if you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side
I could not resist posting this. I found it on one of my favorite Christian Homeschooling sites while reading a post aptly entitled “Homeschool Burnout – Rising from the Ashesâ€.
If you don’t read “Heart of the Matter†online, you might want to check her out. I have come to know and love Robin Sampson through her many coaching sessions with me on twitter(the funny thing is that she doesn’t even know she’s coaching me! 🙂
I’ve been a Google fan since before my husband and I were married. In fact, I still like to tease him about the fact that if it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t have even known about Google – he was still using Yahoo’s search engine when we met 8 years ago.
But, I must say — Google has come a long way in the last eight years. Shopping, books, blogs, youtube, readers…they have a little bit of something for everyone.
My favorite application at the moment is iGoogle. If you’ve never heard of it – check out the screenshot below of my desktop: (click for a larger view)
This is my favorite desktop application. I leave it running throughout the day and it has really helped me keep on top of my FaceBook account, client to-do’s, Twitters, email, and my calendar.
As the user, you have many options as to how you want to set it up. Not only are there tons of really cute themes (such as the one I am using), there are also a lot of plugins available – you can choose from your favorite games, news, youtube, etc. As for me? I like having a clean front page.
Lest you think this is a paid post, I assure you, it is not. I just love this application and thought I’d pass it on to all of you. Let me know if you decide to use it – and if you’re currently a user, what are some of your favorite apps?
Several weeks back, Arianne, from the One2One Network asked me if I’d like to review a cd/dvd of Yanni’s newest project, “Voices” – and I jumped on the chance to review and co-sponsor a giveaway on the little old blawg. Then life got in the way and well…it’s just getting posted…but with no less love, I assure you.
Yanni, in collaboration with legendary producer Ric Wake, has discovered and developed four of the most extraordinary young voices in music today. Two years in the making, Yanni returns to the global stage with a dazzling new tour. For the first time ever, Yanni re-interprets his classic compositions and debuts new music introducing show-stopping vocalists Nathan Pacheco, Chloe, Ender Thomas and Leslie Mills.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially after checking out their site, Yanni.com – it looked like a bunch of really pretty people, but I was worried…”could they sing?”
But, I’ve never been one to turn down free music, and as Sarah Palin would say, “Lemme tell ya” – this did not disappoint! This isn’t your typical easy-listening music – these are true artists and it is obvious that Yanni is working to showcase and cultivate their talents. I think my favorite singer is Nathan Pacheco…but I don’t know whether it’s because he’s so stinkin’ cute or whether it’s his beautiful, melodic voice…this guy has got style, rhythm and an incredible voice. Phew.
If you’d like to catch them on tour, click to see their schedule. And if you’re like me and can’t afford the tickets, you can do what I’ll be doing and check out PBS’s station listing here to see when the show will be airing in your area. (hint: it starts in March!!! So you haven’t missed them!)
Just ask, Beth from I Should Be Folding Laundry – she had the guys singing Happy Birthday to her at the Blissdom conference. Some people have all the luck.
But today might just be your lucky day, because the gracious gals over at One2One Network have ever so graciously agreed to give away one simply a musing blog reader the following:
1. a box of Godiva chocolate truffles (I can vouch – they’re really good!)
2. a brand new “Voices” CD/DVD for your very own. (sorry…not giving away the boys…sigh)
THE DEETS:
~Giveaway ends Wednesday 2/25 at NOON cst.
~Giveaway open to US residents only.
~Please leave a comment with your email addy or have it attached in your profile so I can contact you. I cannot stress the importance of this.
~You may only enter once – but you can have a second entry if you’ll come back and let me know you’ve twittered this phrase (minus the quotation marks – just copy and paste):
‘@simplyamusing giveaway: Yanni “Voices” cd/dvd & godiva truffles! Enter to win – giveaway ends Wed 12pm cst. http://snurl.com/cktam’
~If you do not twitter, what’s wrong with you? (just kidding!) You can send a note out to 3 of your friends and me (simplyamusingblog {at} gmail {dot} com) and then leave me a note in the comments you’ve done that.
So get crackin, folks! There’s no excuse for everyone not to have two entries!
My eldest on a recent Homeschool field trip to a Science Discovery Museum – so much fun was had! Here is is losing her head…or is that her body? I don’t know – but I thought this was the neatest thing!
I’m pretty much thinking this phone is going to be every present I get for this year…mom, you’re the best!
Music, video, camera, email, rss, this phone has it all. I’m in gadget heaven.
It dawned on me the other day that I’m no longer a “sahm”. I’ve officially become a “wahm” – I work at home (what woman doesn’t? you may ask). The beauty of this is that I can do my work from home, in my pajamas if I want to. The down side of this is that I can do my work from home, in my pajamas if I want to. I am juggling three jobs at once – my paying gig, being a mom to my three kids (and homeschooling them), and being caretaker of the house.
I think I’ve realized what is wrong with this picture. I am in serious need of a schedule of sorts. Up until this week, I have been a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal…homeschooling early mornings, doing some housework in between and fitting in my design work when I can. So how’s it working for me? Meh…not so well.
This week we are taking off of school so I can get some things in order in my home office, (hello, taxes), clean out our shop at the farm (hello, garage sale) and do some catching up with the kiddos (hello, park).
I’m also going to be working on a schedule of sorts, something that will enable me to feel good about the time I spend on my computer instead of feeling the guilt that normally comes with sitting at my desk. My kids should be able to handle me working 1-2 hours at a time on my computer during the day without interrupting me for minor things. I love what Darcy (My Three Boybarians) said in my post about homeschool intervention – “we’re a team”. That has stuck with me.
A very wise coach once told me that in order to get bigger, you have to first get smaller. Doesn’t make sense, unless you know what it means and how to apply it. In the spiritual realm, it means that you become weak so that Jesus can be strong. On the workfront, it means that I take on fewer projects so I can take on bigger projects.
I want to subscribe to the Kentucky Fried Chicken principle. “Do one thing and do it right”. I have a limited amount of time and resources – it’s more important to do the right job than to do the job right. That’s not to say that I don’t also do the job right, it simply means that I need to focus in on the jobs I take and be sure they are the right ones.
Ultimately, in order to do the job right, I have to take the right job. Phil 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” If Jesus gives me the job, he will also give me the strength to finish it and finish it well.
Here’s to a productive week ahead….what are you tackling this week?