“Chawcherries!”

That’s what Grace called strawberries when she was two. She loved strawberries soooo much I decided her birthday theme would be “Strawberry Shortcake.” Aside from the fun Strawberry Shortcake decorations and cake, we made giant papermache strawberries (which I still have up in the attic) and went on a hunt for strawberries! And of course there was tons of chocolate dipped strawberries!

One year we even tried to grow our own strawberries! While the vines flourished across our garden almost taking it over, it produced very little strawberries…in size and quantity and well, they just didn’t taste as good as store bought.

So I decided to leave it up to the experts! The California Strawberry Commission is all about sharing, educating, and filling you up with strawberries. I visited their site and learned some interesting facts about strawberries. I also visited Strawberryville a fun, interactive site for  kids and teachers which includes downloads, screesavers and recipes. The Strawberry Breakfast Pizza sounds YUMMY! And there’s lots more recipes on their site like strawberry salad! So check them out.

Did you know:

Fun Strawberry Facts

Better Start Eating Strawberries
Respondents to a recent national survey labeled strawberry lovers as “health conscious, fun loving, intelligent and happy.” Non-strawberry lovers, on the other hand, were described as “weird, boring, stuffy–picky, fussy eaters who avoid healthy foods.”

Strawberry Lore and Legend
In provincial France, strawberries were regarded as an aphrodisiac of the highest quality. Newlyweds traditionally were served a soup of thinned sour cream, strawberries, borage (a European herb whose flavor is reminiscent of cucumber) and powdered sugar.
The second wife of Henry VIII, Queen Anne Boleyn (1507-36), had a strawberry-shaped birthmark on her neck. Unfortunately, some claimed this fact proved she was a witch.

The strawberry is recognized as representing absolute perfection in the Victorian language of flowers.

Medieval stonemasons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals, symbolizing perfection and righteousness. During the same time period, strawberries were served at important state occasions and festivals to ensure peace and prosperity.

Ever eaten a double strawberry? Legend holds that if you break it in half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you will soon fall in love with each other.

Strawberries in Literature
Sacred to the both Goddess of Love and the Virgin Mary, strawberries boast a long, dramatic history.

“Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did.” –William Butler

“The strawberry grows underneath the Nettle, And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best Neighbour’d by fruit of lesser quality.” — William Shakespeare, Henry V

“My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn, I saw good strawberries in your garden there.”
– William Shakespeare, Richard III

When as the rye reach to the chin,
And chopcherry, chopcherry ripe within,
Strawberries swimming in the cream,
And schoolboys playing in the stream,
Then O, then O , then O, my true love said,
Till that time come again,
She could not live a maid.
– George Peele, The Old Wives Tale

Um, after all this strawberry talk, I need to run out and get me some! Does anyone have strawberry recipes to share?

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I have to admit this is one of those books I picked up just because of the title. I’m looking forward to the fun read…maybe on my long drive to Orlando! :0

 

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love Starts With Elle
(Thomas Nelson - July 8, 2008)
by
Rachel HauckABOUT THE AUTHOR:Rachel Hauck is a forty-something, a child of the ’60’s, ’70’s, ’80’s, ’90’s and ’00’s, who roller skated through the ’70’s into the ’80’s with Farrah Fawcet hair and a three-speed orange Camero. She graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism.

After graduation, she hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, destermined to see the world. But, she’s traveled to Ireland, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine.

Rachel met Tony, her husband, in ‘87, at church, of all places. They married in ‘92.
They don’t have any children of their own, just lots of kids-in-the-Lord and they love them all. However, they do have two very spoiled dogs, and a very demanding cat.

With a little help from my friends, my first book was published in ‘ 04, Lambert’s Pride, a romance novel. My current release is Sweet Caroline from Thomas Nelson. Romantic Times Book Club gave both books their highest rank of 4.5 stars, with Love Starts With Elle being honored as Top Pick!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Elle’s living the dream-but is it her dream or his?

Elle loves life in Beaufort, South Carolina-lazy summer days on the sand bar, coastal bonfires, and dinners with friends sharing a lifetime of memories. And she’s found her niche as the owner of a successful art gallery too. Life is good.

Then the dynamic pastor of her small town church sweeps her off her feet. She’s never known a man like Jeremiah-one who breathes in confidence and exhales all doubt. When he proposes in the setting sunlight, Elle hands him her heart on a silver platter.

But Jeremiah’s just accepted a large pastorate in a different state. If she’s serious about their relationship, Elle will take “the call,” too, leaving behind the people and place she loves so dearly. Elle’s friendship with her new tenant, widower Heath McCord, and his young daughter make things even more complicated.

Is love transferrable across the miles? And can you take it with you when you go?

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

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There wasn’t enough time to spend with Amy on Monday, so she’s back again!

 

Why did you choose the genre of Christian Fantasy for your first published book?

I love fantasy and grew up reading anything I could get my hands on. Unfortunately, most of that was secular fantasy, which really caused some corruption to my soul. Although I was raised in the church, I began to question what I knew was truth as a young teen and found myself beginning to believe in Druidism, witchcraft, occult and other harmful teachings. God rescued me in college, and I gave up all of what I had surrounded myself with. In writing Seed of Seerling, I wanted to give Christians the option of enjoying a purely fantasy novel but also develop a deeper love and understanding of God.

The characters in Seed of Seerling struggle with personal and spiritual sacrifice. How can their struggles help us?

We live in a fast paced society that puts great emphasis on personal success. To achieve that success that we yearn for, even as Christians, we will often sacrifice the things that are most important. Abortion, neglect of children and even neglect of service are the penalties Christians often pay to “get ahead” in the game of life. My characters learn that true sacrifice is giving up our own wants and desires to serve the higher calling of the One True God.

What do you want readers to gain from reading Seed of Seerling?

It is my greatest desire that anyone who reads my book will question their own walk with Christ and their own calling for the Lord and dedicate themselves entirely to Him.

You have said that your goal is to help bridge the gap between Christian fiction and self-help books. How do you plan to go about this in your own writing?

I am an avid reader and have recently been disappointed with the amount of Christian books that are being produced purely for enjoyment. I believe that God has called writers to a higher mission, and we should all use our platform to teach His word. I believe a fiction book can also be a book where the reader is taught something solid and walks away changed forever for God. That’s the type of book I like to read.

I understand that you had a kidney transplant in 1999. How did the four and a half years of bad health change your Christian Walk and ministry?

It came a huge shock to me and my family when, after giving birth to my second son, I became ill with renal failure. Of course I questioned God about why I had to do dialysis for four and a half years without any matches of a kidney. But, I can honestly tell you that He changed me in that time and used me in powerful ways that humble me to this day. One example is when in 1996 I was diagnosed with Vasculitis. My entire vascular system shut down. I remember the day when the doctor came into my hospital room and told me and my husband that he did not believe I would live beyond the weekend. At that time my children were four and two years old. God healed me. It was hard and painful, and I endured a years worth of chemo therapy and many weeks worth of painful procedures while still doing hemo dialysis, but God healed me.

