Lianne's Little Corner

Settling In

2008-06-24T10:37:00.006-04:00

I think we're finally getting used to being in South Florida. It's still not where I'd rather be, but it's not as bad as it seemed when we first got here.

Yesterday DD2 was about fed up with having a pool close by, but not being able to go into it. Last week the two girls got up early every day to go help out with VBS (Vacation Bible School) at the church we've started attending here. (A good thing, too, because unknown to us, they have to have accumulated a certain amount of "community service" hours to graduate from high school!) They would get back home in the afternoons just in time...for thunder showers. Can't go in the pool with lightening! So yesterday we went to the pool. Put on our 30 SPF sunscreen...and got our first BURN of the season. I guess the "won't come off in the water" line is just a myth. So today we were going to put on our winter coats and hats to keep from burning more, and go bike riding. (Ok, so I was kidding about the winter coats and hats. Oy! Just the thought makes me break out in a sweat.) Thing is, the bikes all have flat tires. And the tire pump is in the trunk of our second car. And both sets of keys to the second car are in the new car. And DH has the new car 37 miles south in the Keys where he went to work today. Oh well! Guess I'll have to play on the computer all day.

Or not. There are still a number of boxes needing to be unpacked and stuff put away.

But at least we're in and able to unpack. We might still be sitting in a hotel room waiting for some Home Owner's Association background check to be completed. Things must have been really bad around here for awhile. But God was so good to us that He got us into our place within two days rather than two or three weeks. And that was WITH the background check completed. :)

DH is liking his new job so far. Folks are nice, and seem to have a real vision for what hospital chaplaincy is all about. So things are falling into place very nicely.

And now, I'm off to work. Those boxes won't unpack themselves, the little stinkers.

'Til next time (tomorrow, hopefully.)

I'm Back!

2008-06-19T09:55:00.004-04:00

Well, I hope to be, anyway. :) Although we're not exactly settled in--there are still boxes everywhere--we're in our new place, have the internet set up (finally!) and my kitchen is in order and I'm able to cook in it now. So I figured it was time to get busy online again.

This has been quite a move. A huge adjustment, to say the least. And there are plenty more adjustments awaiting us. I still have to get my girls registered in schools down here, and in August I'll be going back to work full time. The first full-time, outside the home job in 15 years. It'll be a HUGE adjustment for my family as well, to not have me at their beck and call at any time. I hope they handle it ok. Ha! I hope I handle it ok.

So yesterday we had our first gator sighting. It took longer than I expected. There's a pond/lake (whatever you want to call it...I think it's man-made, whatever it is) behind our apartment. We were told that occasionaly the gators would appear, especially after heavy rains. We had alot of rain yesterday and the day before, so I looked out the window every now and then to see what I might see. At first I didn't see the gator. I saw an odd looking, very green lizard head that almost blended in with the grass completely. Went to look closer, saw that it was an iguana. It splashed into the lake in a hurry, and that's when I saw the three little nubs sticking out of the water a little distance from the shore closest to our apartment. Curious and fearless, I went to check it out. The three little nubs disappeared under water, leaving behind nothing but bottom dirt swirling in the water. So it had moved, confirming it was living and not just a rock or some other type of flotsome. A little while later DH lookes out the window and sees the little guy out in the middle of the lake. We called management and this is what I hear. "Oh yeah, we're aware of him. He's just a baby. He won't hurt you. He's been here for about three weeks, now" Uh...ok. I'm not going to take their word for it. He might be a baby (and we can tell he is since his head is still quite little) but even baby gators have sharp teeth.

Yeah, welcome to South Florida! Needless to say, we will never, ever take our little doggie out without a leash. And never in the back yard. **grin**

In the above picture, you might not be able to see our gator friend too well unless you see the picture at it's regular size. (I think by clicking on the picture it takes you to a larger size?? Don't know for sure.) He's over on the far side, near the ducks, looks as if he's spying out a meal. If you look straight under the second palm to the left of the ducks, that's where he is.

This was this morning. He was back on our side again. But you can see how small he is. It's still rainy and overcast, but accoriding to management, when the sun's out, the gator comes out to sun himself. I'll be watching for that, you can be sure.

Remembering...Such Sacrifice

2008-05-26T15:50:00.003-04:00

I realize I'm late getting this up today, but I don't want the day to go by without posting this. This was written by my pastor and dear friend, Chaplain (col) Larry McCarty, who serves as a chaplain in the US army. I asked his permission to post it here. I cried as I read it, and I wanted to share. So no more from me. Read what Larry had to say.

Last week was a good week but a very sad one. President Bush came to (Fort) Bragg for the 82nd Airborne Division Pass and Review. He then participated in the Division Memorial Service. I was able to be at both events.

A few images are burned into my mind. On Thursday morning The President reviewed the 15,000 plus troops and then headed back to the podium. Everybody stood up to get a good look. I noticed one little boy who could not see due to the crowd and the fence. As the President passed by I picked the boy up so that he could get a good look. The boy was so appreciative. He gave me a hug and then he said, "Thanks Mister...my daddy can't pick me up anymore...he died in Irag." I watched him as he walked over to his mother. She had a photo of her husband pinned on her dress. She smiled at me and said thank you...That is a smile I will always remember. Such Sacrifice

At the Memorial Ceremony I sat and watched as families of fallen troops laid flowers at the War Memorial. (Division lost 119 Paratroopers last year) It was probably one of the saddest events I have ever been a part of. The young man who sat next to me was a Wounded Warrior. He had asked to be released from Walter Reed Hospital to come and lay a flower for his buddy who was killed during the same incident that had wounded him. As the young man stood up to drop his flower I was able to see the extent of his wounds. His whole right side hung limp. He walked with a cane and had a serious injury to his face. He was about 19 years old. Such Sacrifice

On Friday evening Robin and I went back over to the War Memorial. The crowds were too large the day before and we wanted to get a closer look. As I walked to the new edition of the monument, the name engraved at the top of the monument jumped out at me. It was SPC Micheal Juanrique. I kew the name well. Last June I had traveled to Texas City, Texas to minister to the family and be a part of the honor guard as he was laid to rest. I remember sitting by the kitchen table listening to the stories the family shared about Micheal. Stories of his love for soccer, race cars and seafood. Stories of dedication about how he wanted to serve his country...how he wanted to make a difference. He was 22 years old. Such Sacrifice.

So why do I write?... Writing helps me make some sense of it all. Writing my friends and family helps me believe that I am making a difference. Writing helps me focus on these eternal truths: "Freedom is not free". "Some prices are so high that they can only be paid for in blood". The blood of the Patriot is the seed of freedom's tree." We must remember!...because people tend to forget.

When all is said and done and we too are laid to rest...may it be said of us: He lived for something bigger than himself. He was a man, she was a woman that made a difference in the world. We can go through this life in our own self-centered, self absorbed cocoon or we can choose to risk, to go the extra mile, to Sacrifice. May we choose the road less traveled.

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

2008-05-07T07:57:00.001-04:00

Someone on my writer's list sent a link to this YouTube video. I was curious and went to watch. What a hoot! I'm not going to spend alot of time writing so you can have plenty of time to watch this. It's one woman's interpretation about the descriptions Solomon gave of his beloved in the Song of Solomon. But no more from me. Watch. :)

Have a great day.

A Little Spring

2008-05-06T11:29:00.004-04:00

I went out this morning to take some pictures of the lovely spring flowers and foliage around here. Who knows when I'll see some REAL spring again. I mean, it'll be eternal summer down in Florida, which will be pretty, I'm sure. But there's something special about those first buds and blooms after a long, hard winter. I wanted it well documented. I even filmed a little, just so I could get the sound of the birds. We're supposed to get thunderstorms this afternoon so I knew I had to get to it right away.

Isn't that the way it is with life, though? The trees have been getting prettier and prettier until they went into full bloom in the past couple of days. I kept telling myself I had to get pictures before the blooms all died...or blew or were washed away. There was always tomorrow.

Until today.

I don't know if the rain and wind really will remove the blooms from the trees, but I didn't want to risk it. As I walked through the park down behind our house, I couldn't help feeling a little sad. It's been there all along and I didn't take advantage of it nearly enough. And now I'm moving away.

It was a comfortably cool morning this morning, the sun was out, but the air was cool enough that I was able to wear a light sweater. Perfect weather, imho. And it's been like that for awhile now. Soon it'll be too hot, even here. I keep writing about missed opportunities, and hopefully it'll sink in one of these days. I really need to stop missing out on life. Well, some of the little pleasures in life, like a walk in the park on a beautiful morning.

And now I'll leave you with some of the pictures I took.

Have a great rest of the week.

Be Kind to Your Web Footed Friends

2008-04-28T08:53:00.002-04:00

On Saturday we saw something I've only ever seen in pictures. A mama duck was crossing the road with her little ducklings all in tow. It was a busy street, where cars zoom by, and poor mama and babies might not have stood a chance. Except there was a sweet man, whose name I don't know, who decided to do something to help. He was in a white van and he pulled his vehicle across two lanes and got out stopping trafic until the ducks had passed. My only regret was that I didn't get the camera out of my purse in time to snap a picture. But it was a cute little procession, and admirable of the man who stopped to help them out.

We've been watching alot of the Animal Planet lately, and we see so much ugliness that's done to innocent animals. Sometimes it's just neglect, sometimes the owners are poor or elderly and either can't take care of their pets or just don't realize what's really happening. But then there are cases that just make you want to strangle people. Why be cruel to an animal? But seeing this man practically put his own life in danger to help a procession of ducks--wild animals, not even pets--get across the road gave me a little hope that there is still goodness left in the world of today.

Would that our society would care as much about the baby humans, especially the unborn baby humans. But that's a theme for a different blog altogether. :)

I've started to pack, so while I'm going to try to get back on track with my blog, my posts might still be sporadic. I'm ready for this phase to be over. As much as I don't want to go to Florida, especially with spring finally happening here (the flowering trees are just beautiful!) I'm still ready to get past the "temporary" stage of things.

Anyway, enough of that. It's SPRING! Have a great week. :)

Digression and More Randomness

2008-04-11T08:45:00.004-04:00

I had a little digression this week. I apologize. There was just so much going on around here that I didn't get around to posting. But I'm back for today and hope to be back again on Monday.

Tomorrow I get to meet up with a bunch of other authors. Woo-hoo! A group of about 10 or so writers in the area are getting together at a restaurant to just chat writing and see what we can do to help each other. I'm really looking forward to it. It's not often I get the chance to meet with other ~~odd balls~~ writers. So I should have plenty to blog about after that.

Last night was opening night for my DD1's musical. It's an old musical that was put out in movie form in 1966. We rented the movie, and found it to be rather inappropriate for high school kids to put on. So we went not expecting much, but going to support our daughter. But what fun! We laughed so hard. It's amazing the talent some of these young kids have. I won't be surprised if some day we see some of them on Broadway or then on tv.

Did I mention that I've packed my first two boxes? I figure there are things I don't use often, and probably won't use within the next two months. So since I had two empty boxes, I figured I'd fill them with some of that stuff. It felt odd.

I keep going back and forth in my feelings about going to Florida. I'm ready to go because I hate to sit around waiting. But southern Florida still frightens me on mulitple levels. And the more I think of it, it's not just the heat that scares me. But I won't go into all that now. :)

We're supposed to get snow, but it's bright and sunny out right now and I'm hoping (praying, really) that it stays that way. We chose April 12 for our author get together because everyone figured the weather would be NICE by then. Ah well. God is letting it stay cool for me. lol. Giving me a break before sweltering down in Florida for the rest of my life.

Ok...off to clean house. Got company coming for the weekend.

Have a great weekend, and here's wishing everyone some SPRING!

Random Stuff

2008-04-07T09:18:00.000-04:00

Congratulate me. It's my 18th wedding anniversary! :) Oh, well maybe you should congratulate my DH. Or give him your condolences. Poor guy. He's put up with alot over the years.

The move to Florida is 99% a sure thing. I say 99% because the contract hasn't actually been signed, and ya never know what could happen. And you know what? I'm ok with it. I'm glad this whole process is over. Now we begin to think of the transition and moving. Now I find my gypsie blood beginning to stir, anxious to get moving since the decision has been made.

So I won't say a whole lot today. I've got work to do around the house and for the new proposal I'm working to get together. Have a great week. I wish you sunshine and blue skies. Especially to Marianne, who's had way too much snow this winter.

The Plot Thickens...

2008-04-04T10:03:00.003-04:00

Ok, I confess. Nothing mysterious here today, I just thought that title might be a grabber. *G* But I do want to chat about plotting today. For many years I proudly proclaimed myself a SOTP writer. (SOTP = Seat Of The Pants). I would get the germ of a story and sit and write and see where the story and characters would take me. Ah...writing was fun and carefree. I couldn't wait to get back into the story to find out what was going to happen. Odd, maybe, since I was creating it. But that's how it was for me. It was almost like reading a book, except that I didn't even have the option of looking at the end to see what would happen. (No, I don't do that. But with a book it's always an option.)

I really miss those days of carefree writing, and I realize back then, my writing was mostly for my own enjoyment. I guess it could almost have been classified as a hobby. I didn't see it that way, but I also didn't know the rules of writing. Now I do. I'm seeking to learn more and more every day. And I've also learned that I'm not really a SOTP writer. *GASP!* What a shocker.

For some years I've thought I was somewhere in between. You know, a little pre-plotting to get a general idea, then just writing where the story leads. Yesterday I started some serious plotting for a new story I'm working on. I spent almost all day long plotting out this thing and looking up some general historical information to make sure I was on the right track with my plot. Good thing I did, because at the end of the day I ran into a serious problem. Had I SOTPed my way through, I would have had to go back and make alot of changes to the story, and maybe even go back to square one in research and, well, plot. I also discovered yesterday that I WANT to have a neat little packaged story synopsis ahead of time. Who'd'a thunk it! I wouldn't have.

So now I guess I'm going to have to embrace the fact that yes, I am a plotter. At least when it really matters. That thought sends chills up my spine. Why? Well, it's kind of freaky to think that I may actually be embracing what I used to think of as a dirty word. Organization!

Maybe it's just my age showing. I'm finally growing up.

Nah!

Beyond The Middle

2008-04-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

I just discovered my new favorite song. It's from Casting Crown's latest CD. I heard it for the first time yesterday when I was going to pick up my daughter from school. At first, I found it pretty. But then I listened more closely to the words and I knew it was for me. The words of that song really convicted me because they describe where I am right now. Somewhere in the Middle. And I want to move beyond the middle to the place God wants me to be. So I'm starting now, giving glory to God for all He has done for me.

God is so good. Well duh, you say. Of course He is. :) And I know He is, but sometimes He really goes overboard in showing us His goodness. He has blessed me so much recently, despite my ungratefulness. But yesterday He really came through in a bunch of small ways that, added together, equaled a big way. Funny thing, the song came after everything else.

As you know, if you've been reading along for awhile here, right now our future is a little uncertain. Both DH and I have been anxious, wishing God would show us clearly what He has in store for us. Ok, so I think He is being pretty obvious, but there are some details still needing to be worked out for everything to be final. And there's the little issue that no one wants to go to Florida. But in the devotional for yesterday's Our Daily Bread, He really hit me over the head with the truth that He is in control. The Bible passage was from Matthew 6:25-34, the one that talks about the birds of the air and the lillies of the field who neither toil nor spin. God takes care of them and since and we're more important to Him than birds or flowers, He'll take care of all our needs as well.

