SparkPeople Challenge

As you may know, I am an active member of the popular healthy-living website, SparkPeople.com. In an effort to help SparkPeople live out their mission of helping millions of people reach their goals and live healthier lives, I have joined a contest they're holding called "The Spark Free Chapter Challenge." If you have one minute to spare, I could use your help, because I REALLY want to win!

So here's the deal with the challenge…

Chris Downie, SparkPeople's CEO and founder, recently published a book called "The Spark" that offers a proven new approach to improving your health, transforming your life and reaching your goals (for example, real people have lost over 10 million pounds using their free online program)!

People like me who are helping them "Spread The Spark" through The Spark Free Chapter Challenge are encouraging our friends and family to download a FREE chapter of "The Spark" book. And for every person I can encourage to download the chapter, I will get an additional chance to win a $500 weekend getaway and other prizes, as well as something they offer called "SparkPoints," which also help motivate me to reach my goals.

All you have to do to help is download a free chapter from The Spark book. Nothing else. To do so, simply go here and click the button to download your free chapter.

If you would be willing to help me with this, I would truly appreciate it, and I also think you will enjoy reading this free chapter from "The Spark". I know I did!

Thought of the Day - 1/23/10

Friendship is the act of supporting someone without condition or without thought for gain.

~~ Kathy Ireland ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/22/10

Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.
~~ Albert Schweitzer ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/21/10

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
~~ Author Unknown ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/20/10

Step forward.
Leave an impression.

~~ Emilie ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/19/10

Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children.
~~ Walt Disney ~~

The Snowflake Test

You Are Unique Because You're Clever

Unlike most people, you are able to draw interesting connections and come up with amazing theories. You are able to take in a lot of information at once. You can see patterns where others can't. You are rare in your ability to think without boundaries or preconceptions. The whole world is open to you. Like a snowflake, you are happy to contribute to something great. You like feeling that you matter a little.

The Snowflake Test

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

Organizing Printables For Moms

Moms are the ultimate managers. They often manage everyone and everything in their homes, from planning the kids’ lunches to keeping track of the family’s money. It’s not always easy to keep things running smoothly. That’s why many moms need a little help now and then. If you find that you need something to help you organize, you may want to download these printables.

Thought of the Day - 1/18/10

Want New Friends?

8 Ways to Make Yourself More Likable

You can't actually make someone like you, but you can behave in ways that will make you more likable.

We all want to feel that other people enjoy being with us.  Having close relationships is one of the most meaningful elements to happiness.  It's not always easy to make friends, however.  To form a friendship, you must like someone -- and you must also be likable.

How can you boost the chances that someone will like you?  Here are eight stragegies to keep in mind -- not ways to manipulate people or to be fake -- but to make sure that your desire to be friendly effectively shines through:

1. Smile.  Studies do show that the amount of time you smile during a conversation has a direct impact on how friendly you are perceived.  People mimic the expressions on the faces they see, so if you smile, you are more likely to be smiled at.  (Scientists have identified 19 types of smiles.)
2. Be easily impressed, entertained, and interested.  Most people get more pleasure from wowing you with their humor and insight than from being wowed by your humor and insight.
3. Have a friendly, open, and engaged demeaner.  Lean toward people, nod, say "Uh-huh," turn your body to face the other person's body.  Don't turn your body away, cross your arms, answer in monosyllables, or scan the room as the other person talks.
4. Remember trait transfer.  In "trait transfer," whatever you say about other people influences how people see you.  If you describe a co-worker as brilliant and charismatic, your acquaintance will tend to associate you with those qualities.  Conversely, if you describe a co-worker as arrogant and obnoxious, thos traits will stick to you, so watch what you say.
5. Laugh at yourself.  Showing vulnerability and a sense of humor makes you more likable and approachable.
6. Radiate energy and good humor.  People catch the emotions of other people (called emotional contagion) and people prefer to catch an upbeat, energetic mood. 
7. Show your liking for another person.  We're much more apt to like someone if we think that person likes us. 
8. Remember the person's name.  Here are some tips for to help you remember.