The miracle is that almost an exact year later, a seven year old girl whom I was acquainted with through dialysis became very ill and was hospitalized. The doctors didn’t know what was wrong with her. I shared my story of Vasculitis with her mother, a nurse since our symptoms were so similar. The doctors refused to do the expensive tests on Jessie since they said the disease was almost unheard of in children. Her mother persisted, and they found that she did in fact have Vasculitis. If it were not for my own near death experience a year before, that little girl might not be alive today. We praised God that I had almost died, so Jessie could have life. She is now happy and healthy with her own new kidney in North Carolina. This is only one example of God’s faithfulness in what I perceived to be my tragedies.

Were there any moments during the long time of illness that you felt God close to you/speaking to you? Oh, yes. When I was told that I would not live past the weekend in 1996, I began to sincerely pray that God would send a Christian woman to be the wife of my husband and mother to my beautiful boys. God clearly and audibly spoke into my heart while I sat in my hospital bed and said, “My foolish, foolish child. You are that woman that I have sent.” From that day on I knew my doctor was wrong and am hear today, alive and healthy because of God.

What words would you use to encourage someone today who is close to giving up on their dreams of ministry? Never give up, even when things seem at there worse. I have dreamed of and believed God had called me to be an author since I was 12 years old. It took many trials and several turns in the road, but I am now living that dream and thanking him daily for every chance He has given me. Everything is in His timing!

How does your family motivate and challenge you in writing? I have the best family in the world. My house may be full of testosterone, but it is also filled with caring, loving men who encourage and lift me up when I am down. My husband and two sons have been the greatest encouragers and reminders of God’s love.

What are your goals for future books? Seed of Seerling is the first book of the Crossroads trilogy. I am currently finishing the second book King of Harkan and am working on two Christian children’s books. I also write skits and plays and will eventually be compiling them all into several books for sale. However, the book I know God is calling me to write is the story of what He has done in my life. I am currently waiting on His timing and His inspiration.

Who are the authors that have inspired you? I have been most inspired by the Old Testament stories of the Bible. My favorite authors are Frank Peretti, Francine River, Jane Austin…oh the list goes on and on and on.

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Grace has been asking for the Barbie Mariposa video ever since it started being advertising on television. In fact, she’s been asking for EVERTHING she’s seem advertised on TV. I usually say. Maybe for your birthday, and that usually quits her down. But there’s something about his Mariposa video that keeps her asking. I think it has to do with the fact her friends at school play “Mariposa” on the play ground.

The other day at Sam’s I saw the video and it was decently priced at a little over $12, so I picked it up and thought it’d surprise her with it for Easter. When I brought it inside, I hid it between some books and a my photos, then continued to bring in the rest of the groceries with help from Grace (5) and Timmy (7.) I should have hid it away in the cabinet right above where I left it, but I thought it was safe. Seconds later she runs to me with a huge smile on her face. “You got Mariposa!”

I got upset and raised my voice to her saying something like “Why’d you go and look at it?” Not my finest parenting moment (or my worst) and instantly her little sweet disposition melted into tears and a face that crushes a mother’s heart. She said it was right there starring at her and she didn’t look for it. Which was true! I should have gotten down on eye level and I would have seen it was positioned perfectly for five year old eyes to see. I quickly apologized and reaffirmed it wasn’t her fault, but told her she would have to wait.

Later, my mom (whose moved her from NY and has been living with us for 2 months now) informs me Grace has been climbing all over the place looking every where for that Mariposa video. This morning, in her sweetest, most sincere voice she says:

“Mom, you’re a really good hider of Mariposa. When I grow up and become a mom will you show where your hiding spot is so I can hide things from my kids?”

I smiled, took her in my arms, plastering kisses all over her face! “Sure, I will!”

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I just discovered a GREAT new website. Mommy Docs was started by two mom doctors who have more in common than their medical degree. I can tell from their website they’re all about informing and helping moms raise healthy kids. They have a great Q & A page, and a page where you can ask them specific questions. (I’m still waiting to hear from my OWN doctor about a rash I had over Memorial Day!) They have podcasts, a blog, and links to other medical sites!

Jamie A. Freishtat, M.D.

 

Rachel L. Schreiber, M.D., FAAAAI

 

 

 

 

And they want to get the word out about Summer safety. Check them out and let me know what you think!

• Have a Sun Protection Strategy: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15. Look for products that provide “broad spectrum” coverage to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Use this sunscreen routine with your child–daily application 30 minutes before going outside and reapplication every 2 hours (or sooner if swimming, toweling off, or sweating). Creating a routine will establish good habits for the future. In addition, don’t forget a wide brim hat, sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection, and sun protective clothing.
• Keep Pests off Your Little One: In the summer, many insects can bite or sting your child. For pesky mosquitoes and ticks, consider a DEET containing insect repellant. Apply sparingly to exposed skin (avoid backs of hands and around the eyes and mouth) and/or to clothing once a day. As the percentage of DEET goes up, the duration of action increases. To prevent unnecessary exposure, always use the lowest percentage that will last for the planned length of time spent outdoors. Never go above 30% or use on children under 2 months old.

• Keep the Pool Cool and Clean: Small yard pools provide a great way for kids to have fun and cool down when the temperature rises, but they can also harbor germs, such as bacteria. To keep the pool free from unwanted “swimmers,” after each use disinfect it with bleach by cleaning with a solution of ¾ cup regular bleach to one gallon of water, then rinse well and dry thoroughly. Safety must: Always supervise children regardless of age when they are around any water; whether it’s a bucket, a small backyard plastic pool, or the local community pool.
• High Heat Means Hydrate: Excessive heat exposure may cause your child to experience a heat-related illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. How to prevent this: take breaks in the shade, avoid playing outside during peak sun exposure hours, and drink, drink, drink! Make sure your child is taking in plenty of fluids before he become thirsty.
• Rid Rashes and Relieve Itchies: Running through the yard in bare feet, taking a nature walk on a trail, and picnicing in the park are some of the joys of warmer weather. But all of this outdoor activity can expose your child to a host of plants including those which cause poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. If an allergic reaction occurs, ask the pediatrician about an oral antihistamine and/or a topical skin care product such as a steroid cream or calamine. If the rash is extensive, looks infected, or is not getting better, call your doctor right away.

All safety tips can also be found on MommyDocs.com.

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When I agreed to blog about ACFW, the finest Christian Fiction conference on the planet, I thought I’d share about the wonderful sessions, incredible worship, and unforgettable fellowship with fellow authors and agents. While all that is true, and I could probably share a blog post or two on the details of the conference and my personal experiences (actually did, just search my blog for them,) I decided instead to share a funny and what could have been really embarrassing moment for me and our key note speaker last year. Indulge me while I reminisce…

It was late when I finally arrived at ACFW. I had driven for over five hours and then visited with my sister in Fort Worth at the hospital. After making two treks from the car to the hotel room, I was tired. But not tired enough to change into my Writer…Interrupted T-shirt and head down to the lobby to see who was hanging out.

The lobby was buzzing with conference arrivals and those who had already settled into the lobby social hour. I immediately said hello to the edgy inspirational author aka Michelle Sutton, and Meredith Efken who were chatting away. Later I sat down with Meredith to chat for a while. The subject matter escapes me, but it’s the feeling of camaraderie and connection that I remember.

A crowd started to gather around our little area. We were on the couch, but I noticed several others gathered in a semi-circle around a gentleman in a chair. My memory is a little fuzzy, but I remember Camy Tang, Randy Ingermanson, and Sarah Anne Sumpolec being in the group laughing and talking.

