story behind the products.

Also, if you see an asterisk (*) behind the product listed, it means the item is less than $20.00. Don’t worry, bargain shoppers, I have your back.

Important: I’m not receiving any compensation for generating this list. These are products from organizations which I think would make great gifts. That’s it. However, should someone want to send me anything from Out of Print or Faucet Face, I will happily sit by my mailbox and wait for it to arrive.

I’m parched

Wine. Bottle designed by a tatoo artist and wine created by a well-known winemaker. Limited edition ( SAVED Wines) Prices vary.*
Pomegranate Swirl Tea (Laughing Man).*
Brut Sparkling Wine (ONEHOPE).
Morning Walk Breakfast Blend Coffee (Grounds and Hounds).*
French Lemon Ginger Tea (Laughing Man).*

All of this drinking has made me hungry

Made With Love: Meals on Wheels Famliy Cookbook (Meals on Wheels).*
FEED Apron (West Elm).
Homemade Muffin Gift Box (That’s Caring).
Scratch & Grain Cookie Kits (Love with Food).
10 Piece Box of Chocolates for  a Cause (Compartes).

For the bitty babies

Where the Wild Things Are onsie (Out of Print).*
Hoot Hat (Krochet Kids).
Stronger T-shirt (Mightee Kids).
Stuffed animals and books (Kohls Cares. Did you know 100% of the proceeds from this merchandise goes to kids’ health and education initiatives?)
Baby C0coon (Krochet Kids).
Blue Polka headband (Headbands of Hope).*

Soft skin, sweet scents, and fresh breath

Rogue soaps (United by Blue).*
Six pack of bamboo toothbrushes (Smile Squared).
Body balm. Think lip balm for your body (Thistle Farms). *
Soap stones which look like stones (Arghand)*
Skin care + Norman Rockwell + Feeding America = A good match(Kielhls).
Hand soap (Thistle Farms).*

Living Gifts

Chickens and pigs (Compassion).
Rabbit (World Vision).*
Water buffalo (Heifer International).
13 Small farm animals (World Vision).
A tribe of goats (Oxfam).

Jewerly, bobbles, and bling

Scout and Boo necklace for all of the To Kill a Mockingbird fans in the house (Out of Print).
Hopper Earrings. Wheet-woo. That was me whistling ( Greenola Style ).
Giving Key necklace. The only problem I see with these is you want to give them to everyone you meet. I had mine for a week and a half before I gave it away (Giving Keys).
Solstice Spark necklace made of paper beads (31 Bits).
Calypso Rings (Greenola Style).
The ABLE Scarf (FashionABLE).

© Aaron Whitney | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Because feet need love too

Smoking slippers. You pick the pattern (Teysha).
Snowday knee socks (Pact).
Pendleton Casa Striped Socks (United Blue).*
Roma Boots. Think Toms only boots. Great tag line: Giving poverty the boot (Roma Boots).

Prettys for the home

Library card coaster set. Ugh, don’t these just make your heart race? (Out of Print).
Sheets (Blanket America).
Well Done is Better Than Well Said print (Sevenly).
Hand-sewn pillow (Teysha).
Mehari Handwoven Blanket (FashionABLE).
2015 Calendar. Get Inspired by people and places in Uganda (31 Bits).
Comforters (Blanket America).

For tween girls

The Wizard of Oz tote (Out of Print).
A Friendship Bracelet set (31 Bits).
Hair clips (Teysha).
Little Women pouch (Out of Print).*
The RX Coloring Book. This coloring book was created by 53 contemporary artitist. How cool! (RxArt).*
Peanut Butter (Good Spread).*

Something to hold your lipstick

Totepack waxed stone and leather (Stone + Cloth).
The Westerly Clutch. Beads and sequins and leather, yes please (31 Bits).
The Envelope Clutch (Krochet Kids).
Old School Brown Bark Backpack (OAK: Ordinary Acts of Kindness).

Bookworms will dig (Yes, these authors are donating the proceeds from their books)

The Invisible Girl s by Sarah Thebarge (Remember when I interviewed Sarah?).
Christmas Moments: 50 Inspirational Stories of the True Meaning of Christmas by Yvonne Lehman.
Pearl by Laura Lee Groves.
When More is Not Enough by Me (Yep, I just listed my own book! Remember, all proceeds I make are benefiting a new housing development for women, children, and families in crisis in North Carolina. Even if you have a copy, consider buying one to give this holiday season!).

