This past weekend I had the great honor of being invited to Books in Bloom, a book signing event at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. What a wonderful time, and wonderful people! The weather didn't cooperate, but it really didn't matter. We sat on the veranda, under shelter, and with plenty of coffee to keep us going.
My husband and I really NEEDED this weekend to get away. We've planned it for months, booking a room at the Crescent, preparing the kids for our departure. And booking a room at the Crescent.
The Crescent Hotel. Yes, I'm easily spooked. It isn't really that I believe in ghosts. But I do have an wild imagination and I am afraid of my own shadow. I didn't read up on any of the Crescent Hotel ghost stories. Instead we went bravely, even laughing when our bellhop, John, made this comment, "Oh, room 218. Wow, they put you in the haunted room."
We laughed and happily checked into ROOM 218!! ewwwww, scary.
Saturday evening we snickered as we followed the ghost tours. Yes, they give tours. They stopped outside our door and discussed the construction worker that died, the crazy doctor who did research on patients, and on and on.
And then inspiration hit. We hurried into our room, laughing and plotting. I tossed a towel over my head, joking that I would run into the hall and scare the ghost hunters. When I opened the door, still joking, Doug pushed me into the hall and in the path of a couple of wayward ghost hunters. I yelled boo. They were less than amused.
That evening we had fun sitting on our veranda making ghostly noises.
And then we went to bed. After a full evening of MOCKING THE GHOST. Now, if I was a ghost and I'd been mocked all night by a couple singing the theme song from Ghost Busters, I'd be thinking of ways to get back at the non-believers.
At 3:30 am, I woke up. What was that noise? Oh, the TV. AND THEN, wait, the curtains are moving. Why are the curtains moving? Back and forth, back and forth. I kept watch, one eye cracked open. (because everyone knows that you can't be attacked if your head is covered up or your eyes closed)Back and forth, back and forth went the curtains. Shouldn't the ghost's arm get tired?
Oh, never mind, it was the air conditioner blowing the curtains.
I have to admit, I made my husband leave the bathroom light on.
Perhaps I'm just not a ghost magnet, but I can happily say that nothing appeared the night we stayed in room 218.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
THE COWBOY'S SWEETHEART
My August Love Inspired. And I LOVE this cover! This is definitely my favorite so far. I kind of like the story, too. Andie Forester is twin to my March heroine, Alyson.(The Cowboy's Courtship)
Ryder Johnson, her hero, has been her best friend forever. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens! Oh, and make sure you read The Cowboy's Courtship so you don't miss anything.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Contentment
Isn't it true that we often learn lessons from unexpected sources?
Every other Sunday evening we have church at the nursing home where my dad is a resident. The service has grown and as it grows we find ourselves growing.
This ministry is dear to our hearts and so are the residents who attend.
I won't use names, but I want to thank one of those residents( should he happen to read this). For the last couple of months he has joined us and ministered with his musical gifts. He's an amazing soul and God is really using him. He's blooming where God planted him!
We would like to believe that God always plants us in the best possible place. Wouldn't it be wonderful if that were the case? But we're not always going to be planted in the perfect spot, with perfect conditions. Take a look outside. There are flowers growing in soil that is so poor, you wonder how they can thrive. Dandelions are a great example. They grow in cracked sidewalks, they pop up in a gravel driveway, they sprout in soil that is mostly clay. I'm sure the dandelion would love to be a petunia, planted in a flowerbed, nurtured, watered, tended. Instead they sprout up and do their job. They're called weeds. They're sprayed with herbicide, pulled from flower gardens, tossed aside.
But they bloom where they're planted.
They're determined, sunny little flowers with a great purpose. They have more vitamin A than broccoli and when they turn to seed they attract birds to our back yard. They cover bare areas where grass can't grow.
Last night a sweet resident made a comment about being where God wants him to be and being content until God takes him home. He explained that God has given him this good home and he is thankful. This man has peace that truly surpasses all understanding. God put that peace in his heart and an acceptance of his circumstances that is hard to understand. Before our service he saw that I had a lot to carry and thought it might be heavy and that maybe he could help. During our service he got up to ask the young woman cleaning the dining area if he could help her. After the service he told me about his prayer life and how he always talks to God before he goes to bed. And he never has a hard time sleeping. He sweetly asked me if I could show him his room, because he couldn't remember where it was.
