Post it-Washi and Organize

Creative Space, Writing 0 , ,

 Organize with Post it and Washi Tape

 

Michelle Shaeffer.com had this amazing ‘to do’ board video and I wanted to see if I could make her system work for me.

Michelle has a much larger company than I do.  My company has 3 employees.

Me and

Oliver and Wendell.

photo(13)IMG_0276

 

So I have this ‘to do’ board but instead of ‘doing’ those things I made a video. I think my hand gets in the way once, sorry about that! If you don’t have time to watch most of what I said about post it notes and washi tape organization is below the video.

I could have made a huge board with all the daily chores that need to be done around the house but honestly that was too depressing! So I thought this board would work better for my office chores.

I have two Ikea bookshelves –full of course and one of the sides is close to my desk. Perfect place to do my board. Michelle uses white board but this was handy and free.

I bought some fun tape at Target in the scrapbook aisle. There were a lot of choices but I went with something tame.

I probably should have used something to make sure the lines were level but that’s not my style. I did measure to make sure there would be room for the post it notes.

I kept it manageable for me. My columns can be changed by removing the top post it. I have 5 ‘to do’ lists that I can easily keep track of. One thing I loved about Michelle’s idea was the horizontal line at the end of her boards to keep track of what’s been accomplished. I like to see what I’ve finished by the end of the week.

Right now my columns are:

A Time to Dance—rewrite for ebook

Numbers—where I’m keeping track of an ad I placed and how it effects the amazon ranks

L&L –another book I’m working on

Blogs-where I keep ideas or where I need to write a post for someone else

Social-media—what tweets, fB, google+ I want to focus on for the week

Critiques and Reviews—I need to know where I stand in the stack of books I have to review and what needs to be sent back to my critique partner.

 

Here’s a link to Michelle Shaeffer’s video on using a white board with post it notes.

 

How do you make your to do lists? Please share!

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Wittemeyer Review

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Stealing the Preacher by Karen Wittemeyer

 

It took me awhile to realize this was a sequel to Short-Straw Bride which I loved (see my review here).

Crockett Archer is on the adventure of his life, he’s all packed, sermon notes are ready all he has to do is ride the train all the way to Piney Woods of Texas. This is what God’s been preparing him for all his life. Then the train is stopped by outlaws and all they want is a preacher! Surely this wasn’t in God’s plan.

Joanna Robbins has requested a preacher for her birthday, she’s worn out from trying follow her mother’s dying wish—turn her father into a Christian. She didn’t expect him to deliver her present tethered to a horse.

I enjoyed reading the escapades of Crockett trying to win over Joanna’s father by showing him who Jesus is though his actions. There’s some delightful ‘girl shenanigans’ as well as one of the single women in the church decides she’d make a dandy preacher’s wife.

Watching Joanna–maybe I should say reading–  falling in love with Crockett but at the same time trying to let him focus on his reason for being at the ranch was touching. She

It’s a fast paced read and many layers of problems that made me wonder how they could be resolved in a way that would leave me happy.  Wittemeyer came through with this book.  Another winner and yet I’m wondering about golden hair Holly who clearly needs a husband and has no idea how to find one. Could she be the star in the next book?

reader holding book

What’s next for the Archer Brothers?

Gee I think I need more sleep! Thanks Karen Wittemeyer for writing such a good book to keep me company last night.

 

Link to purchase Stealing the Preacher  I’m not an affiliate seller.

Link to read about Karen Wittemeyer.

Are Statin Drugs Safe?

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Are statin drugs safe to consume?

Many people swallow statin drugs daily and physically fine.

For some of us those statins wreak havoc on our bodies. They aren’t safe.

Remember the posts I wrote about Zumba and Essentrics?

I started those classes about the same time I began taking Pravistatin. I thought the working out was causing my muscles to ache.  I asked others in the class if they were hurting too. They were sore but not as much, they were also a lot younger.

In Feburary, I still hurt but it was worth the pain since I was getting in shape. One day in class my trainer said my hands and arms were purple and my face was white–not to mention I had trouble breathing. She told me not to return to class until I saw a doctor.

 

Medicine bottles © by faungg

 

This is my story of Pravastatin.

Pravastatin was my last hope of taking something to reduce my cholesterol.

