Business Owner · Reader

My First eBook is Here!

It’s finally here! After months of soul searching, writing, and editing, I’m finally ready to launch my first e-Book: Moments that Endure are Memories that Matter.

It’s a free and a quick read. It’s also jam-packed with real life experiences as well as tried & true strategies I’ve used for years. We can each turn around what is endured in our lives by embellishing life with fun celebrations and loving memories.

  • Do you ever feel the need to create and you don’t know why?
  • Do you see others lives as more memorable than your own?
  • Would you like some simple ways to combine your talents to save time and create beautiful memories?

I feel like if you know something, you should share it. So that’s my goal. I’m going to expose my simple strategies for making moments that matter for you, your family, and friends.

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
– Abraham Lincoln

You see, to me Tip Junkie isn’t just a craft blog, it’s a way to embellish life and to help those little moments endure in our memories forever. Life is tough! My job is to add the glitter. {{wink}}

As a bonus gift in the eBook, the fabulous Amy Locurto has designed a “Girls Night Out” party pack with “Memories that Matter” photo mats just for Tip Junkies! {{squeal in delight}}

To Get the free eBook and printables: 
Subscribe to the Tip Junkie Newsletter

You can also get this coordinating party favor purse over on Amy’s Blog.
Moviegoer · Reader

Hang’n Out

I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. September – December has worn me out and now I’m ready to relax, read, and catch up on some movies. So, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. I finished the book “The Wednesday Letters“.

I was the lucky recipient of this book at the Maven’s gift swap. Thanks Jenni! I loved it. I felt the same way as I did with the movie P.S. I Love You – even though the thought of a man writing a letter every Wednesday is a far fetched idea for me – I really appreciated the vulnerability and the twists the book has. It’s a beautiful book and an easy read.

I saw the movie ‘I am Legend’ with Lisa. I would NOT recommend it! Holy Crap, I’m still having nightmares. I didn’t know anything about this movie other than, my man, Will Smith was in it. He usually does amazing movies and so it was a no-brainer that I would see it.

It’s a zombie flick. If you like that sort of thing then you’ll love this movie. It’s well made, well acted, and extremely suspenseful. It has no comic relief in it so I was soo keyed up I thought I’d either have a stroke or an aneurysm. I’m not kidding. I’m a Sci-Fi enthusiast but I do not like zombie or horror movies.

We finally took the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. Honestly, I thought it was a snoozer but my boys loved it. My favorite scene was the very first one where the Chipmunks were singing “Bad Day”. That was hysterical!! I think they should have sung more popular songs.

I’m almost finished with the book The 4 Hour Work Week, I’m two-thirds through it. It’s an entrepreneurial book. I’ve come to the realization that I can’t keep doing everything that I’m doing, I’m stretched too thin. I’ve got to stop working harder and start working smarter. 😉

I’m excited about many of the philosophies and am looking forward to implementing them. I’m just not sure if I have what it takes. Time will tell.

What movies and books are you into right now?

Reader

Embraced by the Light

Christmas Day I took some time for myself and finished reading this book, “Embraced by the Light“. Katri let me borrow it and I loved it! It’s one of those books that when you finish it – you feel like a good person and want to be even better.

Basically, it’s about a woman’s near-death experience. But there’s nothing basic about what she experienced nor what she learned. I was surprised by how spiritual and profound it was. As I was reading it, I felt like the author was right there in the room with me teaching me everything I needed to know for the next stage of my life.

I know that it’s not a cooincidence that I read this book, this week. I needed to feel the unconditional love of my Savior and I was completely surprised that I felt it while reading this book.

I’m going to buy my own copy because it’s one that I’m going to want (and need) to read again and again. The author, Betty J. Eadie, and I already share the same beliefs about the “next life and pre-mortal life” and therefore nothing she wrote shocked me. However, be warned, it’s deep stuff!

On a very personal note: This book has made me realize that I need to love my children unconditionally. Until about a year ago, my love for them has been conditional upon their behavior and I used it as leverage to teach and reward. I’ve been slowly realizing what I’ve been doing (it wasn’t intentional) and I have been working hard to change this habit.

