Denver has given me a lot of firsts.

Driving into Denver was a lesson in self control and driving safety as I couldn’t help gaze upon the mountains in the distance while singing “America…” Thankfully Danica did the driving around town and I was able to soak in the wonder and beauty of the mountains. Seeing the foothills of the Rocky Mountains up close and then driving through them was an awesome sight.  I wish I could have spent more times outdoors at the foothills. Nature truly is God’s cathedral and I would have loved to soak in his presence. Maybe on another trip…

Another first came when Susan May Warren arrived and the girls went out swing dancing. It’s been one of my goals to learn to dance swing, ball room etc, and though I had no clue of the steps and was wearing the wrong shoes, I was nervous and eager to try. The coolest thing about the swing dance club, was that it wasn’t a “club” at all. No creepy guys (well, mostly) no tacky pick up lines, just people having fun dancing and listening to the music of the good old days. Since we were guyless, Happily-married-Susie (whose favorite dance partner, her husband, was at home,) gave us a few pointers in getting a guy to ask us for a dance.

“Look needy!” she said. And it worked for her. It also helped sitting closest to the dance floor. After Susie was whisked off a couple of times we dubbed it the “pick up chair” and we each took our turn and got our dances. A simple extended hand and a “would you like to dance?” was all it took to get us on the dance floor. Young, old, cute and creepy, no one was denied…well, I actually pushed a few guys toward my friends when I needed a break and knew they wanted to dance.

Keeping my shoes on was the hardest part of swing. Word of advice: Don’t wear sandals! I always started the dance with an “I’m new at this” or “I’m not very good” or “this is my first time swing dancing.” But that didn’t seem to deter them. The steps were basic, except when the guy decided to push me around…but don’t worry, that’s part of the fun though one time I got accused of being a modern girl for “leading,” but in my defense he was putting me in a spin and I had no clue which was to go!

Watching was even more fun than dancing. It’s one thing to know the steps and go through the motions, it’s another thing to add some flair and personality to your dance. It was awe inspiring to watch dance partners who obviously had danced together before. The way the girl was easily lead by her partner and knew just what to do with a simple tap of the shoulder or push into a spin. I know there’s an analogy for life and marriage in there, but I’ll save that for another time.

But the most impactful moment of the night was watching an “awkward” middle-aged man stand on the sidelines, watching and dancing, trying to simulate the steps. My heart went out to him. I don’t know why I’m a sucker for a lost and lonely soul, but that’s how he seemed to me.

Silently I prayed and hoped he would have the courage to ask someone to dance, yet the night went on and though he moved around the room no girl was on his arm.

I joked to Susie that she should ask him to dance, though my heart just wanted to see this man, who God loved and all his socially awkwardness, part of the dance community and not a wallflower. Well, my prayers were answered. He sauntered over with an extended hand, reached out to Susie in the pick up chair and got his dance. Then later, he extended a hand to me and eventually made his way around the table.

His dancing was just as off beat as his soul probably was, and though I didn’t preach to him, I hope he felt the love of God in that one dance. Keeping in step with him was hard, but we had fun dancing and chatting about our own lack of rhythm. I don’t know what this man’s life circumstances were, but in that room it didn’t matter. On that dance floor he was accepted, though not as light on his feet like the other dancers on the floor, his soul was just as precious to God.

Maybe this man was part of my journey.

Maybe this trip isn’t just about me, but about opening my eyes and helping me focus beyond myself and my little life. Whatever the reason for my journey, I’m going to be looking for more people who might be waiting for someone to ask them to dance.

Hopefully, I’ll be bold enough to extend my hand.

All my bags aren’t packed, I’m not ready to go. A load of laundry I still need to do…okay, that’s my feeble attempt at rewriting the words to the song, leaving on a jet plane…

Can’t believe my trip is finally here! In two days I’ll be headed out and I covet your prayers for traveling mercies, great weather, and NOT getting lost! Tonight I hope to finish getting my house and laundry in order so I can pack my suitcase and spend some time with the family. I’m sure the full impact of three weeks away hasn’t hit any of us. It’s the first time I’ll be away for more than five days and while I’ve got everything worked out on paper, I’m sure I’ll be going over their schedules in my head and making phone calls, sending out text reminders, and skyping.

Three weeks gone.

