Earlier this week, Monday afternoon to be exact, I captured this photo of the leaves blowing off the tree. It was beautiful! The wind was wild and strong, the dying leaves had no choice but to succumb to the wind's forceful gesture. The light rain transitioned to harder pellets yet I stood there, in awe of the beautiful change. A bountiful tree of green transformed into a naked resemblance of winter's nap.

I was unaware of the chill my bones felt until I entered the house. The girl I tutor said, "Mrs. Buske you are very wet. What happened?" I  told her it's raining so of course I got wet. I didn't want to tell her I stood in her driveway watching the leaves blow off the tree, enjoying the beautiful transformation of her tree. It's these little things we often miss, I'm thankful for the opportunity to catch a glimpse and have the time to stop and take it all in.

All to often we rush from here to there and miss the glorious things happening around us. I encourage you to slow down and watch the leaves fall, the clouds move, or listen to the birds sing. You'll be calmer, happier, and a lot more relaxed. Enjoy!

If you are familiar with my blog then Elaine isn't a stranger to you. She's been a guest blogger in the past, reviewed my book on her blog, and can be seen leaving comments now and again. I'm blessed to know Elaine as an author and even more by her friendship, mentoring, and faith.

Elaine's recent cancer diagnosis could have knocked her off her feet but instead of puddling and signing a woe is me song, she stepped up, strapped on the armor of God with joy in her heart because she knew it would be a journey and one God was leading the way through. Her new book, "A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality: Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo" is available now!!

The first thing I'm thankful for this weekend is that I slept until 2:04 p.m. on Saturday morning! Yup, you read that correctly, 2:04.

Let's look at other things that stood out to me this past week:

• ​Participating in the mission & vision work for our school district
• A fun and memorable field trip with the kiddos at school
• A clean house
• Time with hubby
• Time writing and helping a friend develop her one-page
• Time writing and organizing a booklet for a project at church
• Crossing items off the to-do-list in leaps and bounds
• For the ability to ignore the list and relax
• Running water
• Food in the cupboard
• Our loan was approved so we'll have heat within a few weeks - hopefully before it gets too cold or snowing 
• Time with good friends
• A career I love and enjoy
• For Internet
• Sunshine amidst the rain and clouds
• Anticipation of things yet to come
• For the breath in my lungs
• For the hope I have of life in Heaven with my Mom and sister
• For all of you...you encourage me!

In an attempt to achieve the goal set during the summer, I dedicated a few hours of my long Columbus-Day-Weekend writing blogs and scheduling them to post for this week and next. If you listen to my podcast, Livin' with Lisa: Keeping it Real, then you know I set goals for this school year.

In an attempt to maintain podcasts during the week, my blog, working on the next book, leading Bible Study, volunteering, working, and the joy of being a wife, mother & daughter...goal setting and scheduling was. and is, a MUST.

More than three weeks into the school year and I realize my balancing act isn't going so well. My good intentions of goal setting and scheduling aren't working as well as they did in mind or on paper in August. This is life though, isn't it. Sometimes the best plans need adjusting and modifications.

After a moment I realized it's possible to keep these goals if I manage my evening and weekend times better. Instead of sleeping until ten I need to get up earlier to complete the daily tasks and allow time to blog ahead of time for the week. Since you are reading this blog, it was a success.

Have you ever set a goal and adjusted to achieve it? This is life, whether you are a task master or running in the hamster wheel...sometimes we need to slow down and take another look at the plans and adjust. Adjustment is a life necessity. 

Happy Tuesday Everyone! How are you doing? It’s great to here from you. Some of you post in the Facebook comment attached to this blog, others send a private message, and then there are those who send an email or comment on the actual blog. Regardless of how you reach out and respond, there is a new avenue coming for those wishing to “CALL IN”.

You can call me at (315) 288-6962 to leave a message that may be shared on a future podcast.

* NOTE: This new option isn’t necessarily for those who only follow the blog but if you want to call into my podcast and leave a message, you now have an option. If you are a blog follower and want to leave a message for me to share on my podcast, you can call too and your message will encourage and reach even more people now. *

If you call in and don’t wish to have your message aired on the podcast or shared with those reading the blog, simply say, “Private Message – Not for Sharing” in your message when you call so I know. Messages will be screened, and administration reserve the right to play, or not play any messages left using this number.

The hope for this number is to allow podcast listeners (and you if this sounds interesting) an opportunity to leave positive and uplifting messages for the other listeners of the Livin’ with Lisa: Keeping It Real podcast. Click here for a direct link to the podcast via Anchor.

