Facebook Mee Maw

June 9, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

I hung out with my mom on Saturday. She’s 70, but pretty computer savvy. She really wants to be able to connect with all of her children and grandchildren, because many of them live far away.

So, I helped her set up a Facebook account. And man, she took off with it. I checked yesterday and she had become “friends” with 8 of her 11 grandchildren. She had already left messages and her wall was filling up with, “Hey Mee Maw!”.

I love Facebook. I love connecting with family and friends and colleagues. I love meeting with someone and knowing what’s going on in their life. No awkward pauses. No “I know you, but don’t really know you” moments. I love knowing what their favorite song or book is, and to be able to celebrate moments such as my nephew, Mitch’s, engagement to his beautiful girlfriend, Brittney, this past weekend.

And I enjoy hearing from you. Thanks for all the Facebook messages. Thanks for encouraging this writer sitting, pecking away on her laptop, her hair in a clippee, still in her PJ’s (it’s raining buckets, it just makes it feel like a comfy Saturday morning, I can’t seem to change out of my pj’s), wondering if anyone out there is reading her books.

Connect with Suzie on Facebook: ID is Suzanne Eller

Fructose Free

June 4, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

I read the recent studies that say that fructose is in most of the foods that we eat and that it is a chief cause of obesity in Americans, especially women. Reports says that high fructose corn syrup:

• * is a factor in heart disease
• * raises blood levels of cholesterol and another type of fat, triglyceride.
• * makes blood cells more prone to clotting
• * and it may also accelerate the aging process

Ayee!

Our body doesn’t recognize this as a natural substance, so it can create real problems because we consume so much of it.

I decided to do my own study. Three weeks ago I started to remove it from my diet. It’s nearly impossible! (more…)

love to see the fire ignite

April 24, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller, community

Over 70 small groups have launched in the last 30 days in my home church.

Our pastor thought it would be a great way to shut the “back door” of the church, losing people because they haven’t connected with friendships or they are struggling and don’t know how to share that with others in a big church setting.

We have groups for scrapbookers, quilters, hikers, fitness, Bible study, choir, fishing, married w/young children, married w/no children, parents of teens, seniors, etc. . . . and my group is for people who have a desire to write and/or speak. (more…)

swap and hop with Lysa

April 11, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

One of my favorite people is Lysa TerKeurst. We met as speakers and I loved her spirit, how fun she was, her absolute honesty, and commitment to encouraging others.

Lysa has a blog and receives TONS of hits every day talking about motherhood and life. Today she’s sponsoring a swap and hop, giving away a prize to the person who needs help with organization.

Sadly, I think that’s me. This is my home office; and this is the cleaned-up version! Note the pile of papers on the printer. The pile of books waiting to be read (on the desk next to the laptop). The mess of wires on and under the desk as I work with two computers, my MP3 player, a webcam, two printers, scanner, fax, and more.  

I work at least 8 hours a day in this office and it should be more organized, more friendly and welcoming, but I think I missed the designer gene.

The prize today is a makeover from Karen Ehmen, organizational guru.

Karen, look at this! I need help. . .

A long lost friend

April 2, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

I love being part of Facebook and MySpace because I connect with people around me that I might not get to hang out with, but also with friends from the past.

Yesterday I received a message on Facebook that took me back over 30 years. It was from Kathy. . . (more…)

Time stealers

March 31, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

Have you ever had to deal with time stealers? You know, those things that take away our dreams. Those things that are small, but actually take chunks of time without giving much back. . .

(more…)

I need a resource

February 27, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

Hi Suzanne,

I heard your name on a radio show and thought you might be able to point me to a good resource.

I’m a mental health case manager and I work with several people who have a history of physical and/or sexual abuse. Can you suggest a book that I might pass along that might help them to get back their lives and their sense of self-worth? Thanks, Felicia (more…)

Religion book of the day

February 25, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

The Woman I Am Becoming was featured as the Religion Book of the Day by Jim Agnew.

You are the bomba!

February 14, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

 This morning I found a card resting against my bedroom door. I shuffled out of the bedroom with my morning non-personality intact. I picked up the card and opened it and the rocking music made my hips start to move.

La La Bomba! (more…)

I just don’t get the Bible

February 13, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

A few of my friends and I were sitting around a campfire recently and the conversation turned to faith.

“I just don’t understand the Bible,” one friend said. “I read it. I just don’t get it.”

Maybe that’s your struggle, too. One resource that has really be helpful to me is Studylight. It’s an online resource that allows you to read passages of scripture (it also has an audio feature that will read it to you), but it offers much more than that. (more…)