I know my boys will do fine and hopefully will love the unlimited Wii, computer and tv time they’ll no doubt have, but my little girl is the one I’m worried about the most. She’s definitely a mama’s girl and loves to play with friends’. Thankfully she’ll be going to a day camp for the first two weeks when I’m gone. I’m sure she’ll be having too much fun to worry too much about me, until bedtime. Usually she sleeps with my pillow when I’m away, but I’ll be packing it and told her she could sleep with my pillow case. She loves to be close to my scent. Awww, that just makes my heart melt. I hope she doesn’t grow up too much while I’m gone.

I’ll be posting about my travels while I’m away, and trying to put up videos on Youtube or facebook!

What’s the longest you’ve been away from your family and how do you keep in touch while you’re away?

It’s been so long since I gathered my thoughts enough to post that I’m not sure where to begin. Lots of things going on as I plan for my three week trek across the western half of the United States. It’s a belated 40th bday present to myself and I’m excited to hit the road, though not excited about all the driving. Note to self: Calculate the actual driving time and miles BEFORE you commit!

My trip will take me to Denver for the Masters Seminar with Susan May Warren and my agent Chip MacGregor where I’ll hang with Danica and Jessie and I’m sure I’ll make some new friends. Then it’s off to drive Jessie home to Idaho, then on to Portland, Cannon Beach, Northern California, Santa Barbara and last, but not least, to visit my pal Georgianna in Arizona.

If  by chance you’re on my route, I’m always looking for a reason to pull off the road and chat with a friend!

My writing took a back seat with the end of school responsibilities and when a writing mentor very wisely told me my romance was lacking the hero’s story. So I’ve been sulking, thinking and brainstorming since April and hope to get back on track at this conference. I’m praying it will be just what I need to jump start my writing again.

My weightloss finally turned a corner this month. I lost 18 pounds in three weeks on a detox plan I’ve been looking at for two years now. I’m not one to jump on bandwagons, but God mercifully gave me the grace to stick with this plan, and I’m continuing on maintenance for the next two weeks, then I’ll be free to eat anything I want in moderation.

For about seven years or more I’ve been trying to lose the 20 pounds that my last pregnancy and homeschooling put on me. For the last 4 years I’ve been faithful to exercise, though my diet hasn’t been perfect, I haven’t been able to lose the weight. Now 18 pounds lighter (and about 18 plus more pounds to go) I’m able to wear clothes I haven’t worn in years! My trip will cut into my exercise routine, but I’ll do the best I can and watch my diet. I really feel incredible to have overcome this hurdle. Maybe it’s just the beginning to all the other areas of my life!

So what have YOU been up to?

Yep, that’s right. I’m hitting the road, by myself, and heading West. It’s a trip that’s been a year and half in the making. It was supposed to be my 40th present to myself, but I like to plan things out and well, my first option was to go cruising with friends, but due to lack of finances and er…friends able to take off on a whim, I decided I’d take the celebration to them instead.

Unfortunately, time limits me to the west coast, but maybe next time I’ll travel east!

So here’s my tentative itinerary. The great thing about traveling alone is that I can do what I want when I want and I’m gonna do just that! If you’re a friend, faithful blog reader, or new to my musings, and you’re on my route, give me a shout (okay, didn’t mean that to rhyme.)

First stop is Denver, Colorado where my pal Danica has almost talked me into attending the Master’s Seminar. And I’m really close to writing the check. First have to make sure there’s money IN the check book!

Denver to Yellowstone Park

Yellowstone to  Southern Idaho to visit my new feels-like-we’ve-been-friends-forever friend, Jessie where she’s gonna turn me into a cowgirl or redneck and take me to the coffee place Brandilyn Collins used in her Kanner Lake series!

Idaho to Portland, Oregon…to the coast to visit Canon Beach because Jim Rubart painted such a wonderful picture of the place in his book ROOMS that I just have to see it for myself.

Then Oregon Coast down California…Yeah, California is BIG so hoping to make a couple stops along the way…not sure where. Open to suggestions!

California to Grand Canyon, Arizona to visit my pal Georgianna

Arizona to Texas, maybe…depends how much time I have. I’d love to go to the beach!

So there you have it! My road trip! It’s almost too real to believe it’s going to happen in less than two months!