I got up to greet some more friends and when I returned, Meredith had joined the little group. I was fading fast, so I plopped down on the couch next the to man in the chair who was engaged in conversation with the growing group.

Then unexpectedly, he turned to me and asked me my name. He held out his hand, and I shook it and said, “Gina Conroy, and you are?” (I was actually taking the advice of those on the conference loop that said when feeling introverted and shy, just ask someone their name!!! GREAT advice people! :0 Next time put a disclaimer to FIRST familiarize yourself with the key note speaker!)

The looks and giggles from “the group” surrounding him were memorable. I heard him say Jim something and then someone said, “He’s the key note speaker.” Call me slow… I’d just asked James Scott Bell who he was!!

When I got a good look at him, and titled my head slightly, he did look like his picture. I guess it was the location and pose that threw me off.

Jim was a good sport and said something like it being good for his ego! Then Camy bragged on me and my Writer…Interrupted site. Thanks Camy! Surprisingly enough I didn’t get embarrassed, and I milked it as a running joke for the rest of the conference. When I would see him in passing I would stick out my hand and say, “And your name is?” He’d shake it and give me a false name.

Like I said in previous posts on this blog. When I’m around other writers, even famous ones, I become a different person. I think I become the person God had designed me to be all along, before the crud and baggage of life crept in. I like the person who I am when I’m around other writers. I don’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not, I’m just me!

And it feels good!

More fun with James!

So for all those introverted writers (I’m one of them) you can rest at ease knowing you probably won’t do anything worse than I did last year at conference. And when you feel introverted and shy, like a guppy in a tank of big fish, just swim over and ask them their name! What’s the worse that could happen?

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It is July FIRST, time for the FIRST Blog Tour! (Join our alliance! Click the button!) The FIRST day of every month we will feature an author and her latest book’s FIRST chapter!

The feature author is:

Melody Carlson

and her book:

A Mile in My Flip-Flops

WaterBrook Press (June 17, 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In sixth grade, Melody Carlson helped start a school newspaper called The BuccaNews (her school’s mascot was a Buccaneer…arrr!). As editor of this paper, she wrote most of the material herself, creating goofy phony bylines to hide the fact that the school newspaper was mostly a “one man” show.

Visit Melody’s website to see all of her wonderful and various book titles.

Don’t miss her latest teen fiction, Stealing Bradford (Carter House Girls, Book 2).

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: WaterBrook Press (June 17, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1400073146

ISBN-13: 978-1400073146

AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:

I’m not the kind of girl who wants anyone to feel sorry for her. So after my fiancé jilted me less than four weeks before our wedding date, and since the invitations had already been sent, my only recourse was to lie low and wait for everyone to simply forget.

Consequently, I became a recluse. If I wasn’t at work, teaching a delightful class of five-year-olds, who couldn’t care less about my shattered love life, I could be found holed up in my apartment, escaping all unnecessary interaction with “sympathetic” friends.

And that is how I became addicted to HGTV and ice cream. Okay, that probably calls for some explanation. HGTV stands for Home and Garden TV, a network that runs 24/7 and is what I consider the highest form of comfort TV. It is habit forming, albeit slightly mind numbing. And ice cream obviously needs no explanation.

Other than the fact that my dad, bless his heart, had seven quart-sized cartons of Ben & Jerry’s delivered to my apartment the day after Collin dumped me. Appropriately enough, dear old Dad (who knows me better than anyone on the planet) selected a flavor called Chocolate Therapy, a product worthy of its name and just as addictive as HGTV.

But now, eighteen months and twenty-two pounds later, I seem to be in a rut. And apparently I’m not the only one who thinks so.

“Come on, Gretchen,” urges my best friend, Holly, from her end of the phone line. “Just come with us–please!”

“Right…,” I mutter as I lick my spoon and dip it back into a freshly opened carton of Chunky Monkey–also appropriately named, but let’s not go there. Anyway, not only had I moved on to new ice cream flavors, but I also had given up using bowls. “Like I want to tag along with the newlyweds. Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Like I keep telling you, we’re not newlyweds anymore,” she insists. “We’ve been married three months now.”

“Yeah…well…”

“And it’s Cinco de Mayo,” she persists, using that little girl voice that I first heard when we became best friends back in third grade. “We always go together.”

I consider this. I want to point out that Holly and I used to always go to the Cinco de Mayo celebration together–as in past tense. And despite her pity for me, or perhaps it’s just some sort of misplaced guilt because she’s married and I am not, I think the days of hanging with my best friend are pretty much over now. The image of Holly and Justin, both good looking enough to be models, strolling around holding hands with frumpy, dumpy me tagging along behind them like their poor, single, reject friend just doesn’t work for me.

“Thanks anyway,” I tell her. “But I’m kind of busy today.”

“So what are you doing then?” I hear the challenge in her voice, like she thinks I don’t have anything to do on a Saturday.

I slump back into the sofa and look over to the muted TV, which is tuned, of course, to HGTV, where my favorite show, House Flippers, is about to begin, and I don’t want to miss a minute of it. “I’m, uh…I’ve got lesson plans to do,” I say quickly. This is actually true, although I don’t usually do them until Sunday evening.

She snickers. “Yeah, that’s a good one, Gretch. I’ll bet you’re vegging out in front of HGTV with a carton of Chocolate Fudge Brownie.”

“Wrong.” Okay, Holly is only partially wrong. Fortunately, I haven’t told her about my latest flavor.

“Come on,” she tries again. “It’ll be fun. You can bring Riley along. He’d probably like to stretch his legs.”

I glance over to where my usually hyper, chocolate Lab mixed breed is snoozing on his LL Bean doggy bed with a chewed-up and slightly soggy Cole Haan loafer tucked under his muzzle. “Riley’s napping,” I say. “He doesn’t want to be disturbed.”

“Like he wouldn’t want to go out and get some fresh air and sunshine?”

“We already had our walk today.”

Holly laughs. “You mean that little shuffle you do over to the itty bitty park across the street from your apartment complex? What’s that take? Like seven and a half minutes for the whole round trip? That’s not enough exercise for a growing dog like Riley.”

“I threw a ball for him to chase.”

“So there’s nothing I can do or say to change your mind?” House Flippers is just starting. “Nope,” I say, trying to end this conversation. “But thanks for thinking of me.”

“Want me to bring you back an empanada?”

“Sure,” I say quickly. “You guys have fun!” Then I hang up and, taking the TV off mute, I lean back into the soft chenille sofa and lose myself while watching a hapless couple from Florida renovate a seriously run-down split-level into something they hope to sell for a profit. Unfortunately, neither of them is terribly clever when it comes to remodeling basics. And their taste in interior design is sadly lacking too. The woman’s favorite color is rose, which she uses liberally throughout the house, and she actually thinks that buyers will appreciate the dated brown tiles and bathroom fixtures in the powder room. By the time the show ends, not only is the house still on the market despite the reduced price and open house, but the couple’s marriage seems to be in real trouble as well.

“Too bad,” I say out loud as I mute the TV for commercials. Riley’s head jerks up, and he looks at me with expectant eyes.

