I'd rather live in a book!

I know many people read to escape real life and I have to admit, I often do. It's so much easier to deal with someone elses problems in a book than it is to deal with the problems that seem to bombard us day after day and living with 4 teenagers and trying to run a business there is never a lack of stress or issues to deal with.

Lately it seems that I try to find uplifting books, ones that are empowering, make me feel stronger so I can deal with all the junk life is throwing at me these days. Books like Jane Porter's 'She's Gone Country' or 'Mrs. Perfect' are great examples. Jane knows how to weave a story around life's ups and downs and make them managable and wonderful and valuable in spite of how hard they are. It's a beautiful thing when an author can do that.

So this week I picked up a book by an author I've never read, Jane Feather, and thus far I'm captivated by the heroine's gumption, how she sacrifices so much to solve a problem in her life yet comes out so strong in the end. Do I do that in real life? I'm not sure, I guess because I'm so caught up in the problems that it's hard to tell how I'm dealing with it until it's over and by that time I don't want to look back because I'm getting ready for the next blow, so to speak. I guess I should pay more attention to what I'm learning through life's issues so I'll know better how to deal with them next time...not to mention how to better write about them in my own books.

Do you read to escape? What are your favorite types of escape stories when life is really stressing you out?

And just in case you're interested, the Jane Feather book I spoke of is called, "Rushed To The Altar"

Today I'm in the Amazon Rainforest...

Have you ever read a book that you really, really enjoyed then years later tried to recall the title/author of that book and been unable to do so? Back when I was in middle school and struggling to, more or less, teach myself to read, I picked up a book in the public library. It was a big thick book and with a little bit of fear I checked it out, determined to read it cover to cover.

And I did it. I devoured all 360 pages of that book in less than two weeks. That might not seem like much of a feat but considering that I was- as a 8th grader- reading at about a 2nd grade level, it was quite an accomplishment for me. I read that book and I loved it. It was one of the first books that I truely enjoyed and it opened up for me a love for books and words and reading. My reading level improved very quickly after that.

Because I enjoyed this book so much, I wanted my daughters to read it but I, for the life of me, couldn't remember the name or author of the book. I searched Ebay, Amazon.com, public library sites, and finally I mentioned to someone that I was trying to remember this book and they blurted out the title and author! I was sooo excited. I went on Ebay and found a few copies but they were going for quite a bit more than I was willing to pay for a book- up around $40/copy. Ouch! So I went to www.paperbackswap.com and put the book on my wishlist. Last week I was notified that the book was just listed and did I want it?

OF COURSE I wanted it! It arrived today in near perfect condition and I'm settling in for a good read of an old favorite.

And in case anyone is interested the book is called Savage Journey by Allan W. Eckert. It was published in 1979 and it's about a 13 year old girl who travels to the jungle with her archaeologist father. Her father dies in a freak accident and the girl is forced to find her way back to civilization on her own. Powerful imagery, a wonderful, frightening, bittersweet adventure.

So, with that said, what book(s) have made an unforgetable impact on your life?

Another New Year

It's another new year, another new decade even. But more than that it's another new day. Every single day is another new day. While I realize that new days are far more common than new years, I believe that if we treat each one as a gift, we'll be far happier and get way more done. My resolution for this year is to cherish each day as it comes, to pack as much living into every 24 hour period as I can, to make as many wonderful memories with my kids as possible so that when they've moved away and I'm left alone with just my husband, I can look back on these days and know that I lived them fully. So that when my kids tell their own kids about their childhood, they can remember it fondly, they can tell their children that their parents were good parents who invested in their childhood and created joy and learning and memories.

So many New Year's Resolutions are forgotten by week 2- or sooner- but I can't afford to forget this one. My children are teenagers and I know they won't be living in my home, under my roof, for a whole lot longer. It seems like yesterday they were tiny babies, then they were starting kindergarden, and now I have one in college, two in high school and one in middle school. Where has the time gone? If the last 19 years has gone by this quickly, the next 5 will be gone in a blink and I'll have an empty nest.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are times (usually when I'm washing 8 loads of laundry a day or picking up some discarded project or another) when I think I can't wait for my nest to be empty and tidy finally. But then I have to wonder, how will I deal with the quiet all the time? What will I do with those hours I now spend cleaning and doing laundry? Will I end up being one of those annoying old ladies my kids will hate having around because I'm bored and demanding to be included in their everyday lives? Gosh I hope not. I will have to find things to entertain myself with but in the meantime, while my children are still here and I have loads of laundry to do and clutter to pick up, I resolve to enjoy it and try so very hard not to take these final years with my kids for granted.

What are your resolutions this year?

Moving & Writing & Missing Files

Hello everyone! Many of you already know this but I'm making it public and official- my family packed up and moved across country this summer! We left Whidbey Island, Washington and bought our very first house in Western Kentucky. I'm so relieved to finally have that bit of drama behind us. What a trip...maybe someday I'll write about it but for now it's best left in the dredges of my memory.