I’ve been observing Lent for decades. At first out of habit, now out of want for more of God. But it wasn’t until the last couple of years that I heard about Fat Tuesday.

Fat Tuesday. Not sure I really need to indulge all that much because I’ve been indulging for the last year so gorging on what I’m giving up doesn’t seem necessary. So what am I giving up? What am I NOT giving up is a better question. Here’s the what and why. Feel free to share yours in the comments.

Facebook and Twitter because they rob me of time and relationships.Whenever I get needy I run to the computer and tweet and click and search and wait for instant gratification. Needless to say, it isn’t instant, so I tweet and search and comment and wait sometimes wasting an hour or more, robbing myself of building real life relationships with God, family, and friends. So I’m taking the temptation away and trying to run to those closest when the urge for connection comes. Don’t worry, I’ll still be available by email (my facebook messages come to my email,) but the mindless, surfing will be cut off and hopefully I’ll get more done. Hopefully!

Food, okay, not all food, but specifically sweets, treats, simple carbs, junk food…you get the picture. I’ve tried to give these things up since January, but for some reason it’s easier to cut these out of my diet during Lent. Every time I reach for a piece of candy, the conviction hits hard, and I have the will power (through grace) to say no because I made a commitment not just to myself, but to God. I usually give up this stuff every year and don’t lose weight, but hopefully this year will be different since I’ve been really good about exercising. I’m hoping to make this a permanent life change.

I’m sure I’ll give more things up along the way as I notice what comes between me and God, but for now that’s enough and like I said I won’t be gorging myself today on these things. I’ll just go about my normal lack of self control, cause I really thinks that’s more than enough for Fat Tuesday.

How about you?

Do you observe Lent? Why or why not?

And what are you giving up for Jesus to make room for him?

Yep, I’m doing it! Not sure what exactly or when or even why, but I’m tired of the body I’m living in, the excuses I make and basically I just want to prove myself wrong. The self that says:

I’ll never have the fit body I’ve dreamed about even though I’ve seen my overweight friends finally achieve theirs…in their 40s.

It’s impossible to lose weight now that I’m over 40!

I’ll never be able to run a marathon, let alone a half or 5K. Especially since I HATE running.

And that Iron Man Hawaii triathlon is INSANE! I’m not even sure I can swim, bike or run a mini-triathlon.

I’m not sure how it will all work. (Like I can fit something else into my crammed schedule, though I did wake at 6:16 am!) Maybe I’ll start with a 5K in a couple of months, maybe more (months not miles.) Maybe a triathlon isn’t on the agenda until next year, maybe sooner and I have NO plans of ever running a marathon, but who knows! I’ve signed up for Beginner Triathlete.

Anyone want to jump on the insanity train?

…about thirty years late. But I guess it’s still a dream come true. When I was younger I loved being on stage in my high school plays, even if I was just in the background dancing, but I hated the auditions. It scared me to death. I never had a speaking part that was more than a line or two, but I was fine with it. Though secretly I dreamed of being a childhood actress and star on television. Not sure why I was obsessed with it. Maybe the lives and families on television looked more fun than my own, but I really never told anyone of my dream. I was too shy and insecure and growing up in a single mom home, didn’t think my dream would ever come true.

Then I got married, had children and over the years I realized my children were gifted musically. So I put them in musical theatre and though shy at first, they all fell in love with theatre and they were good. I was happy to get my childhood dream fix watching them, though once again I wondered if it was something I could do myself. But who had the time with pursuing a new/old passion of writing fiction and being published. Still, I thought I should at least give it a try, once and promised my kids one day I’d audition and be in a play with them.

I thought one day was a long time away, but with no pending book contracts or books in dire need of writing, it seemed like I had a pretty free summer. So I nervously auditioned for the Wizard of Oz. My kids said I had a great Wicked Witch cackle, I took that as a compliment and with shaking script in hand, I auditioned.

And was relieved I didn’t get the part, but I did get in the play. I had a safe little part as Mrs. Gulch the mean woman who wanted to take Toto away. All I had to do was run across the stage, yell a few lines and I was off. I had a few other appearances in Oz, but for the most part, it wasn’t a big deal and I was okay with that. My dream, still fulfilled.

Then I got a call. “Auntie Em left the show and could I do it?” My first thought, I enjoyed being the mean lady with a small part. Could I be nice old Aunt Em with a dozen or so lines. They needed me, so I said yes, now I have to memorize the lines which is my second biggest fear. My third biggest fear, forgetting the lines!