That devotional really hit home. God is so like that, isn't He? He gave just the word of comfort I needed at just the right moment. He could have sent me something else, like a rebuke for all my grumbling. But no, He chose to send me assurance and comfort.

Here's the song, Somewhere In The Middle by Casting Crowns.

Lying = Intelligence???

2008-04-02T09:12:00.004-04:00

Today I'm going to put my "whining" aside for a bit to rant. Last night as we were flipping back and forth between Dancing with the Stars and American Idol, we saw an advertisement for a news report. Now I didn't actually see this news report, but just the blurb in the advertisement had the hackles up on everyone in my family. Well, except for the dog. But if he'd understood human talk, he would have had his hackles up too. The blurb was about a report of a doctor who claims that lying is a sign of intelligence.

Huh???

Granted, as I've already said, I didn't see the actual report so I don't know where this doctor was going with this. But frankly, I don't care. You tell someone that lying shows their intelligence, you're making lying into something good. One doesn't have to believe the Bible, as I do, to know that lying is wrong. Many people think that "a little white lie" doesn't hurt anyone (not me...I don't believe in the myth of "little white lies." A lie is a lie no matter how big or small.), but I think a majority of people believe/know that lying is just plain wrong.

This really concerns me. How far is society going to fall? In my humble opinion, it's just dangerous--and irresponsible--to tell someone that lying shows intelligence. No, it shows dishonesty!

On a positive note, I was VERY pleased to see the reaction of my kids. They were horrified. We've spent their lifetimes teaching them that lying is wrong and that no good can come of it. I guess our teaching paid off. I just hope it sticks for a very long time, despite what some "credentialed" idiots may say.

Sad

2008-04-01T08:42:00.003-04:00

I admit, I'm trying very hard not to be, but I'm sad. I guess my relapse was worse than I thought. Or then I'm having another one today. I was ok about Florida yesterday, but now that it's a reality, I'm not so ok about it. They called yesterday and offered DH the job. On one hand, I'm glad. I would have been very upset if they turned him down after all this. It would have been a real blow to his self esteem had that happened. So this was a good thing. Of course, that put DH in a tailspin. He's still not thrilled with the idea of going to Florida. But in talking through all this, we came to the conclusion that it makes no sense for him to take a job doing something other than what he's sacrificed almost two years of his life to accomplish. We've had a hard two (well, almost 2) years here while he's been doing this chaplain residency. And to do something else, even youth pastoring, would be like throwing it all away. So nothing has been signed yet, but I think it's safe to say we'll be moving to Florida as soon as the girls are out of school.

My emotions are up and down. I'm ready to leave this place, mostly because I'm ready to feel more settled. We knew this was temporary and we've been living "temporary" for these years. And that's just tiring. We're not quite living out of our suitcases, but it's not far from that. So on the bright side, it's nice to know I'm going to be able to be a little more settled soon. I'll be able to find a house and make it cozy. This apartment we're living in has not been cozy. We didn't have the finances to make it so, for one, plus we didn't want to buy alot that we'd just have to pack up and move when this phase was over. But Florida???

Ah well. I see it this way. We're so used to moving around that, if we really don't like it there, we can always pack up and move. lol. Not that I'm looking forward to another move in a short period of time, but it's nice to know it's a possibility. And who knows? We just might end up liking it. The Keys are beautiful, and we won't be far from them. And there's always Disney. (Think positive, think positive!)

Relapse

2008-03-31T09:09:00.002-04:00

Saturday DH got home from Florida. Things went well. He really liked the hospital and the people with whom he interviewed. They didn't offer him the job yet, but he's feeling confident that they probably will. I thought I had accepted Florida. And until yesterday I had. With no really enticing prospects in other places, Florida seemed, well, Ok. But yesterday DH was looking through some other job listings, and found a position for a youth pastor at a church in...**sigh**...Colorado Springs. He sent out his resume right away, and now we sit and wait. With that hope, of course, I find myself all the way back at square one about Florida...absolutely hating the idea of it. It was never my first choice, of course. I loved the idea of Laconia, NH. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. And now I'm feeling very negative about CS, because I really, really want that! I love working with youth, and I loved CS. DH was so sweet. He's so sick of the cold weather, and I can hardly blame him. He doesn't like the idea of Florida all that much, because he's not thrilled with year round heat. He's just not as opposed to it as I am. But yesterday he said he would even be willing to put up with cold winters to make me happy. Thing is, it's not really up to him at this point. He's done his best. The rest is up to God. And I know that God will take us to the place that's best for us and for His will. It just seems that God's will and mine have been clashing an awful lot in the past decade or so. Not all the time, but often enough that I'm trying desperately not to get my hopes too set on Colorado.

Soon. Wherever we're going to be, I'll be knowing soon. And that's something to look forward to. I'm ready to be settled, one way or another.

Yey! It's Friday!

2008-03-28T09:25:00.002-04:00

I'm glad it's Friday. I'm exhausted. I was up far longer than I should have been last night, writing. With DH gone, I didn't feel the need to rush to bed once the kids were down. Mistake. I have a doctor's appointment this morning at 9:20. I wasn't worried about staying up late because I thought I could just go back to sleep once the kids left for school. Serves me right for not looking at my appointment card BEFORE I decided to stay up. I thought the appointment was at 2:20 for some reason. Must have gotten it mixed up with my appointment on Tuesday. Ack! So now I'm dragging. But maybe it's a good thing it's early. I can go in and get it over with, THEN come home and go to bed.

We had a little excitement yesterday when I took DH to the airport. It was raining and snowing, and then just snowing, and we were afraid his flight might have been canceled. It was. Not because of the weather, I'm not sure why it was cancelled. But the bigger problem was that when he asked if they could put him on some other flight, they told him that his ticket had never been paid for. Yikes! The folks in Florida were supposed to take care of that. So he called the man he's been communicating with all these months, and eventually everything got worked out and they put him on another flight. The poor dear only got to his hotel sometime around 1 AM and then had to wash the shirt he'd planned to use today because something in his suitcase had spilled on it. I'm sure he's dragging a whole lot more than I am!

He called this morning to say that he's still not thrilled with the idea of being so close to Miami. But at least Homestead is a little different. He said it doesn't seem as crowded, so that's a plus. I just told him to take it one step at a time, that he doesn't have to make any decisions right away. But I think the fact he woke up to 60 degree weather rather than 20 degrees might make a difference. lol.

Yeah, we woke up to snow on the roof. Ah well, at least it's not snowing anymore and the sun is out. That little dusting of snow is going to melt off the roof in no time.

So have a great weekend, and I'll "see" you on Monday.

Just a Quick Note

2008-03-27T08:37:00.003-04:00

I am about to run out the door this morning to take DH to pick up a few travel size toiletries, then drop him off at work. This afternoon he's heading down to Florida for a day long (tomorrow) interview with the hospital folk who are looking to hire him. It's not quite official yet, but it's starting to look more and more like Florida will be our next stomping grounds. I'm still for Colorado Springs, but we go where the jobs are. And most importantly, of course, where God leads us. And it seems He's leading us to Florida. He could always close the door. I'm aware of that, but it doesn't look that way. And God has worked in my heart about going to Florida. It's still not my first choice, but I've accepted it, and I'm thinking of all the positives. We'll only be 23 miles or so from Key Largo where we spent our honeymoon. And I absolutely loved it there back then.

I wrote yesterday. Over 2000 words. :) I was very happy with myself. But today I need to finish cleaning this house. I started, but the writing got in the way. lol.

And now I really do have to run. Have a great day y'all.

Perspective

2008-03-26T08:35:00.000-04:00

It's funny how things come about that put our lives into perspective in a whole new way. Well, I can't speak for anyone but myself. I had a busy day on Monday, my first "real" day back after my trip. And if you read my post on Monday, you know I was whining about having to be back to normal. But yesterday I was going through my email and I found one from a lady who has suffered some very real loss recently, and though she's talking about it, she's not whining. The lady is Darlene Franklin, a member of my writer's list, ACFW. She lost a daughter to suicide, and as a means to try to heal, she's blogging about it. So check out her blog in my list of blog links. Post a comment if you have a moment and the inkling to do so. I know it will mean alot to her.

Reading of her loss and her grief, and the grace with which she is dealing with it was very humbling to me. I've lost a loved one, my father, when I was sixteen years old. Cancer. But I've never lost a child, and I hope to never go through that. Monday in the town where I live, there was a horrible tragedy where a father allegedly killed his four children and his wife, then committed suicide. I cannot imagine the grief of the living members of that family, either. And it made me take a good look at myself and see me for the selfish human being I am. I have a mostly happy, healthy, and loving family. I hope it stays that way. I pray it does, and I leave everyone I love in God's all powerful hands. I have nothing to complain about for myself, especially not to "grieve" the end of a marvelous opportunity to see the beauties of my country. :)

And I had more good news yesterday. On Monday (gee, everything happened on Monday!) I had an MRI because of the headaches I'd been having. Yesterday I went to see the doctor and he confirmed that, well, I do have a brain. I saw it myself! Well, the MRI pictures of it anyway. *G* And there is nothing wrong with me, nothing that might have been causing the headaches. So maybe it was just tension, PMS...who knows what it was. I wasn't really afraid that there was something, especially since the headaches went away, but it's always good to hear absolute confirmation. I think I may be starting to need glasses, but hey, as my doctor said yesterday, the alternative to growing old is not a very good one. :) So I'll accept the fact I'm getting older, hope I keep getting older for plenty more years, and gracefully move ahead. Even if it means getting glasses.

I pray that God will bless all those of you who are truly having a hard time of it in this life, and that He will give grace most abundantly.

Have a great day.

Easter Sunday Surprise

2008-03-25T07:18:00.000-04:00

Maybe I should have posted this yesterday since it was closer to Sunday, but I really wanted to complain about being home instead. lol. Anyway, I posted back in July about my disappointment with how no one seemed to care about the 4th, and how disgusted I was with the commercialism going on when it should have been a day to celebrate out country's independence. So imagine my shock, surprise, marvel when we went to dinner in a restaurant at the mall and everything was closed! Well, not the restaurant, but the stores were closed. Or most of them, anyway. Barnes and Noble and Sears were open. But nothing else. Even Bennigans was closed, which surprised me since it's a restaurant and almost everyone in town was out for lunch. I know many commercial places close for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I didn't think they still closed for Easter. I was very pleased, to say the least, and filled with hope that not all is lost in America after all. :)

That said, while we were eating our lunch, I suddenly felt terribly guilty for being there. I know, the restaurant would have been open regardless of whether I went or not. I'm just one. But if all of us "just ones" had stayed home and cooked, then all those poor folks who had to work their little bunny tails off on Sunday could have been home with their families. I don't know where I'll be next year or what my life will be like. But I hope I remember this guilt and do the right thing and cook for my family next Ressurection Sunday. :)

So, totally changing the subject here, does anyone know what html code to put in and where, to make the middle of my blog a little wider? Yeah, I know. The only time I'll ever want my middle to be thicker. lol. But my brand new Shelfari shelf (hint, hint, take a look at my books!) is way too thin. I want more books to show, so I want the content part of my blog to be larger. If anyone can give me a few tips or advice on how to change it, I'll be eternally grateful.

Have a great day everyone.

Home

2008-03-24T08:17:00.002-04:00

We're home, now, and trying hard not to be ungrateful. It was a wonderful trip, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. We finished up by going to visit my uncle who lives near Kansas City, MO. It was a nice visit, and he took us into Liberty, MO, to see the first bank that Jesse James and his gang robbed. We didn't take the tour, but we did peek in the window to see what the little room looked like. And I got a couple shots of the girls in front of it.

Today we start back into the full swing of things with a VERY busy day. DH has a doctors appointment today at 9 to see an endocrinologist about a possible parathyroid problem that might be causing his kidney stones. Then I get to go for an MRI at 11. Then DH has another doctor's appointment at 2 to see if something other than the possible parathyroid problem is causing the arthrosis in his shoulders and knees. (He's too young to have these kinds of bone problems!) Then at 3:45 DD2 has a dentist appointment, and DD1 has play rehearsal after school from which we'll have to pick her up. At least I managed to get everyone up and out of here on time today. But that's really no credit to me. They're an easy bunch to work with. :) God was very good to me when He gave me the family I have.

So I won't be saying a whole lot more than this today. I need to get moving. Gotta shower, then see if I can get some of this house straightened up before I start my running around. But tomorrow I will be back, hopefully with something intelligent to say.

Have a great week.

Climbing Pike's Peak

2008-03-20T23:00:00.007-04:00

Well, in the car, of course. :)

This morning DH woke me up with a surprise. He got up earlier than everyone else, he said, and started to think that if we left Colorado Springs without going up the Peak, we'd regret it for the rest of our lives. To be sure, the prospect of going up the Peak got everyone hopping out of bed in record time.

I really thought the climb would be terribly steep. It was a little in some places, but it would level off then climb a bit again. All in all, it wasn't bad at all, and we made it up and back down again in one piece. Obviously, since I'm posting! lol.

They only let us go up part of the way today, I guess because higher up the conditions weren't safe. But that's all right. We got to go up about 13 miles, and truly, that was good enough for us. We stopped at a visitor's center at the 13 mile mark and bought a few souvenirs, and got quite a history lesson from the man who was running the shop. Let me tell you, what inspiration for a story! He told us about a young couple who lived there back in the 1870s or 80s (can't remember which). The wife was only a teenager. But they lived there for three years and sold lumber to the rail road company. One of the rooms in the building is part of the original cabin, and my mind started to conjure up all sorts of images of what life might have been like for a couple like that.

I'm not sure what happened, but alot of the pictures we took look a little strange. It's not exactly blurred, but there's a brightness around anything light colored that makes it look almost like there's an aura around it. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed that our pictures weren't clearer, like the others we've taken so far. But we still got a few good shots. And we always have our memories. It was just gorgeous. And for me, at least, even the fact that the oxygen level was only half what we would get down below, making it hard to breathe, it was hard to start heading back down. It was a nice surprise to be able to do that, though, and I am forever grateful to my DH. He truly is a dear husband. :)

You can't see it too well in the small picture, but on the left is the visitor's center that at one time was the home of the young couple I mentioned. I know in those days it was even harder...they had to carry all their supplies up there by mules...but still. What a view. What inspiration. Oh wait. I'm sure that poor woman, even if she had dreamed of being a writer, was too tired after doing all her chores every day to even think of anything creative in the evenings. It was still pretty. :)

Trees and snow on the way up the mountain. But I guess that's pretty obvious, huh? **G**

Here I am with DH. Proof we actually went up and didn't just pay someone for the pictures. lol.

And here's the view of the valley below. This isn't from all the way up top. There were too many trees up there to get this view! But at the point we could see down below, we stopped and took some pics.

We're heading for Kansas City, MO to visit with my uncle. I seriously doubt he has wireless at his house, so I most likely won't be posting anything tomorrow. Don't know that I'll have any interesting pictures anyway. :) So I'll hope to be back on Monday.