Writing is picking up. I'm gearing up for NaNoWriMo which starts on November 1. 50,000 words in 30 days. I've been taking notes and brainstorming on the story I'm going to work on.

I've been working on a book the last few weeks, working out some kinks and getting the storyline back on track. I went to work on it yesterday and the file is gone. The main file it was in is still there along with the synopsis, pictures, notes, etc...but the writing is gone and I don't know what happened to it. I know I saved it because I've been working on it for weeks.

Thankfully I printed it out and have a hard copy of it but retyping it all in is going to be a pain in the rear.

Anyway, I'm reading "What Happens In London" right now- another Julia Quinn masterpiece. She is quickly working her way up in ranks of my favorite authors. Up there with Jane Porter, Francine Rivers, and Karen Kingsbury.

We'll start painting our house here soon, the interior. Everything is white right now and now that I actually own the place I'm going to use COLOR!! The kitchen is going to be 2 different shades of orange that I think will look amazing with the white washed cabinets. That's where I'm starting first. I'll post some before and after pics when I'm finished.

Walkin' In A Winter Wonderland

Hello Everyone! I'm sorry for not updating as often as I should and I have no excuse for why I haven't. I'm posting some pictures that I took around my house just this morning. We had 4 inches of snow on the ground yesterday and during the night...we got another 5-6 inches. Needless to say the kids are having a blast.

Here's the hill my children sled down all day long. It starts in our front yard and goes beside the house, down into the trees in the backyard. They'd stay out there all day long if I'd let them but they have to come in and warm up occasionally.

They were supposed to go to school last week but they made it to Tuesday and the schools were closed because of the weather. We've never had this much snow here and temps down in the single digets...that's unheard of here. I woke up in the early morning a couple of days ago and it was 1 degree.

Here's our house from the road. As much as I hate the snow- which those of you who know me well know that I really hate the snow- I can admit that it's pretty. I especially like the way the trees look.

And speaking of trees, I love how the snow looks on this bush. It just does neat things with the branches.

For those of you who want to know how the writing is going...it's going very slowly right now. My muse doesn't appear to like the cold and the word factory has shut down. I sit and stare at the last sentence I wrote and at the end of an hour it's still the last sentence I wrote. Sheesh! I think maybe my crit partners need to sic the rhino on me...or maybe Chauncy the chainsaw...

Okay, okay! I'm writing!

Merry Christmas!!

I apologize in advance...

Okay, as most of my readers know, I'm not one to bring politics to my blog. I think there are enough politics out there already but this whole situation with the Wall Street bail out gone awry I felt like I really needed to put my $.02 in.

This whole situation was caused by greedy banks not willing to work with homeowners to help them save their homes. Now the banks are left with no revenue coming in and a crap load of empty houses on their hands. Why are these houses still empty? Because the banks still refuse to try to work things out so that people can get the loans they need to get their homes back or get into a new home.

If the banks would have just worked a bit harder to refinance people, dropped their interest rates as the Feds did, then they wouldn't be in this situation in the first place. In my honest opinion, the House of Reps did the right thing today by putting a kibosh on the 700Billion dollar rescue plan. I think that if the government rescues anyone, it should be the American homeowners that are in trouble because of money grubbing banks.

Okay, I'm done and getting off my soap box. If you don't agree with my way of thinking, post a comment and tell me why I'm wrong. If you agree...feel free to post a comment and back me up :)

I Am Woman...Hear Me Roar!

As I struggled to make it through this summer with even the tiniest bit of my sanity in tact, I used my spare time to read...a lot. Reading was my escape when I wasn't taking care of my injured husband and my out of school children. There were times when I thought for sure I was going to go insane but, alas, school has returned to session and my husband is walking again and things are returning to some semblance of normalcy in my world.

In the midst of doctors appointments and play dates I learned a few things about myself this summer. I learned that I am stronger than I ever thought I could be. I learned that when I think I can't go any further, I always find another bit of strength to get me through. The main character, Taylor, in Jane Porter's book Mrs. Perfect taught me that no matter how vulnerable and alone we feel in times of strife and hardship, women are so much stronger than we are often times given credit for.

Right now I'm trying to finish a book that I'm writing in hopes of pitching to an editor or agent at an upcoming conference I'm attending. The thought of it fills me with abject terror because I've never done anything like this before. My writing has always been such a personal part of me and to lay it all out face to face before a total stranger, gives me hives. But, that bit of truth being shared, I'm going to do it because I am strong and I've worked too hard to let this wonderful opportunity pass me by.

When you're feeling down, when you're at the end of your rope with a yawning canyon stretching endlessly below you, tie a knot and hang on with all your might because you CAN do it. You can get through whatever difficult situation you're in the midst of and you can come out on the other side stronger than you ever imagined.

