Gretchen Rubin's answer: through habits. Habits are the invisible architecture of everyday life. It takes work to make a habit, but once that habit is set, we can harness the energy of habits to build happier, stronger, more productive lives. So if habits are a key to change, then what we really need to know is: How do we change our habits? Better than Before answers that question. It presents a practical, concrete framework to allow readers to understand their habits—and to change them for good. Infused with Rubin’s compelling voice, rigorous research, and easy humor, and packed with vivid stories of lives transformed, Better than Before explains the (sometimes counter-intuitive) core principles of habit formation. Along the way, Rubin uses herself as guinea pig, tests her theories on family and friends, and answers readers’ most pressing questions—oddly, questions that other writers and researchers tend to ignore:
• Why do I find it tough to create a habit for something I love to do? • Sometimes I can change a habit overnight, and sometimes I can’t change a habit, no matter how hard I try. Why? • How quickly can I change a habit? • What can I do to make sure I stick to a new habit? • How can I help someone else change a habit? • Why can I keep habits that benefit others, but can’t make habits that are just for me?
Whether readers want to get more sleep, stop checking their devices, maintain a healthy weight, or finish an important project, habits make change possible. Reading just a few chapters of Better Than Beforewill make readers eager to start work on their own habits—even before they’ve finished the book.
~After reading this and really nit-picking each chapter to see where my faults are, taking the time to think about where I can start to adjust and change some things in my everyday life, This book has been a great tool to re-think how and why I do the things I do. I am certainly growing in my day-to-day life and while the changes are small, they are noticable.~
Have you read this book, if so What chapter made you really think?
Recently I ran out if my expensive face wash that I have to either drive to the Mall to buy or order on-line and wait. My oldest daughter has ran out of her face wash so I knew that it was time to run to the store.
I was in CVS and after standing in the aisle for a very long time browsing all of the new products that have come available to us, I picked up my old stand-by in a new form. I used to use Biore as an early teen.
After having used this for alittle over a month I'm pleased and surprised to find that my skin likes it. No harsh peeling or itchyness plus no crazy breakouts! I don't find my skin getting overly oily in the afternoons either like with some over the counter soaps.
My daughter likes it also!
Nope, not a Sponsored post by Biore, I'm just really pleased with this new face wash that I don't have to drive very far to buy!
Wow, I'm so excited to share that I received an Influenster Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure VoxBox this week for review.
I'm in love with the colors and so excited to paint my nails with 540 Jaded. It's the perfect Mint/Green to go with my outfit tonight.
We have tickets thru Richards work to go see the Magic play basketball, now I'm not a real Basketball fan and have never really followed the Magic or anyone else but it's a free Date Night!
Thank you Influenster for sending me another great VoxBox to a Review! If you'd like to start reviewing some great, fun products Please let me send you an invite, just email me and I'll send you my link!
The kids are home today for a Teacher/Duty day and while they relax I'm catching up on some reviews and e-mails. I'd really love to sit and read the last chapter in my book that I'm reading but I'll see how the afternoon goes. Isn't that the way of things, I have something I really want to do but gotta get caught up on other things first..lol...Hubby came home with a weeks worth of Laundry for me to do!
While Husband was away for a week due to work I gave him the new Powerocks 2800mAhMagictick to try out during a few of his many meetings. You may read more about them here.
He was able to successfully use it in all of his meeting with no issues, it became very convenient during a tour of the Hospital expansion. He had only one issue where it does become very warm in use and while in a pocket, not burning just warm enough to be aware that it's there.
So since this has a permanent home in his travel kit I wanted to let ya'll know that if you come across one if these you def. want to pick one up and keep it close by. You just never know when it might come handy!
Thanks Powerocksusa for sending me this product for review. All opinions are both my Husbands and mine.
I am going to start a new end of the Month review here, I will share with you how our Month was, Good or Bad.
The month of August was a tough one for us health wise here, Crystal broke her Collarbone in 2 places and in a sling for weeks. It was very hard for her and we fought all the time about her wearing her sling. It was for her benefit of course but she only saw it as an embarressment . She has been unable to ride and we had to put off finding that perfect horse for her. We do want to get another horse, part of me doesn't want to as I think that chapter in our lives is closed but part of me is excited. So we took Crystal to the Orthopedic Dr. and the X-rays show that her Collarbone has healed and she gets to get back into the saddle in about 2 more weeks! Here is a snippet of her Facebook post to her friends~Well, god has truly blessed me today:) the doctors said I don't need the surgery and I can ride within a one to two week timeframe! Yay ! but, I will have to do pt to regain the strength necessary to ride back within my shoulder and arm and to regain some lost mussel and to get my joint fluidly moving again. But other than that it's much better than what could have been! very happy~
YAY!!!!!
