April already?!?!?!

I want to apologize to anyone out there who has been a loyal follower.  Since my surgery in December, I feel as though I have put everything on hold.  A cancer scare will make you re-evaluate your life and priorities.  Blogging has not been a priority.  I want it to be more in my life, as it keeps me accountable.  I can set a goal and tell you about it here, and then you can ask me how I am managing on it. 

Like my 101 in 1001 days challenge.  I was on Facebook the other day and a friend said she was making a Bucket List of items to accomplish.  This is what my 101 is all about.  I started in October.  I have until July 4, 2014.  That is a bit more than two years away, but I have only crossed off 2 items, I think.  I need to revisit that list.  I am printing it off and placing it in a prominent place, so that I look at it a few times a week/or more!!!!

One of the items on my list is to become a Shaklee Director.  Between now and April 30, Shaklee is helping me meet that goal.  If you check out my website KOLB you can help out.  If you are not already a member, you can get FREE membership with ANY order.  There is not a minimum dollar amount this month.  Nor is there a product you must order.  The catch for me is that I cannot earn trip or team points if these new members do not order 50PV.    Being Earth Month, I am praying that my non-member friends and family order Get Clean products.  I am asking that you all change your current cleaning products to Get Clean products for one month.  You will be helping me out as well as our planet Earth.

Thanks for your help.  I need to hit the Director level or Sr. Director this month, so that I can earn a bonus!  If I hit the Coordinator level by May 31, I can start earning a car.  PLEASE HELP ME OUT.  Thanks!

Off n Running,

AnnMarie

Book Review – Stand By Me by Neta Jackson

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When The B & B Media Group sent me a notification that they were offering this book, I did not hesitate to sign up for my free copy to review.  It was a few years back, I was wondering the local Family Christian Book Store and stumbled across Neta Jackson’s Yadda Yadda Prayer Group Series.  I loved the four books I read from that series.  As I read the discription of this book STAND BY ME, I was excited to read that Avis Douglass was going to be a part of this new series too.  Once I picked up the book, I couldn’t put it down!  I am drawn to the Yadda Yadda’s and long for a group of women to pray with and share.  I get lost in Neta’s stories.  So much so, that I have vivid dreams!  I never dream and remember, when I was reading this book I did!

So, this story is the first in a new series.  We meet Kathryn Davies, “a bright young women from a prominent Phoenix family. But after making a leap of faith at a Christian music fest, dropping out of med school and moved to inner city Chicago, her family all but disowns her.  When Kat discovers SouledOut Community Church, she longs to become a part of the multicultural church family.”  (from the back cover).

Avis Douglass and the Yadda Yadda Prayer Group is mentioned, but this book is about Kat and Avis.  They need each other and Avis is not quite sure why.  I was drawn to Avis in the first book I read about her, she is a strong leader.  Kat is drawn to her as well.

As I mentioned, I couldn’t put this book down.  It was a great read and quick too.  I want to thank Neta Jackson for another great book.  I look forward to reading the next in this series.

Off n running,

AnnMarie

Childrens Books Reviewed

While I was away, I found another great place for free books in exchange for blogging: Net Galley.  I have received a lot of great books for all ages groups.  I am going to write about the first book I got today.  It is called Birthday Suit by Olive Senior.

Image  This is a cute story of a 4 year old, who likes to take off all of his clothes.  I would recommend this to moms with children who love to be naked.  Johnny needs to keep clothes on  now that he is four, and mom tries a variety of ways.  In the end it is a great story and lesson for young ones.

The next book I downloaded to our iPad was Up Cat by Hazel Hutchins. 
Followed by Up Dog by Hazel Hutchins. Both of these are cute board type books for your littlest ones.  I think Dancing Princess likes them because she knows some of the words.  We have been slowly working on those site words like UP!!!!  I am not sure that I liked these on my iPad, as little ones like to touch and chew on board books.  But I will look for these in the store to give as baby gifts!!!  Thank you Hazel for a great new gift to give.


Enjoy reading to your kiddos!

Off n Running,

AnnMarie

Book Review: Ten How Would You Rate Your Life?

Hello readers!
I am so sorry for the lack in blog posts. As the title of my blog says, I have been OFF N RUNNING for the past few months. Just a quick update on me and the family before I get into my book review…

Recap: In December I had to have a hysterectomy to remove my cervix, uterus and an ovary. What a learning experience that was! I am going to make time to blog about it, just not today. Six weeks post surgery, I was given the ok to go back to normal activities. With 3 busy children, what is normal.

