Simplify Christmas

Is the world racing too fast? 

Christmas (okay, the month of December) seems like a sprint from start to finish. There's never time to catch a breath and enjoy. Then after the holidays, we feel like collapsing.

I'm sharing a few things today to help you slow down and simplify Christmas. Then if you're signed up for my newsletter, I'm sending out a few more ideas and another recipe. But click on the link now for a high protein, high fiber, low fat Christmas breakfast recipe for Pumpkin Pancakes as well as a thoughtful article on Holiday Simplicity.

http://www.christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/berzerk_angie.html

Here's a few more ideas to Simplify Christmas:

1. Consider planning your Christmas season more around restful worship than parties to release the frenetic energy. An article to inspire you: http://www.inspireafire.com/hurry-less-worry-less-this-christmas/
2. Plan leisurely brunches rather than huge dinners.
3. Say no, no, and no to all the invitations.
4. Take time to tell the stories that connect your family to history and faith. An article on celebrating Advent: http://www.inspireafire.com/advent-ageous/
5. Make simple recipes and use crockpots, casseroles, and even frozen appetizers.
6. Focus on emotional stability rather than on shopping and events. Here's an article on emotional stability for you: http://www.inspireafire.com/ten-steps-to-emotional-stability/

My Book Studio Edition II review

I have to tell you how much I really am enjoying the security of my new WD My Book Studio Edition II dual-drive storage system.  It's a special external hard drive for creative professionals. With my well over 3,000 photos, large website, blogs, articles, books, and book cover designs I needed something much more than the memory on my Macbook laptop.

WD (Western Digital) to the rescue! It took me only a few minutes to get it loaded and set up. Because of what I do, I need it to protect and back up my work often. It stores and protects without my noticing the activity. I can barely even hear it working! I love, love, love this back up/storage/hard drive.

The firewire works seemlessly (though there are other options) and I can find anything on my external hard drive as simply as if it's on my laptop. Wonderful product!! Just had to share. If there were a star system to use on this it would get 5 out of 5!

You can find more information at: www.westerndigital.com
My version is very compact and has a tiny footprint on my desk. It's about 6"X6"X4" and can hold the memory of my laptop so many times I lost count! My design software can store on it and not slow down my laptop. Happy, happy day! (A slow laptop costs me money as time ticks away from me.)

WDH2Q20000

Quad Interface

2 TB

Windows/Mac

Thank you for a great and simple product to use and special thanks to Western Digital for the opportunity to review this product for them in my business.
Angie Breidenbach, author/speaker/coach

Please welcome my friend, Lynda Lee Schaab, author of Mind Over Madi. We have a few fun questions and answers for you and then a little about her newest release.
~Angie

Is writing your only profession or do you have a “day job?”
I do freelance work, but I also work in a warehouse as part of a pricing group for Meijer. It doesn't sound all that glamorous (and it's not!) but I actually enjoy the physical work. It's a nice change from the mental strain that freelancing and creativity can cause. If I got a couple of additional regular writing gigs, though, I wouldn't mind staying home full time to do what I love to do most.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?
Favorite: The creative process. Thinking a story through from beginning to end and then seeing my vision come to life through the characters and situations I create.


Least favorite: Definitely the self discipline it requires. Time management is something I've always struggled with. Making myself sit down and focus when I know the basement needs cleaning, laundry is piling up, my office needs to be organized, or I want to watch the episode of Survivor I missed the night before is my biggest challenge.

What is Mind over Madi about? Tell us a little about the plot.
Madi McCall is a 38-year-old mom of three whose insecurities are destroying her marriage. When she suspects her husband Rich is cheating with the mother of one of his fourth grade students, she kicks him out of the house and he moves in with his bachelor brother. Madi is then forced to take a deeper look at herself and her insecurities. She does this with the help of a counselor, her best friend Sylvie, and a few cartons of Edy's Dibs. At a 20-year get-together with former high school classmates, Madi runs into “the other woman” and things come to a head. It's a lighthearted story about taking a true look at ourselves and accepting God's grace when we think and do dumb things.


On the cover photo, “Madi” is wearing a tiara. What is the significance in that?

Madi's therapist challenges her to think of herself as a princess - the daughter of the King. Madi has never thought of herself this way, and throughout the story, there are references to various Disney princesses as Madi tries to figure out which one she most relates to. I had fun with the theme, even giving “the other woman” the fairy tale-ish name of Fawn Witchburn.

What do you want readers to take away from reading Madi's story?
An understanding of just how infinite God's love is. That no matter what we've done, God will never stop pursuing our hearts or desiring a relationship with us. His mercies are new every morning and His grace covers our weaknesses, our mistakes, our ignorance.

Are you planning another book? If so, what is the story?
I am currently working on book #2 in the Madi series, titled, Madily in Love. Now that Madi and Rich are working things out, she attends a class at church to try to put the romance back into her marriage. But with her mother-in-law living with them, Madi's new job, and issues with her kids, things don't exactly go as planned. It's a fun book that will look at finding peace -and romance - in the middle of chaos.
 
Who or what inspires you?

People in general inspire me. Whether it's hearing a moving testimony or just witnessing someone's positive outlook on life, I find inspiration to be a better person by various people I meet. A good message from my pastor, a pep talk from a friend, or a song I hear on the radio. Inspiration is everywhere. All that's required is a heart to receive it.


What Bible verse is Mind over Madi based on?
Well, I have a couple of scriptures on which Mind over Madi is based. First, Isaiah 26:3 tells us that it's only when our minds are stilled, we'll have peace. “You will keep in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Do you have a favorite personal Bible verse?
My favorite verse is Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” I recite this verse often! Because my mind is always so busy and distracted, I tend to stress out a lot. I need to keep reminding myself that God is God. He's in control. And everything will be okay.