But I had my first practice as Aunt Em the other day and it felt pretty good. There’s 3-4 more weeks left of practice and I’ll get better and learn those lines. So while it took me over 30 years to make this childhood dream come true, I’m praying it won’t take another 30 for my dream of publishing my first novel!

Is it better to dabble and excel in several things that you love or focus and commit to one talent, one discipline you’re not sure you want to spend the rest of your life doing, but you enjoy?

That’s the dilemma Joey, my 12 year old,  is facing. We just had an audition with a music conservatory. Several friends have received scholarships there, and I knew Joey was a candidate. The school explained to me it was a vigorous “Russian” program, and I knew if any one of my kids could do it, it’d be my A+ student who loves to play the piano.

We went. Joey impressed them, and then I was called in and given the “music will be his life for the next seven years” speech. While I was informed by friends that they were very strict, I guess I didn’t realize they expected Joey not to pursue any other interests. In fact, one of the first things they said to me is that he had a strong interview and he was a very polite boy, but he has a lot of talents and interests. Which is true. Joey could have been a competitive tumbler, but for reasons beyond our control (like the gym closing and not finding another program) he’s lost some of his skills. We planned on putting him back in tumbling now that we found another gym. He also loves theatre and thought he could give it up for a year to pursue piano, but he’s dismayed at the thought of seven years of not doing the other things he loves. Now, the scholarship is not for seven years, they reevaluate every year, but they want to take serious students and parents who will push their children and drive them even when the children don’t want to continue. That’s the Russian influence and the teacher was very honest about the philosophy of the school. She even said she had to turn down some very talented students because the parent’s weren’t 100% on board.

So our dilemma. I really want Joey to have this opportunity, especially since I can’t see any other way we can afford piano lessons at the level he needs them, but am I willing to force him to do nothing but piano? He’s not excited about it and I’m just so disappointed because I wanted this to be a good fit for us. And it has me wondering how my other friends who are at the school can still be involved in Boy Scouts. I remember my friend telling me they’re really strict at first and then they can work with you, but she said you can only miss 2 lessons. That wouldn’t work with theatre. And by the time students are in their second year, they’re at the school three hours a week. Decisions, decisions!

My son could be anything he wants to be. He could be great at a lot of things. He already is. Is it fair to push him in a particular direction so he could be excellent? This school seems to think so.

What are your thoughts?

I was just looking back over my blog the last couple of months and realized this site has become an advertising haven, sprinkled in with a little bit of me. No wonder my faithful readers are scarce!

Truth be told, I have let things get out of hand and I’m not sure when things will turn around. I’m in the process of redesigning Writerinterrupted.com and will move most of my blog tours and reviews there. That should clean things up here a bit.

But as for product reviews and such, I’m on a desperate mission to raise enough money to attend ACFW Denver this year. In years past we had the money. With our recent move and our house on the market longer than expected (we close this month) I’ve been forced to find other means of income.

That means blogging. While it’s not enough, it is adding up and one thing I’ll promise the readers I still have left, is that all products and things are review will be chosen for merit and things I’d like to try or use or learn more about.

I really wish I had more news to report on the writing and homeschooling front, but things are moving slowly. And I’ve been twittering more and there’s probably a post or two about things like Brown Recluse spiders, remind me to tell you about that, and how I’m doing on my renewed exercise and diet vision.

So, thanks for sticking around and skip over those posts that don’t do a thing for you and remember to comment on those posts that speak to you. Sometimes your comments are all the encouragement I get!

I ran for almost 30 minutes straight! Now coming from someone who got a D on her college 3 mile field test because I couldn’t run it in under 30 minutes and MISSED Summa Cum Laude by fractions of a point because of it, THIS 30 minute running nonstop is a big deal!

I didn’t plan on doing it, but by the time I dropped my daughter off at dance, I was 15 minutes late to my step aerobics class and thought I’d give the treadmill a try. I didn’t think I’d last 5 minutes, let alone almost 30 (had to cut it a minute short since my pump class was starting) but I did it!

