Lessons from the Scrapbook Page

Getting it together in your marriage.

Are you a product of the 70s? I am. So is my hubby. And now, Tricia Goyer, one of my favorite authors has written a book just for us and our marriage. It's the couple's guide to keeping it together—Generation NeXt Marriage.

The author is an Xer herself and has been married much longer than I have. More important than that, she's willing to share the ups, downs, and sideways mistakes, problems, and successes she and her husband have experienced through the years. One thing that instantly grabbed my attention in the book was the way that she identified so many of the issues and concerns both my husband and I have. Things like wanting to have a strong family, be good role models to our kids, and maintain intimacy...but at the same time feeling crippled without experiencing healthy marriages at home. We don't want that for our kids, but wonder how to change our family tree.

That's why I loved Generation NeXt Marriage. Here's how the book starts...

In 1983, I was in sixth grade when Billy Idol’s song, White Wedding hit the charts. I remember doodling designs for my wedding dress on the brown-paper cover of my English book. Funny thing, though, somehow (I realize now) I forgot to daydream about what happened after I married my Prince Charming. I forgot a marriage followed.

A Gen Xer herself, the book offers realistic help for protecting your marriage despite the broken relationships modeled in your youth, stories, suggestions, and confessions from fellow Gen Xers facing the "What now?" question of real-life marriage, and practical help for negotiating kids, work, money, and dirty laundry-sometimes all in the same evening

If you are part of a generation of adults who don't want to bow to their culture or live and love like their parents did -- this book is for you.

My favorite part of the book was the personal stories and truth that Tricia shared with me, her reader. At times, I felt like she was a girlfriend sitting down with me for a cup of coffee. But then there were those other times where it felt a little more like a wise counselor offering understanding and insight, but not pulling any punches either. It was truth mixed with grace, inspiration combined with a kick in the seat of the pants. Honestly, I think we all need a kick every once in a while!

If you're a Gen Xer, pick up this book. Spend some time with your spouse reading the inspiring and wise words on the pages of Generation NeXt Marriage. It could change your world. Check it out and win a date with your spouse!!

Welcome to my world.

A daily dose of laughter. Bundles of joy. Free entertainment.

Today we have a special guest...

Today we have a guest on Lessons from the Scrapbook Page. It's my friend and fabulous author, Camy Tang. She's celebrating the release of the second book in the Sushi Series: Only Uni. Another fantastic read.

Here's Camy talking about her creativity...

I love scrapbooking and making cards. At first I got into scrapbooking because a friend of mine is a Creative Memories hostess, and it was fun making albums with my pictures. Problem is, I have way too many pictures from years and years ago, and not enough recent pictures. And it got boring doing albums of my old pictures when I don’t even have recent pictures of my husband.

Then my friend Sharon Hinck introduced me to stamping and cardmaking. It’s the same type of crafty thing I like about scrapbooking, but the projects are different. I can use them or give them away as gifts, which is the kind of practical thing I like more than picture albums, since I don’t look at my pictures very often and don’t have kids to pass them down to.

There’s also something about rubber stamps that brings out the kid in me. When I use the Creative Memories stuff, it’s mostly stickers and cut outs, which are fun, but there’s just something about stamps and ink! Some first grader inside me comes out and goes to town as soon as I get my stamps out!
What I like about both scrapbooking and card making is that I can either be creative while I’m doing it, or not. I can be patient and detail oriented, or not. I don’t have to be one or the other every time I start work.

The latest love of my life.

Life is good. Work at Apple is great. My new iPhone is amazing.

If you haven't seen an iPhone firsthand, it really is incredible. The maps feature saved me three times the first weekend I had it. It's the new love in my life and I'm not even a techie. If you're planning to get a new iPod, GPS or cell phone, don't. Just get an iPhone. It can do it all.

Saw this irreverent video for the first time last week. Pretty funny, especially if you watch the original video and try to figure out how it was made. Someone has way too much time on their hands.

Going green just got easier.

Seems everything is going green these days. From the cars we drive to the clothes we wear, people are trying to make a difference in our consumption habits that affect our environment. It's a great idea and someone really should have thought of it sooner. Well, I'm sure someone did. It's just that it's finally reached the mass audience that can make the change necessary.

