On this beautiful and midweek Wednesday, it's a good time to think of ways we can be a positive change and encouragement to the people we interact with.

If we apply Albert Einstein's thought process then we have the ability to change the world, or at least the tiny area we live in, right? This quote encourages me and I hope it encourages you. Rather than complaining or talking down the change happening in our world, we need to adjust our attitude, our thinking if you will. In order to be a catalyst for something different or better, we need to think different and with a better attitude.

My challenge to you for today, do something positive for someone else. It can be as simple as a smile, hug, or words of encouragement. Take time today to encourage another person and see  how good you feel. Let me know what you decided to do and how it changed your thinking for the day.

We are the catalyst for tomorrow!

It hasn't even been a week yet and I must admit to do a Podcast is as enjoyable, if not more fun than listening to a Podcast. My friend Patrick's podcast, "We Live on a Planet", inspired me to start my own. I'm glad our buddy Joe shared Patrick's adventure with me. They both inspired me.

Have you listened yet? If so, have you "favorited" my podcast and shared it with your friends and family?

I'm a new podcaster, with a lot to learn but I'm enjoying this new avenue to share, encourage, and inspire you and others that might not be on the blog. If you aren't on Anchor, I'll update you as my podcast becomes available on other venues.

Ways to listen to my podcast:
at anchor.fm/lisa-buske.

on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/4uGc

on RadioPublic: https://play.radiopublic.com/livin-with-lisakeeping-it-real-WoA3VO

on Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/livin-with-lisa-keeping-it-

It's Wednesday and another week is speeding by. It amazes me at how fast time can "seem" to move. Anyone else out there agree?  Sometimes I can hear the second hand slowly making its way clockwise and at other times I look up and three hours have passed. It's a matter of perspective, what we are doing, and how invested we are in what we are doing that makes it appear time is moving faster or slower.

My Gram reminded us often that everyone had the same amount of time and this time moved at the same speed for everyone...it's what we do with our time that makes the difference.

As you consider this notion of time, ask yourself the following question...

When is the last time you sent someone a real letter? 

You know the kind, it requires you to use your digits, a pen or pencil, access an envelope, an address book, and to pick up stamps BUT it is so worth it. There is something precious and special about receiving a hand written notes in the midst of bills and junk mail. I LOVE receiving mail. It makes my day.

I try to send letters to people when I'm thinking of them. I send my daughter a few notes every week she is away at college because I remember how much I enjoyed receiving a note from my Gram when I was in college. Time is a valuable commodity and a gift we can give others.

My challenge for you today is to send a hand written note to someone!! Make their day!

The weekend is around the corner and the weather in Upstate New York is looking promising. It's a weekend when nurseries and flower shops are busy. Many are out picking out flowers for Mom and gifts to show their appreciation to their Moms and honorary moms. For some this is a joyous weekend and for others, there is sadness because their mom isn't with them any longer.

We don't have anything special planned and I don't make a fuss out of Mother's Day, actually we don't do too much for most of the holidays. Since Heidi's kidnapping, we don't wait for one day in the year to show our appreciation but we do enjoy the additional spoil of the holidays. Mother's Day I always ask for time to do nothing, a day when someone else does the cooking, dishes, and chores. To me, Mother's Day should be a day of rest. I wonder if it being on a Sunday is a fluke since Sundays are traditionally a day of rest?

This year I have the blessing to share the Mother's Day message at church. Our pastor will be out of town at his eldest daughter's college graduation. We will miss him and my friend Cindy and I hope to encourage everyone Sunday, especially the ladies in attendance.  Pastor entrusted the Mother's Day service and congregation to us, we've spent time praying and planning, and laughing while together. Good times and a heart for Jesus, Sunday should be a beautiful day of worship. 

If you are in the area and looking for a place to spend Mother's Day, visit the Lycoming United Methodist Church located on the corner of Miner Road and County Route 29 in Lycoming, New York. If you aren't in the area or can't make it there is an option for you, tune in live on Facebook at 9:00 a.m., service starts at 9:15. You can worship in your jammies while enjoying coffee on the deck from another state or town.

Here is the link to our Facebook page so you can join us for our Mother's Day Service Sunday at 9:15 a.m.
Link to Mother's Day Service - Click Here

tLast month we planned to spruce up the Heidi Allen Remembrance Garden with the help of SUNY Oswego's Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity. We had to cancel due to SNOW and cold, who knew, well, anyone living in New York would know and understand. Rather than dwell on the snow, let's focus on the sunshine and warmer weather that has finally arrived in beautiful Oswego County. It went from the thirties to seventies in a forty-eight hour turn around. The best part of this shift in the weather, we were able to do the garden.

Our family is so thankful for APO's help with the garden. Not only did they help us, they sacrificed time studying for their finals this week. They were a fun, hard working, and caring group. After they worked pulling weeds, planting flowers, laying mulch, and raking they came to the house for dinner. We enjoyed our afternoon and evening so much. I didn't think it could be better yet it did.

Later that evening or the next morning our daughter called to say that one of the young ladies who volunteered asked if the fraternity "could" help care for the garden every year. I was speechless, if they "could. As I processed this thought I smiled thinking of how Heidi and Mom were smiling...these are a group of young people dedicated to helping others and making a difference. Thank you APO!