I'm going to be very simple this year with Valentine's Day. My husband is trying to lose weight so I'm not going to make an elaborate dinner or dessert. I will leave him a message on the counter using M&M's on that morning. I also found our engagement picture that I will slip into his card. My husband already gave me an orchid! (He can't wait until the day!) We don't really have any plans as of yet, but we'll most likely stay home. I was also going to find some CD's of love songs that we used to listen to. Hopefully we can put our son to bed early and enjoy some time alone.
Hope that you can make your Valentine's Day special for your man!
Whew! I am starting to love my newly clean areas in my house. However, I get only bursts of energy and I'm not as productive as I want to be, but I'm pregnant and I have a toddler. So that's my "excuse."
Questions to ponder: 1. Name ONE reason you want to get organized. It will be neat to see the variety of answers.
I want to be organized because it makes me feel in control. I feel so out of control with chaos all around me. When my outside world is organized, it's easier to have my inside world organized. I can find things, I'm not rushing around and I feel peace and calm.
2. What did you organize last week & were you happy with the way it turned out?
I finally finished filing all my papers stacked on top of the file cabinet. I still have a bit more work to do, but now I know what's in there and it's not going to be piled on top ready to fall over and dump on the floor which would be utter chaos!
3. Have you had any breakthroughs or a-ha moments yet? I would love to hear them!
No breakthroughs for me. I'm just trying to keep my head above water. Also, I've only done 4 areas so I need to try to do 2 next week to catch up.
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
***Special thanks to Christianne Debysingh, Senior Publicist, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Arlene Pellicane is an author, speaker, and formerly served as the associate producer for Turning Point Television with Dr. David Jeremiah. Her audiobook and website Losing Weight After Baby has helped many moms achieve their physical and personal goals. Arlene and her family make their home in southern California.
Arlene Pellicane offers readers a solution to looking younger and feeling younger in just 31 days. Women of all ages will benefit from Arlene’s beauty and health tips, along with her Biblical encouragement to “grow more beautiful from the inside out.”
Product Details:
List Price: $11.99
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736929037
ISBN-13: 978-0736929035
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Back to First Grade
If you could go back in time, would you?
Most of us would pass because we remember the pain of puberty, high-school breakups, and dreadful first jobs. But what about those carefree kindergarten days when every morning brought a new chance to play?
My parents were born and raised in Indonesia, and they immigrated to New York before I was born. Shoveling snow was getting to my father, so when I was six, my family moved from New York to California. I tested out of first grade and began my new school as a second grader. Most people never knew I was younger than the other kids because I was tall.
Now that I have children, I wonder if there’s anything I missed by skipping first grade. First graders learn about addition and subtraction of whole numbers. They become masters of the alphabet, learning all the sounds and reading easy books. They are learning basic fundamentals and having lots of fun in the process.
Is it possible to learn the fundamentals of anything and have fun in the process? Sure, just look at little kids. Their eyes sparkle when shown a new object. They giggle with delight over simple stories. The word fundamental actually begins with fun. Have you ever looked at that word in that way? One definition of fundamental is “relating to the foundation or base, forming or serving as an essential component of a system or structure, or something that is an essential or necessary part of a system or object.” As you were reading that definition, you probably weren’t thinking, Wow, that sounds exciting!
Practicing fundamentals may seem tedious, boring, and laborious. But therein lies one secret to looking and feeling younger: injecting fun into the fundamentals.
Can We Read the Bible, Please?
My kindergartener, Ethan, loves to read his Bible. He comes into my room in the morning asking, “Mommy, can you read me a story from the Bible?” His Bible is written as a children’s storybook with colorful illustrations and animated characters. Whether the story is “David and Goliath” or “Jesus Feeds Thousands,” Ethan’s attention is sharply fixed on each page. After one story has ended, he wants another, then another.
I sometimes wish I had this same kind of hunger and enthusiasm when I approach my Bible. I’d like to read it with fresh eyes like my son’s. Instead of knowing how things turn out, what if I read a story about Jesus and wondered, What’s going to happen? Is Jesus really going to walk on water? How did He do that?
If you’re not careful, Bible study can become a chore, something to check off a “to-do” list and nothing more. Anyone can become numb to the miraculous stories and truths found in God’s Word. After sharing a parable in Mark 7, Jesus says to His closest followers, “Are you so dull?” (Mark 7:18). Even the disciples who walked with Jesus experienced times of spiritual blindness.
Reading the Bible is a fundamental component to living your best life, yet so many people have forgotten the fun—the life—that’s found in studying God’s Word. So how do you put the fun back into the fundamentals of Bible study?
Pray first. Before you begin reading, take a moment to ask God to help you comprehend and apply what you read, that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18-19).
Personalize it. When you read an Old Testament story, put yourself in the picture. What if you instead of Daniel were thrown inside the lion’s den? How would you feel when the morning came and you were still alive? You can also insert your name into a passage: “[Mary] be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Put it into practice. If you love to play basketball, it’s enjoyable to watch a game on television but not nearly as fun as suiting up and playing yourself. Likewise, you can sit on the sidelines, observing the truths found in the Bible. But until you put what you read into practice, you’re not fully realizing the positive power of God’s Word in your life. Take a passage of Scripture and ask God how to apply it to your life.