Garden of the Gods

2008-03-19T23:09:00.010-04:00

I don't know if the whole family will agree, but for me, today was by far the best of all our days on this tour. We've seen so many pretty places, and I love them all. I cannot say that what we saw today was the most beautiful, because we've seen such varied terraine. The Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore were absolutely gorgeous, in a much different way than the Rockies. I think what made it so wonderful today was a combination of things. The weather has been wonderful. Absolutely gorgeous skies, as you can see by the pictures, and temps that are almost warm. It's the perfect weather for me to want to get outside and walk or climb rocks.

Needless to say, the Garden of the Gods is a remarkably beautiful piece of God's creation. A more appropriate name would be Garden of God. I'm impressed that it's still free admission, and that's a testament to the man who at one time owned it.

We walked for quite some time along the trails. We didn't do alot of rock climbing. You're supposed to have a permit for that. But there were some places where it was not so dangerous and therefore allowed. We ended up spending so much time there that by the time we left, we were all so hungry all we could think of was food! We drove into Manitou Springs and took a look around. Just from inside the car. It was quaint, but eating was more important at the time than window shopping.

One of the things we had originally put on the program was a drive up Pike's Peak. But just driving around Manitou Springs with its steep hills, we decided not to try the Peak. I don't think our little rental car would deal well with that steep of a climb. And the train wasn't running today. So oh well! That and the Flying W will have to wait for a future visit.

DH and I have fallen in love with Colorado Springs. I forsaw this (didn't I say that yesterday?) happening. lol. So we might even try to look into possible jobs in this area. Did I hear some groans on that? Come on. CS is more accessible than where we are now. :) Denver is big and not that far, so it would be just a hop skip and a jump to the airport to pick anyone up. We'll see what happens. :)

And now for the pics. We were all taking pictures, and we have some 270 pictures just of today! Aren't digital cameras great? It makes it fine to be trigger happy.

So enjoy some of these pictures, and tell me which one you like the best. As you can see, I had an even harder time choosing, so here are a bunch.

My favorite Three Musketeers.

Here's Shalom, the super dog! I love that Colorado and South Dakota seem to be very pet friendly. Very unlike where we currently live.

My hunk. :) This was too good not to post.

Here's Pike's Peak off in the distance.

Some rocks in the garden. I didn't stop to look at the actual names of the different formations, so I'm not sure what these are officially called. But they look like praying hands to me, so that's what I've dubbed them, whether that's right or not.

And below, miscelaneous pictures of the Garden.

Denver and Red Rocks

2008-03-18T23:44:00.006-04:00

(Don't know how to put captions on these through blogger, so this'll have to serve. This tunnel is the entrance to the Red Rocks Amphitheater, near Denver.)

We got to see a little of Denver, today. I wasn't all that impressed. But honestly, I'm never very impressed with big cities. It was ok for a city, but I wasn't sorry to leave it behind and head south to Colorado Springs. But first, we stopped off at a place called Red Rocks Amphitheater. It's kinda neat, with, well, lots of red rocks. :) It's a sort of natural amphitheater, and they hold shows here on occasion. Rock shows, I'm guessing.

The weather has been beautiful. God couldn't have been kinder to us. I'm not arrogant enough to think He's provided this lovely weather just for us, because I know there are a whole bunch of other people who are thanking Him for it as well. But I am grateful for it, and I thank Him for gifting us with such pretty blue skies. It's been perfect weather. Cool, so I'm not sweating (I HATE to sweat) but not bitter cold.

But what a lovely surprise when we drove into Colorado Springs. I knew it was a smaller city than Denver, but I wasn't sure what to expect. I wouldn't mind moving here. lol. It's got everything (even a Boston Market! We don't have one anywhere near where we live. boo-hoo!) but with a smaller town feel to it. We'll be here a few days, so I think I'm going to really fall for it.

I was actually here before, many years ago when I was 13. We went to the Garden of the Gods and then to the Flying W dude ranch. I'm a little disappointed that the Flying W isn't open right now. It only opens on Fridays and Saturdays, and we'll be leaving on Thursday. But oh well. We'll have to save that for a return visit. :) But we will be going to see the Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak. And I also hope to see Manitou Springs. Don't know much about what's there, but it sounds intriguing.

And all this western setting is getting me very much in the mood for writing a western. Well, I have been dabbling with an idea for a western for some time. Even started work on it, but the ideas are really rolling around in my mind. I'm too tired at the end of the day after touring or sitting all day in a car to put alot of brain power into writing. So that's going to have to wait until I get home.

So tomorrow I'll be back with more pictures (hopefully!) of GotG and Pike's Peak. I hope y'all are enjoying, even though only Marianne is even bothering to comment! Thanks Marianne. I think you deserve some kind of award for that. I'll have to figure out how to do that one of these days. :)

Til next time. :) Enjoy the pics. These are of or from the Red Rocks Amphitheater mentioned above. There's alot more than this, but these were some of our better pictures.

I REALLY liked this shot. It's a great contrast between the deep blue of the sky and the red of the rock. Funny thing is, I'm not sure if I took this or if DH or even DD took it. We were all shutter happy today.

This is taken from the top of the Red Rocks amphitheater. You can see Denver in the distance. Well, I think you can see it. *I* can see it, but then, I know it's there.

Keystone and Mt. Rushmore

2008-03-16T20:39:00.011-04:00

What a neat day today. We got to Keystone yesterday (Sunday) to find it under 6 inches or so of snow. Funny thing about Keystone. It's like it just shut down for the winter. The whole thing is one big tourist trap, of course, being the "home" of Mt. Rushmore. But only one little restaurant was open, and the hotel we stayed in only had a few rooms cleaned and ready for guests. Still, it was quaint. With everything covered in snow, it looked like a Christmas postcard. Even though we've had our fill of snow this winter, it was pretty.

So we woke up this morning all excited to see a beautiful blue sky, not a cloud in it, and bright sun. We were off to see Mt. Rushmore and the Presidents. :) I'd seen it before, when I was 13. But it's been a few years, and I was anxious to see it again. And to see the reactions of my kids and Hubby. Well, I wasn't disappointed. I had seen it before in the summer, so it was neat to see the area all snowy.

After we had seen everything we wanted to see, took all the pictures we wanted to take, we decided to hit the road south, toward Denver. I didn't think we'd go all the way, but we did. Made it and found a hotel just in time to watch the opening of Dancing with the Stars. lol. So tomorrow I'm not sure what we'll be doing, but in a place the size of Denver, I'm sure we'll find something. :)

Oh yeah. I almost forgot. Uh...no, I didn't dance for the presidents. lol. Too many people around. I'll leave the dancing to my Meez. And I changed her to a more urban background and realized it changed down below as well. Ah well. Guess she can't dance for the Presidents forever. :)

Here are a couple more shots of the Prez's. :) I took the first one...

...but this really awesome close up was DH's shot. He should go pro.

Badlands

2008-03-16T20:04:00.016-04:00

Well, so far I've been headache free for the entire day. That's two days in a row. Whoo-hoo!

We had an interesting day today. Got up at a reasonable time and hit the road for the Badlands. If I had not seen them before, I might not even believe they existed. It was flat terraine, then we got into some gently rolling hills. Pretty. A little different from the flat. Then all of a sudden, we started to see the eroded look. I started to breathe easier, because I think the family was starting to think I'd lost my mind. **G** Once we were in there, though, it was breathtakingly beautiful. We took alot of pictures, and it was hard to boil it down to just a few. But I think I got some of the best shots.

When we first got in, there was a tiny bit of snow on the ground. Not alot. In some places there wasn't any. But by the exit of the park, it was pretty full of snow.

At least the roads weren't bad, and we made it to Wall, then on to Keystone.

Here I am with the girls. They're a silly couple of kids, but I love 'em. :)

And of course, here's my hottie DH. It was COLD, but the silly wanted to be "brave" for the pictures, and took off his coat.

Travels

2008-03-15T22:51:00.003-04:00

First, I got an award! Yey! Thanks, Judy. :) I give you the award right back. I'm not sure how to put it on here, but I'll work on that tomorrow night.

So we're in South Dakota. Yey! No pics yet. We got a late start (long story...shortened version following) and just wanted to get as close to Wall, SD as possible. It's supposed to snow tomorrow (Sunday) so I don't know how much we'll get to do. We're in a little place called Oacoma, about 150 miles east of Wall and the Badlands.

On to my little adventure yesterday. I've been having these headaches all week long. They seem to hit every other day. Grr! So yesterday (Friday) when we were getting ourselves together in the morning, I started with the blurred vision and headache. DH hurried to get me into see a doctor. Well, when I explained all that had been going on all week long, the doctor ordered an immediate CT scan. It came back normal. They even found my brain in there somewhere. **G** But the diagnosis is that I'm having migraines. Well, I figured. I was hoping maybe it was sinus, and they would give me some really killer meds that would clear it up and I'd be fine. No deal. They gave me a prescription for something that should take care of the headache if it comes back. But it can make me groggy. Obviously, I'm hoping for no headache.

Anyway, with all that going on, we left two hours later than we were supposed to. Got to Omaha to DH's cousin's house after 8. Then, eat supper...be polite...I wasn't hurting anymore, but being in pain all day really wears me out. So I was ready for bed, and still only got there around midnight. Then it was late getting on the road today. You know how family is. :) It was after 1 PM when we finally got on the road.

So we only got as far as Oacoma, but the place we stopped is very pretty. A little hilly area right on the Missouri River. I'm hoping the snow will hold off tomorrow, at least until we get close to the Badlands or Mt. Rushmore. We're being very leisurely about all of this. We get as far as we get and no worries.

But tomorrow I should have some pictures. I'll post them as soon as 1. I have them, and 2. we're in a hotel with internet access. Tonight, obviously, we have. :) But ya just never know.

And now I'm gonna head to bed. I don't want to over tax my eyes and give myself a headache for tomorrow!

Here's my little meez, walzting for the Presidents. :)

What a Headache!

2008-03-12T10:40:00.002-04:00

I was all geared up to write something for Monday. But when I went to bed Sunday night I started with what I can only guess was the beginning of a migraine. I didn't sleep well, and Monday morning I woke up with my eyes feeling like sandpaper. Super light sensitive. So I did very little on the computer. Figured it would all be over by Tuesday. Ha! Tuesday was worse. We had a BEAUTIFUL day here yesterday. Sunny skies...close to 50 degrees. I wanted to go out a bit, but the bright light just hurt my eyes and my head too much. So I just laid around with my eyes closed, curtains pulled shut. What a boring day! I did get caught up on my sleep, though. lol. Of course, now all my good ideas have flown out of my achy brain. Today I'm feeling better, but there's still alot of tension behind my eyes. So I'm not going to push it. Just wanted to pop on and say hi, and I hope to be back for real soon.

Friday we're heading west for Spring Break. We're planning on heading up to South Dakota to see the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore, then maybe south to Denver and the Colorado Springs area. With the Florida deal looking more and more like a go, I don't know when we'll have a chance to get this far west again as a family. Vacation time has traditionally been spent going to visit family, so we never get to go anywhere new and exciting. So anyway, maybe next week I'll have some pictures and maybe even something fun to talk about.

Have a great day.

Nothing to Say

2008-03-07T09:28:00.002-05:00

Well, it's Friday. I made it through the week and posted on a regular basis. lol. That's pretty good for me. But today I'm left with nothing interesting to say. But that might be a good thing. The kids have friends coming over tonight, so if I don't want them to be embarrassed by a messy house, I need to clean up. It's not too bad. Just a little clutter that needs to be addressed anyway, so now's a good time to do it. So let me just wish y'all a great Friday and a wonderful, restful or fun weekend.

Thanks to Marianne for being so faithful to my blog this week, and actually commenting! It means alot. :) Marianne, I like who your favorite author is. lol. I'll have to get some of her books to read.

And thanks to Charity who responded with such words of wisdom on yesterday's post. Truly, what she said made alot of sense. And Charity, if you're reading this, loved the TP-ing Casa de Cluney short story. I found it by wandering through your links.

See y'all Monday, hopefully.

Too Old for Romance???

2008-03-06T10:00:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago, there was this little discussion going on over on my writer's list. Ok, so it wasn't exacly a LITTLE discussion. Although everyone who wrote in was in agreement with everyone else, we were all quite up in arms about a comment made by some editor somewhere (don't know who she is or who she works for) who said something to the effect of, older authors (over 40) write too old fashioned. She basically said that all you have to do is look at the picture on the back to know if the book is going to be up to par with the "new" standards. So the discussion began with, can women over 40 get it right? It went all over the place from "don't judge a book by its cover" (or it's author's ability by her picture) to "rules don't make good story, good story makes good story."

Well, in answer to the original question, duh! That's a no brainer for me. Of course we can get it right. And we do. There seems to be this terrible stereotype out there that only the young, hip and beautiful (translation: anorexic crack heads) can prosper in this world. Ok, so in the modeling business, sure, and not for very long. But romance novels are about love, not throwing up.

There has been a strong trend away from the "damsel in distress" type of stories that used to be popular. You know, the ones with the helpless female characters who couldn't do a thing without the man helping them. And that new trend is all fine and well. So we want to see strong female leads who can take care of themselves. That isn't exactly an invention of the 20 something crowd. I think it's safe to say that most women over 40 are WELL acquainted with the new, modern and independent woman. We are that woman! Come on, it was our generation, and that of our mothers and grandmothers who first started fighting for equality for women. Heck, it goes back to our great-grandmothers...Women who are quite old, or who may have already passed on. So now these young whippersnappers barely out of diapers think they know more than we do just because we might have to brush up on the most recent slang? So "sweet" doesn't mean something that tastes like candy anymore. Whatever! I've got a teen and an almost teen in the house so it wouldn't take me long to get all the proper lingo down straight. But I wonder...how can a twenty something who has never been married, never had kids, maybe is sitting at home on Friday nights writing about life instead of out experiencing it...going to be able to tell me what it's like to fall in love? Ok, so now I guess I could be accused of generalizing. I'm not. Just making a point.

The "rules" of writing might have changed, but our need to experience love has stayed the same since the day God put Adam in the Garden. In other words, for a long time. And we "old" ladies are still kicking. We can brush up on some of the newer trends in the writing world. And "old" writing will be around a long time. Just look at the continued popularity of Jane Austen.

So if you've got the time, drop me a line or two and tell me who some of your favorite over 40 authors are, and why you love their books. :) You'll make my day.

The Language of Touch

2008-03-05T07:30:00.003-05:00

DH came home the other day, freaking out after an appointment with a dermatologist. He has what we thought was psoriasis on his forehead. Flares up when he's stressed. Turns out it's something else a little less complicated, thank God. But that's not the point. The doctor, while doing the examination, had to feel hubby's skin. So he ran his fingers very gently all over hubby's face. The funny thing, DH said, was that it just didn't feel right. He knew the doc was just doing his job, but he said it felt so personal to have a person who he had never met before touching his face in such a way. He said it was more unnerving than having a check up of more...ahem...personal areas of his body.