As I read this book, I felt the Holy Spirit so strongly impress upon me the importance of unconditional love. I also felt the encouragement that my goal has been a righteous one and the timing it just right for it. My goal for 2008 is to lighten up on my discipline tactics (with the older 2 boys) and show them my love for them, many times a day, regardless of behavior. 😉

I’m completely intrigued by this topic. Have any of you read a “near-death” experience book you’ve been inspired by?

Genuine · Reader

An Autobiography I Can Relate Too Much To

I just finished reading our last months book club pick “The Glass Castle“. Afterwards it made me feel like I drank two Mountain Dew’s it stressed me out so much. It took about 5 hours and a period movie to calm down my overly stimulated memory and emotions. Seriously, I was a little embarrassed afterwards because I was talking so fast to a couple of my friends while discussing the book.

Why was I so shaken? Because I could relate and had experienced some of the poverty and trials she had. I have been blessed with a terrible memory and therefore I have forgotten and pushed out the rest of the bad times. I feel like that’s how I’m able to stay positive. I was telling my sister Lisa about the book and she kept bringing up stories of our own that were similar. Eeek!

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the book because it’s so gritty, but it’s very well written and engaging. The author has overcome atrocities no child should have to endure. She has also found her way to happiness and success and I applaud her for making the very best out of her life.

I finished the book at 2:45 right before I picked the kids up from school. So, to prove what a fun and engaged mom I am, I picked up my kids and drove straight to Chuck E. Cheese. 😉 I spent the rediculous amount of money on pizza and tokens just to validate myself. I know it sounds silly but I needed to prove to myself that I’m nothing like the mom in the book and that one does have control over their own situation no matter how they started out in life.

Leave it to my oldest to go through 42 tokens in 20 minutes! That’s got to be some kind of record. 😉 I played with Drake, we ate, picked out toys, and I just felt so grateful I was born here in the USA at this time in history. God Bless America!

Reader

Eclipse

I finished Eclipse today, it’s the third book in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. As always it’s an easy and quick read even though it’s over 600 pages.

*Spoiler Alert* Sort of…

I’ll be honest, I’m bummed. I liked the second one better, New Moon. I’m an action girl and I felt like this book should have started at page 530 and continued on from there. I do think that this book was necessary closure for the characters and needed to be written this way – I just wish it had a lot more action in it. I’ve decided that I wouldn’t be as frustrated if the 4th book was already out. I’m still lovin’ Edward.

If anyone wants to borrow the book, just let me know.

Reader

5 Love Languages

I read this book years ago and it changed the way I discipline/reward my kids, reward myself, and even reward my husband. Davis’ love language is gifts. He loves the simplest thing like a sticker, to a new craft, to a new Bionicle. Dylan’s love language is touch. He’s my snuggle bug. If I snuggle with him and watch cartoons for 15 min every morning, he’s a much happier kid. After I read this book I realized how important that was. My honey’s love language is also touch (he he). Enough said. ;-}

My love language is quality time. This has helped me figure out what “fills my cup”. I enjoy going out with the girls, dating my husband, and talking to my friend at lunch. I try to be sure I do those things for myself.

What’s your love language? Click here to take the quiz.

Reader

Love and Logic Tip #10

Gotta love a rainy summer where you can’t go outside or to the pool to get out all that engergy. Love and Logic Tip #10 – When to Step In/When to Stay Out of Kids’ Problems. Davis chose to dump out all his Legos and Bionicle bins. Can you guess what I chose to do?

Unlike Mom, Drake decided he would help pick up.

All this fuss for this boat. It’s a pretty cool boat, I hope it was worth it. “Rain, Rain, Go Away! Give us Texan mom’s a break today!”

Reader

Already?!?

I got this book today from Usborne Books, and WOW it doesn’t leave anything to the imagination. I think I’ll wait to read this with Davis until he’s 9 1/2. I would reccomend it but know that it’s a very “PC” book and in conflict with 3 of my conservative views. I’m actually glad it is because it will open up some needed dialogue.