Thursday, November 26, 2009
THE FAMILIAR STRANGER Signing Near Portland, OR
Monday, November 23, 2009
In the Good Times and Bad
God is ever faithful.
Though there have been huge "bad" things in my life over the last year, I'd still characterize my life as mostly "good" over that same time period. And there is only one reason why: God's presence in my life.
Another hard thing has been tossed my way. Not directly on my nuclear family, but attached to someone whom I love and am close to, so it hurts my heart.
I'm standing in the eye of the storm. All around me swirls a world of hurt and pain and lies straight from hell. This tornado has sucked up person after person that I love, and I see them spinning around and around. But I sit in the calm and safety of the eye. With nothing I can do except pray that they find their own place of comfort and rest. A spot where no matter what tough things hit them, they know the Lord will provide the strength and solace to get through them.
If you are a person who talks to Jesus, please pray for the latest crisis hitting a loved one. Thank you!
But there are good times as well. I have blog after blog written in my head about all the wonderful things that I've enjoyed lately, but I think I'll let pictures speak for themselves. (I worked full-time hours last week and will be subbing today as well, so the blogs have stayed in my head instead of making their way to this tiny part of cyberspace.)
Though there have been huge "bad" things in my life over the last year, I'd still characterize my life as mostly "good" over that same time period. And there is only one reason why: God's presence in my life.
Another hard thing has been tossed my way. Not directly on my nuclear family, but attached to someone whom I love and am close to, so it hurts my heart.
I'm standing in the eye of the storm. All around me swirls a world of hurt and pain and lies straight from hell. This tornado has sucked up person after person that I love, and I see them spinning around and around. But I sit in the calm and safety of the eye. With nothing I can do except pray that they find their own place of comfort and rest. A spot where no matter what tough things hit them, they know the Lord will provide the strength and solace to get through them.
If you are a person who talks to Jesus, please pray for the latest crisis hitting a loved one. Thank you!
But there are good times as well. I have blog after blog written in my head about all the wonderful things that I've enjoyed lately, but I think I'll let pictures speak for themselves. (I worked full-time hours last week and will be subbing today as well, so the blogs have stayed in my head instead of making their way to this tiny part of cyberspace.)
A wild housewarming/birthday party where not only did Andrea get whipcreamed ...
But Joshua did too!
Mom and I spoke at True Vine in McMinnville about being thankful for hard things
That night, the Redeemed Writers Critique Group went up to Woodlands, WA to eat ...
And watch our talent Kristen Johnson in Steel Magnolias
Holding my adorable nephew, Johnathan
and celebrating my niece's 15th birthday. Cassie, my girl, you a precious gift and are loved exactly as you are!
Today's activity: five families over after church for a BBQ and Wii games, including action shots of bowling
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Mommy-Daughter Date
I'm working almost full time this week, but Andrea has been asking for a mother-daughter date for months. Seriously. No exaggeration. I've had good intentions, but with fitting all of the rest of life in, I haven't had the time or opportunity to take JUST her to do something fun.
After work today, Josh went to his BFF's house and "Angel" was already home with mom, so I decided to do a spur-of-the-moment date with Andrea.
Without telling her.
At the very first turn after school, when I went the opposite direction we do to go home, I expected her to ask where we were going. Nope. Maybe when we pass through the next town? Nope. Surely when we get on the freeway? Nope.
I could have driven to her grandparents' house in Hermiston and I don't think she would have noticed!
As she's jabbering away about her day--hurt knee, who had a cell phone now, Kenz's dad squishing her at lunch--she mentions that she really wants to go on a date with me. "Please, Mom, can't we do it soon?"
"I guess." Didn't even crack a smile.
"Maybe we can bring Angel with us."
"No, I don't think she'll come."
Finally, as we were within five minutes of reaching our destination, I informed her she was ON a date with me. Giggles galore!
That bargain hunter helped me find four dresses to buy off the clearance rack with my Kohl's cash from Safeway and my birthday gift card from Brooke. One of them is a fancy little number that seems made for me. You know the one, ladies? Where you don't have to buy any amazing, yet seemingly invisible, accoutrements to make your body be where it should be?
