Taking Care of the Caretaker

Taking Care of the Caretaker

I have had several people in my life, recently, who have been through the journey of cancer. Besides friends, my mom has had two cancers in the past couple of years (uterin and skin,) and has come through each of those situations with grace, healthy, and a fast recovery.

I know that many of you do not have such Lifetime Channel happy endings. Perhaps you are a caretaker or have a roll in a cancer patient’s life. I would like to offer a resource for you to check out.

Author Cynthia Siegfried. Cancer Journey: A Caregiver’s View from the Passenger Seat offers practical tips and spiritual guidance to people living with serious diseases.  Most importantly, the author shows you how to find hope and even joy in the midst of spirit-crushing illness.

And now, a question for you – If you have been a caretaker when someone was ill, what did you most need support-wise? What could a friend do to take care of you – the caretaker?

Really a Dream Come True: After Two Long Years: “My Husband is a Hottie” T-Shirts are Here!

Really a Dream Come True: After Two Long Years: “My Husband is a Hottie” T-Shirts are Here!

I’ve had a dream. A dream about T-shirts. And I love how God can work out the silliest of dreams and bless some marriages along the way…

Here’s the story: Ever since I wrote THE HUSBAND PROJECT, I’ve wanted to have a T-shirt that says, “My Husband is a Hottie”. It seems like a simple enough dream, right?

Oy Vey.

I spent a lot of time getting in my own way, not feeling like I knew enough about T-Shirts, printing, etc. I was like that person who always says, “I want to write  a book,” but never writes anything down.

Fast forward a couple of years and I innocently order a very cute sweatshirt from a company called DressBlessed.com and waited for my adorable sweatshirt to arrive. Instead, I got a call from the owner of the company, Jackie Fairleigh, double checking the size of the sweatshirt I wanted.

And that’s when I said, “Hey, while I have you on the line…”

Jackie, as an experienced T-shirt, sweatshirt retailer, gave me the low down on how to buy shirts, what to look for in a printer, what sizes to order, and even sent me samples of her own T-shirts so I could do this right. With the support of my ever-patient husband Roger, we went to a T-shirt printer, put down a lot of money,and now we have…

Isn’t that the cutest thing you have ever seen? (Modeled by my adorable, but reluctant, assistant, Sunnie…)

I love the shirts, they look great, they feel great, and the reactions from the husbands is OFF THE HOOK. (BTW – the secret is to not tell him about the shirt, just wear it one day and let the blushing begin…) And they are a hit. I just got them on the 11th of this month and we’ve already placed a reorder!

If you are interested in ordering a shirt (they run just a little on the generous size, so if you are between sizes, go for the smaller one…) you can go to my store to get your very own shirt. The are high-quality Hanes Pre-shrunk T-shirts that are soft and wonderful and designed for women. We have them in sizes from Small -2x Large.

Next week, we are going to be starting a 5-Day ME PROJECT Challenge. The challenge is to get started, just started, on a dream you have.

My dream was T-Shirts. That dream has come true. Now I’m on to the next dream.

What is one of the many dreams that you have? Share it here – it could be as simple as learning how to decorate a cupcake (which, upon further thought, might be really, really, hard. I wouldn’t know. I don’t know much about cupcakes except I like frosting…) or it might be as complicated as opening a bakery.

Next week, we are going to take some first steps.

So tell me. What’s your dream?

Unique Ways to Say I Love You on Valentines Day

Unique Ways to Say I Love You on Valentines Day

In Celebrations of Valentines Day, here is one of my most requested articles:

Unique Ways to Say I Love You on Valentines Day

Today – I want you to leave a Valentine in the comments – Tell me why you love that special person in your life – Declare your love to the world! And then give them the link! (Everyone love knowing they have been bragged on in public!)

And to each of you – Thanks for sharing your love and wisdom here. You each are a blessing to me.

Me and Max

Me and Max

Sorry – it’s been a very Kathi-centric week. But this is just too good not to share.

You see that guy there, next to me, in the poster?

That would be Max Lucado.

Yeah. That Max Lucado. (How many Max Lucados do you know?)

So if you have ever been one of those moms in a MOPS group that has heard me speak, or bought one of my books, thank you.

It’s because of you that I get to do something that I never would have dreamed about.

I love me some MOPS – and I love the groups. I feel so blessed…

Star in Your Own Commercial – Brought to You by Google…

One of the things I love about my publisher, Harvest House, is that I am their own personal lab rat.

And trust me, I say that with a lot of affection.

When Abby – Harvest’s Queen of all Things Social Media – saw this new film maker from Google – creating your own snappy commercial – she decided to make me her guinea pig.

It’s only 35 seconds, and at the end you can make your own commercial. If you do, be sure to link it here so I can see it.


Kathi Lipp – Google

3 Things You Must Know About to Make Your Life Better

3 Things You Must Know About to Make Your Life Better

This is my shallow list – but when I find something I love, I have to share it with the world.

Roux ‘Tween Time Touch Up Sticks

When people ask me “Is that your natural hair color?” I always tell them the truth – “Yes, but now I have to pay for it.”

You see, I’ve always been a redhead – as a child I cursed it, (in THE ME PROJECT I have a whole chapter dedicated to my red-hot hate of my red-hot curls,) and now I pay big bucks for it.

There’s only one problem – my gray hair demands that I get it colored every two weeks – my budget says once a month.

That’s two weeks of frightening small children and woodland creatures…

But now, my hair guy, Franc, (yes, really) introduced me to this “Tween Times stick. All you have to do is find a willing husband to color inside the lines on your head and you’re good to go.

Love.

And yes – they have different colors to blend with yours. I stockpiled the red stick just in case.

My dad has been a collector of all things junk my entire life. Now I finally see the mentality of this put to good use.

This show is like validation for everyone who should be on Hoarders – two guys – Mike and Frank – stop by random houses and go “picking” through people’s stuff. The have an antique business and resell this stuff to dealers, collectors and decorators.

It is my most anticipated hour of TV.

Jamba Juice’s Peach Blackberry Smash Frozen Bar

70 Calories

100% addictive

Must. Go. Get. Now.

Now it’s your turn – anything you would like to share with the rest of the class?