Feb
14
2008
Can you believe it’s here already? You either love February 14 or hate it. I really don’t think there’s much of an in between.
However you feel about Valentine’s Day, I’m sure we’d agree that it comes with pressure. When you’re single, it’s the pressure to have a date on or around the 14th. When you’re a couple it’s the pressure of a gift, the card (funny or serious?), and what to do today (dinner out or dinner in?). It’s enough to drive you crazy.
If you want to guarantee a great Valentine’s Day, however, you have to do something for yourself. The one thing I don’t like about Valentine’s day (besides the pressure) is the fact that we are waiting for someone to do something for us. Don’t wait, do something you love today. Something for you. Get a pedicure on your lunch break. Buy yourself one long stem red rose and display it in a place of honor. Buy a new piece of art for your bedroom or sacred space, something that will remind you to always be who you are on the inside. Order that magazine subscription that you’ve been eyeing, and enjoy the benefits for an entire year.
Above all, remember Valentine’s Day is about love. Loving yourself. Loving your spouse or partner. Loving your children. Loving others. It’s a day to be reminded of who we care about, which should always start with ourselves.
FREE BOOK — TODAY ONLY
If you do only one thing today, do this: download Suze Orman’s newest book about women and finances, “Women & Money.” It’s a FREE, yes FREE, download from Oprah.com. The deal is only good until 5:00 p.m. today so do it now. Orman’s publisher agreed to give it away online for free as part of Orpah’s recent show about how a mother of 5 is left with zero money and a truckload of debt after her husband commits suicide. Suze develops a plan for the woman to get her life on track. Do yourself a favor today and get this book so you don’t fall into a situation like this woman is in.
Related:
Feb
08
2008
I absolutely love, love, love this wonderfully illustrated children’s book: “I Love You Through and Through,” by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak.
It’s charming, cute and best of all my son loves it. The illustrations are just like the book cover, large, whimsical, colorful. Each page talks about something you love about your child,
“I love your happy side,
your sad side,
your silly side,
your mad side (which, admittedly, is sometimes hard to read!)
I love your fingers
and toes,
your ears
and nose.”
It goes on, each page with something else we love.
It’s the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. Go out and buy it today so you can read it to your son or daughter on Feb. 14. You’ll both love it, through and through.
Related:
Product information about “I Love You Through and Through” from Amazon.com.
Jan
31
2008
Oprah announced yesterday that she is offering a free 10-week online class starting in March, based on her new book club selection, “A New Earth.” When I went to the site last night, I got this message:
Due to high traffic demands, this Oprah.com feature is temporarily unavailable.”
Yep, offer something for free and everyone comes in droves. Oprah offers something for free and everyone and her mother comes in droves.
It’s exciting that so many people are interested in discussing a book and learning more, so much so that it crashed the server.
I love learning and jump at the chance for any type of training so I am sure I will join in on this weekly class. She’s said to be teaching it along with the author, Eckhart Tolle. Each week will be based on a chapter in the book. And, there are discussion boars and interactive features for users to upload his/her thoughts — I’m assuming good or bad.
Online education is a new realm for some and I’m glad that Oprah is embracing a new technology in a way that will surely include more people than she ever imagined. I have reservations about if I will like the book, but I’m good about taking new age topics and altering them to my own belief system so I’ll give it a shot. It’s the book’s subtitle that has my interest: “Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.”
And, since it’s Oprah, the time is right: 9:00 p.m. once a week. Many women are home at that hour and most of the kids are tucked in bed by 9:00 (let’s hope so anyway) so there’s no excuse to join in if you are interested.
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Jan
15
2008
Over the years I’ve read many books that have helped me gain a certain composure to my life. This year, I’m rereading one of those books: “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy
,” I call it the pink book.
My mother first introduced me to this book, several years ago. Since that time I’ve read it a few times and have highlighted my favorite passages, but it’s time for a renewed look. There is so much good content in this book that I’ve put it by my bedside table to pick up and read throughout the year.
It’s a great read, a must read if you are overwhelmed in your life. The author, Sarah Ban Breathnach, takes you through short passages each day, quoting famous people, then relating it to daily living. She stresses how to step back and enjoy the simplicities of life.
Today carve out a quiet interlude in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams give birth to change. What are your hopes for the future as you reflect on the years that have passed?
Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing. Believe in yourself.”
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Nov
27
2007
I recently stumbled upon a mom blogger who writes book reviews based on the first 10 pages. All I can say is, great idea. I’m the type of person who feels compelled to complete all the books I read. Even if they are terrible.
I was recently asked how I have any time to read. Not just books, but to read anything. Being a mom is time consuming. I explained that I have to read. It’s a part of me. I don’t read as much as I’d like since I spend so much time with my son, but I can’t completely give up reading. I keep reading materials everywhere in my house. There isn’t a room that doesn’t have a book case or book shelf (except the bathrooms).
Because I’m so busy (who isn’t?) I have been trying to allow myself the ability to not read a book if I don’t like it — which is why I love the “10 pages in” book review concept. I usually get half-way before I give up on a book, then feel like I wasted time. Ten pages might not be enough to really judge a book, but who has the time to read a bad book?
