Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Three-Day Weekends Rock!


Like many of you, I spent the long Memorial Day weekend mixing home projects with relaxation and fun. My conclusion? Three-day weekends rock! What do you say we lobby for standard three-day weekends? Who's with me?!

Number One on my to-do list was weeding, trimming, and mulching the front yard landscape. Three summers ago we gutted the front yard bed -- which wasn't too difficult since all of the bushes were dead and practically walked themselves out of the dirt -- and hired our nephew to plant an ornamental tree, flowering perennials, and a few shrubs. I was told the plants would develop on a three-year cycle:

First Summer

I'd notice little to no growth and the plants would look the same at the end of the summer as they did when first planted. That's exactly what happened.

Second Summer

I'd see little improvement over the First Summer. In fact, I might wonder if my plants were permanently stunted. But not to worry! The Second Summer is when all my little green darlings would solidly establish themselves underground, girding themselves for a spectacular showing next year. Since I didn't have an underground window, I can't verify these activities took place, but I'm assuming they did because...

Third Summer

Ta da! As you can see, my daisies, hostas (even after a severe thinning), and their friends are healthy, robust, and heavy with buds. I bubble up with joy when pulling up to our suburban homestead and
seeing their flora faces.


                             Sunny, yellow flowers make me smile!

    
                              To quote Meg Ryan in  You've Got Mail,
                                  "Daisies are the friendliest flowers."


"Think on This..."

For 30 years, psychologist Dr. Diane Langberg has counseled trauma victims, especially childhood sexual abuse survivors. During last Monday's show (May 21), a caller shared her survivor story, including the ongoing sense of dirtiness that continues to haunt her. She obsessively cleans her home, but it's never enough to wash away the filth she feels. Dr. Langberg gave this helpful analogy. She said sometimes we dirty ourselves with our choices and actions. But there are times when others dump their dirt on us -- and we are not guilty, nor responsible for it! This dear caller's dirt wasn't hers, it was her abuser's. Amen!


Liven up a conversation with these facts:

1.  It's not the most appetizing info, but it's good to know. Germs like staph, strep, and E. Coli were found on 100% of the makeup testers sampled on weekends in department stores and drugstores in a study by Rowan University. "Anytime bacteria gets close to your eyes, nose, or mouth, you put yourself at risk for catching a cold, herpes, strep throat, a GI infection, or other viruses," says study author Dr. Elizabeth Brooks. Next time you want to sample makeup before buying it, test it on your wrist where there's no entry to your bloodstream. (Women's Health, June 2012)
2. News flash: watermelon seeds are edible. Toast them with a sprinkle of your favorite spices and nibble away for a healthy hit of fiber, protein, and magnesium. (Better Homes and Garden, June 2012)
3. Sunglasses that don't block 99% to 100% of UV light are worse than no glasses at all! Why? The dark lenses make your pupils dilate, allowing even more light in. Buy sunglasses that specify 99% to 100% UV protection. Take sunglasses you already own to an optician; most will check the level of protection for you, free of charge. (Health, June 2012)

Ephesians 3:7 is my food this week:


"By God's special favor and mighty power, I have been given the wonderful privilege of serving Him by spreading this Good News."

Let it fuel you, too, as you spread the Good News while living your life this week.
















Sunday, May 6, 2012

Finally, a New Normal

I'm celebrating a momentous anniversary this month -- though not my wedding anniversary, which will be 34 years this August (actually quite momentous, now that I think about it). May 29 marks my one year as the sole host of Mid-Morning. And what a year it's been!

Twelve months later and this new normal has finally settled in and made itself at home in my life. Can I get an amen? Counselor Dr. David Hawkins says it generally takes about 18 months for any dramatic change to feel normal. I credit my being ahead of the curve to an extra measure of God's kindness...and boy, am I grateful. I'll share more details about the eventful year on the May 29th Mid-Morning. I'll be praising and thanking God -- which pleases and blesses God -- for His many MM gifts and graces, and then opening the phones, e-mail and Facebook for you to do the same.

While reading through the April issues of the magazines I reference for show ideas and resources, I came across a website called The Daily Grommet. The site, created by Jules Pieri, is an online marketplace that, every day at noon, launches one inventive consumer product or service. We hope to feature Jules on an upcoming "Spots and Spotlights.

While checking out the site, I saw a shirt that I knew my soon-to-be nine-year-old nephew would love. It's from the Mouth Man line. In a sentence, the creatures featured on the shirts come alive when the wearer folds his arms. Dalton loved his! Check them out at The Daily Grommet.


Tuesday, fitness trainer Kerri Zurbuch and registered dietitian Zonya Foco shared tips for getting kids moving and eating to nourish their growing bodies. Both women have the degrees and experience to qualify them as experts, but what makes them even more believable is the fact they're moms themselves. Their advice is kid-tested, practical and do-able. They understand it can be challenging to get kids to put down their Game Boys and go outside or to choose fruit over chips (which, by the way, they believe kids can have both, with the chips being eaten in moderation). Catch their interview on the MM archive, and visit Zonya's website for lots of yummy, easy-to-make, and nutritious, free recipes.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13, so Friday's MM is all about moms. What's the best advice your mom ever gave you? Why do you admire her? What have you learned from her? Call, e-mail or Facebook us, May 11, beginning at 10. We'll draw one name from everyone who participates, and send the winner's mother a stunning Mother's Day bouquet. And if we draw your name and the mother you're honoring has passed away, we'll send the bouquet to you, so you can remember, cherish and celebrate your mom on Mother's Day 2012.

Carry Psalm 16:8 with you into the week:

I am ever mindful of the Lord's presence;
He is at my right hand;
I will never be shaken.

This is the truest reality, standing above whatever reality you experience.

Believe it and embrace it!