Loved the IHOP kids-eat-free deal so we could stuff our faces with pancakes and eggs and bacon and sausage, then drown it all with hot chocolate.
In the spirit of the upcoming turkey day, I say I'm thankful for yummy food, good dress designers, ... and an amazing afternoon with my girl.
After work today, Josh went to his BFF's house and "Angel" was already home with mom, so I decided to do a spur-of-the-moment date with Andrea.
Without telling her.
At the very first turn after school, when I went the opposite direction we do to go home, I expected her to ask where we were going. Nope. Maybe when we pass through the next town? Nope. Surely when we get on the freeway? Nope.
I could have driven to her grandparents' house in Hermiston and I don't think she would have noticed!
As she's jabbering away about her day--hurt knee, who had a cell phone now, Kenz's dad squishing her at lunch--she mentions that she really wants to go on a date with me. "Please, Mom, can't we do it soon?"
"I guess." Didn't even crack a smile.
"Maybe we can bring Angel with us."
"No, I don't think she'll come."
Finally, as we were within five minutes of reaching our destination, I informed her she was ON a date with me. Giggles galore!
That bargain hunter helped me find four dresses to buy off the clearance rack with my Kohl's cash from Safeway and my birthday gift card from Brooke. One of them is a fancy little number that seems made for me. You know the one, ladies? Where you don't have to buy any amazing, yet seemingly invisible, accoutrements to make your body be where it should be?
Loved the IHOP kids-eat-free deal so we could stuff our faces with pancakes and eggs and bacon and sausage, then drown it all with hot chocolate.
In the spirit of the upcoming turkey day, I say I'm thankful for yummy food, good dress designers, ... and an amazing afternoon with my girl.
Friday, November 13, 2009
I Don't Wanna Wake Up, I'm a Snooze-R-Us Kid
The crazy school schedule of this week has thrown us for a loop: Monday = full day, Tuesday = half day, Wednesday = no school, Thursday = half day, and Friday = no school.
Waking the littlest one for preschool on Wednesday morning was not an easy job. She didn't wake up to my voice like usual. I snuggled her a bit, whispered that it was time to get up, and turned on the light.
Still asleep.
I scooped her up, blankie and all and put her on the (carpeted) bathroom floor.
Still asleep.
A few minutes later, I took her blankie away.
Still asleep.
I undressed her.
Still asleep, curled up on the floor.
I put her in the (warm) shower and she finally opened her eyes.
When she got out, all fresh and clean, she said, "My legs are all bendy from night-night." :)
Waking the littlest one for preschool on Wednesday morning was not an easy job. She didn't wake up to my voice like usual. I snuggled her a bit, whispered that it was time to get up, and turned on the light.
Still asleep.
I scooped her up, blankie and all and put her on the (carpeted) bathroom floor.
Still asleep.
A few minutes later, I took her blankie away.
Still asleep.
I undressed her.
Still asleep, curled up on the floor.
I put her in the (warm) shower and she finally opened her eyes.
When she got out, all fresh and clean, she said, "My legs are all bendy from night-night." :)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
And How Quickly I Fall!
Back into undisciplined posting, that is. Sixty out of sixty-one days on the tour, I believe, and then three posts since?
I'm pitiful!
Lately I'm behind because of subbing (wood shop, PE, and band were the latest), doing tons of paperwork for a financial thing, virtual paper work for my divine new agent, and beating myself up for not getting more editing done on a fantastic story a client sent me. Oh, and I also need to use my random number generator and "select" the last ten winners of the blog contest ...
But I am loving life. Settling into singleness more and more every day. Finding more joy in my children's hugs. Savoring the thoughts of "Angel's" adoption becoming more of a reality. Protecting my sleep and exercise time to stay healthy. Getting excited about my next writing project and the privilege of working with THE Wendy Lawton. Smiling every time I catch my "bang"ed reflection in a mirror. Enjoying the Bible studies and divorce classes I've been attending, and the books I've been reading. Bursting with pride that my mama has already written half of her NaNoWriMo total in only ELEVEN days!
This is the most balanced my life has been since the divorce, praise God.