So of course, being a romance writer, I had to analyze that reaction to see how I might apply it to a story. A touch to the face can be very intimate. There's an emotion that goes with it, something that goes far beyond lust. It usually expresses, IMHO, a deep affection. That affection can be familial, such as the caress from a parent to a child. I'm reminded of the movie Face Off, with John Travolta. His character had a gesture where he placed his hand on his loved one's face and let it slide down over the nose.

But a touch to the face can also be very romantic. I have found in my writing that I use those sorts of gestures alot between my romantic characters. An innocent but meaningful touch to the cheek, a kiss to the forehead can send the chills up my spine a whole lot faster than more graphic descriptions of sexual activity. And the reason, I think, is because of the intimacy, the depth of emotional feeling that comes behind such a gesture. A person can go out and have sex with a stranger, a one night stand if you will, and not think a thing of it (if that's how their moral code works, of course). But that same person might shrink back from a simple caress if they aren't expecting that kind of intimacy from the toucher.

So my final assessment? A touch to the face can convey a whole lot more love--the real thing, not just an animalistic drive for sex--than other, more "passionate" physical contact. Applied to writing, I believe if a romantic scene is set up right, with the proper touches and eye contact (or in some cases, lack of eye contact) there's really no need to go into grotesque detail about other physical acts.

Letter to Me

2008-03-04T09:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was being a good girl, and reading over the blogs of some of my friends. :) Judy's blog had a question that made me think alot of my current favorite song, "Letter To Me" by Brad Paisley. The question on Judy's blog was, basically, if you could go back in time, what would you change about your past? Well, there are alot of little things I might change. But looking back at all the major things in my life, there is very little I'd want to be different. I'd still marry the same man, have the same children, make the same friends. I would take each day as it comes and not worry too much about the future, for one. But that's not too much different from what I already did so far in my life. I would spend more time with loved ones, especially my dad, who died twenty-five years ago, today, when I was just sixteen. And of course, I'd dedicate myself alot sooner to my writing.

Here's the link to the Brad Paisley song on You Tube. I tried to embed, but it's not allowed for this song. So gotta just give you the link.

Letter To Me

Enjoy. :)

Happy Monday

2008-03-03T09:45:00.004-05:00

So I'm only a week late in posting, but here I am again. :) We had a very nice trip to Greenville, SC, for a commissioning service for hubby. He's almost finished CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) which is a program to train hospital chaplains. But our denomination held this weekend conference type thing for all their home missionaries and chaplains. It was nice to meet some new people, and to spend time with others who are facing some of the same things we are.

I think one of the nicest things, though, other than the new friends we made, was the weather. On Saturday the temps in Greenville got up close to 70! We were out in just jeans and short sleeved shirts. A lovely taste of spring, but then we had to come back to the Great White North. Some of our snow has started to melt, PTL, and yesterday we were even able to go out without coats and scarves and gloves. Just a light jacket. But...this morning we woke up to another dusting of snow, and ice on the ground where the piles of snow had begun to melt yesterday. Only the dog seems to be liking it. He doesn't mind going out to do his business on frozen ground, but he HATES to stick his little paws on anything immediately wet.

Anyway, I won't keep rambling. In honor of spring, that I know is coming...very, very slowly...here are a couple of pictures featuring me and my crazy kids in Greenville.

Have a great week, y'all.

Heading South

2008-02-20T08:44:00.002-05:00

I truly begin to understand why birds and other beasts head south for the winter. Especially when they live this far north. It has been SO cold. The snow is fine. I don't mind it all that much. But the sub zero temps...I was happy yesterday to find we'd gotten all the way up to 14. lol. So we're heading south for the weekend. Well, starting today. We'll be home on Monday. I am looking forward to warmer temps, even if it's still going to be cool where we'll be. I just wish it were longer than a weekend! I guess I'm not as much of a "snowbaby" as I thought. I just hope we can go somewhere a little less wintery when we leave here.

So how about that cool banner at the top of my page? My dear friend, Judy, made it from this quote. I just loved that quote. My daughter told me that her teacher has it up on the wall of the English classroom. It's so fitting for me, a reader and a writer. And a chocolate lover. **g**

Enjoy the rest of the week, and I should be "back" next Tuesday. Not that I'm "here" very often. But I'll try.

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T08:15:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone that stops by here today has a wonderful day full of love. You don't have to be in a romance, because romantic love isn't the only kind of love out there. And even if you're far from family and those you love, or if you're all alone in the world, there is always Someone who loves you. God loves you, and He sent His Son to die for your sins because He loved you even before you were conceived. That's love!

So in honor of this day, I offer you two choices of video from You Tube. It's the same song on both, by one of my favorite instrumental duos. But I couldn't decide which video I liked best so I'll put them both up and let you choose. :) It's a beautiful song called "Sometimes When it Rains" and both videos (slide shows, really) have lovely pictures that reflect the beauty of nature, showing a touch of God's love to the world. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

Don't let the gray picture above fool you. This video is filled with great pictures in both color and black and white.

Summer Sprites...and Other Stuff

2008-02-13T08:52:00.005-05:00

As I promised, here are my tree sprite lovers in the summer. I can understand why they like this spot. It's pretty no matter what time of year.

So now I'll confess. I made up the legend. I don't know anything about these guys. There's no identifying plaque, so I don't even know who the artist is, what they are supposed to be (but I do think they are supposed to be tree sprites because they just kinda look like concrete tree people). But I'm intrigued every time I see it, and I figured the pair made a good "conversation piece" for this romantic time of year.

As far as plans for the future...Laconia is definitely out. That was my first choice, or maybe tied with Lynchburg, VA, but oh well! Neither of them panned out.

So there's a hospital in Florida that is really hot on my hubby's tale. They want to fly him there for an interview. And while I'm not too thrilled about the sub zero temperatures we've been getting here, I'm even less thrilled with the thought of southern Florida. With menopause right around the corner (no, not yet, just looking to the future), and me not being real fond of hot, humid weather...well, you get the idea. I'll be cooped up inside no matter what. And it's at least a five year committment because of getting the kids through high school. I was hoping for some place mid term, like Virginia or North Carolina. But hey, we go where God leads, and where the jobs open up, right?

Have a great day, and stay warm. Or cool, depending on where you are. :)

Oh, and it's not snowing today. Bright sun. But -7 degrees. Go figure!

Just In Time For Valentines...

2008-02-12T15:22:00.000-05:00

Since I don't know where we're going to be next winter, and since I have never seen SO MUCH snow (it's snowing AGAIN today!) in my entire life, I've actually been having fun taking pictures of it. Next year we might be in sunny Florida, or temperate Virginia. No, that's not a hint of anything to come. Just throwing out places. :) But I don't think we'll be in a place quite this cold or that gets this much snow. And that's fine. While I've been enjoying the snow, I don't have to go out in it too much. My family, bless their hearts, do, and I know they are just sick of it. But now I'm rambling. Sorry.

In honor of the snow and Valentine's day, I've posted another picture. Two, actually.

Every now and then, when we walk down to the park, we get a glimpse of a pair of tree sprites. They're odd creatures, and not little fairy types, either. Tall, slender and willowy. Like trees. But if you sneak up on them real quiet like, you might catch them in an intimate embrace. Like this one. :)

I guess I wasn't quiet enough in the fall. Too many dry leaves. The crunch must have scared them away, because I didn't get a shot. But I did catch them in the summer. So this past Sunday when we were driving by, I decided to check up on them again. They are quite the romantic pair, and they love to be out under the trees. I believe that the legend goes, if you can sneak up on them and catch them in a passionate clinch, you're bound to be in love for the rest of your life. Since I'm such a romantic soul and I want everyone to be in love and stay in love, I figured I'd catch them for you. So here they are in the snow. They don't look very cold, do they? The temp was -1 when I snapped this picture! Didn't seem to phase them.

Tomorow, if you come back, you might get to see them in the summer. So y'all come back, now.

Let it Snow!

2008-02-06T19:03:00.000-05:00

No, nothing deep, or mean, or cute and witty today. **grin** It snowed today, here in the Heartland. Snowed alot! And I just wanted to share some pictures I took this afternoon after the snow stopped falling. Well, I'll just leave it at this one picture for now. This is the little stream that you can see pictures of on the bottom of this page. One in the summer, one in December with a little snow and some ice. But after today, you can't even see the stream! I don't think I've ever seen so much snow in my whole entire life. Well, I take that back. I saw alot of snow when we were in Vermont in February, 1999. But that was a long time ago. :) This was fun. Kids were home from school with a snow day. Only DH had to go out in it. We didn't have to, but we went anyway to get some pictures.

Have a great day. :)

Just Ranting

2008-01-29T13:28:00.001-05:00

So today I had the immense displeasure of seeing The Planet of the Apes. 1968 version. Hubby stayed home from work, you see. Seems he's picked up the bug that went around the rest of the family the two weeks before. And so, with DH home, naturally, the TV was on all day long. Hey, it's just a fact of life. As he was flipping through the channels, here's this scene that looked to me like a bunch of cavemen running through a corn field. What the heck? I said out loud. I thought it was some new Geico commercial. Grr...Me and my big mouth. DH stopped, and we had to sit through two or so agonizing hours of really bad acting, creepy 60's movie music, and the biggest piece of heretical junk I've ever seen. I was disappointed in Charleton Heston. I expected a lot more from the man who played Moses and Ben Hur.

Of course, I don't know why I still bother being disappointed in Hollywood folk. It seems they're natural inclinations are so opposed to my own that there will never really be one who doesn't disappoint me in some way or other.

I'm also coming to the conclusion that our society really hasn't changed all that much in the past few decades. I was under the false impression that people, even Hollywood, had a little more morality back then. Silly me. Movies like that show me that mankind was the same old rotten creature in past decades as he is now. Always rebeling against God in some way or other.

Sometimes I imagine God looks down on earth and weeps. But after what I saw today, sometimes I wonder if He doesn't just look down and laugh. Not out of humor, of course, because there is nothing funny about rebelling against God. But you know, that sarcastic kind of laughter that goes with when He says, "Who does man think he is?"

On the other hand, this gives me a little hope. If it's always been bad, then maybe society isn't really getting worse. Maybe I've just begun to grow up and see things for how they really are...and always were. Maybe...just maybe...we're only seeing mankind being more honest about what's really in his heart. And we know what the Bible says about what's really in our hearts. Well, I know what it says, and I believe it!

You know the worse part about The Planet of the Apes? They went on to make more of them! Three more, I believe, not counting the 2001 remake. Talk about a waste of money.

Much Ado About...Nothing!

2008-01-24T12:26:00.000-05:00

No, you won't find any Shakespeare here. I just thought it was a catchy title for this post. **GRIN** But if you read to the end, you might see the relevance.

I've been a bit of a mess this week, so I'm sorry I haven't been as faithful over here. But I'm starting to feel better, and I want to get myself back up and running again. No, not literally. It is WAY too cold outside to go running. I woke up this morning to a groan-worthy low of -12. At least I didn't have to go out in it so early, but the kids and hubby did, the poor dears. At least their buses are heated.

Anyway, I thought I'd pop on to say something really witty and deep. Ok, so nothing very witty has come to mind let alone deep. So let me rephrase. I thought I'd pop on to say something.

Now I don't like to post just to post. Really I don't. I mean, what's the purpose in that? It seems kinda, well, meaningless. And now I'm getting repetitious. The funny thing is, when I'm falling asleep at night, or in the middle of cooking, or cleaning, or taking a shower...you name it...when I'm busy with something else, that's when really good ideas come to me. But by the time I sit down and open up my little blogger dashboard and get ready to write...

Yeah, I think you get the picture. Anyone else have that problem? I don't set out to say something super deep every time, although I would settle for witty every time. **G** But I guess I'm just not that witty of a person after all. More's the pity.

So I guess I just used a whole post to say that, well, I have nothing to say. But please keep coming back, and indulge me with your comments. I'm still learning all the ins and outs of blogging, and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to address your comments in my posts or not. I'm thinking not, but posting on your blogs would be good. Yeah, that should have been part of my resolution, shouldn't it? Post to mine, and comment on others. Ok, well, January is almost over, but I've got me another resolution.

Have a great weekend if I don't see you all here tomorrow. I'll try to be here, if you do. :)

Requiem

2008-01-22T19:51:00.000-05:00

My family and I are so saddened tonight. We just read the headlines that actor Heath Ledger has died. I didn't know this young man personally, but a couple of his movies have brought alot of entertainment to our family. One of my favorite movies of all time is A Knight's Tale. It's not deep, yet it is. It had no really earth shattering message...yet it did. The whole thing was a case study in contrasts. So I'm very sad to think that this shining star has burned out so early. He will be missed.

And now I have to vent. This tragedy comes on the heals of another young Hollywood death, that of Brad Renfro, also from an overdose, if I'm not mistaken. And that one after the attempted suicide of actor Owen Wilson. It's going to be interesting to find out what the authorities decide about Mr. Ledger's death--whether it was accidental or a planned suicide. On one hand, I'd like to believe it was an accident, but how tragic is that? However, knowing the track record of Hollywood and the movie industry in general (in other words, not leaving out Hollywood's international siblings in movie making. We Americans really shouldn't hog ALL the blame, now should we?), it would not surprise me in the least if this was no accident at all. I think Hollywood et al needs to wake up and take a good look in the mirror. What is wrong that these people, who seem to have it made, would find life not worth living? Or then, too difficult to face without the help of drugs or alcohol. We've all seen what fame and fortune has done to Brittany Spears and Lindsay Lohan. And I don't think it's fair to put the whole blame on the parents. In the long haul, Hollywood is going to have alot to answer for. I don't believe it was ever a place that truly welcomed God, but I don't think in the past they made Him as much an outcast as now. Oh, there were problems. Broken marriages. Drugs and drinking. Marilyn Monroe comes to mind, as well as Dorothy Dandridge. I know there are plenty of others, but I won't spend alot of time on that right now. Suffice it to say, there's a huge problem, and I think it should be dealt with. How? I don't know. But it really bothers me that these are the people our young kids look up to and want to emulate. I cringe when I think that my beautiful fifteen year old aspires to some day become an actress. My twelve year old has also begun to show signs of the same desires. Whether stage or TV and movie, it doesn't matter. I don't think life on Broadway is a whole lot less complicated than in Hollywood.

Now someone could point out the good ones. The ones whose lives weren't torn to bits by the lifestyle that goes hand in hand with acting. I mean, look at Mel Gibson who is still married to the same woman after so many years. Yeah, right. LOOK at Mel. He's one of my favorite actors, and I admire the fact that he's still married to the same woman. I admire the fact he had the guts to make movies like The Patriot and The Passion of the Christ (but hey, what's with Apocalypto??? Woops...rabbit trailing here.) But he still lives with the consequences of a life of alcohol abuse.

What about Hillary Duff and Miley Cyrus? Well, time will tell, won't it? Already we see Duff heading toward the sensual and the obsession of all of Hollywood to stay overly thin. Miley is young, but even she's veering too much toward the sensual for my taste in a young pop star/actress of fifteen. Where will she be in ten years? I hope for the best, but I won't hold my breath.

In this whole grim Hollywood picture comes a touch of hope...in the name of Michael Landon, Jr. Now there's a guy to admire...if he's able to keep up the testimony and the good work.

Rest in peace, Heath Ledger. You're missed already. And I hope that your death will serve as a final warning that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. But then the old adage comes to mind of the blind leading the blind. They probably won't get very far.