Thank you in advance for taking time to call in to the podcast, as long as you don’t say “Private Message – Not for Sharing”, by leaving a message, you are granting me permission to share this message publicly. 

A few items I'm thankful for this week:

• Good time with family and friends
• A weekend with our daughter
• Celebrating 80 years of life with our aunt
• Time & Memory-Making with family from Fl and NJ
• Food in the cupboards
• The heater repair/replacement man came two weeks earlier than expected
• A husband who loves and stands up for me, claiming me as HIS wife
• ​Fabulous and fun co-workers
• A career I love and enjoy
• Quiet in the morning
• Audibles so I can can get some reading (listening) in during the week
• Owning an umbrella and raincoat since it's duck weather
• To have a great relationship with my Dad
• Beating levels on Candy Crush
• Inspiration to write
• Ideas for a new book
• The ability to type with my fingers
• For each of you and my listeners, you encourage me
• Fur baby lovins - they are members of the family

A few years ago, after reading, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voscamp, I, and many others, started journaling the things we were thankful for. Bloggers dedicated a day each week to share their lists. I was one. Like me, some have stopped sharing their lists and possibly writing them in private too.

Others, like Terri Groh, author and blogger, continues her list of things to be thankful. As I look at this past week and reflect on where we were five years ago and praying for where we might be five years into the future I realized I've lost touch with being thankful each day then sharing this list with others.

I think I'm still a positive person and focus on the positive yet there is always room for growth. I started to type, "I'm not sure why or how" this realization came to me" THEN I chuckled to myself when I realized I know exactly why and who is responsible...the Holy Spirit came me a nudge, tap on the shoulder, a kiss from the king, or a Godstop...or whatever you call these moments of God working in your life. 

This is the first thing I'll chose to be thankful for. I used to share my list on Wednesdays as a participant of Ann VosCamps challenge but with my new Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday blog schedule...I'll dedicate Saturdays as my day of thanks. It will be a way to reflect on the previous week and move forward with more joy. 

My goal is to make a written list through the week, hence, start a gratitude journal again, then share the highlights on Saturdays. 

Without Further Ado...let me share my list of thanks and praise:

1. Thankful for my faith and a God who loves me even when I act like a toddler
2. For my husband who remains calm in the midst of financial stress when I struggle not to puddle
3. For wonderful friends who listen and lift me up
4. For the ladies at Bible Study and their excitement and energy to delve into their Bibles and learn what God has for them
5. For my podcast, a new way to reach more people and share hope, inspiration, and encouragement. 
6. For my husband who has electrical training and might be able to fix our heater using parts from my parents old Monitor that doesn't work any longer (prayers it works are appreciated)
7. For my Dad who remembered he had their old Monitor in the garage and suggested we check it for similar parts
8. To God for having the same exact model Monitor in the garage for my husband to work off to possibly fix our heater
9. For family visiting from out of state
10. For a family birthday party celebrating an aunt's 80th birthday that brings family from across the United States
11. To have our daughter home for the weekend, first time since she she had a few days off over the summer (which we spent traveling), enjoying our time with her
12. For the necessities that so many don't have: a roof over our head, food in the cupboards, multiple cars with gasoline for transportation, running water, and electricity
13. For Wifi...
14. For the desire and inspiration to write again
15. For all of you because you continue to encourage and support me as I venture forward

This might be a short list for a week but these are the ones that stand out this morning. Have a great day and remember to be thankful, each day is a blessing and tomorrow is not a guarantee. 

It is time to celebrate on the podcast, tomorrow, September 19, 2018, I will air my 100th podcast episode!

To make this exciting podcast even more fun, I'll be recording the podcast while doing a LIVE FACEBOOK event too!

You'll be able to message on the live feed, you can call in to the podcast via anchor, and comment via the website. 

I hope to "meet" you tomorrow on Facebook, on my "Livin' with Lisa: Keeping It Real" Facebook page as I record my 100th episode. If you haven't liked my podcast FB page, be sure to do it today so you are notified when I go live.

While I remained snuggled in with no chance of an alarm going off, modern technology posted this blog for you. I wrote this draft last weekend in anticipation of the exhaustion of the first week back to school. I set a goal to blog three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I know myself after this week so I chose a pro-active method of blogging. It's a comforting thing to know I'll accomplish my blogging goal this week while making a healthy choice and getting a good night's sleep. It's a win-win!