“You just keep being a good boy,” I tell him in a soothing tone. Hopefully, he’ll stretch out this midday nap a bit longer. Because once Riley starts moving, my tiny apartment seems to shrink, first by inches and then by feet.

My hope for an elongated nap crumbles when his tail begins to beat rhythmically on the floor, almost like a warning–thump, thump, thump–and the next thing I know, he’s up and prowling around the cluttered living room. Riley isn’t even full grown yet, and he’s already way too much dog for my apartment. Holly warned me that his breed needed room to romp and play. She tried to talk me into a little dog, like a Yorkie or Chihuahua, but I had fallen for those liquid amber eyes…and did I mention that he’s part chocolate Lab? Since when have I been able to resist chocolate? Besides, he reminded me of a cuddly brown teddy bear. But I hardly considered the fact that he would get bigger.

After he climbed into my lap that day, licking my face and smelling of puppy breath and other things that I knew could be shampooed away, there was no way I could leave him behind at the Humane Society. I already knew that he’d been rejected as a Christmas present. Some dimwitted father had gotten him for toddler twins without consulting Mommy first. Even so, Holly tried to convince me that a good-looking puppy like that would quickly find another home.

But it was too late. I knew Riley was meant for me, and that was that. And I had grandiose ideas of taking him for long walks on the beach. “He’ll help me get in shape,” I assured Holly. She’d long since given up on me going to the fitness club with her, so I think she bought into the whole exercise theory. She also bought Riley his LL Bean deluxe doggy bed, which I could barely wedge into my already crowded apartment and now takes up most of the dining area, even though it’s partially tucked beneath a gorgeous craftsman-style Ethan Allen dining room set. Although it’s hard to tell that it’s gorgeous since it’s pushed up against a wall and covered with boxes of Pottery Barn kitchen items that won’t fit into my limited cabinet space.

“This place is way too small for us,” I say to Riley as I shove the half-full ice cream carton back into the freezer. As if to confirm this, his wagging tail whacks an oversized dried arrangement in a large bronze vase, sending seedpods, leaves, and twigs flying across the carpet and adding to the general atmosphere of chaos and confusion.

My decorating style? Contemporary clutter with a little eclectic disorder thrown in for special effect. Although, to be fair, that’s not the real me. I’m sure the real me could make a real place look like a million bucks. That is, if I had a real place…or a million bucks.

I let out a long sigh as I stand amid my clutter and survey my crowded apartment. It’s been like this for almost two years now.

Overly filled with all the stuff I purchased shortly after Collin proposed to me more than two years ago. Using my meager teacher’s salary and skimpy savings, I started planning the interior décor for our new home. I couldn’t wait to put it all together after the wedding.

“Have you ever heard of wedding presents?” Holly asked me when she first realized what I was doing.

“Of course,” I assured her. “But I can’t expect the guests to provide everything for our home. I figured I might as well get started myself. Look at this great set of espresso cups that I got at Crate & Barrel last weekend for thirty percent off.”

“Well, at least you have good taste,” she admitted as she stooped to admire a hand-tied wool area rug I’d just gotten on sale. Of course, she gasped when she saw the price tag still on it. “Expensive taste too!”

“It’ll last a lifetime,” I assured her, just like the Karastan salesman had assured me. Of course, as it turned out, my entire relationship with Collin didn’t even last two years. Now I’m stuck with a rug that’s too big to fit in this crummy little one-bedroom apartment–the same apartment I’d given Mr. Yamamoto notice on two months before my wedding. It was so humiliating to have to beg to keep it after the wedding was cancelled, but I didn’t know what else to do.

And now, a year and a half later, I’m still here. Stuck. It’s like everyone else has moved on with their lives except me. It wouldn’t be so bad if I had enough room to make myself at home or enough room for Riley to wag his tail without causing mass destruction…or enough room to simply breathe. Maybe I should rent a storage unit for all this stuff. Or maybe I should move myself into a storage unit since it would probably be bigger than this apartment.

As I pick up Riley’s newest mess, I decide the bottom line is that I need to make a decision. Get rid of some things–whether by storage, a yard sale, or charity–or else get more space. I vote for more space. Not that I can afford more space. I’m already strapped as it is.

Kindergarten teachers don’t make a whole lot. I feel like I’ve created a prison for myself. What used to be a convenient hideout now feels like a trap, and these thin walls seem to be closing in on me daily. Feeling hopeless, I flop back onto the couch and ponder my limited options. Then I consider forgetting the whole thing and escaping back into HGTV, which might call for some more ice cream.

But that’s when I look down and notice my thighs spreading out like two very large slabs of ham. Very pale ham, I might add as I tug at my snug shorts to help cover what I don’t want to see, but it’s not working. I stare at my flabby legs in horror. When did this happen?

I stand up now, trying to erase that frightening image of enormous, white thunder thighs. I pace around my apartment a bit before I finally go and stand in front of an oversized mirror that’s leaning against the wall near the front door. This is a beautiful mirror I got half price at World Market, but it belongs in a large home, possibly over a fireplace or in a lovely foyer. And it will probably be broken by Riley’s antics if it remains against this wall much longer.

But instead of admiring the heavy bronze frame of the mirror like I usually do, I actually look into the mirror and am slightly stunned at what I see. Who is that frumpy girl? And who let her into my apartment? I actually used to think I was sort of good looking. Not a babe, mind you, but okay. Today I see a faded girl with disappointed eyes.

Some people, probably encouraged by Holly, a long-legged dazzling brunette, used to say I resembled Nicole Kidman. Although they probably were thinking of when Nicole was heavier and I was lighter. Now it’s a pretty big stretch to see any similarities. To add insult to injury, Nicole has already hit the big “four o,” whereas I am only thirty-two. Her forties might be yesterday’s twenties, but my thirties look more like someone else’s fifties. And I used to take better care of myself. Okay, I was never thin, but I did eat right and got exercise from jogging and rollerblading. Compared to now, I was in great shape. And my long strawberry blond hair, which I thought was my best asset, was usually wavy and fresh looking, although you wouldn’t know that now. It’s unwashed and pulled tightly into a shabby-looking ponytail, which accentuates my pudgy face and pale skin. Even my freckles have faded. It doesn’t help matters that my worn T-shirt (with a peeling logo that proclaims “My Teacher Gets an A+”) is saggy and baggy, and my Old Navy khaki shorts, as I’ve just observed, are too tight, and my rubber flip-flops look like they belong on a homeless person–although I could easily be mistaken for one if I was pushing a shopping cart down the street.

Then, in the midst of this pathetic personal inventory, my focus shifts to all the junk that’s piled behind me–the boxes, the myriad of stuff lining the short, narrow hallway and even spilling into the open door of my tiny bedroom, which can barely contain the queensize bed and bronze bedframe still in the packing box behind it. If it wasn’t so depressing, it would almost be funny. I just shake my head. And then I notice Riley standing strangely still behind me and looking almost as confused as I feel. With his head slightly cocked to one side, he watches me curiously, as if he, too, is afraid to move. This is nuts. Totally certifiable. A girl, or even a dog, could seriously lose it living like this. Or maybe I already have. They say you’re always the last to know that you’ve lost your marbles.

“It’s time for a change,” I announce to Riley. He wags his tail happily now, as if he wholeheartedly agrees. Or maybe he simply thinks I’m offering to take him on a nice, long walk. “We need a real house,” I continue, gathering steam now. “And we need a real yard for you to run and play in.” Of course, this only excites him more.