But he doesn't forget to be pray and be thankful.
Bloom where you're planted, even if it isn't where you want to be. Find God's purpose for putting you there AND BLOOM.
Every other Sunday evening we have church at the nursing home where my dad is a resident. The service has grown and as it grows we find ourselves growing.
This ministry is dear to our hearts and so are the residents who attend.
I won't use names, but I want to thank one of those residents( should he happen to read this). For the last couple of months he has joined us and ministered with his musical gifts. He's an amazing soul and God is really using him. He's blooming where God planted him!
We would like to believe that God always plants us in the best possible place. Wouldn't it be wonderful if that were the case? But we're not always going to be planted in the perfect spot, with perfect conditions. Take a look outside. There are flowers growing in soil that is so poor, you wonder how they can thrive. Dandelions are a great example. They grow in cracked sidewalks, they pop up in a gravel driveway, they sprout in soil that is mostly clay. I'm sure the dandelion would love to be a petunia, planted in a flowerbed, nurtured, watered, tended. Instead they sprout up and do their job. They're called weeds. They're sprayed with herbicide, pulled from flower gardens, tossed aside.
But they bloom where they're planted.
They're determined, sunny little flowers with a great purpose. They have more vitamin A than broccoli and when they turn to seed they attract birds to our back yard. They cover bare areas where grass can't grow.
Last night a sweet resident made a comment about being where God wants him to be and being content until God takes him home. He explained that God has given him this good home and he is thankful. This man has peace that truly surpasses all understanding. God put that peace in his heart and an acceptance of his circumstances that is hard to understand. Before our service he saw that I had a lot to carry and thought it might be heavy and that maybe he could help. During our service he got up to ask the young woman cleaning the dining area if he could help her. After the service he told me about his prayer life and how he always talks to God before he goes to bed. And he never has a hard time sleeping. He sweetly asked me if I could show him his room, because he couldn't remember where it was.
But he doesn't forget to be pray and be thankful.
Bloom where you're planted, even if it isn't where you want to be. Find God's purpose for putting you there AND BLOOM.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Alien Abduction Day
I was so bummed when I realized that I missed Alien Abduction Day. Yes, March 20th was not only the first day of spring, it was also Alien Abduction day.
I didn't get the tree put up or the lights hung! I didn't buy gifts.
But since it has already come and gone, I guess we'll just shoot for abduction next year.
After all, I wasn't really ready to travel.
I have a list of reasons why this wouldn't have been a good time for a trip (in case you're an alien and you're reading this).
First of all, I didn't have a thing to take with me. What kind of clothes does a girl need in space. Is the weather warm or cold? Flip flops or hiking boots? Both?
Second language barriers. I would at least like to brush up on my alienese.
I don't have a passport.
I like to vacation where there's a beach.
Last, but not least: I really do not like things stuck up my nose, in my ears or placed beneath my skin. You never know what kind of harmful effects you'll suffer later in life. I'd hate to see a class action lawsuit brought against aliens because they didn't know that their micro chips might someday cause burning skin, dry mouth, bladder control issues or insomnia.
All in all, it was a good day NOT to get abducted by aliens.
I didn't get the tree put up or the lights hung! I didn't buy gifts.
But since it has already come and gone, I guess we'll just shoot for abduction next year.
After all, I wasn't really ready to travel.
I have a list of reasons why this wouldn't have been a good time for a trip (in case you're an alien and you're reading this).
First of all, I didn't have a thing to take with me. What kind of clothes does a girl need in space. Is the weather warm or cold? Flip flops or hiking boots? Both?
Second language barriers. I would at least like to brush up on my alienese.
I don't have a passport.
I like to vacation where there's a beach.
Last, but not least: I really do not like things stuck up my nose, in my ears or placed beneath my skin. You never know what kind of harmful effects you'll suffer later in life. I'd hate to see a class action lawsuit brought against aliens because they didn't know that their micro chips might someday cause burning skin, dry mouth, bladder control issues or insomnia.
