“Fish and visitors smell after three days.” — Benjamin Franklin I grew up less than two miles from all four of my grandparents and saw them almost daily. Our relationships grew in the routine: shelling peas on the sofa with my grandmother while we watched General Hospital, riding in my grandfather's truck to buy new Barbie clothes at the five-and-dime on Sunday afternoon. We'd … [Read more...] about Ignoring the Smell and Creating Connections
RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION
The Ties that Bind: Reflecting on 50 Years of Love, Faith, and Connection
My parents married 50 years ago at the church they grew up in, that I grew up in, and where my husband and I also got married. It's a special place, with wonderfully imperfect and lovable people. On their actual anniversary, we were able to worship there together as an extended family, and then we went to brunch. My parents, who joined the ranks of the 6% of couples who reach a 50th … [Read more...] about The Ties that Bind: Reflecting on 50 Years of Love, Faith, and Connection
Instead of an April Fools Prank, How About Acts of Kindness?
April 1, we all know, is April Fool's Day. It's also my friend Judy's 65th birthday. You might expect she's been the victim of a few birthday pranks through the years. This year, Judy already has made her birthday wishes known. It's for everyone to complete a Random Act of Kindness. That's #RAK, if you post to social media and know what a hashtag is. She made her request on … [Read more...] about Instead of an April Fools Prank, How About Acts of Kindness?
GIVEAWAY! Who Deserves a Completed Album, and Why?
Can you think of someone who has an amazing story to tell? Someone whose story deserves to be told? Someone who needs to be celebrated? Maybe it's someone who needs some encouragement. Someone who is struggling who needs to know they are loved. Someone who just achieved a big goal. Someone who makes a difference in your world - and maybe they don't know it. If you can think of a deserving … [Read more...] about GIVEAWAY! Who Deserves a Completed Album, and Why?
One System (7 Steps) to Speed Up Your Album-Making
Do you have albums you’ve started but never finished, or some you’ve never started but still would like to complete? Want to finish them this month? Wouldn’t that be AMAZING!? You can do it, if you employ a speed technique called Power Layouts. I first tried this method when I had a toddler who took 90-minute naps. I hadn’t been creating scrapbooks very long, and I was S-L-O-W. The first … [Read more...] about One System (7 Steps) to Speed Up Your Album-Making
Worried About Reaching Your Goal? Don’t Go It Alone
We’re off and running in a new year, and you’ve set some goals and dreams. Is it time for some accountability partners? Perhaps you've vowed to get and stay organized. Or maybe you've decided you're ready to cut out sugar. Maybe you want to exercise consistently. Are you already wondering if you can keep it up? Or have you already stumbled? The times I’ve been most successful reaching … [Read more...] about Worried About Reaching Your Goal? Don’t Go It Alone