And that’s when he begins to run about the apartment like a possessed thing, bumping into boxes and furnishings until I finally open the sliding door and send him out to the tiny deck to calm himself.

After he settles down, I go and join him. It’s pretty hot out here, and I notice that the seedling sunflower plants, ones we’d started in the classroom and I’d brought home to nurture along, are now hanging limp and lifeless, tortured by the hot afternoon sun that bakes this little patio. Just one more thing I hate about this place.

So much for my attempt at terrace gardening. I’d seen a show on HGTV that inspired me to turn this little square of cement deck into a real oasis. But in reality it’s simply a barren desert that will only get worse as the summer gets hotter. I feel like I’m on the verge of tears now. It’s hopeless.

This is all wrong. On so many levels. This is not where I was supposed to be at this stage of the game. This is not the life I had planned. I feel like I’ve been robbed or tricked or like someone ripped the rug out from under me. And sometimes in moments like this, I even resent God and question my faith in him. I wonder why he allows things like this to happen. Why does he let innocent people get hurt by the selfishness of others? It just doesn’t make sense. And it’s not fair.

Oh, I’ve tried to convince myself I’m over the fact that my ex fiancé, Collin Fairfield, was a total jerk. And I try not to blame him for being swept away when his high school sweetheart decided, after fifteen years of being apart, that she was truly in love with him. I heard that the revelation came to Selena at the same time she received our engraved wedding invitation, which I did not send to her. She wasn’t even on my list.

And I actually believe that I’ve mostly forgiven Collin…and that sneaky Selena too. And I wish them well, although I didn’t attend their wedding last fall. A girl has to draw the line somewhere.

But all that aside, this is still so wrong. I do not belong in this stuffy little apartment that’s cluttered with my pretty household goods. I belong in a real house. A house with a white picket fence and a lawn and fruit trees in the backyard. And being single shouldn’t mean that I don’t get to have that. There must be some way I can afford a home.

Of course, I’m fully aware that real estate isn’t cheap in El Ocaso. It’s on the news regularly. Our town’s prices certainly aren’t as outrageous as some of the suburbs around San Diego, but they’re not exactly affordable on a teacher’s salary. I try not to remember how much I had in my savings account back before I got engaged and got carried away with spending on my wedding and my home. That pretty much depleted what might’ve gone toward a small down payment on what probably would’ve been a very small house. But, hey, even a small house would be better than this prison-cell apartment.

And that’s when it hits me. And it’s so totally obvious I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner. I will become a house flipper! Just like the people on my favorite HGTV show, I will figure out a way to secure a short-term loan, purchase a fixer-upper house, and do the repairs and decorating myself–with my dad’s expert help, of course!

And then, maybe as early as midsummer, I will sell this beautifully renovated house for enough profit to make a good-sized down payment on another house just for me…and Riley. Even if the secondhouse is a fixer-upper too, I can take my time with it, making it just the way I want it. And it’ll be so much better than where I live now.

I’m surprised I didn’t come up with this idea months ago. It’s so totally simple. Totally perfect. And totally me!

“We are going house hunting,” I announce to Riley as I shove open the sliding door and march back inside the apartment. His whole body is wagging with doggy joy as I quickly exchange my too-tight shorts for jeans and then reach for his leather leash and my Dolce & Gabbana knockoff bag–the one I bought to carry on my honeymoon, the honeymoon that never was. I avoid looking at my image in the big mirror as we make a hasty exit.

“Come on, boy,” I say as I hook the leash to his collar at the top of the stairs. “This is going to be fun!” And since this outing is in the spirit of fun, I even put down the top on my VW Bug, something I haven’t done in ages. Riley looks like he’s died and gone to doggy heaven as he rides joyfully in the backseat, his ears flapping in the breeze. Who knows, maybe we’ll find a house for sale on the beach.

Okay, it’d have to be a run-down, ramshackle sort of place that no one but me can see the hidden value in, but it could happen. And while I renovate my soon-to-be wonder house, Riley can be king of the beach. The possibilities seem limitless. And when I stop at the grocery store to pick up real-estate papers, I am impressed with how many listings there are. But I can’t read and drive, so I decide to focus on driving. And since I know this town like the back of my hand, this should be easy.

But thanks to the Cinco de Mayo celebration, the downtown area is crowded, so I start my search on the south end of town, trying to avoid traffic jams. I’m aware that this area is a little pricey for me, but you never know. First, I pull over into a parking lot and read the fliers. I read about several houses for sale, but the prices are staggering.

Even more than I imagined. Also, based on the descriptions and photos, these houses already seem to be in great shape. No fixer-uppers here. Then I notice some condo units for sale, and I can imagine finding a run-down unit in need of a little TLC, but it’s the same situation. According to the fliers, they’re in tiptop, turnkey shape–recently remodeled with granite counters and cherry hardwood floors and new carpeting and prices so high I can’t imagine doing anything that could push them a penny higher. My profit margin and spirits are steadily sinking. Maybe my idea to flip a house has already flopped. Just like the rest of my life.

Excerpted from A Mile in My Flip-Flops by Melody Carlson Copyright © 2008 by Melody Carlson. Excerpted by permission of WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.

I knew at the age of 12 I was called to be a writer. God kept giving me ideas for characters and full stories that I played with and developed but never had the ambition or knowledge of how to publish. When I was in high school I constantly had girls and boys coming up to me and asking me to write stories about them. We’d sit in typing class where I would read the short stories that I had come up with. It seemed to entertain them.

Growing up, I don’t think my family understood me. I know they thought I was strange because I preferred to read a book or write a story than do anything else. My husband, of 18 years, also says that he thought I was strange when we first met. After we got married he would get so angry with me for not doing dishes or laundry and instead reading and writing all day. He also thought it was weird when I would jump out of bed in the middle of the night or early morning and run for my journals, but he patiently endured all my strange ways. Now that I have finally done something with my stories, he is very proud of me. He likes to tell his friends that he’s married to a woman who has four or five worlds living in her head. I tell him it’s more like ten. Our two sons are also an inspiration in giving me ideas and helping me with scenarios when I get stuck.

How did you get your first “writing break?”

After years of poor health, I finally got a kidney transplant in 1999. We moved from southern Georgia to Northern Illinois, and I got a job as a newspaper editor. It was the first time that I had a platform for to really work with my words. After five years, I began to feel trapped and wanted to express myself more creatively as I had when I was a child. I moved on to a full time job with hospice care and less than six months later wrote my first full book, Seed of Seerling. I was blessed to find a publisher that summer and am currently working hard on my second book as well as two children’s books that have been floating around in my head.

What do you write and why this genre?

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t write down what God gave me. I feel that I would unfaithful with the gift He has given me if I kept everything bottled up for myself as I used to do. I chose the genre of Christian Fantasy for my first published book because as a teen I delved heavily in fantasy stories. Unfortunately, the only things around were secular and very bad for my spiritual well being. It is my prayer that God will use my writing to bring adults and teens to a deeper relationship with their heavenly Father as well as good, clean entertainment.

Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?

My book Seed of Seerling is scheduled for release July 1, 2008. (Come back on Friday for more specific questions about this book.)