It did just that, knocked that number way down. While doing its job of cleaning plaque from my veins it also did this:
Killed my will to move, I slept 14-18 hours a day.
Breathing was difficult. I needed to use an inhaler and I don’t have asthma.
Any kind of exertion and my blood pressure would plummet and I’d almost pass out.

Then there was the short-term memory loss. If I were 80, my family would have put me in assisted living. Yes, it was that bad.

I was sent to a cardiologist for a stress test and an ultra sound of my heart. He thought there was a chance I had pulmonary hypertension. Thankfully, that was ruled out.

My symptoms continued.

I was miserable. Cleaning, talking on the phone, even responding to email was a struggle.

Dinners became sandwiches, hot dogs and take out. I felt like the Five at 5 cast on Fox had become my best friends, along with Paula Dean, Rachael Rae and Giada.

While waiting for the next appointment which was still several weeks away, my husband heard a doctor on a morning talk show discussing the side effects of cholesterol medications. Ed said it was as if the doctor knew me. I had all of those things going on. I stopped taking it.

In one week I could feel a difference. The clouds in my mind were beginning to part and my memory improved. It’s been four weeks since I’ve quit and I’m almost back to normal. My arms still hurt and my energy level isn’t where it was but it’s getting there.

Why am I telling you all of this? I hoped you might have missed my posts, tweets and facebook updates. :)

I wanted this written in hopes of helping someone else going through this as well as to re-read before I consider taking such a drug again.

I’d also like to ask you for prayers as you can imagine the things left undone the past 4 months have piled to scary heights. It’s overwhelming what needs to be cleaned, washed, and written.

Have you had an experience like this with a statin drug? Please share.

My friend sent me this video on statins http://vimeo.com/65517435 it’s an hour long but very informative.

*it seems the video is no longer available :(

 

 

Bump on the Head turns Mom into Author

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NEWS FLASH

It’s true! The Huffington Post recently ran an online article about Laura Kaye. Like my character Louisa Copeland, Laura Kaye also suffered a bump on the head.

In real life, Laura Kaye woke with a writing skill that turned her into a best-selling writer.

When I took on the writing of Mind of Her Own I wondered if this could possibly happen and through research found that retrograde amnesia would work for Louisa to be turned into Jazz Sweet, best-selling romance author.  To read about it happening to someone in real life feels a bit strange.

I wonder if Jazz went on to write some best-selling books? If you’ve read MIND OF HER OWN what do you think?

I’m over on Seekerville today 4/18 talking about missteps and plan B. Hop over and join the conversation and maybe win a copy of Mind of Her Own. Seekerville

 

Diana

CONGO DAWN BY JEANETTE WINDLE

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WELCOME AUTHOR JEANETTE WINDLE

 

Today I’m asking Jeanette Windle to tell us more about Congo Dawn and why she wrote it.

Jeanette Windle Press Photo-websizeAs authors, we’re told to “write what we know”. Having lived now in six countries and traveled in more than thirty, including some of the planet’s more difficult corners, it is perhaps inevitable I write international intrigue set well outside “first world” comfort zones from Bolivia to Afghanistan. My latest Tyndale House release Congo Dawn takes place against the backdrop of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri rainforest war zones.

Why this particular setting?

Growing up in the world’s largest rainforest, the Amazon, I was captivated by missionary biographies from its second-largest African counterpart, the Congo. Among them the story of Dr. Helen Roseveare, who helped establish several mission hospitals and medical training centers in the Ituri rainforest despite violence and unrest of impending Congolese independence, herself held captive for five months during the 1964 Simba rebellion. The largest of those centers Nyankunde was in turned razed in 2002 during the continuing conflict that has taken more than five million Congolese lives in the last decade. Today’s fighting is greatly aggravated by the value and pursuit of conflict minerals in that zone.

As always, it has been the mission pilots, medical personnel both expatriate and Congolese, and other followers of Yesu, Jesus Christ, who have been first back into the conflict zones well ahead of United Nations, embassy, local law enforcement or any other humanitarian and corporate interests. Their courage in shining bright the light of Yesu’s love in one of the planet’s darkest corners gave voice to this story.

As to Congo Dawn‘s actual suspense thread, I’ve had personal opportunity to witness what a multinational corporation is capable of in back alleys of the Third World when no one is watching (an experience in itself too unbelievable to write up as fiction). In Africa as elsewhere, both the protective and striking arm of such corporations has historically been hired foreign mercenaries. But today’s private military corporations are vastly different, possessing more fire power than the average country. What struck me was the lack of any accountability to outside oversight beyond some paid-off local warlord.