Sick Family

2008-01-21T11:10:00.000-05:00

I had planned on writing up a really sumptuous post for today. After all, with the weekend, I should have had time to play, right? Well, the kids have been sick since Wednesday with some kind of little flu bug. Then yesterday I woke up with it. Ack! So all I did all day yesterday was sit around on the sofa and do nothing. And the brain wouldn't work to save my life. So maybe, if the plegm gets cleared out of my throat and my brain, I'll be able to get something written for tomorrow. But I did want to post something so it wouldn't look as if I'd just given up on this blog again. **grin**

Have a great week, and hope to be back tomorrow or the next day.

Simon Says...

2008-01-16T08:44:00.000-05:00

So we were watching American Idol last night. Boy, what a circus! But the last contestant for the night was this sweet young thing, 23 or 24 years old, can’t remember which. And she started talking about herself at the judges request. Somehow it came out that she doesn’t watch R rated movies, never has. So they asked her why, and she said it was because her parents set some guidelines while she was growing up, and it just made sense. So even now that the choice is her own, she doesn’t watch R rated movies. She went on to say that along with that came the “don’t drink, don’t smoke” and that made sense to her too. So she doesn’t do those things. So I’m saying Bravo! for her. But Randy and Simon right away start to make fun. Simon more than Randy. Of course. She finally sang, after the two goofs stopped goofing, and she did a good job. She was in. But you know Simon, even if you don’t watch the show. He just had to be, well, Simon. Randy’s telling her he likes her, there’s something pure about her, she seems nice. Paula agrees. And Simon agrees that she’s nice, has talent and yadda yadda, but... “You’re maybe a little worthy...”

Maybe a little worthy? What is wrong with this guy? I think he was jealous cuz he liked her and she’s already married. But anyway. She doesn’t like to watch R rated movies. She doesn’t drink and she doesn’t smoke. With the way things are in this society, shouldn’t TV personalities encourage that kind of behavior? This girl appears to be a great role model for today’s youth. If she lives up to her testimony of clean living, then she should be encouraged, not made fun of.

But I guess misery loves company, right? I cannot imagine that a man like Simon is truly very happy. I hope he is, but I have a tendency to doubt it. And that would account for why he’d make fun of a sweet girl like that.

I hope she makes it, if not to the end, at least a long way on. And I hope American Idol doesn’t ruin her morals. I saw it happen, at least on the surface, last season with one of the contestants.

Now if I could only remember her name...

Do You Want Your Milk in the Bag?

2008-01-15T10:38:00.000-05:00

So here I am, posting late again today. But I am posting. And there's nothing earth shattering here. Never is, you say. But today's post is really trivial. So if you would, bear with me, 'cuz I'm going to rant about one of my more recent pet peeves.

I don't know if it's the same all over the United States, but since coming back from Brazil I've encountered a little irksome trend when I go grocery shopping. When the clerks would go to bag the stuff, they would ask if I wanted my gallon of milk in the bag. So usually I'd just say yes, please. No big deal. I mean, I didn't understand the question. Why would I NOT want my milk in a bag? But lately it's gotten worse. Now they don't even ask anymore. They just don't bother to bag the milk. Sometimes, depending on my mood, I just grin and bear it. Well, bear it, at least, without much of a grin. But with single digit temperatures outside right now, (we do the Snoopy Dance if we manage to get above 10 degrees, these days) I do NOT want to be holding on to the very cold handle of a plastic milk bottle. At these temps, gloves don't help a whole lot either. So what's the deal with this? Is it just that way in the liberal area where I live, or is this going on all over the country? And what's the reason behind it? I understood the "paper or plastic" deal. Paper is more environmentally friendly. But it's not like carrying my milk outside the bag is going to save the baby whales or whatever else we need to be worrying about (other than the unborn humans, of course, but that's a whole other issue). Even in warmer months, it's a whole lot easier when you get home to drag in the groceries when EVERYTHING (including milk) is in baggies with handles on them that you can hang over your arms, around you neck if necessary, and grab bunches in your hands.

Just so you don't think I don't care about the environment (if that's even the reason for not bagging the milk...I don't know...I suspect it's that the supermarkets have just gotten cheap and want to use fewer bags), we do our duty for recycling. Most things, anyway. We store all our plastic and glass bottles, and soda cans etc, and when we have enough trash accumulated, we take it to the recycling centers at the grocery stores. And although taking it isn't a big deal, storing trash in an apartment that was made for mice (meaning it's very small) is a big deal. At least for me, because staying organized is a constant struggle. But that, too, is a whole other issue.

All in all, I think I have a right to have my milk in a bag.

Anyone else have this annoying little problem?

Hampster Dance and Perseverence

2008-01-14T10:36:00.000-05:00

So rate me. How am I doing with this blog, now? Ok, ok, I know I forgot to post on Friday, and I'm late on this one. But I think I'm doing ok, don't you?

And now on to the post.

I know y'all are probably going to shake your heads and say, "where've YOU been?" but my family and I only recently discovered the Hampster Dance song. It was back in May sometime when a friend of my daughter's had it on a CD. We thought it was really cute. So we've listened to it, danced to it a few times, but I never gave it a whole lot of thought. Then one day I wanted to know who performed it, so I went to Google. Wow! What an interesting story behind this fun little...well, song, web site...the works.

If you're not familiar with the story, here's it in a nutshell. In August of 1998, an art student was having a competition with her sister and best friend to see who could get the most hits to their web sites. So in honor of her pet hampster, Hampton, this young lady put together a simple little web site with a bunch of hampsters, and I believe rabbits dancing to a clip that kept repeating. In March of 1999 she was still only getting maybe four hits a day. But something happened, and almost overnight she started getting up to 15,000 hits...A DAY! People started to send emails with the link to friends and family, posted it on blogs, and it was even featured in a television commercial. By 2005 it was named by CNET as the number one web fad.

I seriously doubt the young lady behind the fad ever dreamed it would grow so big, or that she would even get to sell the rights to her creation. But I'm sure those first eight or so months were a little frustrating, waiting to see if people would amble onto her site. I don't know if she won the original contest, don't know how long the friends were holding it. But what a testimony to patience and not giving up.

And this comes at a time in my life where I need to concentrate on that. As a writer, it takes patience and perseverence to keep going even when the rejections come. Even when the house is a mess but the story is calling. Even when the doubts ring so loud they're almost deafening. If the Hampster Dance gal had given up and removed her cute little site, it wouldn't have turned into anything.

So start this week thinking positively. If you've got a dream, any dream, don't give up on it.

Working on Rewrites

2008-01-10T09:25:00.000-05:00

Y'all are probablly tired of reading about my little writing saga, but I can't help myself. I'm excited about this and I can't shut up. lol. So here's what's next. I'm in the process of rewriting this story and making changes. In the original rejection letter, the editor told me that most readers of this particular line like to see romances develop between two single characters. My characters were already married, and it wasn't a "marriage of convenience" sort of plot. So the story wasn't exactly a traditional romance. I was trying more for women's fiction anyway, and focusing a little less on the romance. Funny thing is, when I originally started writing this story, my characters WERE unmarried. Now, romance writers, don't throw rotten tomatoes at me yet. Hear me out.

Romance has gotten a bad rap through the years. I've not yet come across a Romance Readers Anonymous, but I'm sure there are or at least were at some point many "closet romance readers." I think romance was seen as lesser quality fiction and not a serious read. But romance has changed, at least in the Christian publishing world. (Can't speak much for secular because I don't read a whole lot of secular romance.) Even the sweet, lighter reads have some kind of deeper message in them now. But I guess I was still thinking with the mentality of the past. I didn't want my writing to be labeled as fluff just because it had romance in it.

So I changed my characters' marital status and made them a newly-wed couple who was very much in love. The romance was there, but not in the same way. There was no longer the question of, will they ever get together, or why won't he just kiss her already! At the time, I felt strongly about this change, and in many ways, it strengthened the conflict for my female character. At least the non-romantic conflict.

But a funny thing happened. Actually, it wasn't so funny. I lost my passion for the story, and it became work just to write each new word. That should have told me something. I thought it was the story itself, but now I know differently.

I know there are folks out there that don't like to read romance. There are writers out there who don't really get their kicks out of writing it, either. I happen to be neither of those. :) I was watching a movie the other day, and right in the middle of it came this unexpected romance. The story was going in one direction, and then bam! A romance developed. The movie was interesting already, but I found myself even more drawn to it once that love story began to develop, and I couldn't stop watching until the romance was resolved. That finally told me what I needed to know. I need romance in my life! lol. Well, I don't mean in my personal life, because I get plenty of romance from my husband. But I do mean in my writing life.

So I let all of these thoughts stew for a few days, considered different directions in which to take the story. Then finally on Tuesday I started to work on the re-writing. It's amazing how the story sparked back to life when I put that romantic element back in. I've gotten the excitement back for writing it. I've got the same characters, the same setting, and even some of the same issues. But that romantic development has given me back the joy in working on this story.

The Bible tells us that "all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord." So maybe this process was all to make me understand my place in my writing, and find the joy in it again.

Book Contract III -- Conclusion

2008-01-09T10:22:00.000-05:00

Well, "conclusion" for now. Because I hope to truly conclude this story in the NEAR (I hope) future with a post titled, Got My Contract! :-)

So picking up from where I left off yesterday...Friday morning, January 4, I wrote back to the editor who had turned down my proposal. I asked if she would be willing to look at it again if I changed some of the issues that caused them to reject my book. I'm not naturally a very pushy person. Sometimes I wish I were, because pushy people seem to get things in life that we non-pushy people don't. So it took great courage for me to actually send that email.

I had a dentist appointment that morning. Figured that sitting in a dentist chair with someone else's hands in my mouth would take my mind off the fact that I'd actually been audacious enough to send that email to a big wig editor from a big wig Christian publisher. Well, the dentist appointment was only a cleaning and check up. (And I got a CLEAN bill of dental health, I'm pleased to announce.) Had lunch with my hubby, then I came home. Turned on the computer. Opened Outlook Express. And Voila! There was another email from the editor. To be perfectly honest, I thought she might not have answered so soon. She's been so sweet, was sweet in person, so I wasn't as trembly this time when I opened it. I knew it wouldn't be hate mail or anything like that. lol. I was also very anxious to read her answer, so I clicked on it right away and the first words I read were... "Hi Lianne." Of course those were the first words, you say. So the really important words, that came right after the greeting were... "Sure, I’d be happy to look at it again."

Yippee!!! I did the Snoopy Dance, break dance, hula dance...whatever dance you want to insert there...so not really. Just in my head. But I did get on the phone right away and call my mom.

Those weren't the only words the editor wrote. In fact, when I saw those blessed first words, then saw the length of the email, I got even more excited. It was a long email. Now, you have to understand, these folks are busy people. They have stacks and hoards of proposals and raw manuscripts junking up their desks. Or their inboxes, now with the innovation of email. In any case, they're busy people and they just don't have the time to be spending alot of it on new or wannabe writers like me. I'm sure alot of them would LOVE to have the time to help out new authors. But this kind lady did take the time to tell me some things that might help me with rewrites on this story. I'd post the whole email here, but I don't know if that would be a good idea, so I'll just give some hightlights.

Basically she said that making suggestions is a hard thing, that the story has to work as a whole. Then she said that my exotic setting (Brazil) would be a hard sell, because publishers usually like to try to stick with the tried and true. BUT...she said that with my personal experiences living in Brazil, that I was uniquely fit to write that setting, and encouraged me to keep it set there. Yey! Points for me. :) She went on to say that while they had my proposal, she'd asked another editor to look at it. Now, I'm just a wanna be writer here, I've never been an editor, I'm not sure of the whole process. But my logic tells me that if she showed it to another editor, then maybe it's because she thought it was pretty good. Yey! More points for me. **grin** Then she gave me two writing suggestions. Not plot, but writing. She said I did a pretty good job in the beginning with describing the setting, but to be careful not to make it sound like a travelogue. Funny thing. My good friend Judy had used that same word, and that same admonition. The other thing the editor said was that, having an underlying message is fine, but not to slap the reader in the face with it. Great points, advice taken.

So now I'm back to square one. Or maybe square two, because I do have a sort of "open invitation" to submit this again. I've made a contact that I didn't have before, with someone who is important in this business. And she's open to hearing from me again. :) So that's why I say I'm very encouraged by all of this. I have not heard beans from the other editor. I may have to get "pushy" and write to him to ask if he even got my proposal. Because with email, ya never know.

Have a great day, and come back tomorrow. I hope to have something posted. :)

Book Contract II -- Got My Answer

2008-01-08T23:14:00.000-05:00

So I had planned on posting yesterday's post on Friday last week. But Friday morning was quite busy and before I knew it, the day was almost over and I hadn't posted. But even had I posted, I would still have to admit to "cheating." If you've been keeping up with this blog, you'll know that I don't always have stuff to say. So to throw away such a great post (well, I liked it. I thought it was a great post.)was out of the question for me. Anyway, Thursday evening (January 3), late, I checked my email to find I'd gotten a response from one of the editors. My knees might have been knocking, only I was sitting down. Good thing, too! My fingers were sure trembling and I had to draw in a deep breath before opening the email. The whole family was around holding a collective breath. Click. "Hi Lianne," the email opens, "Thank you for the opportunity to read your proposal..." And about that time I freak out, though inwardly only because I need to maintain calm in front of the kids. I scan down quickly to see if there's a yes or a no. I find those life-changing words. Blah, blah, blah... "...so unfortunately we are not going to pursue..." Argh! So now I know it's a no and I go back to read the whole thing calmly. And as I'm reading, my spirits begin to rise again. Basically, the reason they rejected it is because, although the setting is unique, it started to sound just like other books this publisher has put out in the past dealing with this particular time period. The editor did take some time to tell me what she liked about my story, and made a few other suggestions as well. Then she went on to say that she wouldn't be surprised to see this story put out by another publisher somewhere, it just didn't fit HER line.

It's still a rejection, but I came out of this feeling positive. In fact, I felt so positive about it that I still have not felt depressed or down over it. IN FACT, the story isn't really over. lol. Friday morning after sleeping on this, I wrote back to this same editor. I thanked her for her "kind rejection". Then I got brave. I figured, I had nothing to lose, right? So I asked her if I made some changes, if she would be willing to look at it again.

And if you want to know the conclusion to this part of the story...hehe...well, you'll have to tune back in tomorrow and find out. :) Now...don't complain. Be happy for me that I have something to say for two days straight!

Have a great day, and a great week.

A Book Contract? I Wish!

2008-01-07T06:05:00.000-05:00

Or maybe I should say, I'm hoping. In September of 2007 I got to go to my first ever writer's conference. It was WONDERFUL. I never knew how cool it would be to sit around and chat writing with other wacky kindred spirits. I learned some good stuff, but even if I hadn't, just the fellowship with other authors was an amazing experience. I got to meet folks I'd only heard of for years, and others I'd struck up online friendships with, but had never actually met in person. So it was a great experience for me.