I didn’t like it. It was BORING and I couldn’t read like when I’m on my elliptical, but I did it. I never felt winded and I averaged a 15 minute mile. Stop laughing now! A 15 minute mile kept me jogging, but I only went 2 miles and burned maybe 200 calories. I can do 45 minutes on the elliptical while reading a book and burn 600 calories and it’s easier on my body. Why in the world would I want to make running a part of my daily exercise?

Why do YOU make running a part of your daily exercise?

On the elliptical I climb mountains, push through levels 4, 5 and 6 and it’s HARD, but doesn’t batter my body like running does. I probably won’t make running a habit, but it’s nice to know I can do it if I wanted to. Maybe one of these days I’ll try running a real race! But until them, I’m content with this small achievement!

It’s a battle I’ve been waging all my life and while I’m not 100 lbs over weight, even twenty extra pounds on my 5ft. 3 1/2 inch frame manifests itself in more junk in the trunk and ship-like hips, then I care to carry. I’ve never been really good at dieting. Who wants to deprive themselves, really? And exercise has always been an on and off again way of life. I was down to my lowest when I followed the weigh Down Weight Loss plan and I wasn’t even exercising. But then I got pregnant and gained 60 lbs. Though I lost 40 before my next pregnancy, I still have that extra 20 I haven’t been able to lose. Then I started homeschooling and exercise really took a back seat, which didn’t help my um…back seat.

So I got an elliptical and exercised consistently 4- 6 days a week for 20 -45 minutes and I thought I’d see significant weightloss. I didn’t, and I realized I had hit the age where my metabolism was slowing down.  What to do? What to do? I had a choice to make, step up the workouts and curb the eating or not be fit and trim like I’ve dreamed all my life.

Then I saw my friends hitting forty, losing weight, and looking the best they’ve ever looked. If they could do it, surely I could as well. Some did it the natural way, diet and exercise. Some not so natural with HCG, and some who’ve gotten model thin, I’m still unsure about how they did it.

So I figure, lent would be a great time to really buckle down and feel the pain. So I stepped up the workouts, now busting my butt, literally, doing step aerobics and pump weight training twice a week at the gym and once at home with the other days filled in with elliptical or some other aerobic training.

I put myself on my own healthy eating plan, mostly smaller portions and chicken and veggies in the evenings and I’ve seen a drop in lbs. Four to be exact. Then my son’s birthday hit and I over did it a bit with the fat intake. No weight loss that week, so I got anxious and did some online research. Maybe there was a way to speed up the weightloss process. And what is that Alli pill all about? I did some research and found out. Not fo me. Diet pills never were. I just can’t see taking the risk just to be thinner.

My conclusion. There’s just no easy road to weight loss and like anything else in life worth the fight, it’s going to hurt. But I’m learning to embrace the hurt. Especially during workouts because I know every pain is doing me good. Every stomach growl is getting me closer to health and the body I’ve always dreamed up. And I think there’s something magical about hitting 40 and losing weight. It has nothing to do with the number but the season of life most women are in. Their children are older and can fend for themselves for the most part and it’s a time mom gets to spend more time working on self! That’s how I’m looking at it and I’m hoping and praying finally, finally, finally, I’ll be able to win this battle and not bulge!

I have an agent!

If you’ve been following my quest for an agent, then you know all about. If not you can read all about it! But the abbreviated version is that I’ve been prayerfully considering which agents I’d submit my proposal to.

I narrowed it down to two, got to know these agents over a course of two to three years, and when I had a finished WIP, I pitched them at an ACFW conference. They both requested it, and I spent the next year agonizing over how I would choose between the two. Being the coward that I can be at times, I prayed that only one would want to represent me while fully aware that either both or neither would want to touch this newbie!

Well, God answered my prayers and guided my path. And now I have an agent before ACFW, which was my goal.

Who is my agent? Chip MacGregor.

It’s so clear to me now how the hand of God was nudging me toward him from the time I met him and heard God speak to my heart saying, “Maybe the agent you want is not the one you need” to the time I showed up early to meet with another agent and Chip had just had a cancellation. That’s when I pitched my WIP and the ball started rolling.

I had certain criteria I was looking for in an agent and Chip fit the bill. I’m excited to work with him for a number of reasons, but mostly because God not only knew what I needed in an agent, but ultimately he gave me get exactly what I wanted as well!

Are you sure you’ve got your timing write? Not off by a year or two, are you?