I'm pleased to report there is nothing on my schedule that requires me to leave the house today so I might spend some time writing after sleeping in, sipping coffee, reading, quiet time, and being a bum until Noon or so. The best part about this previous statement, I'll probably wake up at 6 a.m. and clean the house. Time will tell.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and takes time to make memories with your families. Let me know how it goes? Are there any Fall Festivals or Fairs in your area you'd like to share? If so, leave them in a post below so others know about them.

Have a great day! I'll catch you on Tuesday!

May 2012 blog - http://www.lisambuske.com/blog/once-shattered-now-healed-in-his-strength 

I left the original sub heading about when no one is watching, God still is yet I want to expand or suggest an additional thought to ponder. 

As we accept our faith and relationship with God, we should be striving to do what is right and best because it's the right thing to do not because anyone is watching and most importantly because God is watching. 


Four years later I tend to think that when we are truly focused on and trusting God in a situation and decision, we aren't thinking about if God, or anyone else for that matter is watching. Instead we are striving to be the best we can be because this is the call we have on our life. 

Don't you agree?I find it encouraging to find this post and its outline saved as a draft because I probably wouldn't have recognized growth in myself. If we are living our faith as a verb, we are always learning, challenging, and growing. This is something I am thankful for today. I can't say I do everything right all of the time but I will let you know I do my best most of the time and strive all the time. To be a Christian doesn't mean we are perfect, it means we are a work in progress and recognize this. To do what is right because someone is watching might be the baby steps we need at times to stay the course and then down the road, it becomes habit.

Since 2013 when When the Waves Subside: There is Hope and Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey released, I've kept my book cost at an affordable price so more people can have the chance to purchase my books. 

This past week I received a couple emails from my publisher and due to a change with their publication partnerships, the cost to authors was increasing. In order to balance this increase, we, the authors, have to go in and adjust our distribution venues and prices as the cost of publication is going up considerably, according to these emails. 

On Saturday I logged on and as I went to make necessary changes for where my books would and could be sold and adjusting pricing I was shocked. Some of my books were selling for less than the publication cost to my publisher. Due to this increase, I have increased the cost of my books slightly to cover the increased cost on my end. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as a reader, blog follower, podcast listener, and prayer partner.

School starts in less than a week, I can't wait. It is going to be a very exciting year with a lot of new opportunities and things ahead. To work in education creates new and exciting on a daily basis yet this year, with a new assignment, and some new goals outside of work, it is a year full of change, possibility, and newness.

My hope for today was to spend the day working on my next book yet after sleeping in (a few hours lost to sleep gained me a refreshed spirit and less bags under my eyes), I did not accomplish nearly as much as planned.

My initial plan to spend the day writing was modified to spending time with my Dad for a couple hours. This is much needed time as our lunch dates and non-clock-watching visits are coming to an end so rather than spend time behind a computer, I made memories and enjoyed time with Dad. Life is about choices, choosing friends and family over work is a healthy choice. Don't you agree?

With the exception of today's blog and drafting next week's blogs, I think I'll finish listening to Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers, by Deborah Heiligman.  I had the opportunity to listen to the author this summer at a conference. I'm not an artist and I still find this biography fabulous. If you are an art fan, you'd probably like it even more. I miss the illustrations she shares in the paper copy yet if it wasn't for having it on audio, I probably wouldn't have read it. 

​On this note, it's time to run...have a great weekend everyone! 

In the midst of moving our daughter into her new dorm, wrapping up summer school, family vacation, helping to get our school and classrooms ready, and my mission organization I realized something is missing. You know what it was?

I haven't baked too much. :-( 

I did try a Blueberry-Lemon Zucchini Cake Sunday but I'm feeling the need to bake some bread or donuts or...the baking thoughts are filling my head. Today's goal, carve time out this weekend to bake break and maybe some donuts for my Dad. I'm not sure which, or maybe both, but this girl needs to spend some time baking in the kitchen. (I might as well wait to vacumm until after the baking day, lol) Is there something you miss doing when you are overly focused on getting the to-do-list finished?

Happy Tuesday Everyone! I thought today's blog would start with word count victory yet this is not the case. Instead I can let you know, I haven't done much writing BUT my house is more organized than it's been since about February. Messy but getting organized.