Abigail and Tank are enjoying the first couple weeks of School...Time will tell on how this year will go for the both of them.
I have gone to part time work at the Hospital, only working on Sat. now. It's easier with the kids and less stress on Richard. Last year it was hard because I had to be at work at 6 am so he would have to get all 3 kids up and fix them a lunch/breakfast and make sure they weren't late for the bus which often times would then make him late for work. Now I can do all of this again and he can help out when need be but still get to work on time.
Our 2 dogs and cat are suffering from flea's so bad and have hot spots on their backs, I'm looking for some sort of over the counter treatment for them. We hate to see this, It's been a hot humid Summer and Fleas are bad.
My daughter and I are hooked on Downton Abby and I've gotten caught up on Season 1 and 2 and waiting for Season 3 from the Library. It's real nice having something to enjoy with Crystal. I can't get into her music...oh boy the music she listens too..and it's not foul but new age Country..I miss the good ole boys in my day singing..Garth Brooks where are you??
Richard is really stressed right now at work, I won't say to much here but maybe there will be some huge changes coming for us in the future. Some that we will welcome as we are not extremely happy at the moment.
There is my new Month in Review for August. Not very exciting, very stressful with Health and starting School. We hope September is nicer to us!
I was sent the Summer Beauty Voxbox for me to review and enjoy. Here is what was inside:
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion
Tampax and Always Collection
Quaker Soft Baked Bar in Banana Nut Bread
Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Polish
Sally Hansen Nails and Cuticles Hand Creme
Influenster is a great program where you get to try new products and samples and share on your Blog or Youtube, Facebook/Twitter page. You may find out more information here: Influenster
Darlene thought moving to a small town would bring their family closer together, but it just might tear them apart.
When big-city life threatens their children's safety, Brad and Darlene Henderson move with their three teenagers from Dallas to the tiny town of Round Top, Texas.
Married life hasn't always been bliss for Brad and Darlene, but their strong faith has carried them through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.
While working with special needs children at her new job, Darlene meets a little boy who steals her heart. His widowed father is paying more attention to her than is probably appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening for the first time in a long time.
The teens are struggling to adjust to their new, small-town life, especially since it seems all their parents do anymore is fight. And fifteen-year-old Grace is coping in a dangerous and destructive way.
Can Brad and Darlene survive the changes they face within themselves and their marriage . . . and find a way to help their daughter before it's too late?
~ This book was fast to read and the plot was easy to follow, it was a good book but one that has been written many times by many other authors. I do like how everything tidied up in the end. I will say that the subject of Cutting and teenagers bothered me as I have 2 daughters and I can't possibly imagine one of them doing this and we not noticing for months.~
If you would like to WIN a copy of this book Please leave a comment below!
This book was sent to me to read and review by HandleBar Marketing.
Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.
While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.
When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?
Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Viewers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.
Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous.
My Husband and I watched this the other night, We haven't been able to buy it yet but it sure is on the list of things to buy in the near future, he was able to borrow it form a co-worker . I had heard and seen the episode where "The Duggar's" had a small role in this film during a funeral scene so I was aware that a child had passed in the movie and I wasn't sure if we would like watching this because of how sensitive we are but even though it still had both of us in tears it was nicely done and did not focus on the child as much as other movies have done/do. In our opinion this is one of their strongest more emotional movies yet! We both warn you to have a box of tissues next to you while watching this movie. We have all 3 of the Sherwood movies, Flywheel, Facing The Giants and FireProof and now very soon this one. I was glad to see that they had added a few comedy scenes to lighten the movie. I'm not sure if I will let the kids watch this one, maybe our 13 year old but not the 2 youngest.
Emma has put everyone else first in her life. Now at nearly 25, has she missed her chance at marriage?
Emma was Adam's first love but circumstances made them both choose different paths in life. Emma's heart breaks all over again when Adam returns to the Amish community of Middlefield, Ohio, years later.
