(alternative button below)July 2009 Mega Memory Month has only barely begun. In fact, it's been less than a week since the kick-off.So I assume that today's progress reports will be modest.Also, feel free to invite others to jump in, because there's still plenty of time to accomplish our goals.Here's the Mr. Linky to connect your progress report to this master list. If I … [Read more...]
The Speed of Social Networking
I posted about the speed of social networking over at NotSoFastBook.com.Would James recommend we be slow to tweet (or Facebook, or blog)?Don’t miss a word:Subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.Join Mega Memory Month for the month of July! … [Read more...]
Now That's Green!
As I've already mentioned, I'm trying to simplify life by decluttering. I've already accumulated several bags of junk to donate.We live fairly close to a Goodwill, so the girls and I loaded the bags into our bike trailer and headed out.Before I left, the Belgian Wonder saw me and said, "Now that's green!"I was wearing a green shirt at the time. I looked down. "Yes," I … [Read more...]
Simplicity & Slowing: Decluttering
[Update: Books offered at bottom of post are no longer available]A friend said the other day, "I don't know how you do all that you do, Ann.""The only way I do all that I do," I replied, "is by not doing it all."What I meant was—and I expanded on this with her—is that I cannot do it all. I don't do it all. I have limits and make choices accordingly.But writing and speaking … [Read more...]
Quick Tips for Slowing Down
Check out It's All About Love for her motivating slow-down post, "Quick Tips for Slowing Down."She's compiled a list of everyday ways to slow down your pace and combat our fast-paced culture.A personalized explanation accompanies each tip. Here's an example:Never run to answer the phone. If it’s that important, they will call you back. We also don’t own a cell phone, so … [Read more...]
Sneak Peek
I've been working on my forthcoming book, Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families, for years. Much of that time, I wasn't sure what I could say about it here on the blog.In fact, for quite some time, I was evasive. I didn't know how long it would be before the book's release, so I didn't want to post searchable text that described what it was … [Read more...]
A Watch That Beeps
My sister-in-law Marj was instrumental in connecting me with a retreat-planning committee that organized a "Day of Reflection." I was one of the breakout session speakers, presenting The Contemplative Mom: Restoring Rich Relationship with God in the Midst of Motherhood.She attended my session and described it from her perspective in a post entitled "Ann, God, and a watch … [Read more...]
Food on Fridays: Chicon au Gratin
Here at the Food on Fridays carnival, any post even remotely related to food is welcome.We always enjoy recipes and food photography, but this is for non-foodies, as well.You can tell us about the lettuce seeds you've chosen for this year's garden or include a photo of your child's mud pie. Seriously, this is a very open-minded food carnival. Oh, and don’t forget to … [Read more...]
Through the Garage Door
Three first-time guests were coming to my house for a women's ministry planning meeting.Before their arrival, the kids and I scooped up clothes to hurl into the laundry room and tossed toys into hiding.I'd shove stacks of papers and boxes of books into the kids' arms."Take this to the garage," I'd instruct. "We'll hide it there.""Where?" they'd ask."It doesn't matter. … [Read more...]
Make-Do Mondays: Make-Do Heritage
Make-Do Mondays is a carnival dedicated to sharing the creative, frugal or even humble ways we’re making-do.To participate in Make-Do Mondays, simply explain some way that you’re making do. Join in the discussion via the comments or Mr. Linky.The Mr. Linky for WordPress.com isn't as slick as what Typepad and Blogger can use, but I figure I should make-do with that, as … [Read more...]
Choosing What is Best
Friday's entry in My Utmost for His Highest explained that when the Spirit fills us, we're transformed. By beholding God as in a mirror, we become a mirror for others. "Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you," Chamber writes. "It is almost always something good that will stain it— something good, but not what is best."So many good things tempt us … [Read more...]
Hospitality to Oneself
Kathleen Norris and her new book, Acedia & me, must not have a strong Web presence. I presume this because a rambling post I published after hearing Norris speak at the Festival of Faith & Writing last year seemed to gain a lot of hits for people searching "acedia" or "Kathleen Norris acedia." I can't imagine the post was all that informative. Fortunately for … [Read more...]
Make-Do Mondays: Building Self-Confidence with a Roll of Duct Tape
Last week, I launched Make-Do Mondays, a carnival dedicated to sharing ways we’re making-do.Right away, Jenni pointed out that this carnival can do more than entertain or inform--learning to make-do can also empower:I love this idea! I don’t think that people realize how empowering it is to come up with creative ways to use things lying around, or just to summon up the … [Read more...]
January 2009 MMM Monday Progress Report #1
To provide a little accountability and encouragement throughout Mega Memory Month, I'm providing weekly checkpoints--Progress Reports--where you can drop in, link in, and check in with others who have taken the same memory challenge. Progress Reports will be on Mondays.This is the first one.It's not even been a full week, so I can't imagine we've made a lot of progress. I … [Read more...]
GoodSearch Makes Cents
I've been using Yahoo-powered Goodsearch for most of my searches these days.Have you heard of it?With every search I do through Goodsearch, one penny is donated to the not-for-profit organization, church or school of my choice.I know, I know...it's only pennies. Still, it's more than they'll get if I use other search engines.When you go to Goodsearch.com, there's a spot … [Read more...]