K ~ The Kaleidoscope of our Amazing Race

Are you Amazing Race fans? I am. As much as I am enjoying the journey we're on, I am also feeling a bit overwhelmed this last week, with so many comments to respond to, blogs to visit, technical co-host questions to answer, err...pass off to those who know how to answer technical stuff,and a complete logjam in my inbox. I realized that I'm in the Amazing Race.

In my travels through the list of participants, I've found that we have is a real kaleidoscope of bloggers out there. Lots of styles, colors, vivid writing, and blogs that make you turn your head and say, “Hmmm, I hadn't thought of it that way.” I've seen viewpoints I embrace, and viewpoints and topics that had me exiting stage left as fast as my sturdy Scandinavian legs could carry me. I've read wonderful, mind bending stories in 100 words. I've seen photos and art, watched videos, and experienced poetry so powerful your soul sighs. It's all out there. Waiting for you to visit.

It made me feel a lot less stressed when I could put my finger on it and realize that what's frustrating me isn't hard to overcome. Just like the contestants of that reality show have to overcome hurdles (will you PLEASE turn off word verification? At least for April???), play Where's Waldo to find the next hurdle (finding where to comment on a post is sometimes like a treasure hunt without a map) and get tired, cranky, hungry, and ready for a drink, I do too. In the end, though, we signed up for this, and if we just calm down, pour a drink, put our feet up, and keep going, we're going to finish this race. The blogging world will be clapping for us when we head into that last turn.

Break over. Let's get out there!

Tina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge

#atozchallenge J Day

Just hang in there!


You've nearly reached the halfway point.  Soon you'll be on the downhill stretch to the end.  Don't give up because you can do this.  Nice and easy does it.  Keep your posts short, especially if you feel like you're struggling.  You don't have to write a thesis.  Use this post today as a model.


Breathe deep.  Sip some good coffee.  Enjoy some chocolate.


Just hang in there.  You're gonna make it.


Just in Time for J Day:


Michelle Jones at The Family Tales is offering a give-away at her blog.  Head over to her blog and you may be a lucky winner of a  a new customized blog design and/or custom header graphic.  The graphic design will be created by fellow A to Z blogger, Lisa Campbell.   

I is for Inspiration

What was and has been the inspiration for your A to Z posts?  How did you choose a theme vs going on the spur of the moment?

Here is one of my favorite quotes and it helped inspire me to participate (and co-host) in the challenge: 

Anyway: 

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.

Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.

Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.

Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you have anyway.

*The A to Z challenge may be a pain and not go according to plan.

Participate anyway. 

*(I may have added that last one. . . and trust me, there are many more that I could add).

And OK this isn't really what got me in the challenge at all. . . I have Elizabeth Mueller to thank for that! :)