But the book contract, you ask. Hold your horses, I'm getting to it. It's not that big of news, but for me it is kind of exciting even if it doesn't pan out. In short, I had two major Christian publishers ask to see a proposal for my story. The first one was very unexpected. The way the ACFW conference is set up, they put published authors or agents or editors to host a table at meal times. You just choose who you want to sit with, and go to their table. Well, the first morning of the conference my roomie and I went down for breakfast right on time. Big mistake. HUGE! Because "on time" means late. Almost everyone had already gone in to eat. So the two of us sort of slunk in and grabbed the first two seats we could find. But wonder of wonders, even so we got to sit at the table of the head acquisitions editor of a major publisher. So we all got to talking (there were maybe 8 - 12 people at each table) and this editor guy asked each person to take a turn telling what they were working on. Came my turn and I spouted off my rehearsed little blurb about my story set in Brazil. Big wig editor nodded kindly, then, "Next!" No, not really. He was very polite. But he showed no interest whatsoever. And I basically shrugged it off since I still had an appointment set up to talk to an agent and the editor from the publisher of my choice. So I finished my breakfast and saw someone I wanted very much to meet. While I was talking to this lady, the editor from my breakfast table came up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder.

"I'm just wondering," he said, "If you'd be interested in submitting a proposal to us for your story."

And I'm standing there with shock written all over my face, I'm sure. And no, I didn't need a mirror to know that. I could feel it! So I'm sure big wig editor guy is rolling his eyes--inwardly, because he still has a very polite smile on his face--and thinking, boy is this one a newbie! When I finally managed to pick my bottom jaw up off the floor, I swallowed hard and nodded. Stammered a very unprofessional "S-s-sure!"

"Great," he says, and hands me his card and another quiet, polite smile.

The moment I got a chance, I ran to the bathroom and called my husband to let him know. Later that same day I had an appointment with an agent. He didn't ask to see my proposal, but he did give me some really good tips about pitching to an agent or editor. So the next day I had an appointment with the editor of my choice. She was so sweet, and my knees weren't knocking like they had been the day before when I gave my first pitch. She showed great interest in my story, and asked to see a proposal. Whoo-hoo!

Whoa! Two requests! Talk about getting your head out of the clouds. So now I had to get that baby ready to send. I've heard that alot of editors and even agents just tell anyone they meet with at conferences to send them a proposal because it's easier to send a rejection in writing than to say it to a person's face. Well, the agent I met with obviously didn't do that, thankfully. He simply didn't ask me to send him a proposal. The first editor came to me, and the second one seemed legitimately interested.

So I came home from the conference full of glee and really got to work on polishing the proposal. If you're not a writer, or you haven't submitted any of your writing yet, a proposal is basically a sample of your writing that you send an editor or agent to see if they want to read your full manuscript. It usually consists of the first three chapters of your book and a 3 to 5 page synopsis, where you tell all the major points of the story so they get an idea of your plot. If they like what they see in the proposal, then they'll ask to see the whole thing. And if they like the whole thing...well, hopefully it'll lead to them offering you a contract and then the best part, publishing that baby. It might not seem like a big deal. After all, the first three chapters were already written, right?? Y-yeah. That's right. That proposal has to really shine. I mean, really. So it'll stand out from all the other proposals these guys are getting every day. I went over my proposal until the story was coming out of my ears and I could barely stand to read another single word of it. But I got it done, and in early November I sent it off to both of the editors who requested to see it.

The End.

Ha! I hope not. But that's all the news I have so far. :) These things take a long time. I know that, and I'm trying to be patient. Well, there's nothing else I can do. lol. So now I sit and wait. And wait. And wait and wait and wait. And wait some more. But some day I'll get an answer, and I'm hoping that answer will be in 2008. And I'm hoping that answer will be a yes! Well, duh. Of course I hope for a yes. But if a no comes along, I'm still honored to have been asked by these two editors to see my work. I'm confident that I did my best. That's all I can do, and the rest is in God's hands.

So that's my little saga, and where I stand in my publishing journey. :) Sorry for the long post. But have you really known me to write anything other than long posts??? **grin**

Oh, and if you're a writer, check out the new link I added to my list of blogs. "My Book Therapy" is by prolific Christian author, Susan Warren. She's got great tips if you want to get your writing life organized. (Yes, Judy, I actually said [wrote] that word!)

What I Want for the New Year

2008-01-03T08:44:00.000-05:00

Actually, I don't want alot. But I know already that we're going to see alot of change coming our way. You'd think my family would be used to change, and in a way I guess we are. But being used to it doesn't mean you like it. And I'm ready for a change in the changes. In other words, I'm ready to settle down and grow some roots. We've been here and there for the past 17 years. I met and married my husband in the Washington, DC area. Moved to Dallas, Texas, a year later and spent 5 years there. My two daughters were born there. Then we moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina where DH pursued his master's degree. We spent 3 wonderful years there, and they were just too short. I've always wanted to get back there, but so far, God has had other plans. From there, we moved to Brazil for the next 7+ years. That might seem like a good chunk of time to stay in one place, and it was. But the "where to next?" cloud was always hanging over our heads. DH and I joke around that somewhere in our ancestry there must be gypsies, because we can't seem to stay put in one place for very long. After Brazil, we moved back to the US, to the Midwest. A first for us in that area, and I've come to love it. Yes, even with the sub-zero winter temperatures and lots of snow. (I'm loving the snow! Check out the picture at the bottom of the blog. I took it myself, and I'm very proud of it. lol) But in August our "lease" on the Midwest will be over. That will be two years spent here. My previously homeschooled kids started school here this year, and despite some glitches getting started, they've come to love their schools. Made friends. Started to put down some roots, I guess you could say. And it looks like we're going to have to rip up those roots again and move...but only God knows to where at this point. In a way, it's kind of adventurous to be able to pick just about any place to go to next. But I'm ready to be a little more permanent. Guess that's my age starting to show. :) So I'm hoping 2008 will bring me some semblance of "stability". Not that I believe in that word, not really, not in the society we live in, but you know what I mean. I want to at least have that illusion of stability. lol. Is that too much to ask?

The other thing I hope for is a book contract. Ah...yes, that's the biggie. And one I have no control over, so I leave it completely in God's very big, very capable hands. I'll tell y'all more about that in my next post. Now...no whining. I've got to keep SOMETHING on the menu for tomorrow. Remember, I've RESOLVED to be a better blogger this year. I need to have material to be able to keep writing. :)

Leave me a comment, and let me know what you're hoping for in this brand spaking new year of 2008. Maybe we can even pray together for our hopes and dreams.

Happy New Year, and Resolutions

2008-01-02T13:54:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! I made a resolution to start being more faithful to my blog. Yesterday didn't count, because it was still a holiday and the family was all at home. (Yeah, yeah, I hear you. Excuses, excuses!) But today I start fresh, and hope I can at least keep THIS resolution.

So I'm going to start by saying, don't pay any attention to my last post. The one where there's a commercial for Simpleology. I had to post that so I could get to the "free course" on blogging. Well, I did what I was supposed to do and I got sent to a page that was another commercial for the Simpleology group. Fine, no problem, I understand they need to market their goods. But when I went to a new page that said I had to sign up for something that I could try for 30 days free, well, I got nervous. I'll admit, I didn't go any farther than that, so I don't know if a credit card was actually involved. But I don't trust these "try it for free or get your money back" deals. It's often a run around to get your money back, so I don't even go there. Needless to say, I never did find/get to the free tips on blogging. I hope no one else had this experience because of me. If you did, I apologize.

Now, I'm not saying that those people are frauds. I don't know anything about them. I'm just saying that I didn't give them my trust based on my own past experiences, and because of that, I didn't even get to the article on blogging. But I'm going to take a chance on myself, and trust that I'll be able to do this on my own. :) So if you're reading this, take a moment and leave me a comment. A simple "I read it!" will suffice for now. lol. I just need that little encouragement so I know someone is actually reading my words.

Ok, enough wining. Tomorrow life goes back to "normal". (Translation: Kids go back to school.) So maybe tomorrow I'll have something really good to say.

Happy New Year, and may you be highly blessed by God as 2008 progresses. That's my prayer for all my friends (if you read my blog, that means you), and for myself as well.

New Year's Blogging Resolution

2007-12-28T11:22:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking. I know I need to get this blog going for real. So I've made a New Year's resolution a few days early to try to be more faithful to this blog. And how timely that I came across this from simpleology. I don't know yet what they'll teach me, but I can sure use some help. Anyway, here's a blurb about what they're offering:

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

The best blogging techniques.
How to get traffic to your blog.
How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

Middle School Contraception...HUH?

2007-10-18T12:33:00.000-04:00

I'm angry, so here I am to stew a little and let off some steam. My husband just sent me a link to an article on CNN about a Maine middle school that is now going to be passing out oral contraceptives to its students. Too many middle school pregnancies, they're complaining. The school's health center has been handing out condoms since 2000, but that didn't seem to help much. Well, duh!

Oh, and the best part. These kids can get this stuff without telling their parents. Wait, addendum: kids must have parental permission to even go to the health center. Yeah, but once in there, everything is confidential. So 11, 12, and 13 year old kids, who barely even know how to keep their own noses clean yet, are being allowed to make a decision about wether or not they should go on the pill??? What is wrong with these school officials??? Parents need to be informed.

Yeah, I know the reasoning behind this secrecy. Kids won't speak to their doctors etc., who are SUPPOSED to be responsible adults, if they fear that their parents will be told. It's poor reasoning. And adults who keep that kind of information from parents are irresponsible. I realize there are some parents who are also irresponsible, and would have really bad reactions. But maybe I'm just naive enough to believe that those kinds of parents are the minority. EVERY parent I know personally wants only the best for their children. And going on the pill before a girl even has a regular period is NOT the best.

I think our schools have begun to think too highly of their place in society. Yes, they are important. But when they think they have the right to keep important things from the parents of MINORS, they have gone way past the boundaries. And I include the medical profession as well.

Last week I took my 12 year old to have a physical so she could join the swim team at school. The doctor, when she went to do the more "personal" examination, asked my daughter if she wanted me to leave the room! AS IF! And she proceeded to say that, "next year we WILL kick her out, but this time you have a choice." Huh-uh. My daughter is MY responsibility, and I have a right to know what's going on in her life. I found it funny that the doctor asked if we had met DD's friends and their parents, because it was so important for us to know what kind of people she's hanging out with and yadda yadda yadda. I agree. 100%. But--er--ya think I shouldn't know if she's sexually active at that young an age?

It wasn't an issue for us...yet, because DD wanted me in there. Probably would have cried if I wasn't. She's not sexually active (Yes, I'm sure) either, and I will do everything in my power to keep her that way until she is on her own. And even then, I will hope and pray, mostly pray, she keeps herself until after she's married.

Is this just my religious bent? Well, yes, my beliefs do come into play here. But it's much more than just religion. Let's just pretend we can remove God and all the spiritual implications from this issue. What about my kid's health? Mental and physical. How good is it for a child still in development to be putting those kinds of drugs into her body? WITHOUT ME EVEN KNOWING IT??? The question is rhetorical. Or should be. And how responsible is it of officials--school or medical--to be aware that a CHILD is sexually active and running HIGH risks on multiple levels, and NOT tell the parents? What kind of damage would something like this do to my child's self esteem? Adults who engage in sexual activity outside of marriage often cannot handle it. Imagine a pre-teen or young teen.

This is just too much, and as you can see, it really makes my blood boil. It's wrong. Spiritually, morally, physically. It's irresponsible. It's unhealthy.

And then the schools and hospitals wonder why there are so many teen--and pre-teen, it would seem, pregnancies. Well, DUH! Their "solution" is to block out the parents. Keep them even more ignorant of what's going on in their teen's life. It's funny. Parents complain and plead for their teens to talk to them. But then the kids go off to school or the doctor, and it's reinforced to them to NOT talk to their parents. You know, I pity young people now days who are thinking of having children. If it's this bad now, what's it going to be like in another ten years or so? Especially if a certain female democrat gets into the presidency. (Woops. Did I say that out loud?) Oh, well...that's a whole other topic for discussion. But not here. I won't go there.

CNN link: story

Video of parent's reaction

P.S. I say bravo to the parents.

Monsters are People Too

2007-09-19T10:25:00.000-04:00

So woops! It's been weeks. I know, I know. I have not blogged in ages. I don't know if I'm even going to keep this blog thing going. It's just too much work! lol. So I'm lazy. Or then there's just alot going on in my life. Or maybe it's a little of both. But today I did have something to say, so here I am.

I was looking at some photos online that were taken at Auschwitz back during World War 2. These aren't the usual pictures, of tortured and emaciated prisoners. Nope. These were pictures of the people who worked at the camp. And what struck me so fiercely is how human they looked. People just like me, laughing, having fun, lazing around in the sun, playing with a pet dog, having a picnic, even singing in a choir and lighting the candles on a Christmas tree. And I thought, how could those monsters look so normal?

And then the words...just like me...ran through my mind again. People just like me. No, I never enslaved a particular group of people just because a madman who called himself my leader said they were evil. And no, I didn't work in a place that enslaved innocent people. But under the right circumstances, I could have.

Human nature has a great capacity for good things. On the same site was an article about a woman whose daughter wanted children, but found out she doesn't have a uterus. So the mother--er grandmother--is lending her uterus to her daughter. Having her twin grandbabies in her daughter's stead. Pretty amazing that a woman of that age would risk her life like that. And pretty amazing that medicine has evolved to that degree that it's even possible.

But human nature is also highly capable of incredible cruelty. Auschwitz. 'Nough said. As for this human, I cringe to think I might be capable of doing the things to other human beings that were done to the inmates at Auschwitz and other Nazi concentration camps. But I'm very aware--painfully so--that it's not any innate goodness in me that makes me feel that way. It's only by the grace of God, and His Spirit living in me that I am not like those people.

I don't have to go back too far to find in my own attitudes the same kind of hatred the Nazis felt for the Jews. It was a day that most remember, and probably will for the rest of their lives. September 11, 2001. Given the opportunity, I could have been a monster to those people who attacked the United States.

And the Winner is.....

2007-08-27T09:06:00.000-04:00

Drum Roll..............

Well, I don't know. *G* You'll have to go over to the Long and Short Reviews site to find out. And there's a new contest going on now, so hurry on over and check it out. :)

Thanks, y'all, for participating.

A Contest for You

2007-08-26T11:00:00.000-04:00

A contests! What fun! Ok, so I've used up my quota of exclamation marks for the decade. Don't sue me, but do go check out the pre-Grand Opening contest for the new Long and Short Reviews site at The Long and Short Reviews Contest Page. This really is an offer you can't refuse. If you like free books, that is. I won't hold you up here, so just go to The Long and Short Reviews contest page and check it out. Oh, this is a sticky note, btw, so if you are reading this on any day other than Monday, August 13, 2007, you'll have to scroll down for any more recent posts I might have up here. :)

Surviving

2007-08-21T16:18:00.000-04:00

Well, we survived the first two days of school. I wasn't so sure Monday morning. I put my two "babies" on their respective busses and walked home from the bus stop feeling very empty. Then I walked into the house. And IT was very empty. I had a glimpse into what empty nesters go through, I guess, with the exception that I knew the kids would be home in the afternoon. But I made it, and so did the girls. Day two was just a little easier to let them go when the bus came. I got alot done around the house, and didn't have any lights left on in the bedrooms to be turning off every five minutes. *g* Hey, I might just get to the point where I enjoy this new phase of my life. And once the girls find their place and make friends, I know they'll be glad they aren't having to put up with Mom teaching them any more. :) I don't regret a single day of homeschooling, but I suppose it was time to let them go.