Hmm ... Monday morning I was walking around the elementary school and a teacher was showing me where to find some supplies when suddenly ... my cell phone rang, waking me from the dream of subbing to offer me a real sub job. So there's still something seriously wrong with me! ;)
I'm pitiful!
Lately I'm behind because of subbing (wood shop, PE, and band were the latest), doing tons of paperwork for a financial thing, virtual paper work for my divine new agent, and beating myself up for not getting more editing done on a fantastic story a client sent me. Oh, and I also need to use my random number generator and "select" the last ten winners of the blog contest ...
But I am loving life. Settling into singleness more and more every day. Finding more joy in my children's hugs. Savoring the thoughts of "Angel's" adoption becoming more of a reality. Protecting my sleep and exercise time to stay healthy. Getting excited about my next writing project and the privilege of working with THE Wendy Lawton. Smiling every time I catch my "bang"ed reflection in a mirror. Enjoying the Bible studies and divorce classes I've been attending, and the books I've been reading. Bursting with pride that my mama has already written half of her NaNoWriMo total in only ELEVEN days!
This is the most balanced my life has been since the divorce, praise God.
Hmm ... Monday morning I was walking around the elementary school and a teacher was showing me where to find some supplies when suddenly ... my cell phone rang, waking me from the dream of subbing to offer me a real sub job. So there's still something seriously wrong with me! ;)
Friday, November 06, 2009
A Very Egotisical Post
I did something today ... something spur of the moment. Totally out of character. Haven't done it for at least fourteen years.
In the midst of a usual trim, all of a sudden I mentioned my desire to have bangs. And you know what that stylist did? She cut them!
My friend Nikki has a theory that having bangs takes TEN years off. Truthfully, this worries me a bit. I already looked--or so I've been told--a little younger than I am. And, as I've mentioned before, I now use my Wii fit age of 28 when anyone asks how old I am. ;) But ten more years off? I would like to ultimately attract a mature man, so I don't want to look like a kid.
So people, how old do I look? Pretend you know nothing about me and you see one of these pictures. In which age range do you place me?
When I picked up the kids, they all stared and got bigger and bigger grins on their faces. My children have NEVER seen me with bangs. Such a little change, but it makes me look like a different person!
I had been resisting making any big changes after the divorce, because I didn't want them to be reactive instead of proactive. But I'm glad I did this. I think. :) Let me know which of these is your favorite. (It will probably end up as my profile on facebook.)
Or if you think I should grow them out, tell me that too!
In the midst of a usual trim, all of a sudden I mentioned my desire to have bangs. And you know what that stylist did? She cut them!
My friend Nikki has a theory that having bangs takes TEN years off. Truthfully, this worries me a bit. I already looked--or so I've been told--a little younger than I am. And, as I've mentioned before, I now use my Wii fit age of 28 when anyone asks how old I am. ;) But ten more years off? I would like to ultimately attract a mature man, so I don't want to look like a kid.
So people, how old do I look? Pretend you know nothing about me and you see one of these pictures. In which age range do you place me?
When I picked up the kids, they all stared and got bigger and bigger grins on their faces. My children have NEVER seen me with bangs. Such a little change, but it makes me look like a different person!
What do you call a stylist who cuts bangs for woman after woman?
(My own joke)
A gang-banger!
I had been resisting making any big changes after the divorce, because I didn't want them to be reactive instead of proactive. But I'm glad I did this. I think. :) Let me know which of these is your favorite. (It will probably end up as my profile on facebook.)
Or if you think I should grow them out, tell me that too!
Fiddler in the Hallway
I've been on a musical kick with the kids lately. The latest LONG movie we conquered over three short viewings due to school nights was Fiddler on the Roof.
It's a very dark musical, both clothing and setting-wise, but also story-wise by the end. However, the kids "got" the humor. To see Joshua and Andrea do the "If I Were a Rich Man" dance is to laugh and laugh. All four of us did it in my grandparents' house after Divorce Care tonight.
Last weekend, Josh was up before I was and I could hear him in the kitchen getting his breakfast and singing, "Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match! Find me a find; catch me a catch!" I've got to admit, considering recent developments in my life, matchmaking sounds like a pretty good way to go.