What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?

I am an avid reader and have recently been disappointed with the amount of Christian books that are being produced purely for enjoyment. I believe that God has called writers to a higher mission, and we should all use our platform to teach His word. I believe a fiction book can also be a book where the reader is taught something solid and walks away changed forever for God. That’s the type of book I like to read.

And now for the tough questions…

How do you balance being a mom, wife, writer, and working?

I have to admit that it isn’t as easy as I would hope at times. When I sat down to write the first book, my family did take a back seat for about a month. Something they did not like. Now, I’m learning to write in my spare time or when my family is busy elsewhere.

I am blessed to have two children who communicate even though they are boys. I love to ask them questions and hear about their lives. We take time almost every day to just sit and gab. I also stop everything I’m doing when they walk in from school or when they sit next to me and start talking. Those are the best times.

My children are teenagers now, and my husband and I have more time alone, which really helps our marriage. We take time to go out on special lunch and breakfast dates when they are in school, and we go for long walks in the evenings. It also helps that we both like sports, especially volleyball. We’re on adult leagues together. This helps build our relationship, relationships with our friends and keeps us both in shape.

I have the best full time job in the world. My boss is understanding about my writing and supportive. When I need time off, I get it. It’s the best of both worlds.

Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, writing, working, and keeping in shape? If not, which one for you has to take a back seat?

Yes, I do believe that you can be a great mom, get the stuff you need to get done and also meet your own goals. However, I feel everything needs to be kept in perspective in order of importance. My most important goal outside of my own relationship with God is my family. God gave them to me, and it’s my responsibility to make sure they get my best. I find that when I honor the Lord with my life, He makes it possible for me to have the rest. Keeping in shape does take a back seat, but only because we live in a very cold state, and most of the things I like to do require good weather.

When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?

I did feel as though I neglected my family when I sat down to write my first book. It was hard to find a balance between my family, writing and working full time. Praise the Lord that with the second book, I’m finding a better balance even though it means that this book is taking me twice as long to write.

How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?

I may be strange, but interruptions really don’t bother me much. My stories live in my head. All I have to do is write them down. If I have to stop and do something else, it’s okay because I’m carrying the story with me. If I forget an inspiration, I just chock it up to God must not of wanted that there anyway. He always gives me what I need when I need it.

How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?

See above for answer.

What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every writing mom has?

My biggest storms come in the form of self-doubt. That’s where my husband comes in. He always reminds me why I’m writing and keeps me grounded in reality by reminding me that it’s okay if someone doesn’t like my stories. My children are also huge supporters. They give me ideas for stories all the time and even help me come up with characters at times.

How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you?

I’m an observer and always have been. Traveling in a car, sitting in a café, watching people in a mall…these are all ways that I stop, listen for God’s voice and observe what is going on in life. Inspiration also comes when I’m reading my bible or worshiping. The best inspiration for my stories has come when I’m actually sleeping.

If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?

I believe that everyone needs to be in a home church where they can minister and be ministered to. Helping people gets me out of my head and back into the reality of what God wants from me.

Has there ever been a time God told you to set aside your writing to focus on other areas of your life? If so, how did you handle that?

Yes, I had four and a half years of illness where I did dialysis. My health was very bad, and I had a few times where my doctors didn’t think I would survive. With my health so poor and trying to mother two small boys, I felt as though God had taken away my creativity. I went most of that time without writing anything. I felt as though a piece of me was missing, but I couldn’t figure out how to get it back again. It was difficult for my spirit to give that up, but I look back and understand how vital it was that I concentrate on my family and health. I just didn’t have the energy or ability to do more than that during that time period.

Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?

No! This is what I’m called to do right now, and I want to do it all for God’s glory. I’ve been through a time in my life where I thought my gift had been taken away. Now that it is back, I’m going to do it all for Him. If He decides to point me in a different direction one day, then I pray I will be listening to follow His path.

What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?

Don’t give up! No matter what is going on in your life, keep writing and put the effort into trying to find a publisher. Writing always came easy for me, sharing it with others was hard. I was afraid of rejection, but my husband constantly reminds me that rejection is a part of life. Not everyone is going to like, read or want my work, but someone may. Keep at it!

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When my family and I vacation it looks something like this:

Pack up the minivan and four kids and dog, drive to see family and squeeze in some fun sighseeing to a children’s museum or Disney World. Our vacations and not relaxing at all! It’s go, go, go with maybe a day at the beach! What I wouldn’t give for a week at a beach or relaxing resort! In fact, we’ve been to a half dozen of those time share tours but when it comes down to signing the papers, we just can’t do it. Paying a yearly maintenance fee of over $300 just doesn’t sit well with us when we could probably take an entire vacation for $300 (plus gas, of course.)

I’ve heard about those wonderful all inclusive resorts, but we’ve never done it. Mostly because we had to squeeze in family visits with vacations, but I think it’s about time we look at vacations differently.

MomCentral asked me if I wanted to blog about WonderFall Celebration and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to check out a real all inclusive vacation for a change. Here’s what Beaches says about their all inclusive vacation. “Other “all-inclusives” may say they include everything under the sun - but don’t get burned. Because add-on fees and hidden charges can really add up. Beaches is different. Beaches includes all the things you want most, so families can get away to Beaches with zero worries and zero surprises.”

Right now they’re having a special if you vacation between September and November. Sure is tempting!

GET 1 free night when you stay 5 or 6 nights. GET 2 free nights when you stay 7 nights (or longer).Valid in any category at one of the resorts featured below. Combine it with up to 45% off for incredible savings.

 

TRAVEL DATES: September 1 - November 4, 2008
BOOK BY: June 26, 2008

 

There’s so much to do for kids and teens. Some activities include kids camps, toddler pools, kids and teen disco, fully-staffed nursery, treasure hunts, game rooms, a swim up soda bar plus lots more.

 

I know the Game Garage is something my kids would be interested in. And what preschooler could resist The Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street!

 

Beaches welcomes some of your favorite furry friends to our resorts. Every day, all year long, spend your vacation with Elmo and his friends Cookie Monster, Grover, Bert, Ernie, Zoe and Abby Cadabby.

Story Time with Elmo Bake with Cookie Monster Explore with Grover Dance with Zoe Discover Magical Treasures with Abby Cadabby Character Breakfast Sundays at the Movies More, much more…

 

 

For more information on Beaches WonderFALL Celebration check this out.

Have you ever been to a Beaches Resort? Let me know what you think! Or just share your typical vacation and/or your dream vacation!

 

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This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione
(Multnomah Books - June 17, 2008)
by
Chuck BlackABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chuck Black first wrote Kingdom’s Edge to inspire his children to read the Bible with renewed zeal. This captivating expanded parable led him to write the Old Testament allegories, Kingdom’s Dawn and Kingdom’s Hope. Chuck added three more titles to the series, Kingdom’s Call, Kingdom’s Quest, and Kingdom’s Reign which were released in May of 2007.

Chuck is a former F-16 fighter pilot and currently works as an engineer for a firm designing plastic consumer products. He has a degree in electrical and electronic engineering and served eight years in the United States Air Force. Chuck and his wife Andrea have six children and live in North Dakota.