Thanks to all of you who have left comments. You guys are great!

So have a great day, and a great second half of the week.

Thank you!

2007-08-16T22:32:00.001-04:00

**Note: This should have been posted on Friday, August 17, 2007. I'm a day and a half late, but here goes...

Hey folks. Thanks for stopping by, and thanks to all you wonderful people who took time to comment. Made my day. Several times in a row. :)

So it looks like we've survived this week. Well, the week's not done yet, but it's almost. Still have some last minute school stuff to take care of. Daughter number 2 has everything but a gym t-shirt and a back pack. Daughter number 1 needs those, plus a bus schedule! School starts on Monday, and we still don't have her bus schedule. How utterly trying. Plus, DH goes out of town today for two weeks. **sigh** I'll miss him. That means, of course, that anything that goes wrong the first week of school I'll have to deal with alone. (But that's not the reason I'm sighing and complaining that I'll miss him. I'll just miss HIM.) So the five am wake-ups will probably begin all over again.

On a positive note, we made it to both parent orientation nights. Left one early and made it a little late to the other, but all in all, pretty painless. AND...we got both girls to their orientations on time. Or almost. Dropped DD 1 off early and rushed across town in the rain to drop DD2 off for hers. She was a little late, but being our drama queen and lover of the lime light, I don't think she minded walking in a little late. So that part is over, and we can pretend to relax until Monday morning. Then the rat race begins in earnest. **G**

So have a great weekend, everyone. And if you haven't already, be sure to check out the LASReviews contest. (See sticky note post above.)

I'm a Swan!

2007-08-15T09:51:00.001-04:00

So does that mean I was an ugly duckling?? ::giggle:: I know I felt like one often enough growing up.

I don't do these things often, but I really like birds so I thought I'd try it. I first saw this on Marianne's blog. (By the way, head on over to her site and check out the cool contest she's running to win one of her books.)

So here's what the bird quiz said about me:

Your Power Bird is a Swan

You are a truly graceful and gorgeous creature.
You easily see beauty in yourself and others.
Intuitive and in touch, you can often guess what the future will bring.
And you're flexible enough to accept the changes that life has in store for you.

What's Your Power Bird?

I think I can live with that. Don't know that it's particularly true, but I still like it. :)

Have a great day.

Chauffeur Mom

2007-08-13T14:16:00.000-04:00

We survived the second registration yesterday. Woo-hoo! But I'm not sure how the rest of the year is going to go. School hasn't even started yet, and already they've got me running ragged! Two kids, two different schools, two different school districts. Well, not quite. But that's a different story altogether. So that means two different parent orientations. On the same night. At the same time. On opposite sides of town. Two separate kid orientations. On the same day. At the same time. On opposite sides of town. Two parents, granted, but only one car.

The girls want to try sports, and choir, and drama, and...Hold it! I'm only one, and I may soon be getting a job. How will I do it all? And I thought homeschooling them was hard. Different challenges, of course, (and all of them worth the effort) but at least I didn't have to be in two different places at the same time. I may turn in to supermom yet. :)

Registration--Take Two

2007-08-13T14:05:00.000-04:00

So I posted yesterday. Twice! ::g:: Which means you know I survived Friday's registration. We get to go through it again today with my second child. Friday's went so well--we all survived, and we still have all our limbs--that I think I'm at peace. I guess if we get through this one, we'll be set. At least for a year. And next year it should be a piece of cake. Live and learn, huh? I guess I can sleep past 5 AM the rest of the week. Until Monday, Agust 20. First day of school. (gulp) Then the early morning jitters will start all over again.

My WIP

2007-08-13T13:37:00.000-04:00

So I garnered a comment from a new person the other day. Yippee! I'm pretty new to blogging, and every new person who comments makes me do the Snoopy Dance. Hey, it even inspires me to try to do more posts. (hint, hint! Please comment if you've read my blog and liked it.) One commenter (the single comment on my post on the feelings of futility in writing) asked what I'm writing. So I thought I'd go ahead and give a little blurb here. Tentative title: The Face in the Mirror. It's historical women's fiction (which only means the main character is a woman, but men are certainly more than welcome to read the book...WHEN it's published). It is set in 1867, during the period of Reconstruction after the American Civil War. But to put a new twist on an old story, I decided to send my pioneering American characters...not to the western wilderness of the United States of America, but to the untamed wilderness of southern Brazil.

Fact: At the end of the Civil War in 1865, Dom Pedro, the emperor of Brazil, offered to sell land cheap to American Southerners wanting to escape the evils of Reconstruction. He wanted Brazil to become a world leader in cotton exportation, a commodity in much demand at the time because of the war. American technology for farming cotton was the most modern of that time, and he figured he could take advantage of that. The accounts vary, but there might have been up to 9,000 Southerners who took the emperor up on his offer. After all, here was a country free of Yankees, where slavery was still legal, and the land was cheap and fertile.

And that's the setting I've dropped my characters into. The main theme is conformity to Christ (hence the title), which for my MC (main character) only comes about because of the extreme trials she goes through in her new land.

So that's it in a nutshell. I hope to some day (maybe even soon!) post here that the story has been accepted and will soon be out in book form. :) When that day comes, you can be sure I'll be doing the Snoopy Dance EVERYWHERE. Next month I'm going to the ACFW conference in Dallas where I'm hoping to pitch the idea for this story to some lucky editor from some lucky publisher. hahaha. Yeah, right. Like THEY'll be the lucky ones. Guess I got that a little backward.

Registration Day

2007-08-10T11:58:00.000-04:00

Does that not sound like the title of a horror novel or movie? No? Ah, well maybe you're a veteran at this thing. Today is registration day for my 9th grader, and I woke up at 5 am and couldn't go back to sleep because of it. What's the big deal, you're probably asking. See, we've been homeschooling up til now and this will be the first in many years that she's gone to regular school. Did it for a year in 2nd grade, but for some reason, it wasn't as scary for me when she was that age. Now I'm sending my first baby off to high school! **gasp!** So this next year will be full of new things for all of us. I'm trusting it'll be a good year, but that trust doesn't keep the knots from forming in my gut. Ah...the joys of having teens. :)

Hello Kitty as a Crime Stopper?

2007-08-07T21:34:00.000-04:00

Ok, so not exactly a crime stopper, but a tardy policeman stopper, maybe. Here, take a look at this article from the New York Times: To Punish Thai Police...

So if you don't want to actually read the article (at least go and take a look at the picture) or then if you can't access it, in brief, the Thai police might soon be required to wear a pink Hello Kitty armband if they commit some minor infraction such as arriving late to work or parking in the wrong place. It's a cute armband, if I must say so myself, and my twelve year old would love it. But I guess it's not so cute for a macho policeman to have to wear around. Hey, it might actually be a good idea. A non-violent form of punishment? Or maybe not. The ridicule the officers would likely receive might lead to violence. We'll just have to wait and see how it works out.

Dulaman

2007-08-03T20:15:00.000-04:00

I don't have anything important to say today. I've got a nasty allergy attack going on. You know, the runny nose, watery eyes...ugh! As you can see, the brain isn't in very good working order today. So I'll just leave you with a video of one of my current favorite Celtic Woman songs. Enjoy. :)

Futility

2007-08-02T11:52:00.000-04:00

Gah! This blogging thing is hard. Or then I'm simply the world's worst blogger. I feel very strongly about things, and every day I get an idea for something to blog about. But when I open up the new post page, my mind draws a blank. Some writer I am, huh? lol.

So all that aside, I do have something to say today, and I even remember what it is. :) As you might know if you've been reading any of my posts, or if you know me personally, I am a writer. I've had one book published, but it seems the muse left me after that. Well, not really. Life got in the way and I got lazy. But now I'm back to taking writing seriously. I cannot cry the woes of most writers, of having lots of rejections plastering my walls. You've got to send out proposals to get rejections! I have three stories that are almost finished and that I would love to try to pitch to some publisher out there. I want to finish all of them, but I feel this block when it comes to trying to finish any one of them, and no inspiration at all. So while I was moping about today, this thought flitted across my mind.

What's the use of this anyway? It all seems so futile. What will my silly little stories matter? Especially, I thought, the fact that I write historicals. What importance does a fictional story that took place in the past hold for today? It's all futile, I thought. It serves no purpose whatsoever. Entertainment, sure. But there are plenty of folks out there providing entertainment. Why should I beat my head against the wall to be just one more? I thought of chucking it all to the wind. But then a miracle happened.

Ok, so maybe it wasn't exactly a miracle, but it was kinda cool. Another thought, not my own, but one whispered in my mind's ear by One even greater than any mythological muse, came to me.

"Is my Book, filled with stories of heroes and villains from the past, futile?"

Wow! Talk about your slap in the face, wake up call. Ya can't get more "past" than the book of Genesis. So now I am no closer to finishing my stories, or even to getting them in the hands of a publisher than I was before I started to pout. Then again, maybe I am. For now I have been given a word of hope from the One who first put in my heart the need to create stories. He doesn't promise me that I'll ever see another book published with my name on it. But He did let me know quite clearly that writing fiction that honors Him is in no way futile. Now that's a Father's care. :)

I Can Relate

2007-07-20T12:19:00.001-04:00

Last week, my family followed the horror story of the plane crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The media here has forgotten it, of course, but in Brazil they are still playing it up.

My heart goes out to all of those people who lost loved ones in this accident. The incident strikes close to home, for me, in many ways. I grew up in Sao Paulo, and in fact lived practically next door to that very airport for awhile. Every time the planes took off or came in, they would cause interference with our TV. I flew in and out of that airport many times with my parents. Picked up friends and family at that airport.

Then my husband tells the story of one of the victims. Heart wrenching as all of these stories would be, this one really got to me. The interview was done with a father, 41 years old (DH just turned 41 on the 18th) who lost his 14 year old daughter on that plane. (Our oldest daughter is 14.) An over protective father (like my DH), he finally consented to letting the girl take this trip on her own. While she was waiting to get on the plane, she called him on his cell phone and said something to the effect of, "Daddy, thank you so much for letting me do this. I love you so much and I'll never forget it." Or something like that.

Those were the last words he would ever hear from her mouth. And I broke into tears immediately, because I pictured the girl with my daughter's face, and the dad with my husband's face. He is one of those "overprotective" dads and he would have had a very hard time letting his 14 year old fly anywhere on her own. I couldn't help but think of that poor man and the remorse he must be feeling right about now. If only he'd held out just a little longer...

But we can't spend our life thinking what if, can we?

I pray that God will bring grace and comfort to all of those grieving at this time. And to the family of the pilot who was, at least at first, taking most of the heat for the accident.

Real Life or Entertainment?

2007-07-19T09:46:00.000-04:00

Yesterday my husband brought home a newspaper article that he wanted me to read. I just looked it up and, yippee! The article is online as well. Click here. So if you haven't read the article yet, maybe you'd like to do so first. Or maybe not. Either way, I have a few things to say about this article in the Daily Iowan, written by Mr. Paul Sorenson.

While I do agree with him that, speaking of youngsters, it's "hard to list all the crap they consume these days..." I cannot completely agree with him in his attack on Disney. I've seen alot of Disney movies where I've rolled my eyes, shaken my head and cried, "Why???" Ok, melodrama aside, I have been pleased with some of what I've been seeing on Disney. Hey, each person has a right to his own opinion, and I understand what Mr. Sorenson is saying. But I think he has missed one vital point. Entertainment. We live in a world where kids deal with harsh reality every day. But for half an hour at least, young people can get away from that and enjoy a good, clean show that will make them laugh a little.

See, I'm looking at this from the side of the entertainer. I write fiction. There's this terrible (IMHO) trend these days, that says fiction has to be true to life. You know, tragedy and sad endings, because that's how life is. We read books and say, "Oh come on, that would never happen." Well duh! It's fiction! Entertainment is meant to be, well, entertaining. And entertainment should serve as a coffee break, a little recess to take us away from the realities we deal with all the time.

Should entertainment teach lessons? Well, sure. It should. Even fairy tales had morals to them, but who really wants to be preached at in their entertainment? I'm not suggesting that Mr. Sorenson is advocating such a thing, but I do maintain that I think he missed the whole point of entertainment.

Writer's Woes

2007-07-17T22:05:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been working fast and furious on a WIP (work in progress) and suddenly you lost your inspiration? Or then maybe you just lost your enthusiam for it?

That happened to me recently. Getting words on the page was like pulling teeth. I was happy if I got 200 words written. Then suddenly, in one single afternoon, I got over 6000 words done. I was thrilled. You know, doing the Snoopy Dance and all that. So the next day, I sat down at my computer. Cracked my knuckles over the keyboard. Rolled my shoulders. Sat back in my chair. Placed my fingers on the keyboard...

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

I forced it. Got maybe 250 words written, hoping the creativity would start to flow. But it didn't, and I finally gave up and read a book instead.

So I have no answers, only questions. If you're a writer, has this ever happened to you? Do you know how to get out of this floundering in a pool of unenthusiasm? I've heard "just write." It didn't work for me. Maybe I didn't try hard enough? Tips and advice welcome. :)

I've Been Tagged

2007-07-17T21:27:00.000-04:00

So I've been tagged. :) What fun! I know this post should have gone up last Friday, or even Monday. Well, yesterday...um...and then today my computer's electrical cord bit the dust. So I'm only now getting to it.

I'm supposed to list eight fabulous things about my husband and me. Ok, so here goes.

1. We're both July babies. His birthday is 12 days after mine. Same year. (So for 12 days he tortures me because I'm so much OLDER.)

2. He plays the piano. I sing. We do well together. :)

3. We may be from the same month and year, but we are like day and night. Even out tastes in some things (like music, for example) are directly opposite to each other. But it doesn't bring about much conflict. It's like the saying, opposites attract. That's us. :)

4. We were both born in Brazil, making us both Brazilian citizens, but we are both American citizens as well.

5. I'm a natural born American, because my parents are both American. DH is a naturalized American.

6. We have been happily married for 17 years.

7. We were married on April 7, the day after my parents' wedding anniversary.

8. We both believe we have gypsie blood in our veins. We have moved around alot, and it seems to suite us fine. As we age, that will probably change, but the thrill of a new place still fills us with excitement.

So there you have it. I'm not sure how "Fabulous" those 8 things are, but they are interesting little tidbits about us. :)

Books That Grab

2007-07-12T21:02:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd switch gears today and discuss something that I originally intended this blog for. Books and writing.

I've been reading a series that has gripped me so thoroughly, that even though I'm into the third book and I'm hating it, I can't stop reading. I LOVED the first two books, but this one--it--I--grr! I was so angry the other day because of the things that happened in the book, that my family asked ME what was wrong. I guess it showed. :)

Without going in to why I was angry--I'm not here to do a review of this particular book--I wanted to explore another thought, one more meaningful to me as an author. Yes, I said up above that I'm hating the book. I really am. I don't at all like what is happening to the characters, but I'm still reading. I couldn't fall asleep the other night, I was so angry, and kept telling myself, it's just a book, for crying out loud! But my extreme anger tells me something else. Any book that would evoke that kind of passion in a reader must have something to it. So I asked myself why I got so angry. Well, because I didn't want those things to happen to the characters. Why? They're just fictional characters. It's not like they're me, or my friends and family.