One Step At A Time

It has been 14 weeks since my husband's accident and as of this past Wednesday he is able to walk again. It's amazing how wonderful that simple accomplishment is. It's been three and a half months since I've seen him verticle under his own power and it's such sweet victory to see it now. It'll still be awhile before he's back to work full time but like the title of this post says, we're taking things one step at a time.

And for another bit of good news, no I didn't get 'the call', it's even better than that.....School starts back up in less than two weeks!!! LOL. This summer- what little bit of summer we've actually had- has been one of the longest of my life and I'm very ready for a little six hour mini vacation each day while the kids are in school.

Writing hasn't happened much lately simply because of the drain on my time and creativity. I have to get back to it though because I'll be attending the Emerald City Writer's Conference in October and I need to have something ready by then. So here I sit at my nice clean desk...blogging. Hehehe, my priorities are so skewed.

And that being said, I'm going to publish this and get to work. I just wanted to update all my writing buddies on what's been happening here. Thanks again to all of you who've sent such wonderful encouraging messages during this difficult time. Things are looking up and we'll be back up and RUNNING soon.

I know I haven't been around much lately....

But I have a really good reason for it. My husband was riding his motorcycle home from work when a driver ran a red light and broadsided him, sending him 30 feet through the air where he landed on his back. His left foot was crushed between his motorcycle and the car's bumper and when he landed on his back his T12 vertebrae suffered a serious fracture. He's home now but he's pretty banged up and has a number of surgeries ahead of him in the near future. It's been an exhausting few days for all of us here. For my readers who are inclinded to pray, please do, and I thank you so much for it :)

We'll be okay, we always bounce back thanks to God, but it's going to be a trial. It's going to be rough not having any real income for the next 6-12 months. I'd get a job but he needs so much care right now that I really can't. I know eventually that we'll get some sort of financial settlement from all of this to help pay all these medical bills but for now, it's going to be really difficult.

The hardest part for me, I think, has been the loss of my strongest support system at a time when I really need it. My husband is everything to me and at the end of a long day, his big bear hugs keep me going. Now that he's flat on his back all the time, his hugs are no longer possible. We take a shower together every single night and that simple action is something I look forward to all day, it's not sexual at all, just a few minutes for us to connect and be alone, to shut the world out and let us reconnect...and now that's gone. I feel kind of alone even surrounded by so many people who love and care for us because the one person I draw so much strength from is hurt and I can't do anything to make it better. It breaks my heart when I have to kiss him goodnight in the hospital bed we have set up at home and go to bed myself in our big bed. I cry every night because it's just not right. My heart tells me that something is so very wrong with that and I hate that it has to be that way. I hate not being able to reach over and touch him if I wake up in the night, I hate that I can't snuggle up beside him and feel his arms around me. This is the saddest I've been in so very long and my heart just hurts so bad.

Needless to say, my writing has come to a screeching halt. My brain is so tired from all the stress of the last few days that I couldn't conjure up a creative thought if someone handed me one. That said, I'm going to publish this post and go to bed because three hours from now comes very quickly :)

So much for spring

This is an image of my backyard...right now! Apparently Mother Nature doesn't care that it'll be April in three days. It's cold and snowing- has been snowing all day long- and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

What does this have to do with writing? Not a thing. I just wanted to share a little of my winter wonderland- not that it's wonderful because it's not. I'd much rather be soaking up some rays on a Hawaiian beach or anywhere warm. But it's not to be, I'm stuck here in the Puget Sound, surrounded by ice and snow. I just made the desktop image on my laptop a sunny tropical island with a palm tree so I can have an easier time of dreaming that I was anywhere but here LOL!

Over the river and through the woods....

Okay, so I'm not going through the woods but I'm sure I'll fly over many rivers before I land. I had a new experience on Tuesday. I purchased my very first airline ticket and in June I'm going on my very first trip all by myself. I've flown before but never had the pleasure of actually buying the ticket so I shopped around online and found the best deal on Travelocity.com.

After the purchase was complete I sat staring at my printed itenerary, unable to believe that I was really actually going. The ticket is bought and paid for...there's no turning back. You wouldn't believe the insanely strong feeling I had to go pack my suitcase even though the trip is still 11 weeks away. 11 weeks, 77 days...that feels like forever.

Where am I going, you ask?

My very dearest friend lives in Western Kentucky. I haven't seen her in almost 6 years. She's had a baby since then and that baby is going to be 5 next month. How sad that I missed out on all of that. So, I will be flying out of SeaTac airport at the crack of dawn, landing in Atlanta Georgia several hours later, catching my connecting flight and landing in Nashville, TN where my dear friend will be picking me up so I can spend a week with her and her family.

I'm so keyed up about this trip that I'm finding it difficult to write because I want so badly to do something that will bring June about more quickly. I can't focus on much and while on one hand that's frustrating, on the other hand...there are 5 more fingers! Seriously though, how do you handle extreme anticipation? What do you do to get through the days until "THE DAY" is actually here?