So what happens when a multinational corporation with unlimited funds hires on a private military company with unbridled power in a Congolese rainforest where the ultimate conflict mineral is up for grabs? Coming up with one very plausible possibility birthed Congo Dawn.

On a deeper spiritual level, Congo Dawn addresses the age-old question of how a world filled with such darkness, injustice and pain can possibly be the creation of a God of love. How can followers of Yesu [Jesus]  in the bleakness of an Ituri rainforest conflict zone or any other dark corner of this planet take seriously a Scriptural mandate to rejoice in their suffering [James 1:2; I Peter 4:13]? What value beyond our own comprehension might human suffering possibly hold that a loving Creator God permits it to continue?

 

Thanks Jeanette, I find your books fascinating because they are set in places I’m likely never to visit. Read my review of Congo Dawn and  Veiled Freedom

Congo Dawn cover-websize

If absolute power breeds absolute corruption, what happens when a multinational corporation with unlimited funds hires on a private military company with unbridled power? Especially in a Congolese rainforest where governmental accountability is only too cheaply for sale and the ultimate conflict mineral is up for grabs.

You can get Congo Dawn at AMAZON

Jeanette’s webstite

SHORT BIO: As daughter of missionary parents, award-winning author and journalist Jeanette Windle grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Her detailed research and writing is so realistic that it has prompted government agencies to question her to determine if she has received classified information. Currently based in Lancaster, PA, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty on five continents. Those experiences have birthed 16 international intrigue titles, including bestselling Tyndale House Publishers release Veiled Freedom, a 2010 ECPA Christian Book Award and Christy Award finalist and sequel Freedom’s Stand, a 2012 ECPA Christian Book Award and Carol Award finalist and 2011 Golden Scroll Novel of the Year finalist. Jeanette mentors Christian writers in both English and Spanish on all five continents.

Congo Dawn by Jeanette Windle: a Review

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Congo Dawn: A Review

Jeanette Windle  whisked me away to a place filled with heat, gun for hire ex-marines and a purpose. Congo Dawn left me breathless several times as the main character Robin Duncan heads into dangerous situations.

As a reader I came away with a new respect for those helping the Congolese people.

The spiritual thread in this book runs deep but it’s not intrusive. Robin has issues with trusting a God whom she feels has been absent in her life and had difficulty understanding how someone living in the Congo could feel so differently. The way this was handled made this a strong book.

Tuesday Jeanette Windle will be on my blog telling us how come she writes books like Congo Dawn.

Here’s the blurb:

Congo Dawn cover-websizeWhen a multinational corporation with unlimited funds hires on a private military company with unbridled power, how far might they be willing to go with the planet’s ultimate “conflict mineral” up for grabs?  Especially in a Congolese rainforest where governmental accountability is only too cheaply for sale.

A veteran in handling corruption and conspiracy, former Marine lieutenant Robin Duncan has never had any trouble  discerning good guys from bad. But when her security team is sent to track down an insurgent killer, Robin faces a man who broke her trust years ago and discovers that gray areas extend deeper into the jungle than she anticipated.

As a vicious global conspiracy emerges, run by brutal men who don’t leave witnesses alive, Robin must decide if there is anyone left she can trust. And where is God in the suffering and injustice? How is it possible followers of Yesu (Jesus) caught in the crossfire can still rejoice when everything they hold dear is ripped away?

Buy it

Tell me do you like books set in different countries or do you prefer to read stories about the country you live in?

Diana

Spring in the MidWest

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It’s not supposed to look like this in March.

Where are the lilacs?

snowy street

Only snow!

We measured before it the snow quit and it was already 8 inches! By morning it would be 10!

meauring snow

The snow stuck to everything! I like the way it made this bush look as if it is wearing a hat, notice the small avalance in the background.

snow garlandIt’s spring but the flowers havent poked out their blooms to say hi yet. I’m waiting. The snow is pretty but I like green grass and flowers.

What does your spring look like?

Diana

Historical Romances $2.99 until March 31!

Uncategorized, Writing 2

Super exciting news for readers of historical ficiton. Barbour has listed these books (including mine!) for $2.99 until March 31. So load up your kindle, nook, phone or ipad!