For the past ten years, Emma has been a care-giver. First for her mother who unsuccessfully battled breast cancer, and now for her grandmother who gets more frail with each passing year. Emma has always put the needs of others above her own. With more time on her hands, she determines to focus on herself and her dream of opening a rescue shelter for stray animals in the community.
With Adam's return come feelings Emma's long buried. They're older and life hasn't turned out the way they thought it would. Adam's feelings for Emma are stronger than ever, but will he be able to convince her to put the past aside and give their love a chance?
I really enjoyed once again immersing myself in the Amish world if but for a little bit. This story was a joy to follow but it left me wondering what happened to a couple of the characters in here. I do hope that there is another book coming out that explains some of the questions I have.
BookSneeze sent me this book to read and review and all opinions are my own.
It arrived in the mail and we popped in on, the sweet, calm, harmony filled our living room and the kids rested on the couch while we listened to it.
I enjoyed the well known "Amazing Grace" and could listen to it over and over again. We enjoyed not only the singing but the instruments were amazing, love the bag pipes.
do you play music during the day? What kind do you enjoy while cleaning house?
Yesterday while here at home building an even bigger donation pile to go to Disabled Vets I took a break to house hunt.
I have seen all kinds of Kitchens but the ones that pop out and hold my attention are the ones with either a built in Kitchen Island or Bar, I have loved our built in Island that adds more serving space and seating for extra. Search my posts to see my kitchen, LOVE IT!!
Even though I love our Kitchen I have not been in love with our bar stools, Enter CSN!!
Most of you know that we live on 6 acres and have a Horse, 2 dogs, and a few cats...A lil spring fed stream tht runs in the Spring/Summer and we sometimes see a stray Amish horse trot down the road.
My 3 kids run allover and explore! It's great out here and even if one day we have to move then they have great memories of our lil plot of land but to think that there are some kids that don't have this freedom, I simply can't imagine.
Kids that have lived in the city their whole life need to enjoy this just once!
Today is snowing a very cold windy weather in the 20's and will be this way all week. So I'm cleaning and decorating and thinking to myself that I need more flat space to add some small decorations too!
I'm looking at these coffee tables to fit the bill. Now that my 3 are older and know not to run into the corners and have boo-boos..lol..
But knowing my clan it would become full of toys and a playplace for Little Pet Shops and the Matchbox cars that run around under the couch!
A missing child. A family in crisis. A faith tested. In their darkest hour, God gives hope.
Dean Cain stars as Randy Simpkins, a husband and father torn between the demands of his job and family. Asked by his wife to watch their two-year-old son, Joe, for a few minutes, he becomes distracted by work. When he returns, Joe is gone. He and his wife search desperately for their missing son through the vast countryside. But as their fear grows, the community responds – hundreds of supporters uniting behind the family in a powerful spiritual journey that will test the couple’s love and faith, and forever change a community.
I sat down to watch this movie with a warm blanket and a quiet house. It was a sadly sweet story that you'll have to watch for yourself cuse I won't give the ending away..lol..Check it out at the library or grab it at your local Christian store.
This DVD was provided to me for Review, opinions are my own.
It's very HOT and HUMID outside so we are inside today. The kids are laying on the couch watching an old movie that we got while visiting the Library, the blinds are shut to keep the cool A/C air in. It's a lazy Summer afternoon, I love the easy peaceful feeling...
Remember when I said I was going to do a CSN store review? Well I chose a cute little table lamp to replace my old lamp in the living room. I love the simple black base to this lamp and the shade is a cream/white sturdy and very well made shade, not floppy on the base at all, I love that! I will be browsing more of this store soon, very well packed box and it was shipped so fast.
I have paired the new lamp with a handknitted doily that my Mom knitted when she was younger. The sign says "Motherhood*Wisdom*Patience and chocolate chip cookies" I love this cute lil sign!
You can visit the CSN Stores here....Have fun browsing and let me know whatcha find!
I was recently contacted to supply a give-away or a review for CSN Stores. I was so surprised to be included in this, I've seen many a blogger have fun and try out new items while doing this and I was full of Blogger envy..Come on admit it..You have blogger envy sometimes too right?!
So after spending half a day browsing the stores and really drooling over lots of items, I have narrowed it down to some much needed pots-and-pans..http://www.csnstores.com/Trimmer-SC-SS004-TRI1031.html
I 'm in love with these blue handled ones, afterall I have a blue kitchen..lol..