I've filled three boxes of recyclables, 2 bags of garbage, and large box of papers to use to start the backyard fire or to shred. I downsized from two file cabinets to one. I cleaned the inside of two cabinets. A book shelf that was buried in a corner went to the side of the road because it was in such bad shape. Items for others are in my car and ready to be re-homed, returned, or dropped off to the rescue mission. To say I 'm feeling accomplished is an understatement. I still have one file cabinet drawer to organize but I need a whole day to do this.

I'm even going to go through my bookshelves. GASP! Say it isn't so! Yes it is. I have some books from college that I saved in case my daughter could use them or because they were interesting reads. Guess what, twenty plus years later...the books are no good to my daughter's college education and they aren't that interesting at nearly fifty years of age. Go figure.

Once I finish the file cabinet drawer I plan to run the vacumm, dust, clean the bathroom, and then sit for the entire next day with the task to read, write, and relax. Nothing more...

I just enjoyed two days at the Annual Oswego Writing Institute with three fabulous Key Notes. Each inspiring me in different ways. This is what I'm thankful for this morning:

• Javaka Steptoe: "The Power of Writing" inspired and motivated me to finish the next book by asking a few questions of ourselves. 1st - What is my passion and Why do I write? 2nd: What fear or fears are holding me back? http://www.javaka.com/ 

• Deborah Heiligman: "Writing to Learn" reminded me that if only one person reads my writing and is inspired and moved then the writing is a success. Her energy and enthusiasm to write and leave a legacy was powerful. http://deborahheiligman.com/

• Tim Conners: "Live Your Story", a childhood cancer survivor who lost his sight in the process encouraged a room full of adults with such hope and power that everyone left changed. http://www.mountimpossible.com/

I’m a happy writer today. Through a different writing activity, I found a place to write that won’t break the bank or require me to buy beverages or food I don’t need, is close-ish to home, is secure, and offers unlimited inspiration AND limited interruptions. I’m so excited, it has been awhile since I looked forward to packing up my writing and hitting the road.

Some authors work well at home because they have an office or room to work. Our house is just the right size for us yet isn’t big enough for an office where I can escape the to-do-lists, piles, and pets. I used to go to my parents’ house, the public library, DD, or a café. I think this is part of my struggle, to leave the house to write reminds me of my Mom and triggers those bittersweet memories. When I’m working on a book, or serious writing, I prefer minimal to no distraction so “public” doesn’t always prove beneficial. I’m easily distracted, true story.

Last week as I spent a few hours helping other people write their stories I found a writing get-away. I look forward to hearing the tap, tap, tap, on the keyboard more often and see the chapters start building. At our annual Bishop Cunningham/Oswego Catholic Reunion I had a woman join us at our table. She shared how she attended the Where’s Heidi? One Sister’s Journey book release and followed my writing. She asked about the next book and when could she expect the next book. This encouraged me more than she realized, then God highlighted this great writing environment the following week. I love it when things work out like this, don’t you? Some people call they God Stops, but my friend Shari introduced me to the notion of “Shoulder Taps” from God. I love that.

To follow through with God’s tapping on my shoulder, I’m adding “Book writing” onto the schedule for now on once I can coordinate usage at my new-found writer’s getaway. 

If you are a regular reader or listener then you’ll recognize this, “So goes Monday, so goes the week.”, right? This past Monday was a productive, yet relaxing day and I prayed the week would continue in the same manner. We survived our last week of Summer School. I must say the heat and humidity was tolerable for most of the three weeks and the AC units the district placed in our classrooms kept the “high heat index days” manageable so the kiddos and teacher didn’t melt.

To wear a Kindergarten teacher’s hat was an honor and I hope the kids learned, had fun, and looked forward to coming each day. I know this past week they were exhausted and ready for a break, I could relate. When I found myself counting down the days I reminded myself there are many districts who don’t have funding for summer school. This helped keep me grounded. Our school district is one of the lower socio-economic districts for our state, so summer school offers an opportunity for our students to not only continue their education, but they also received two meals a day, at not cost to their families. These are great blessings to count.

I organized some drawers and piles this week too. This gives such a sense of accomplishment but of course no one else notices because it was a hidden mess, BUT I know they’re clean now. As I baked during the week I decided my kitchen drawers need a good organizing, so they are on my August to-do-list, unless I forget. This is a good possibility. Out of sight, out of mind, right?!
​
I did pretty good this week with achieving my blogging, podcasting, and exercise goals. I’m proud of myself. The area I struggled the most with was my exercise, so it will be my priority looking ahead. I did better about get enough sleep and eating healthier, but I didn’t get all my core and cardio workouts in that I wanted. I walked but I don’t count those, walking is a bonus.