I thought you wanted me to homeschool this year, well come to think of it, did I even ask you? Probably not, I just thought, no, felt in my heart, it was the right thing to do. I still think it’s the right thing, but I’m questioning the timing of this unexpected house move.

Oh, I know it’s not official yet. But I’m packing up 12 years of my life including my homeschool room I JUST organized this summer! I’m a little overwhelmed with the fact I’m not mentally prepared to homeschool though I have all the curriculum…somewhere in boxes! Good thing I can set the official homeschool date to after we move in…when I’ll be unpacking??? What were you thinking?

And I’m really grateful to the interest this agent has in me. I’m thinking I could have an agent any day now. But I question the timing of it all. Did you forget my kids were in school last year, and I had several hours a day to write and devote to my career? Do you know something about next year that I don’t?

Duh, obviously you do, but why does my life have to always be in “feast or famine” mode? I want to devote myself to homeschooling wholeheartedly. How can I do that with moving into a house…a big fixer upper? Which I’m very thankful for, btw! Well, it’s not officially ours yet, neither is the agent official or anything. Maybe I’m reading into things that I shouldn’t. Maybe I shouldn’t have just boxed up my entire desk!

Who knows?

Oh, yeah, you do!

Good thing one of us knows what’s going on here!

Affectionately Yours,

Clueless

Okay so this little meme column isn’t catching on like I thought it might. You people must be made of money. Where are your tips on saving money? I’m not even going to mess with Mr. Linky any more. Just put your suggestions in the comment section… Come on, I know you have them!

I don’t know about you, but I’m appalled at how quickly gas is rising, so I’m on a mission to think of ways for my family (and yours) to save money. If you have some fabulous ideas to save money this summer, then join me in posting one idea every Saturday.

Here are the official rules:

Write a summer money saving post and copy the logo and link back here to the Mr. Linky post

Invite others back here to view more tips on how to save money this summer

More on what to post:

You can share your ideas or some things you did the previous week to save (or make money.) I can’t wait to hear all the wonderful money saving tips you have. Don’t forget to share your money saving ideas! Here’s mine!

Walk/Bike More: We live really close to a main shopping area and it’d be easy to walk or ride bikes to the local sonic for an ice cream treat. I’m going to look for more places I can work. I would do public transportation, but I’m not sure where a bus even stops by us. Maybe I’ll check it out!

Nothing frustrates me more than reading a book filled with lazy writing. I’m talking about dialogue tags and telling. So and so “said eagerly, or demanded or protested,” so and so “felt defensive, violated, etc.”

Anyone whose been studying the craft of writing for some time will tell you to nix the dialogue tags when at all possible and go with action beats. “Jenny, come here this minute.” Allison tapped her toe, hands firm on her hips. Not only does this eliminated the annoying “said” it also shows that Allison is angry or impatient. I didn’t have to say Allison felt angry because the reader sees it! The reader doesn’t have to be told, she gets it. What telling does is distance the reader from the character. Showing helps the reader experience the emotions of the character.

I’m reading two books right now that could be considered opposites in storytelling. One is suspense, tight writing, engaging, emotionally connected. The author doesn’t mince words, doesn’t use “said” and only tells when necessary for a transition.

The other book is general fiction, loose plot, not very engaging, blah characters, over use of “said” and telling. I can’t connect with the characters. I don’t feel their emotions and the lazy writing just plain irks me. I’ve never read this author before, might give her another chance because she’s very popular and has written over 100 books.

Yes, you read that right 100! Which brings me to a point to ponder. How can someone so prolific, who’s sold so many books, get so lazy in their writing? Or maybe it’s because this person whips out five books a year. Maybe she doesn’t have time to pour her best into her novels and it shows, at least in the current one I’m reading.

The other author, on the other hand, only writes one book a year. Aside from the intense plotting that goes into her suspense books, I see the toil and labor over every single word. Her writing is stellar, and it shows.

Which brings me to my second point to ponder. Do I want to be like this prolific writer, that cranks out book after book, but writing is lax? Or do I want to be an author that writes one great book a year?

I think I already know my answer!

You’ve read the post. What do you think? I’d love your thoughts on this issue and the books you’ve read lately.