Thought of the Day - 1/17/10

Laughter is America's most important export.
~~ Walt Disney ~~

Haiti Relief Effort

On January 12, 2009, Haiti was struck by the largest earthquake the island nation has ever seen. The Red Cross estimates that 45,000-50,000 people have died as a result of the 7.0 quake. As rescue workers dig through the aftermath for survivors, millions are left homeless in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country.

Examiner.com (who I write for)  has published a resource page full of information on this catastrophic event that includes ongoing coverage and information on how individuals can contribute to the relief efforts in Haiti:

• You can simply text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross' Haiti relief initiative.
• For ongoing Examiner.com coverage of this devastating event, you can subscribe to the RSS feed.
• Examiner.com is also donating to the cause with contributions to Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross. 

My hearts and thoughts go out to the millions of people affected by this horrific situation.

Thought of the Day - 1/16/10

When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.

~~ Walt Disney ~~

What Makes You Fabulous?

You Are Fabulously Friendly

You're nice to everyone you come across, even if they aren't being particularly nice to you. You genuinely like others. You love your friends, and you're happiest when you're a social butterfly. You always have a smile, joke, or kind word for someone. You're kind to everyone, even if they aren't very friendly back. You are simply a people person. You naturally make friends with almost everyone you meet.

What Makes You Fabulous?

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

Thought of the Day - 1/15/10

Peace comes not because your prayer has been answered exactly as you prayed it,
but because you shifted your focus and the burden of responsibility onto Him.
~~ Christopher Parkening ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/14/10

The dearest ones of time,
the strongest friends of the soul -- books.
~~ Emily Dickinson ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/13/10

Every sunrise is a message from God.
Every sunset, God's signature.
~~ William Arthur Ward ~~

How to Say No

Are you suffering from mom burn out? Do you struggle just to make it through each day? Moms everywhere are breaking down because they are too chicken to say, "No".


"No" may be a tiny, two-letter word, but it can be your secret weapon. And you can say it. Here are some ways you can say "no" without feeling guilty about it:

Sorry, I’m taking a break.
The number one reason why you should say, "no" occasionally is simply that you deserve a break. You are chef, chauffeur, dish washer, and more. You job never ends on any given day of the week. You deserve a break. If you feel bad for saying "no", say, "Sorry, I’m taking a break".

My schedule is full.
We tend to jam-pack our schedule full of activities, leaving time for nothing. Cut back on your kids activities. Start a car pool and share driving responsibilities. Do whatever you can to free up some time in your schedule.

I don’t have time.
You’re headed out the door, rushing to the next appointment when the telephone rings. What do you do? Do you come to a screeching halt and answer the phone? Let’s say you do, and it’s a family member, calling to dump their latest woes on you. Do you stand, tapping your foot impatiently while you roll your eyes and listen to the sob story? This is a typical scene for many moms.

I have another commitment that day.
Say it and mean it. Regularly schedule in time with your family or time alone and if someone ask for your help during that time look in your planner and tell them you have another commitment.

Instead of rushing to be everything to everyone, stop. Ask yourself if you truly have time for whatever comes up. If not, say no by walking away, turning off the ringer on the phone, or not answering the knock at your door.

Always remember that you are a mom — not a super hero. When you have to say no, people will understand; if they don’t at first, they will get used to it eventually.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Favorite Things About Christmas 2009

1. My children still believe in Santa Claus.
2. The gifts my children pick out for me from the school's Santa Shoppe or when I take them to the dollar store.
3. The surprises.
4. The happiness and laughter of my children as they open their gifts.
5. The help from agencies so I am able to buy gifts for my children.
6. The time spent with friends.
7. Our annual Open House.
8. I got 42 trees up and decorated.  Whoo hoo!
9. The annual baking of dozens of cookies.  This year a new friend helped us bake.
10. The fuzzy feeling I get when giving gifts to my friends.

Join Amanda, our hostess, and others as we list our Top Ten lists.

Tuesday Toot #15

This month I started a new blog titled 365 Days of Photos.  Description of blog:  Follow my life via photographs . . . the good, the bad, the ugly, the ordinary, and the extraordinary . . . photographs of little things and important things . . . photographs of people important to me, photographs of my life.  Join me every day for a new photo.

We, as mothers, have problems praising ourselves, so Tuesday Toot is a good way to take the time each week to "toot our own horns."  Join us at Tuesday Toot and see the good that we are all doing.