It is Chuck’s desire to serve the Lord through his work and to inspire people of all ages to study the scriptures in order to discover the hope and love of a truly majestic King and His Son.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A dangerous new order threatens the mission of the Knights of Arrethtrae. Only loyalty to the King can bring victory!

As the Knights of the Prince await His triumphant return, they are steadfast in their mission to take His story into the kingdom and recruit as many as are willing. But when a new and dangerous threat is revealed, their mission is jeopardized.

Sir Kendrick and his young charge, the impetuous Sir Duncan, are sent on a mission to discover the identity and origin of a secretive new order known as the Vincero Knights. They travel to the city of Bel Lione where Lord Ra has been enticing young people in the kingdom to join his festivals, after which many choose not to return home. Their families keep quiet for fear of repercussion.

When Sir Duncan disappears while trying to discover the truth of Lord Ra’s castle, Sir Kendrick attempts to find and enlist the help of a mysterious warrior. Time is short for he must save Duncan and call upon the knights of Chessington to join in the battle against the evil Lord Ra.

Journey to Arrethtrae, where these knights of noble heart live and die in loyal service to the King and the Prince. These knights are mighty, for they serve a mighty King. They are…the Knights of Arrethtrae!

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

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I can’t remember if I mentioned as President of the local ACFW chapter, I helped organize a miniconference with Deb Raney. I actually didn’t do much except get the room, help set it up, and do introductions and such, but I’ve been so busy with my boy’s play, I didn’t even think to blog about it. It was the first for our writer’s group, but definitely not the last. We hope to make this a yearly event and adding to it each year.

One of our members wrote an article about the day and I couldn’t have said it better myself!

DEB RANEY MINI-CONFERENCE A SUCCESS!

JoAnn Reno Wray

 

 

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The rich scent of coffee mingled in the air with laughter and a buzz of conversation as I walked into WIN-ACFW’s Mini-Conference featuring award-winning novelist, Deb Raney. Held in a room at the People’s Church near 71st and Mingo in Tulsa, this first special meeting had almost thirty in attendance. After a welcome and introduction by Gina Conroy, WIN’s President, Deb wasted no time and dove right into her program.

Bent heads, the scribble of pens, nods of affirmation, and occasional bursts of laughter were evident as Deb Raney expertly guided conferees through her “10 Steps to a Killer Rewrite.” One of her first statements was “Great writing is all about re-writing.” Deb also said that there are many approaches to writing, adding, “Take what you learn here that works for you and apply it.” Covered in the day-long class were Character Makeovers, Real Dialogue, Show Don’t Tell, Point of View, Use of Sensory Detail, Seamless Subplots, Elevated Suspense, Marking Time, Fine-Tuning, and a 10-point Checklist for Writing a “Keeper.”

Not only did the conferees listen and take copious notes, but Deb also put us through the paces with multiple writing exercises to illustrate various points that she addressed during the program. Regarding dialogue, for instance, Deb suggested that it should be used often. “Try not to let two pages go by without dialogue,” she said. “Lack of dialogue for several pages can be a clue to your manuscript falling into the ‘telling, not showing’ category. When creating conflict in your story, ask, ‘What can make it worse?’ This ramps up the interest and keep readers reading.”

Deb graciously brought and gave each conferee a mug with her “Latte-dah!” Logo and website URL: DeborahRaney.com. Conferees eagerly snapped up her books for study, and I suspect, pure pleasure. The low cost of a mere $20 for WIN members and not much for non-members for this information-filled day was a great bargain which included skilled teaching by a pro, fellowship with fellow scribes, and a chance to improve writing skills.

A big thank you to all the volunteers from WIN who brought beverages and shared their culinary skills with a tempting array of treats so none of the conferees were embarrassed by growling stomachs! Thanks also go out to those who pitched in the day before to set up the room and all who joined the work crew after the session ended to help put things back in order.

If you missed this mini-conference, you can purchase a CD of the program. Then next time WIN hosts a special meeting, be there! Sign up early – get under the spout where a shower of knowledge on the craft of writing will surely pour out.

– 

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During Timmy’s birthday month I’m sharing tidbits with Timmy. Join me as I travel down memory lane.

2003

I read a story to my three year old about having three wishes so I asked Timmy,

Mom: “What would you wish for if you could have anything in the whole wide world?”
Timmy: “Light”
Mom: “Why would you want light?”
Timmy: “Because it’s shiny.”
Mom: “And what would you do with the light?”
Timmy: “Let it shine!”

His answer was probably influenced by a video we have called “Psalty’s Songs for Little Praisers.” There is a song that talks about Jesus being the light of the world and that we should let that light shine. Even though he may be a little young to fully comprehend the answer he gave me, it’s also wonderful to think that God can be working in his little heart at such a young age.

When asked what he would want in the whole wide world his answer wasn’t candy or toys, it was light!!! What wisdom!! I think we can learn a lot from three year olds. So the next time I think my house is too small or my clothes too old, or start to long for an expensive piece of jewelry, I simply need to remember my son’s wish for light. It you really think about it, if you have Jesus in your life… what more do you need?

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If you’re at all concerned about the environment you probably recycle. We recycle as much as we can, which really doesn’t seem like a lot compared to how much stuff we throw into the trash and then landfills, but every little bit helps, right!

When I was asked to try Recycline’s Preserve Toothbrush my first thought was “Ick, who wants to use a recycled toothbrush.” Then I read how Recycline uses 100% recycled plastics in the handle, including recycled yogurt cups. I didn’t even know you could recycle yogurt cups. The packaging the toothbrush comes in can be recycled and it’s also a handy travel case! To recycle the toothbrush and case all you have to do is send them in in the postage-paid mailer available at stores or from Recycline.

Then I tried the product and I have to say I really like the curved handle and bristles that were engineered by a dentist. I tried out the soft toothbrush, but since I’m really hard on my toothbrushes I might have opted for the medium. It also comes in ultra soft.

This eco and teeth friendly product is available at Target stores nationwide for only $2.04. Here are some other product highlights:

You can even get Recycline Preserve coupons at their Recycline website:

Well, if a recyclable toothbrush isn’t enough for the environment, Recycline Preserve has a whole line of other recycled and recyclable products. From a variety of ladies’ shavers and and toothpicks, to table and kitchenware, you can feel good about your purchase of any Recycline product!
Some other fun facts about the company.

“As a company, we strive to combine socially and environmentally responsible business practices with groundbreaking design to create products that people feel good about having in their homes.”

In 1996, founder and president Eric Hudson was committed to the need to use our earth’s resources more efficiently and responsibly. The developing plastic recycling market represented a great new opportunity to reuse our earth’s resources (plastics are made from oil and natural gas—making up roughly 9% of the world’s petroleum usage). However, at the time that Recycline was formed, there was a lot of concern that recyclables were not

necessarily turning into new products. Seeing an opportunity, Eric started Recycline to reuse Earth’s precious resources and turn them back into products that people wanted. He worked with dentists, scientists and engineers to create Recycline’s first high-quality product from recycled plastics – the Preserve Toothbrush. Since then, Preserve has grown into a dynamic, green lifestyle company offering a range of products for almost every room in your home. Using innovative methods, we turn used materials into razors, colanders, cutting boards, tableware and more!

 

 

So what do you think? I think I found a new company I can feel good about giving my money to!