To keep your hot stuff hot and your cold stuff cold

Thermos, (Thistle Farms).*
Glass water bottles (Faucet Face).*

For the hubbies in the house

Lincoln Bow Tie. For the love, a crocheted bow tie? Need one (Krochet Kids).
Super sweet dress shirt with a super sweet story behind it (Twillory).
Living is The Adventure Men’s T-shirt (Sevenly).
All You Need is Love and a Dog T-shirt (Animal Hearted Appearal).

 Awesomeness that doesn’t fit into a nice neat category

Provide grant money for a kid with a great idea (Start a Snowball).
A bamboo bike (HERObike).
Invest in a woman’s life (Kiva).
The Cause Box. A box of socially conscious gifts which come three times a year (Sevenly).

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If you have experience with any of the organizations mentioned above, give them some love in the comment section. Also, I started a Pinterest board where you can write a review on individual gifts that give back. I’d love for you to share about items there too.

Do you have any gifts I could add to the list? Let’s hear it!

Pssst: Did you see the list of 99 Ways you Can Serve Your Family and Others at Christmas? It’s an oldie but goodie.

#GivingTuesday, Photo Fun, and Resources for You

Are you up for some Giving Tuesday fun? Me too.

I created a comprehensive list of 100 gifts that give back. This list totally trumps the list I wrote a few years back. This list is perfect because this list means you don’t have to waste your precious minutes searching online for gifts that give back. Instead, I have already created a resource for you.

Gifts that give back are gifts you can buy for anyone on your list. They are gifts you can ask people to buy for you. They are gifts which involve children and animals and jewlery and women and purses and art and books and blankets and education and new beginnings and chickens and backpacks. Oh and more, much more.

You give a present. Someone gets a present. Someone else benefits from the exchange. Win + win + win = Everyone is dancing around all happy slappy.

I want to give you this list (trust me, you want it!), but to get me to share the list, I need to receive a total of 100 different photos of what inspires giving around your house. No, no, not 100 photos from you. One hundred photos total!

Are you in need of giving related photo ideas? Consider one of these ideas.

1. Take a picture of one way you or your family practice generosity, and tell me about it via social media using the hashtag #RaisingGivers, and then tag me.

Here’s an example:

2. Take a picture of the book When More is Not Enough or the Kindle version of the book, in a random or silly spot. Then share the photo via social media (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or Google +), and tag me.

Another example:

3. Take a picture of the book When More is Not Enough or the Kindle version of the book, in a random or silly spot. Then share the photo with me via email, AmyLSullivan12@gmail.com. Yep, there’s nothing wrong with some good, old fashioned email.

This is what happens when you give a task to a twelve-year-old. Don’t be jealous of my high-end dishes. Seeing the dishwasher packed like this could send my husband into cardiac arrest. Let’s not tell him.

4. Take a photo of your favorite giving related quote, and share it on social media using the hashtag #RaisingGivers and tag me.

This one gets me every time.

5. Make some noise about your favorite nonprofit online, use the hashtag #RaisingGivers, and tag me.

Example:

One of our family’s favorite ways to celebrate the Christmas season! @AmyLSullivan1 #RaisingGivers pic.twitter.com/dBgdLlxlCg

— Alicia Bruxvoort (@AliciaBruxvoort) December 2, 2014

 

Follow along on social media as I share pictures from readers and come back here on Friday, and I will post the list of gifts that give back here on my website.

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

What if you don’t reach your goal of 100 photos, will you still share the giant list of gifts that give back? Yes, but I will share the number of gifts that give back ideas based on the number of photos I receive. If I get 78 photos, I will share 78 ideas.


Do I have to include myself or my kids in the picture? No and no.


What are we suppossed to write when we post the photo? Good question. You could write something like, “This is what inspires giving around our house this year” or “This is how the Smiths give” or something similar, and then tag it.

How do we know how to tag you on social media? All of my social media icons are on the top of my website for easy clicking.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments. I look forward to seeing all of your photos.

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Did you get a chance to catch the Christian Devotions Speak UP interview I did earlier this week? Scott McCausey is such a fun host. Oh and is that what I sound like?Apparently.

Life in Pictures: November Edition

I went to Austin last week to meet a group of amazing women. My trip looked a little something like this, a killer sunset just above the clouds.

And this, a group of women who chase Jesus, hard.