What do you do for fun and relaxation when you're not writing?
I escape to the movie theater with my refillable bucket of popcorn. I'm sort of a television/movie junkie, and I blame it on my need for a good story. I also enjoy just hanging out with my kids, playing board games or video games (although it's been a while since I got crushed in Mario Kart). 
 
How can readers connect with you?
My website address is www.lyndaschab.com. I also have a blog with various writing and reading-related material at www.on-the-write-track.blogspot.com. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.
 


BIO:
LYNDA LEE SCHAB got her writing start in greeting cards  (Blue Mountain Arts, Dayspring)  and from there  went on to write  articles and short stories (Mature Living, Christian Home &  School)  and in many places online (including www.Examiner.com and  www.wow-womenonwriting.com), but  her passion has always been fiction. 

Mind Over Madi, her debut novel, is near and dear to her heart.  Lynda admits  she has a lot in
common with  the character of Madi. Not only are they both  addicted to ice cream, chocolate, and computer games,  they  struggle with the same types of insecurities and continually require a hefty dose of God’s grace.

Lynda works behind the scenes at FaithWriters.com and is a member of ACFW. She is a regular book reviewer for FaithfulReader.com and is the Grand Rapids Christian Fiction Examiner and the National Writing Examiner for Examiner.com.  Mind Over Madi  received Runner-up in the 2007 FaithWriters Page Turner contest, was a finalist in the 2007 RWA Get your Stiletto in the Door contest, and won second place in the 2008 ACFW Genesis contest, Chick Lit category. Lynda lives with her husband, Rob, and two teenagers in Michigan. 

About Mind Over Madi:

Madi McCall admits her husband lacks a little in the romance department, but all in all, he’s been a good husband, a good father. Now, though, she suspects Rich is having an af  air with Fawn Witchburn, the mother of one of his fourth-grade students. To say Fawn shows of   her “assets” more than should be legally allowed in public is an understatement, and Madi’s insecurities kick into high gear. When, in a heated moment, she asks Rich to leave and he complies, Madi is forced to deal with her issues. Issues of love and trust she’s tried so hard to avoid. Issues that trail all the way back to her childhood and make her act like a total moron.

Lynda Lee Schab

www.LyndaSchab.com

www.on-the-write-track.blogspot.com

"Black Friday" also becomes "Black Thursday"

 Are your children going to have a Christmas this year? I loved this article. Loved it!

Angie

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

"Black Friday" also becomes "Black Thursday"

By Bill Ellis
Special to ASSIST News Service SCOTT DEPOT, WV (ANS) -- When I think about the word "black", I usually think about things being dark, gloomy, threatening, evil and even satanic. And yet most people want a black suit, black shoes or a black dress for the most formal and important events. Black is basic.


Several people have explained to me that "Black Friday" and now "Black Thursday" are good days for merchants. It means they are no longer in the red. Enough is being sold to pay for what has been bought and some extra for profit.


I have been told that the Friday after Thanksgiving is the day when more things are purchased than any other day of the year. On Thanksgiving night, Greta Van Susteren was interviewing for television the chief executive of Macy's of New York and, if I understood correctly, they have an enormous amount of square feet for shopping, selling and buying space in that historic store.


About as close as I get to that store is watching the beautiful Macy's Parade on television. I have often done some of my shopping on Christmas Eve at the local drug store. My personal Christmas budget has never been very high.


I am saddened when I hear of good-hearted organizations and parents talking as though a child cannot have Christmas or celebrate without a lot of money. Christmas for many seems to be summed up in terms of how much is received and accumulated -- and for how much money you can get back on the day after Christmas for what you did not want.
Have you, like I, heard some parent say, "My children just won't have any Christmas this year"? I have heard pleas on radio and television and read them in newspapers and letters that basically say, "Unless you give generously many boys and girls will not have any Christmas this year."


That is simply not true. We have lied to children and adults for so long that Christmas is defined by what we receive that can be bought. Craig Wilson is credited with saying, "Santa Claus never died for anybody." Stan Freeberg was also on target with this, "Christmas has two Ss in it, and they're both $$ signs."


I am thankful on this Thanksgiving Day, as I sit in my study writing, that I was first taught the meaning of Christmas during a time of poverty. I did not know, however, that I grew up in poverty until I was told that in a university class in advanced sociology.


In those days, we heard the Christmas story read in classes in the public schools, sang the Christmas carols with their beauty and grace that clearly told the entire drama of Christmas. It was all enhanced in theatrical productions in both our schools and churches. Pastors also preached about Christmas from the Biblical perspective.


Popular theologian of a past era, Soren Kierkegaard, gave us food for serious thought with these words, "God creates out of nothing. Wonderful, you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners." That greatest of all miracles was born one night in Bethlehem's manger and fully celebrated on the first Easter Sunday when set free from a borrowed tomb.


The heavens sang and the angel announced for all the world: "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). If we miss that simple and powerful message on the meaning of Christmas, there is not enough money in the whole world, including the United States and China, both their black and red days, to buy even a hint of what Christmas really means. Think about it -- seriously.
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Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist, and convention and conference speaker on every continent. He is the writer of more than 2,000 newspaper and magazine columns, articles and contributions to books. He is also a widely known motivational speaker and pulpit guest who utilizes enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while speaking to high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding of human problems makes him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and senior adult meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite singer, editor and publisher. For information on becoming a subscriber to the Ellis Column for your newspaper or magazine, you may contact him at: BILL ELLIS, P.O.Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560 or by calling: 304-757-6089.

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** You may republish this story with proper attribution.