Wonder Women

Still Focused on Productivity!

I am still using the wonderful approach to task management espoused by Mark Forster, called AutoFocus. The instructions are now freely available here. There is a video explaining this very simple approach and I started a Yahoo group for information and support of those using it. Sign up to join us here! 

Subscribe to AutoFocusTM

Powered by us.groups.yahoo.com

A Friend on the Radio

I recently had the privilege of meeting with the staff of Woman to Woman, the radio program my friend Phyllis started more than a decade ago. One issue I brought to their attention was the fact that I couldn't find it on ITunes. I later found it by searching for Woman to Woman Phyllis Wallace. I was thrilled. I absolutely love being able to listen to Phyllis's soothing voice on my IPhone as she interviews interesting celebrities and experts from around the country (and even the world). I come away from every show educated, encouraged and energized! It helps that I listen to her while I work out. :-)

After my mom, Phyllis has been my biggest fan and supporter. So many of the things I have done and experienced have been at her instigation. Yes, she's my friend, but via the radio, the Internet, and IPod, she can be your friend, too. She wants to be your fan and your supporter as she does what she does on radio so well. She wants to bring you the shows that speak to your heart and spirit. My favorite recent show of hers is "Say Good-bye to Your PDI (Personality Disordered Individual)." It is advice that is right on the money for free! Give her a listen and if you comment on her blog or send feedback via the website, tell her Mel sent you! 

Organization is in the Bag

At Christmas my mom had all her gifts loaded in a huge Aldi's bag. When I commented on it she was aghast that I didn't have one. Next trip to Aldi's Zi bought a few. They are the biggest, strongest, most perfectly constructed bags you could ever buy for $1.99. I can fit a week's worth of groceries into 4 bags and carry them to the house in 2 trips or less. Even if you don't shop at Aldi's or bag your own groceries, you need these bags! Their roomy rectangular shape us perfect for carrying books or beach stuff. And oh yeah, it's better for the environment too.

High-Tech Grandma

My mom has always lived about four hours away so she hasn't been able to spend much time with my kids. Mom is retired now and has been pursuing lots of interesting hobbies (karaoke, scrapbooking, and now writing). She started two blogs that have been such a blessing for the kids and me. In her personal blog, she shares stories from her past (mostly her childhood). I've begged her to do this for years and finally her brother talked her into it. Thanks, Uncle Keith! I now read the stories to the kids at lunch and we can all enjoy them together.

Her second blog is for her stories for children. I read these to the kids at lunch, too, or at bedtime. She uses pictures of my kids or clip art to illustrate them. What a joy it is to have my kids ask, "Did Grandma write another story?"

My mom is so creative. Leave it to her to come up with a wonderful way to stay connected with grandchildren across the miles.

 

Scream Free Parenting

Screamfree Parenting: The Revolutionary Approach to Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool by Hal Edward Runkel (Paperback - Aug 19, 2008)

While on a trip to Disney World, I read Screamfree Parenting on my Kindle. I wasn't expecting a lot, but I really got a lot out of it. Although it is not a Christian book, it is clearly written in accordance with Christian principles.  The author suggests that at the heart of many of our parenting frustrations is fear. He confronts us with our own poor self-control and asks why we should expect our children to control themselves if we can't. One of his most convicting points is that every failure to discipline is a broken promise to a child. His book supports two talks I've been doing: one on fearless parenting and the other on fearless homeschooling. It's a quick read and I highly recommend it.