And this, a fantastic co-teaching session with the hostess of the shindig. I love the look on her face. It says, “You are doing this talk out of order, and I may strangle you in front of audiance of many!”

And this, the obstacles which block us from what we are intended to do.

In other news, I’d like you to meet Jacqui, who as it turns out, was sent to style me up for a makeover with a local magazine. She is adorable. I would like to carry her with me everywhere I go. I would keep her close, and ask her important questions about turtlenecks and bobble necklaces.

And this is a sneak peek at the outfit from my makeover. It involves very big shoes. Not pictured: The white fur (not real fur, people!) coat Jacqui dressed me up in. Not even joking. Not even a little.

And this is a magic trick which is being performed on my hair. The result is me looking as if I have a curly bob. I do not understand such hair related mysteries or how I can have a bob without cutting my hair. It involves curling, drying, and pinning.

I’ll keep you posted. Until then, what’s life look like in your part of the world? Do you have snow? Big shoes? Curly hair?

PS: VERY IMPORTANT: I did not spot a single armidillo the entire time I was in Texas, but I did have a great deal of Tex-Mex. Whew. We are now caught up.

When More is Not Enough: How-To Give When Money is Tight

Each week throughout the month of November, I am hosting special guests, and these lovelies will discuss topics which correlate from chapters of When More is Not Enough. This week I’m psyched to introduce Stasia Skelton, author of Our Life on a Budget. Can you take a guess as to what Stasia might be writing about today? With an online home called Life on a Budget, it makes perfect sense for Stasia to talk about moo-lah and how-to give when money is tight.

Here’s Stasia.

My husband and I have been on some pretty tight shoestring budgets before (seminary, gap in jobs, one income, unexpected medical bills, you name it), and by nature, we are savers, not necessarily givers. However, in recent years, God has taught us about our giving. Here are a few of the lessons we have learned.

Give until it hurts even when it does not make sense

I don’t think that I could possibly say this any better than C.S. Lewis.

I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusement, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our giving does not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say it is too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our commitment to giving excludes them. ~C.S. Lewis

You will never make enough

There will always be someone with more. You may say, “As soon as we get a car, house, or a larger savings account” then we will give. In the past, my husband and I had the same attitude, but with this way of thinking, we never have enough to give.

Always tithe at least 10%

Always. God calls us to give to the local church, and we show our faithfulness when we do so. You may make barely enough to get by, but choose to always give and trust that God will provide your needs. It is an exercise of faith.

Give where you want your heart to go

Seriously, do you want a heart for orphans? Give there. Want a heart for the hungry? Give there. When we are invested financially we can’t help but turn our hearts too.

Keep a constant tie between your giving and your prayer life

Giving and prayer go hand and hand. Take the time to consistently pray for the places you give and are considering giving.

Trust

Be a good steward of your money. Remember that it is not just about the 10% you give to the church, it is what you do with the remaining 90%. Take care of your family, make wise choices, give sacrificially, and trust that God will provide.

Of course,  while it is wise to have and keep a budget, but what I have learned is that it is crucial to open your budget to give sacrificially.

What about you? Do you have any strategies when it comes to giving on a budge?

About the Author

Stasia is a wife, mom, blogger at Our Life on a Budget, part-time preschool teacher, and local cloth diaper consultant.

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When More is Not Enough: Generous with Prayer

Around these parts, every Monday during the month of November, I invite a special guest to share, and we focus on a new chapter in When More is Not Enough.

I can think of no one better than Amelia Rhodes to kick-off our discussion about being generous with prayer. Why Amelia? Well, besides the fact that Amelia is from Michigan (one of my all-time favorite places), she also wrote a fantabulous book, and she made prayer cards which she happens to be giving away for FREE (hello, we are talking about prayer, and Amelia made prayer cards, get the connection?). Not to mention, Amelia doesn’t hold a grudge against a girl who accidently walks right by her after Amelia reapeatedly states, “Amy, Amy, Amy!”

Um, yeah. So, that means she’s nice too.

Here’s Amelia.

Whenever a friend asks me to pray for them, I always say yes. I mean, really, what kind of friend would I be if I said no? My heart desires to be generous with prayer, always.

But can I confess something? Sometimes, I feel completely overwhelmed by the needs around me. Another friend calls to share a cancer diagnosis. Another marriage in dire trouble. Another struggle with a child. At times, it seems I could pray all day long and still not cover all the needs.