There are just so many good songs in that movie! And Topol, the original star, is touring with Broadway Across America. Maybe we could make it to the Seattle show next year ...
But in this house, we like to bring the experience to life ourselves. For the last few nights, the kids have gone to sleep to live music from Fiddler on the Roof, performed by Fiddler in the Hallway.
It's a very dark musical, both clothing and setting-wise, but also story-wise by the end. However, the kids "got" the humor. To see Joshua and Andrea do the "If I Were a Rich Man" dance is to laugh and laugh. All four of us did it in my grandparents' house after Divorce Care tonight.
Last weekend, Josh was up before I was and I could hear him in the kitchen getting his breakfast and singing, "Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match! Find me a find; catch me a catch!" I've got to admit, considering recent developments in my life, matchmaking sounds like a pretty good way to go.
There are just so many good songs in that movie! And Topol, the original star, is touring with Broadway Across America. Maybe we could make it to the Seattle show next year ...
But in this house, we like to bring the experience to life ourselves. For the last few nights, the kids have gone to sleep to live music from Fiddler on the Roof, performed by Fiddler in the Hallway.
Dad, you're the best grandpa ever!
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Pleased to Announce ...
Mom and I have both found representation with Books & Such's Wendy Lawton!
this is how we "dressed up" for the formal evening that year. We decided to go country chic. Notice our faux fur dogs at our neck, the classy bath gloves, and fortunately for you, you're spared the footwear. (Since we'd heard boots were a MUST HAVE of the season, we wore our rubber, scooping-out-the-muck boots. It was the best evening! Truly, we put on accents and howdied everyone we saw, including Wendy, I'm sure.
Anyhoo, you can't say she doesn't know exactly what she's taking on!
All joking aside--and you all know how hard that is for me--signing with Wendy is an enormous blessing. She has just the right blend of mother/marketing maven/toughness and I can't wait to see where our partnership takes us.
Here's pretty much your last chance to win a copy of The Familiar Stranger on the blog tour. Miriam, my crit buddy and treasured friend, did an interview on Story Journey. I gave two totally NEW Top Five lists in the post, so check it out and leave a comment.
Also, one of Wendy's first requests was for me to start tweeting, so find me on this Twitter page!
Here we are with her in 2006. We may look pretty normal in this photo, but ...
this is how we "dressed up" for the formal evening that year. We decided to go country chic. Notice our faux fur dogs at our neck, the classy bath gloves, and fortunately for you, you're spared the footwear. (Since we'd heard boots were a MUST HAVE of the season, we wore our rubber, scooping-out-the-muck boots. It was the best evening! Truly, we put on accents and howdied everyone we saw, including Wendy, I'm sure.
Anyhoo, you can't say she doesn't know exactly what she's taking on!
All joking aside--and you all know how hard that is for me--signing with Wendy is an enormous blessing. She has just the right blend of mother/marketing maven/toughness and I can't wait to see where our partnership takes us.
Here's pretty much your last chance to win a copy of The Familiar Stranger on the blog tour. Miriam, my crit buddy and treasured friend, did an interview on Story Journey. I gave two totally NEW Top Five lists in the post, so check it out and leave a comment.
Also, one of Wendy's first requests was for me to start tweeting, so find me on this Twitter page!
Monday, November 02, 2009
The Finalish Stop for the Blog Tour
How's that for a definitive title? The amazing Camy Tang posts an excerpt of The Familiar Stranger on Camy's Loft. There are some interesting comments already ... and a hopefully interesting response from me.
I know I've talked frequently about how much I love my critique group, The Redeemed Writers. Here's a post from member Miriam Cheney that gives a great run down on us all. You might find some new blogs to follow!
My friends (though only known online), Johnathan and Dana McCall are in Tanzania with Wycliffe. They recently celebrated the a Scripture dedication in a rural village. Seven books of the Bible were presented to the people: Ruth, Jonah, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Mark. Look at these pictures and think about this: never before had they been able to read the Bible in their own language, Vwanji!
AWESOME!
I know I've talked frequently about how much I love my critique group, The Redeemed Writers. Here's a post from member Miriam Cheney that gives a great run down on us all. You might find some new blogs to follow!
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