During my “down time” I thought I would have time to read and blog. Not sure what happened there. I do know that my daily routine changed after my medical procedure. I used to get up early and sit at the computer. Now I get up early and busy myself with other things. What exactly I can’t pin point, but I do know that I have been away from here for far too long. Also, I lost my interest in curling up with a good book. Maybe it was because I had to be on rest, but couldn’t focus, or maybe it is because I am afraid to learn more about me, I am not sure.

Which brings me to my book review, that was due on March 10. I saw this book by Terry A Smith and thought, “I need this! I am at a crossroads and I am not sure how I would rate my life.” I filled out the reviewer application and a beautiful book came to my mailbox.
Isn’t it pretty?!?!

I sat down one day and started to read. I was fascinated. But then I was interrupted, someone needed something and I marked my place. And there it sat, and sat and sat and in fact is still sitting. This is one of those books I am afraid to dig too deeply into. I am afraid because I might find something out about myself that I am not ready to face. I am so sorry that I can’t tell you more about this amazing book and how it changed or challenged me. At this time in my life, coming off another cancer scare, raising 3 beautiful children, cleaning up our diet… I think I am happy with my life. I would rate most parts of my life a TEN.

I want to thank the The B & B Media Group for my free copy in exchange for an HONEST review. They have been a wonderful group to blog for and very patient too. Thanks.

Off N Running,
AnnMarie

BooK Review – The Gospel Story Bible by Marty Machowski

From the Press Release sent with the book: Sometimes it’s easy to forget Jesus in the midst of frantic schedules, family squabbles and conflicting priorities. For many Christians, God often becomes little more than an afterthought after days absorbed and depleted by the busyness of life. But the truth is that He is the the hero of every story – including the mundane, ordinary ones we experience on a regular basis.  That is why Marty Machowski beckons families to take time out from the daily grind to be transformed by the message of the Good News in his latest release, The Gospel Story Bible: Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments.

I received this book from The B & B Media Group, Inc. in exchange for my honest review. I am enjoying this book, even though, I have not shared it with my family yet. I like the way the stories are written out for the children to understand.  After the reading there are 3 questions for you to chat about with your children.  I really am enjoying this and plan on giving it as a gift.

Off & Running,

AnnMarie

Hello world of WordPress!

Hello all,

Sorry I have been away for so long.  I am moving to a new blog host.  My Gmail email account has been hacked one to many times.  I am having a hard time with the Google system, so I am moving over here.  Please be patient with me as I figure out the new system.  Thanks!

I am also working on my Shaklee Business this year, so my posts may not be as frequent as in the past.  Or more often to tell you all about the business!  :)

Here’s to a new year, new blog space and a growing business!

Off & Running,

AnnMarie

Book Reviews: Live Reflectively and Live Abundantly by Lenya Heitzig

These books are both amazing. I have only “proof-read” them, but am excited in this new year to get started on each. They are both 20-minute devotionals written by Lenya Heitzig.  These books are part of the Fresh Life Series.  I would love to see the other books and work through those too!

In LIVE REFLECTIVELY LESSONS FROM THE WATERSHED MOMENTS OF MOSES, she has chronicled Moses’ life by his water moments. LIVE ABUNDANTLY A STUDY IN THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, she has teamed up with Penny Rose and together they dig into Ephesians to find the spiritual treasure God has for us.

Each week of the studies is divided into five days for personal time with God. Each day is broken into 5 mini lessons and are designed to help us apply the truths we are learning about to our own lives. These mini lessons include: LIFT UP (lifting up prayers to the Lord to keep you focused on the lesson), LOOK AT (we are directed to Scripture readings for the lesson), LEARN ABOUT (these are sidebars with specific questions about the text), LIVE OUT (this sections helps up focus the lesson into our own lives and to live out the lesson), and LISTEN TO (quotes to help us stay inspired about the days lesson). 

These books are written for small-group bible studies for women. As I said, I have only proof-read these books. I received them free from The B & B Media Group in exchange for my honest opinion by January 10, 2012.  At this time, I honestly cannot give a good review of the books.   I can say that I am excited to read them and work through them with my prayer partner. With my surgery last month, Christmas and New Year’s I didn’t make the time to read or get started on the studies and I apologize for that.  Check them out yourself and let me know what you think.


Off & Running,
AnnMarie