A Bride Opens Shop in Eldorado, California by Keli Gwyn

A Bride opens shop in Eldorado, California by Keli Gwyn

A Bride Sews with Love in Needles, California by Erica Vetsch

A Bride sews with Love in Needles California

A Bride’s Dielmma in Friendship, Tennessee by Diana  Lesire Brandmeyer

A Bride's Dielmma in Friendship, Tennessee by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas by Darlene Franklin

A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas by Darlene Franklin

A Bride’s Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana by Ramona K. Cecil

A Bride's Sweet Surprise in Sauer, Indiana

Blending a Family In a Non-Neutral Home?

Blended Families 0

Will Moving Save Your Blended Family

Can you successfully blend a family in a non-neutral home? When two families blend often one spouse has a house that would work best for the new family. It may not fit everyone well but there is room if creativity is applied. The new family saves money  and only one part of the family has to move. Sounds wonderful doesn’t it?

It’s not.

HGTV’s Love it or List it, a show with two hosts-one a realtor, David who tries to get the family to move, the other host, Hillary remodels the present home hoping the will love it and stay In the  Reunited Family Friction Episode HLILI-606H the situation is more twisted than two families meeting and blending. This husband and wife were married before and bought the house the wife still lives in. That marriage lasted for two years. He moved out and she stayed. They had other spouses and each had a child. Years later they reunite at a funeral, fall back in love and get married.

Where do they pick to live? Her house, it’s packed with emotions for her and no room for the family. This was a case of (from a couch therapist) of a marriage about to end.

The wife was willing to have the house redone by Hillary. The husband was ready to move. Blending a family in this home seems impossible.

Every house David, the co-host showed them wouldn’t do for the wife. It wasn’t her street, she couldn’t see the house where she grew up, and her son wasn’t born there. Nothing was pleasing her.

I’m not sure how this show ends I lost control of the TV—hey we share one TV and if I had thought about writing this blog post today I would have kept watching!

I do know if they house wasn’t changed enough that everyone could call the present house home that marriage is going to have a tough time surviving. My hope is they chose the neutral new to them home and are living a wonderful life together.

So what if you’re in a blended family and you’ve found yourself in the other spouse’s home and you can’t move? While not every family has the money to do a reno you can start with painting one room.

Paint? Yes, paint.  My theory is when you paint everything has to come off the walls, furniture is moved and items are put away without guilt. It offers the opportunity for using furniture in a different way, hanging of new photos of the new family and perhaps purchasing a cover for the sofa to change the look.

When putting away painting and tchotchkes (knickknacks if you live in the Mid-West!) ask, “Is this important to you? Can we give it away or box it for one of the kids?”

While not the perfect fix  that moving would be it this redo will offer one room that belongs to everyone instead of just some.

My apologies if this post seems a bit rambling. I’m going through some medical issues right now and clear thinking isn’t one of the symptoms.   For more information on blending a home check out We’re Not Blended We’re Pureed a Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families.

 comic style blender made itno a house on cover

Mulitple Personality

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Multiple Personalities Day

 

Multiple Personalities are fun for Hollywood and writers. They can be used to educate (Sybil), terrorize (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) and make us laugh (Overboard).

By: Vic

 

In Mind of her Own Louisa Copeland has a different personality though not due to the Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). Her issue stems from retrograde amnesia. The bump on her head has her returning to an age when something stressful happened to her. The teen years. With 3 children under her care sometimes the teenage impulsivity works to her advantage but not always. Her children and husband are confused and conflicted by this new side of their mom.

Even though MPD isn’t something most of us deal with there are moments when one wonders about the state of some of our friends and families. Even ourselves if we are honest.

A switch is flipped and we act differently than what is expected. It could be triggered by something as small as getting the wrong coffee. The caramel smell and flavor has you floating as you remember your first kiss—he had been eating caramel. Your day changes, you smile at everyone, your step is lighter, and then your husband calls. Oops, back to real life you go and you’re thankful to be married to the right person—not the one who eats caramel. But for a short time you are that other person, the one who hasn’t entered the work force, marriage or answering to mom.

Today is Multiple Personality Day—embrace it as fun. Be the person you’ve always wanted to be even if for only five minutes and it won’t cause you or someone you love harm.

Me? I’m putting glitter on my nails and tiara on my head. I’ve always wanted to be queen.

 

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