Well hold on. I do feel like I know these people, and I am as defensive about them as I would be of a best friend or even of myself. Aha! So there's the key. I care about the characters. I know fiction has to have conflict. Conflict is great and moves the story forward and keeps readers turning pages. But the stuff in this book hurt! I mean, really hurt. And that can only mean that the author did a really good job in creating these characters and making them real for me. Otherwise, I wouldn't care.

So tell me, what kinds of books grab you, and why?

Movie Review -- Ratatouille

2007-07-09T11:52:00.000-04:00

On the 4th of July holiday, my husband and I took our kids to see Ratatouille. What a perfectly good way to spend our money and our time. The movie is a must see. My husband doesn't usually like cartoons, and he was a little skeptical about going to see this one. But we ALL enjoyed it and hope that when it comes out on DVD that we'll be able to purchase it. It really is a keeper.

The graphics are good, and the storyline is cute. I won't go into alot of explaining about the story line for I'm sure most people have seen the trailers for it. But it's about a rat who has a talent for cooking, who ends up in Paris with a young man who wants to cook but has no talent whatsoever. Together, they make quite a pair, finding success, but also getting into alot of trouble along the way.

The one thing that really stood out for me was the rat's attitude toward humans. One of my complaints about alot of recent movies, especially movies made for children, is the fact they put down humans. The conservationists with their messages of the noble animals vs. the evil humans. That kind of thing that sends confusing messages to kids. I won't go on about this here, (you can read my review of Happy Feet on my MySpace blog if you like...see link below) because that's not the purpose of this post. But I really was pleased with the rat's high opinion of humans. He is warned away from the human world by his dad, who tries to tell him how things are. A good dad, for he's only looking out for the welfare of his son. But the rat sees something special in humans. They are always exploring, creating, discovering new things. And he wants to be a part of that.

That was a refreshingly new approach to the animal vs man portrayals in movies. And that's the kind of thing that kids need to see. They need to have their good qualities reinforced a whole lot more than being hit over the head with "Humans are bad" messages. I think when a child is brought up to be proud of who he is, he will become a much more well balanced adult who will also be more able to see his faults and try to work to be better. Now don't get me wrong. There is always room for pointing out what needs to be corrected. The key is balance.

All in all, I recommend this movie as good, wholesome fun for the whole family. Adults and children, alike, will very likely enjoy it.

_________

Link to Lianne's Myspace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=84035422

Go to the View all blog entries then scroll down to Happy Feet. It's older, from April 3, 2007.

Your Parents are Married?

2007-07-04T23:35:00.000-04:00

A couple days ago my kids were telling my husband and me about some neighbor children they were playing basketball with. They were asking all the usual questions...and then some not so usual ones. These two neighbor kids live with their mother, who lives with her boyfriend who is not the kid's father. So ok, that's not at all uncommon in this day and age. Sad, but it's actually pretty common. What really freaked me out was the question these two kids asked my girls.

"So your parents are married?"

My kids automatically and emphatically nodded and said "Uh-huh!"

But then I really freaked out at the reaction to that answer. The other two children looked at each other, their features creased with surprise, and said, "That's really weird."

HUH? What is weird about a family where Mom and Dad are married?

So I asked my kids, "Did you tell them that your parents are married, and have been for over 17 years? And that they were both (gasp) VIRGINS (gasp) when they got married?"

My husband gave a humorless chuckle and said, "We wouldn't want to kill those poor kids with that kind of a scare, now would we?"

So what is wrong with this picture? It's bad enough that I must conceed that it's very common to have broken homes, to have a mom living with a man who is neither her husband nor the father of her kids. But when children find it odd that someone's parents actually ARE married? That's just too sad for words.

We are worried about the sanctity of marriage because gays want to be legally married. Well, that's another sad statement, when those who cannot marry are fighting for the right, and those who have nothing hindering them from tying the knot, fight not to. And fight to get out of it when they have taken that step. We've got it all wrong. (Before anyone thinks I'm supporting gay marriage, I'm not. I believe in the Bible's view of marriage--between one man and one woman. It was just a comparison.)

I get so irritated at the way marriage is viewed in our society. Of course, I blame the media (ooo...my favorite villain to pick on! **grin**) for its negative portrayal of marriage. But I don't blame the media alone. Hollywood only keeps spitting out what it thinks America wants to see.

Maybe we should tell those pudding heads that we're tired of their liberal agenda that's brainwashing our children so they can't seem to know what's up and what's down. What's good and what's bad. Ah well...I do miss Mayberry.

America the Buytiful

2007-07-04T23:18:00.000-04:00

So happy Fourth of July. :) We had a nice enough day. But I couldn't help but feel a little sad at what I saw on this Independence Day. For the past eight Fourths I was living in a foreign country. There were no fireworks. Everything was open as usual. No families in the park cooking hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. Just an ordinary day. I woke with a bit of excitement today, thinking of this my first Fourth back in the USA.

I am reminded of a song by Rascal Flatts called Mayberry. Maybe you know it. It's one of my favorites. "I miss Mayberry..." it says. And one line in particular, "Where Sunday was a day of rest. Now it's one more day for progress." Well, today was a Wednesday, not a Sunday, but I had the same feeling. Oh sure. The post office was closed. The library. Certain other places that would otherwise be open. But the mall was in full gear as were other places of commerce. What a disappointment. Used to be the Fourth of July was sacred. And it wasn't that long ago.

So what's happened to American patriotism? It's one of the things that used to make me so proud to be an American. That bond that united me with people I didn't even know. We were all Americans, and proud of it.

Yeah, ok, I realize that just because someone opens their store on Independence Day doesn't mean they aren't patriotic. But for me, it just doesn't feel right. We're so caught up in buying and selling. Making money. Acquiring things. I guess this post goes hand in hand with yesterday's, because we're just too busy. How much will it hurt business to close down for one day to honor our great country? I'm not a business owner, so maybe I'm asking that because I'm naive. But I think it's a sad commentary on our society when we are that bogged down by work that we aren't willing to give up one day of our time to spend with family and friends. And let employees be outside in the middle of summer, enjoying some freedom! Isn't that what the Fourth is about? Freedom?

I say we aren't free. Not as long as we are bound to our new sovereign, King Dollar.

Stop and Smell the–er–Take the Pictures

2007-07-03T23:14:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago we took a little trip to Kentucky. A rushed trip, because we rented a car and had to have it back at a certain time or pay an extra day. We passed through some beautiful country, worthy of being photographed. I even had the camera, just no time to stop. As each would-be photograph zoomed by outside my window, I couldn’t help but think of all the missed opportunities.

Life is a lot like that. We get so caught up in our busy lives and don’t make time to stop and take advantage of opportunities. They may be seemingly small, such as keeping our mouths shut to maintain peace. Or then to speak up for a good cause. Or maybe it’s the opportunity to help someone out, even if just with an encouraging word or a friendly smile. Then there are the big opportunities. Like taking time with family and friends to have a little wholesome fun. We never know how long we have on this earth. Or going that extra mile that could win a promotion at work. Most people, myself included, probably don’t even see the things we’ve missed along the way. And maybe that’s best, for how miserable would we be if we were aware? Yet maybe not, for if we knew, then we might pay closer attention for the next one that comes our way.

Are you rushing through life? Slow down and take a few pictures. Don’t miss the opportunities that would make your life more meaningful.

Addendum

2006-04-27T10:46:00.000-04:00

This will be quick...not a regular entry. But on the same topic of sex and violence in stories...I want to make one thing very clear. If anyone is coming here from the fan fiction site...if I read your story and took time to comment on it, then there was nothing that offended me. You know who you are! :)

Sex, Violence, and Good Story Crafting

2006-04-26T08:43:00.000-04:00

I got an interesting review at the end of my story, Flashback. The reviewer had several nice things to say, but the one thing that really stuck out was that she liked the fact it wasn’t at all smutty. I really liked reading that particular compliment, because it told me my story was able to stand on its own two feet. I didn’t need to add cheap sexual scenes to keep a reader interested. And that brings me to the point of this particular entry.

I am of the opinion that good writing does not need graphic sex, gratuitous violence, or even curses every other word. In fact, I’m offended when a good story has that stuff thrown in there, "just because." A truly good story does not need sex and violence "just because" to keep it going. If it needs that stuff to be interesting, then the story isn’t very good. I believe a simple kiss, if written right and at the right moment, can be more romantic, or even more sensual than graphic descriptions of body parts (which often become boringly cliche) and sexual acts. More important is keeping the "sexual tension" between the two characters by NOT letting them get together. Bring them close to a kiss, then cause an intrusion of some type. Or if they do kiss well before the end of the story, then make something happen that will pull them apart, at least emotionally, so that the next time they do kiss, it’s still an "ah...finally" moment.

If the plot of a story depends on either a sexual or violent act, then it is a different case. In such instances, the act can be alluded to rather than shown, or then shown with a minimum of descriptions. I firmly believe a sexual act can be simply alluded to, whereas violence might need to be shown, but without alot of gore. In my one published novel, I had a rape scene, and I think it was very effective without going into alot of detail. I concentrated on the fear of the character before anything happened, and then the thoughts and feelings after it was over.

Our society, particularly the media, has cheapened the sexual act so much that it’s no longer about love. It has become a purely animal instinct and a way for cheap thrills. And the violence...I don't think I need to even comment much.

I won’t write that, to begin with, because of my Bible-based moral convictions. But even if I could put those convictions aside, I would still not write that kind of nonsense, purely for story crafting reasons. If what I write is not holding the reader’s interest without graphic sex and overt violence, then my story crafting needs help. And writing is all about the story.

Note: Comments are welcome. If you choose to disagree with anything written here, that's fine. That is your right. I have freely expressed my opinion on the subject, and you are welcome to do so as well. I only ask that you be nice about how you answer.

Why is Jason hot?

2006-04-13T22:18:00.000-04:00

A little off the topic of writing, but sort of still on the topic, all you readers of mine from the fanfiction site, tell me please, what is it about Jason Isaacs, especially as Colonel Tavington, that you love so much? From what I can tell, most of you young ladies are, well, young. Teens, or not far out of your teens. Mr. Isaacs is old enough to be father to most of you. (He’s only three years older than I.) So what is it about him? I’d really like to know. But please...let’s keep the responses rated PG. :)

Joy in writing

2006-04-11T14:59:00.000-04:00

My story, Flashback, is coming along nicely. Quite nicely. Too nicely, in fact. It’s frustrating, how nicely. Why frustrating? Well, see, I have two other stories I’m working on, hopefully to submit for publication. With fan fiction, you can’t expect to ever get published. It’s just for fun, and I guess practice in the art of writing. That’s how I look at it. But as a serious writer, this has frustrated me. I have written 18 chapters, about 40,000 words in just 14 short days. I’ve averaged about a chapter a day, with a couple of days doing two. So why can’t my "real" writing go so fast? And so easily?

I’m drawing this conclusion from the experience: Writing should be fun, even when it’s serious writing. I’ve found that this story has been flowing because it’s NOT my serious writing. I always try to do my best, of course, but since this is just for fun I’m not bogging myself down with all those annoying rules. Can’t use was. Can’t jump out of POV. Can’t use adverbs (why the heck not? Are they not parts of the English language? ...sigh...). Can’t...can’t...can’t...

Those rules are necessary. Don’t for a minute think I’m bashing the rules. I know they have to be established to ensure quality writing. But at the creative stage of the process, those rules can really stifle. The fact that I’m doing this story for the fun of it, knowing it will never be seen by a real publisher (I hope!), has freed me to just write. And write. If this were a real novel, I’d be finished in a month or less, then I’d be able to go back and polish...and cut...and rework the plot if need be. But at least the main story would be finished. For me, it’s a lot easier to rework a story, tweak the wording, worry about POV purity...etc...once the creative part is over.

This has been a valuable lesson. I didn't think it was true of me, but I suppose I'm not much different from other writer friends of mine who can't turn off the internal editor even during the creative process. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just press a button and start off in create mode, then press again when finished, and automatically move into edit mode? Ah...well.

I have rediscovered the joy of writing. It’s been fun. It’s been fast. And I’m getting great reviews! Too bad those folks on the fanfiction site aren’t editors at, say, Tyndale or Bethany, or...

Have a great day.

Hooks, Numbers and Readers

2006-04-09T18:00:00.000-04:00

Readers are a curious lot. Grabbing them is one thing, then holding on to them is quite another. I’ve been pondering the meaning of some numbers. Since I’ve been writing my FanFiction story, Flashback, I’ve been having a lot of fun, interacting with readers and it’s been a good experience. Today, I decided to check out the stats. I have a handful of folks who have been reviewing, but I know there are "lurkers" just like on email lists. You know, those folks who read but don’t comment. I figured there were probably more hits to my story than there were actual reviews. And of course, I was right. When I saw the number of hits, 1880, I almost did the Snoopy Dance. But then, my glee was dampened. The first chapter got a total 594 hits. Yowser! Pretty cool, huh? Am I good or what? So the title and my one line blurb drew them in. (Or maybe they were just interested in reading another Patriot fanfic. Whatever. I thought my one liner was pretty lame, actually.) But this is where it gets sad. Chapter two. 126 hits. Wha?? That’s less than half. I mean, that’s quite a drop. Chapter three lost another three readers, down to 123. The numbers have fluctuated since then, dropping to 96, going back up to 104...Steady for a bit, then steadily dropping until at chapter 16 I have only 29 hits. Hm. So what does this say to me?

1. I wrote a pretty darn awful first chapter.

Come on, now. It wasn’t that bad. Had to introduce the character and give the reader a glimpse into what she was like. 594 to 126. But there is just no fighting with those numbers...the facts. Out of 594 people, only 126 returned for the second chapter. I guess I need to get those hooks out and start sharpening them a little more.

2. It's the weekend and everyone is out having fun. Next week the numbers will go up on those last chapters.

Um...that would be nice. But we can't deal in "what ifs". So what do I have to suppose here? Looking at it through very critical, writerly eyes, I'd say I might have had one of those sagging middles. Time for a tummy-tuck! If this were a regular novel, then I'd have to go back and see what's the problem. Maybe those intervening chapters are too slow, or too boring. So I've upped the tension in chapter 16, turned up the burner on the romance part (on low heat, of course) and hopefully some of those readers who have fallen by the wayside will come running back. Then again, maybe it's too late. Maybe I've lost them forever. <>

So...tell me, if you are a writer, what are your techniques for hooking readers in the first chapter...and keeping them reading? If you're a reader, what keeps you reading?

Wanna go check out my Fan Fiction story, Flashback, based on the movie, The Patriot? You can find it here: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2865546/1/

Have a great day!

LBL

Hello

2006-03-27T18:42:00.000-05:00

Hey! Welcome to my blog. This is my first real post, so please, go easy on me or I might not post again. I'll figure out something, but for now, how about checking out the blog of my dear friend, Judy? Lots of fun stuff on there.

http://jhthomas.blogspot.com/

Til next time!