Sometimes I just don’t know where to begin. Many, many times, I have sat on the floor in my bedroom with an aching heart and just said, “God, so much hurt! Please help us all!”

As Paul Miller says in his book The Praying Life, “A needy heart is a praying heart. Dependency is the heartbeat of prayer.” I knew I needed God, but I just didn’t always know how to practically go about praying.

A few weeks ago, I was praying for a few friends who are going through adoption, and I thought: “A is for adoption, C is for Cancer, F is for Foster Families.” Before long, I had an A to Z prayer list covering Adoption to Zero Prejudice, and everything in between.

I made cards for each letter and started adding people to each card to pray for. Something about organizing my prayer life this way “clicked.” I no longer felt overwhelmed. In fact, I found I was praying for more situations and more people than ever before.

I think it’s a tool you might enjoy using too. So, I’ve made them available as a free download. You can get your own Pray A to Z cards here. (Aren’t they pretty? My hubby designed them!)

Then I took the idea one step further and asked friends, writers, counselors, even a police officer, if they might share their stories with us. I’ve never been through infertility or been a law officer, but when those who have those experiences share their stories with me, I better know how to pray for and encourage others in those situations.

I will be sharing these stories every Monday and Thursday through the end of this year on my blog at www.ameliarhodes.com. I would love to have you join us as we Pray A to Z for our communities. Once the series is complete, I will offer all the stories together in a free PDF for you to keep and refer back to as you pray.

Let’s be generous with our prayer and rally people to pray for our communities and the issues facing us all. Let’s ask God to breathe new life into our communities and show us how to love those who surround us every day.

Download your Pray A to Z cards, and join us in bringing the needs of our communities to the Father. You can also join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #PrayAtoZ. I would love to hear how God is inspiring you to pray for your community!

Amelia Rhodes lives in West Michigan with her husband and two children. She loves coffee breaks with friends and has a passion for encouraging women to share an authentic life together. Her first book, Isn’t it Time for a Coffee Break? offers women of all ages a fresh perspective on relationships.



Connect with Amelia at www.ameliarhodes.com

Twitter: @amrhodes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliarhodeswriter

Family Crest: Downloadable Worksheet For You

© Milos Markovic | Dreamstime Stock Photos

This post is a part of series which correlates with the chapters of When More is Not Enough and will run throughout the month of November.

On Monday, Jen Weaver shared how her family created a Family Crest to save themselves from getting caught up in time wasting activities which don’t matter. Today I’m psyched to share a practical tool for anyone who thinks a Family Crest is a grand idea.

Oh, yes, I’m talking to you.

Because it’s Friday and because I like you, I created this handy, dandy planning sheet to help you get started creating your own Family Crest. Why? Because I believe we need to protect our minutes, even from seemingly “good” things.

Click on this link for a downloadable planning form to jump-start your conversation: Family Crest.

If you use this planning sheet, come back and tell me about it or better yet, send me a picture. I’d love to peek at what your family is thinking.

I used to think to be generous with time, you needed to have time. Now I think that in order to be generous with time, you need to find time, tackle it, tie it up with a rope, and protect it. When More is Not Enough, Chapter 7: Generous With Time

In other news, a few months ago, I wrote a letter to a local magazine which offers makeovers to one lucky person per month. Here’s a snippet:

I need a makeover because I am almost forty, and I consider yoga pants and a baseball hat important staples in my wardrobe. Plus, my eleven-year-old tells me tucking a shirt in and showing off your belt buckle is called a “tuckle” and in case anyone is wondering, that is so not in.

In addition, my daughter says most of her friends have never seen me in anything besides my pink and black running shorts and that would be fine except that I don’t run. Also, I am releasing a book this fall, and if someone doesn’t help me, I may participate in all book related events in a baseball hat, running shorts, or an outfit with a “tuckle”.

Apparently this magazine saw the potential danger in having me show up at events in the above mentioned outfit because guess what? I’m in. Dancing, dancing, dancing.

In a little over a week, I meet Jacqui (Doesn’t she have a name which says, “Trust me, I’m really good at makeovers?”). Anyway, I’m excited to be transformed. Although I’m not giving up those running shorts, ever. I also have a slight fear Jacqui may try to put me in a pantsuit. I am not totally certain what a pantsuit is, but I do know it strikes fear in me.

Your turn. Tell me you will guard your time for the important, and then please tell me I won’t wear a pantsuit.