Here’s a beauty tip that illustrates what reading the Bible will do for you. To give your makeup a firm base, splash your face with cold water before applying makeup. This helps shrink pores temporarily and helps makeup glide on seamlessly.
When you read your Bible, it’s like splashing cold, refreshing water on your face. It cleanses your life of imperfections. It shrinks not your pores but your problems. It gives you fresh energy for the day. When you apply makeup, it helps your outward appearance. But applying God’s Word dramatically improves your inward appearance where true beauty begins.
I may be too old to sit in a first-grade classroom, but I’m young enough at heart to have fun doing the fundamentals, and so are you.
Thought for Rejuvenation
Think back to a time when Bible study was especially meaningful to you. Maybe you were studying a particular book, using a study guide, or looking for answers during a difficult time of life. What were you doing that worked well?
Act of eXpression
Do something today to make your Bible study come alive. Here are a few ideas:
Read the Bible with a notepad. Write your thoughts about a few passages and how they apply to your life.
Pray a few Scriptures out loud, inserting your name when appropriate.
Listen to an audio Bible on CD or your computer.
Take your Bible to a quiet place outside and read in a different environment than usual.
My review:
31 Days to a Younger You: No Surgery, No Diets, No Kidding by Arlene Pellicane is a fun guide for steps to take to enhance your life and feel younger. Arlene writes 31 short chapters filled with advice, tips, tricks, and suggestions. Arlene is personal, friendly and down to earth. Most of all, what is contained in each chapter is very doable and will totally energize any woman who to wants to improve their life in heart, mind and body. At the end of each chapter are some exercises that give the reader thoughts for rejuvenation and acts of expression.
I was very impressed with all the practical information for spiritual growth Arlene expounded on in this book. I really liked the variety for each topic that was addressed. Arlene constantly asked thought provoking questions and made me want to find ways to improve my life not only for myself, but also for those around me. I would love to go through this book at least once a year so I can continue to live my life with youthful vigor.
Well, my husband is just loving my "sneaky" ways of praising him! I left a note on his steering wheel and I left a message on the mirror (To the Man in the Mirror...). He jokes and says that some beautiful woman is "stalking" him. So cute!
This week we are challenged to be pursue intimacy. I'm so bummed right now because I have a cough and we haven't kissed for a while, but I hope to get better soon. We just went to a seminar called Sexy Christians. One thing I learned to is to have daily connection with your husband whether it be physical (hug, kiss) or emotional (talking, sharing, spiritual growth, prayer). We do those things, but I know I can always give more. I'll continue my little "sneaky" ways of praising him and throw in some other fun things.
Recently I was offered to review some great products from CSN stores. I absolutely love their selection of products and since I'm into organizing right now I chose these Household Essential Paper Rope Baskets. These little baskets are lightweight, but strong to hold both heavy and light items. I used the smallest one for sorting my bills and mail. The medium one is for books that I'm reading that I want to keep handy and the largest one is for all my blogging and teaching ideas. This has really cut down on the clutter that I had with piles all over my kitchen and dining room. These little baskets are very esthetically pleasing and they take up very little room. I would recommend these for anyone who wants to get rid of some paper clutter and free up space on their counter!
Kidz Delight Silly Sam Broom & Dustpan
I also chose the Kidz Delight Silly Sam Broom & Dustpan because my 2 year old son is really into wanting to help mama clean. This little broom set is extra special because the Silly Sam broom speaks when it is being used! It sings, laughs and has funny sayings. My son was so fascinated with the broom that he forgot that he was actually sweeping! The broom comes with an adjustable handle and the cute faces on the broom and dustpan are sure to get any kid excited about sweeping.
What I really love about CSN is the great customer service and fast shipping. They send an email when they have shipped the product and when to expect it. Also, if there is a backorder, they let you know right away. CSN stores also has excellent prices and many of their products are on sale too.
As many of you know I've decided to organize my home in preparation for our baby coming in May. I love to clean and because of this challenge I have made some great progress in getting this house back into shape!
Questions for the comments:
1. Were you able to tackle one of your piles last week?
So I tackled a few piles that were not on my list. I have a few boxes under my coffee table that collect stuff. Cleaned those out! Yesterday I tackled a one day project- my dining room hutch. I felt so accomplished getting a job done quickly.
2. Did you have to make some tough choices?
I still have a lot to do in some areas of my house and finding new places to store things. I am not really following my schedule as I planned, but I am making progress.
This room will actually become my son's new room so I have to take everything out of that closet eventually, but now it's way less and better organized. I can just move my knitting instead of all the other stuff!
AFTER- ah, much better!
*****************************************
Dining Room Hutch- BEFORE (clutter city!)
AFTER- great improvement
OK, so I'm so happy with my progress. I have a few more areas that I started on and haven't finished so I'll work on them this week so I can "catch up" for the 52 weeks! Have a great day cleaning!
by Arlene Pellicane is a fun guide for steps to take to enhance your life and feel younger. Arlene writes 31 short chapters filled with advice, tips, tricks, and suggestions. Arlene is personal, friendly and down to earth. Most of all, what is contained in each chapter is very doable and will totally energize any woman who to wants to improve their life in heart, mind and body. At the end of each chapter are some exercises that give the reader thoughts for rejuvenation and acts of expression.