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Suzanne Woods Fisher—COPPER FIRE–A NOVEL

Suzanne Woods Fisher’s just-released historical novel Copper Fire, is the sequel to the three-time award-winning Copper Star, a World War II love story inspired by true events. Fisher was a contributing editor to Christian Parenting Today magazine. Her work has appeared in Today’s Christian Woman, Worldwide Challenge, ParentLife, and Marriage Partnership. She has contributed to ten non-fiction books, including Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs. A wife and mother, Fisher lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. The best thing about being a writer, she feels, is that all of life becomes material for writing. It’s all grit for the oyster.

Suzanne can be found at http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/. During the month of June, Suzanne is running a book-a-day-giveaway contest. To enter, click over to her blog (http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.blogspot.com/) and send her an e-mail: Suzanne@suzannewoodsfisher.com

Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband, four children (one married, two in college, one in high school), and raise puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. I’ve always loved to write…largely because I wasn’t very good at anything else!

How did you get your first “writing break?”

I was on the staff of my college newspaper and met a young student named Ginny. We became fast friends. Sharing a love of writing, we kept our relationship going through letters. A few years later, after we had both married and had started families, Ginny called me to ask if I could take over some freelancing jobs. I jumped at the chance. I started writing for Christian Retailing, then Christian Parenting Today, and eventually became a contributing editor for that magazine. And those relationships have opened other doors.

What do you write and why this genre?

My favorite is historical fiction, because it becomes a fascinating puzzle to fit true events into a storyline. I work hard at representing history in an accurate way—I want readers to enjoy a good story but to finish my book confident in what they’ve learned. Also, I try to write about interesting people who have been overlooked. For example: Louise Tracy, wife of Spencer Tracy. In 1942, Louise Tracy started a foundation (The John Tracy Clinic) to teach oral communication (lip reading and speaking) to pre-school age children. She and Spencer had a deaf son, John. Louise ignored the conventional wisdom of the day (sending John to an institution to learn sign language) and had remarkable success teaching him to communicate. There’s a deaf child in my novel Copper Star. I contacted the JTC while writing Copper Star and was able to write it into the storyline, with their blessing. Louise Tracy was a remarkable woman. Way ahead of her times! I loved being able to bring attention to such a woman through this novel.

Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?

In late August, Grit from the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers, will be released from Vintage Spirit. I wrote Grit with three other very talented authors.

And another piece of great news! I just received a contract from Revell/Baker for a non-fiction book called Amish Peace in an English Life. It won’t be out until 2010…but ‘everything Amish’ is filling up my head right now.

What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?

My favorite books (authors, too) point the way to God’s high path. Philip Yancey is my all-time favorite. I’ll read anything he writes. Working faith out in real life is the reason I write. A lot of my articles got started because I was trying to figure something out…generally, about raising kids. I was seeking ideas and encouragement. It’s important to me to help point readers to the Lord for answers, strength and guidance. Whenever I hear people start to lament about how hard things are in this day and age (and there are plenty of things to get stressed over)…I think of Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” There is nothing new under the sun that He can’t understand or guide us through.

And now for the tough questions…

How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?

I am constantly trying to find a balance. I don’t think I’ve ever had a typical day! Not with four kids and a corporate-guy husband, a steady stream of puppies we raise for Guide Dogs for the Blind, added into that mix is my parents. My father is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease…and it is incredibly challenging. My goal is to try and get three to four hours of concentrated work in, nearly every day. I can’t get much more than that in, yet I think that’s reasonable. I don’t want a spine that ends up resembling a question mark.

Did you write when your children were at home? Why or why not?

Yes, I tried to squeeze writing around naps, school, preschool, etc. Just magazine articles, though, when the kids were little. Short, quick, tight deadline. Interviews on phone calls were very hard to do (this was all pre-internet)

If you did write when your children were at home:

When did you find the time to write, and did you ever feel like you were neglecting your children when you write?

I think I felt as if I was often preoccupied. Not entirely present or “in the moment.” Sometimes, even if I’m with others, my mind can be a million miles away, mentally writing. Still working on that!

Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, writing, and keeping in shape? If not, which one for you has to take a back seat?

Ah, a constant battle! Being a writer is an odd career. To write well, one needs quiet time, space, discipline. But to write anything of substance, one needs relationships, activity, meaningful time with the Lord! I really love a quiet morning at home, but I am aware of the need to be open to interruptions and see them as beneficial to my life, not as intrusions.

Is it any easier writing now that your children are grown?

Yes! Mostly, I’m more seasoned. I’m a better writer! And on a practical level, I have more control over my time. Sort of.

Is parenting your grown children easier than raising them while they were young?

Easier? No. Different, yes. I think my kids on my mind just as much, and in my prayers just as much, but the problems get bigger as they get bigger. So does my faith, though, in seeing how the Lord has carried us through things.

What would you say to moms who can’t wait until their children are older so they can write more?

I would recommend that they journal on a daily basis and capture moments of childhood and early parenting. I encourage people to practice journaling as they would practice piano scales, exercising the craft. Journaling helps them to learn to pay attention and to remember details. But there’s no reason they can’t be writing. That’s the beauty of writing…all of life is material!

What interruptions in your writing didn’t you expect once your children were older and out of the home?

Just the other night, I received a panicky phone call that my dad had disappeared from his Alzheimer’s Board and Care facility. The police officers were out looking for him…and we finally found him (through the help of a guardian angel).

Taking care of my dad can get very consuming.

How do you handle these interruptions in your writing life?

I try to have the mind of Christ and make myself see the situation from His point of view. Otherwise, I can get very resentful. But when I try to think the way Christ thinks, it helps me yield to the circumstances, and I start to feel more tenderhearted toward my dad and his current needs. I even start remembering all of the kind things he has done for me in my life. Takes work, though, to

How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?

Sometimes it works, sometimes it just doesn’t. But I have a better sense of the big picture of writing. Not every hour is “billable.”

Has there ever been a time God told you to set aside your writing to focus on other areas of your life? If so, how did you handle that?

Not really set aside, but definitely to keep it in balance. I know the Lord wants us to be careful we don’t turn writing into a golden calf. It’s a wonderful passion, but it shouldn’t be a substitute for more important things.

Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?

Rejection can be very disheartening. It’s taken a while to work it through so that it doesn’t derail me. I think it’s just part of the writing gig…not necessarily a message from God to stop writing.

What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?

This is an industry in which “no one is looking for you.” Behind every published piece, a writer has a fat file of rejection letters. But, ah, there’s just something about that published piece that makes up for that rejection file! Persevere!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

A while ago, I went to my first writers’ conference expecting to connect with editors, plug a few queries, well, you know the drill. I left the conference with something even better: Three new writer friends all at the same “career place.” We have kept in touch (a cinch for e-mail junkies), edit each others’ work, and are even writing a devotional together to encourage new writers called Grit for the Oyster. I went to the conference with one intention; God had another one in mind. So my parting words are: Stay open. Stay optimistic. And remember that if God calls you to write, He’s not calling you to be the best, just to give your best.

Find Suzanne on-line at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

Copper Star (ISBN: 0-9793327-4-5) and Copper Fire (ISBN: 978-0-981-5592-0-9) are available at Amazon or other on-line booksellers, at Suzanne’s website, or can be ordered through your favorite bookstore.

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