Along that line, I got an email announcement from my sister-in-law that she has started a green housecleaning company in southern California: Cleanin' Green. How incredibly cool is that? I've had my house cleaned a few times for special occasions. While I love the way it looks, the smell is nearly intolerable. Knowing that the smell is so toxic makes me wonder how much of those chemicals linger after the cleaning is done. Not a good thought, especially with a little one in the house.

The email from my SIL got me thinking about my cleaning products and how eco-friendly or not eco-friendly they are. And then, as serendipity often goes, I found Clorox Green Works.

The Products
Clorox has just launched Green Works, a full line of natural cleaning products for everything from kitchen counters to toilet bowls, made from plant-based ingredients derived from coconuts and lemon oil.

The Test
The two issues that I have with green cleaning products are quality and smell. Since we've already established that I'm a bit of a clean freak, I was very interested to see how they would stack up to my regular cleaners. And if I would be able to breathe during and after the clean ups.

The Results
Citrus smelling cleaners that actually work. No chemical smell. No dry hands from touching chemicals. And sparkling clean counters, toilets, glass, and sinks. They work.

Check them out the next time you're picking up cleaning supplies!

A book (and cover) you can't miss.

Bio (in his own words)
Name: Rafe Noble
Age: 24
Height: 6'0
Occupation: Bull-Rider. CHAMPION Bull Rider, except, now I'm just a has-been, I guess. But I'm not staying down for long. I don't care what it costs me, and I'll be a cow's uncle if I'm gonna sit around the Silver Buckle Ranch all day nursing my wounds, nothing to do...I'm getting back on the bull. I don't care what it costs me. 

Looking for: Hey, I don't have to go lookin' for women. They come to me. Except, I 'spose the truth is, I've never had a real girlfriend. Gets in the way of my concentration. Besides, who could keep up with me? Have to be somebody pretty special...and someone who didn't mind a guy with a few scars... .

How to Get Money For Your Used Clothing

Remember last year when I talked about scaling down and getting rid of lots of stuff. It was inspiration from Peter Walsh and his book, It's All Too Much. Well, I just learned about a great way to make that de-cluttering process work for you even more. If you itemize your tax return you are in a perfect position to pick up some extra money from donated clothing.

So this is what I learned:

If you're like most of us, you stuff a bunch of clothes into bags, drop them off at a collection center and claim a $100 deduction.

Guess what? Those clothes could easily have been worth $1,500 or more if you only knew how to value them. The values add up quickly. Books, even magazines, can be donated to libraries or churches and properly valued. The law does not allow the charity to set the value of an item. You, the donor and tax payer must do that. But how much should you claim? If you overstate the value you risk an audit, penalties and interest. If you underestimate you will pay more taxes than you should.

Here are some examples of what donated items are worth, assuming "Good" condition:

Dress: $13

Suit: $35

Jeans: $8

Sneakers: $12

Stuffed animal: $3

It can really add up quickly.

Certified Public Accountant William R. Lewis of Certified Used Clothing Values, Inc., has written a booklet, "MONEY-For Your Used Clothing; 2007 Tax Year" that comes to the rescue of uncertain taxpayers. The booklet lists values for more than 700 items of clothing and household goods commonly donated to charity. The values are obtained from annual surveys of consignment and thrift stores, conforming to IRS requirements for donated items.

"MONEY-For Your Used Clothing" is guaranteed in two ways:

1. If you itemize your tax return, Lewis guarantees you will reduce the taxes you owe or increase your tax refund by at least $250 or your money back.

2. If the IRS disallows the deduction, Certified Used Clothing Values, Inc., will personally pay any interest and penalties.

"MONEY-For Your Used Clothing" is also a workbook for all your charitable donations. It addresses recent tax law changes and guidelines for tax year 2007 (the tax return you must file by April 15, 2008). "MONEY-For Your Used Clothing; 2007 Tax Year" retails for $25.

Go to the MONEY For Your Used Clothing for more information or Debt Proof Living to order at a discount for $20.

Are you raising teenagers?

If you are raising teenagers or even just one teen like I am, you will love this short clip of Phil Callaway. He's a speaker, author and humorist. I had the pleasure of listening to him speak at a writing conference a few years ago. What a genuine heart and gift of laughter.

Check it out and remember to laugh today.