So sorry I missed participating today. Work is always getting in the way. ;-) Can't wait to read the posts!

We're talking about taking care of ourselves and the life lessons that are most important to us. Regina Brett caused a sensation when she wrote a column for the Cleveland Plain Dealer listing her life lessons. Her top ten life lessons are: 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

The American Cancer Society has just launched the Choose You program (full disclosure, I am on the ACS blogger advisory board and chronicling my Choose You journey on the Choose You blog--voluntarily). Choose You encourages women to make a commitment to their health so they will then act as good role models for all of those they take care of. http://www.chooseyou.com/default.aspx When you make your commitment, you pledge to make a contribution to the ACS every week you don't hold to your commitment. The financial obligation has kept me on track. The blog http://blog.chooseyou.com/ I made my commitment on a billboard in Times Square--so now I feel like I definitely need to stick with it.

What if weight loss wasn't about the weight at all, but lightening our load in a big picture sense? We're going to be talking about how we can clear the decks, get rid of the extra baggage and mess and stress in our lives, and lose the weight in the process. As we go into bathing suit season. Perfect timing.

You have no idea how much I'm in need of this conversation today. I have been participating in the Choose You campaign, but don't feel like I'm making healthier choices yet. I need inspiration!!

What if weight loss wasn't about the weight at all, but lightening our load in a big picture sense? We're going to be talking about how we can clear the decks, get rid of the extra baggage and mess and stress in our lives, and lose the weight in the process. As we go into bathing suit season. Perfect timing.

Oh I had another thought! My youngest is in Kindergarten. There is a class stuff animal that goes home with each "Star of the Week." That animal has a whole backpack of clothes that go with him/her. What about adding some cool outfits for the animal? Or a new animal for next year? Some of that stuff gets pretty worn down. Or items for the class pet?

The school year is coming to a close so that means teacher gifts! Join a conversation with some of the greatest crafters, DIYers and authors and get some great ideas for gifts to make with yourself and with your children. We'll also be talking about our favorite inexpensive, homemade gifts you can buy.

Magnets sure sound popular. What about mixing them in with clips too. Or magnet clips if you'd like. I just saved this link the other day. http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2009/05/06/clothes-pin-magnets-diy-project/

The school year is coming to a close so that means teacher gifts! Join a conversation with some of the greatest crafters, DIYers and authors and get some great ideas for gifts to make with yourself and with your children. We'll also be talking about our favorite inexpensive, homemade gifts you can buy.

And many of us jumped in and got a DSLR but we continued shooting in Auto mode with it. How much difference does it make to shoot in manual? Is it difficult? Where is the best place to learn how to do it?

Wed, October 28 at 1 pm ET: Amie Adams is leading a photography workshop with the incredibly talented Tracey Clark, Aimee Giese (Greeblemonkey) and Angie Warren (The Creative Mama) talking about their favorite techniques, approaches and perspectives. We'll also be talking about taking creative photos for holiday cards. Join us for a fabulous conversation!

How can parents capture great shots even if they're not using a DSLR? Can you talk a bit about settings?

Wed, October 28 at 1 pm ET: Amie Adams is leading a photography workshop with the incredibly talented Tracey Clark, Aimee Giese (Greeblemonkey) and Angie Warren (The Creative Mama) talking about their favorite techniques, approaches and perspectives. We'll also be talking about taking creative photos for holiday cards. Join us for a fabulous conversation!

How can parents capture great shots even if they're not using a DSLR? Can you talk a bit about settings?

Wed, October 28 at 1 pm ET: Amie Adams is leading a photography workshop with the incredibly talented Tracey Clark, Aimee Giese (Greeblemonkey) and Angie Warren (The Creative Mama) talking about their favorite techniques, approaches and perspectives. We'll also be talking about taking creative photos for holiday cards. Join us for a fabulous conversation!

WELCOME! Tracey, Aimee, Angie and Mera we're so glad you're here. It would be great if we could start off with each of you sharing your one or two tips for folks to capture their kids--regardless of the camera being used.

Wed, October 28 at 1 pm ET: Amie Adams is leading a photography workshop with the incredibly talented Tracey Clark, Aimee Giese (Greeblemonkey) and Angie Warren (The Creative Mama) talking about their favorite techniques, approaches and perspectives. We'll also be talking about taking creative photos for holiday cards. Join us for a fabulous conversation!

I'm grabbing some lunch before we chat. Anyone need anything?

Wed, October 28 at 1 pm ET: Amie Adams is leading a photography workshop with the incredibly talented Tracey Clark, Aimee Giese (Greeblemonkey) and Angie Warren (The Creative Mama) talking about their favorite techniques, approaches and perspectives. We'll also be talking about taking creative photos for holiday cards. Join us for a fabulous conversation!