All in all, it was a good day NOT to get abducted by aliens.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
How to Lose Weight
Disclaimer, this is not a standard, recognized weight loss program.
Never ever weigh yourself on a standard scale. If you do, make sure you turn the little dial so that it is negative a few pounds. Yes, start out with the scale below zero. There's nothing like positive reinforcement!
If you use the Wii to weigh yourself, make sure you count your clothing!
This is a conversation I had with my son, who caught me 'dieting.'
The wii asked, "how much do your clothes weigh."
I think that question is subjective so I clicked the four pound option with confidence. And yes, I know that shorts and a T-shirt don't weigh four pounds.
Dear Son says, "Your clothes don't weigh four pounds."
Me to son, "Yeah, but I just had two cups of coffee, yogurt and a glass of water."
Dear Son, "That doesn't count."
Me, "It does count. It makes me weigh more."
The great news, I've lost 8 pounds on the Brenda Diet Program!
Never ever weigh yourself on a standard scale. If you do, make sure you turn the little dial so that it is negative a few pounds. Yes, start out with the scale below zero. There's nothing like positive reinforcement!
If you use the Wii to weigh yourself, make sure you count your clothing!
This is a conversation I had with my son, who caught me 'dieting.'
The wii asked, "how much do your clothes weigh."
I think that question is subjective so I clicked the four pound option with confidence. And yes, I know that shorts and a T-shirt don't weigh four pounds.
Dear Son says, "Your clothes don't weigh four pounds."
Me to son, "Yeah, but I just had two cups of coffee, yogurt and a glass of water."
Dear Son, "That doesn't count."
Me, "It does count. It makes me weigh more."
The great news, I've lost 8 pounds on the Brenda Diet Program!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Utopia
A magic world where laundry is caught up, and never needs to be washed again. A place where children scrape their own plates and put them in the dishwasher, rather than at the opposite end of the counter from the sink. A world where girls actually wear the clothes they try on, rather than take them off and toss them in the hamper.
Utopia, a place where men toss clothes in the laundry basket, not on the floor next to it.
Utopia (sigh).
But now, back to reality. Dishes. Laundry. Whose stuff is this on the table?
Utopia, a place where men toss clothes in the laundry basket, not on the floor next to it.
Utopia (sigh).
But now, back to reality. Dishes. Laundry. Whose stuff is this on the table?
Monday, February 1, 2010
What's Next
There are a few questions that I get asked about being published, my schedule and how I do it all. All meaning, writing, kids, house, church...
The truth is, I don't do it all. I prioritize by putting off what doesn't have to be done. Writing has to be done. Family, of course is a priority. Church is a priority. Housework is NOT a priority. That means dust bunnies run rampant; if we aren't wearing it-it doesn't get washed; if you run out of dishes-wash one.
As for what happens next in the writing world, here's how it works:
I recently finished a manuscript that will come out in November 2011. I also finished a proposal for my January 2011 cowboy romance. Last Thursday I got the approval on the proposal (three chapters and synopsis) which means time to start writing. Friday I got word that the November book was good to go and line edits will follow.
So for now I'll be working on the new cowboy story: The Cowboy's Family. The deadline for finishing is April.
Of course I'll fit some priorities into my schedule: drinking coffee, talking on the phone and shopping!
The truth is, I don't do it all. I prioritize by putting off what doesn't have to be done. Writing has to be done. Family, of course is a priority. Church is a priority. Housework is NOT a priority. That means dust bunnies run rampant; if we aren't wearing it-it doesn't get washed; if you run out of dishes-wash one.
As for what happens next in the writing world, here's how it works:
I recently finished a manuscript that will come out in November 2011. I also finished a proposal for my January 2011 cowboy romance. Last Thursday I got the approval on the proposal (three chapters and synopsis) which means time to start writing. Friday I got word that the November book was good to go and line edits will follow.
So for now I'll be working on the new cowboy story: The Cowboy's Family. The deadline for finishing is April.
Of course I'll fit some priorities into my schedule: drinking coffee, talking on the phone and shopping!
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