I have the opportunity to attend a Cecil Murphy mentoring clinic and I sort of have the money. I was saving up for ACFW, which I still plan on attending, but I put the money toward this mentoring clinic with this amazing author. Haven’t heard of him? That’s because he’s ghost written a gazillion books including the best seller 90 Minutes in Heaven. The price is steep for an unpublished writer, but the opportunity is invaluable.

Hubby not’s totally for it. Only sees the dollar signs and the fact that there’s no immediate turn around for the investment. But I have most of the cash and hope to earn the rest through ads on WI, hopefully!

So what do you think?

Don’t let your cash get away from you this summer. Join me Saturdays here at Portrait of a Writer…Interrupted and get a grip on your cash flow and start sharing your savings ideas.

I don’t know about you, but I’m appalled at how quickly gas is rising, so I’m on a mission to think of ways for my family (and yours) to save money. If you have some fabulous ideas to save money this summer, then join me in posting one idea every Saturday.

Here are the official rules:

Write a summer money saving post and copy the logo and link back here to the Mr. Linky post

Invite others back here to view more tips on how to save money this summer

Sign Mr. Linky with the url of your Money Saving Post

Do NOT add a Mr. Linky to your blog, but encourage those who want to participate to visit here!

More on what to post:

You can share your ideas or some things you did the previous week to save (or make money.) I can’t wait to hear all the wonderful money saving tips you have. Don’t forget to share your money saving ideas and sign Mr. Linky! Here’s mine!

Downsize, Don’t Supersize. Eat fast food less: During the busy school year it’s nothing for us to drive through several times a week. Of course I tried to make sure we had cheap ($1 menu) and healthy (grilled chicken wraps) options, but I’m hoping our summer won’t be so busy that lunch will be on the go.

Another thing I’m doing is instead of buying that Grande latte, opt for the smallest one and limit it to once a weak or as a reward. Not only will your wallet thank you, but your waist will as well.

Now it’s your turn . Just click on Mr. Linky and a window will pop up. Add your contribution, browse other posts and start saving!

ICRS interviews. Book reviews and promotions. Blog tours. Product reviews.

I’d love to say yes to them all, but I have to be very selective. I’m feeling the pressure and stress and it’s really not necessary. I can say “no.” I will say “no.” I must say “no.”

I’ll will have to weigh each request against the needs of myself and family. Each request takes time away from what I really want to do. I already feel overloaded at ICRS. I’m not sure how long these interviews will take and I’m afraid I’m stretching myself thin!

So in the next couple of weeks, I will have to cut back on my book promotions, blog tours and product reviews to step back and breath this summer. Hopefully I will gain much needed rest for my own spiritual, physical and family rejuvination!

Don’t let your cash get away from you this summer. Join me Saturdays here at Portrait of a Writer…Interrupted and get a grip on your cash flow and start sharing your savings ideas.

I don’t know about you, but I’m appalled at how quickly gas is rising, so I’m on a mission to think of ways for my family (and yours) to save money. If you have some fabulous ideas to save money this summer, then join me in posting one idea every Saturday.

Here are the official rules:

Write a summer money saving post and copy the logo and link back here to the Mr. Linky post

Invite others back here to view more tips on how to save money this summer

Sign Mr. Linky with the url of your Money Saving Post

Do NOT add a Mr. Linky to your blog, but encourage those who want to participate to visit here!

More on what to post:

You can share your ideas or some things you did the previous week to save (or make money.) I can’t wait to hear all the wonderful money saving tips you have. Don’t forget to share your money saving ideas and sign Mr. Linky! Here’s mine!

Hang my clothes on a clothesline: I’m sure many of you are already doing this, but with my mom here hanging her clothes outside, I thought I’d bite the bullet and commit to using the dryer less and air dry my clothes more. Yes, that will mean more time doing something I hate, but with not having to drive to a pool, guess I’ll have more time!

I’m not proficient in this yet, but having mom here, showing me the ropes sure helps!

Now it’s your turn . Just click on Mr. Linky and a window will pop up. Add your contribution, browse other posts and start saving!

Even though I’m still re-evaluating if writing is something I should be doing at this time in my life, I am still very aware that I need to finish what I started. I’m going to make a concentrated effort to finish polishing my WIP in case the agent wants to see it. In fact I started edits (for spelling and such) yesterday and it’s amazing what a pair of fresh eyes can do. I’m still toying with the idea of making Mari single. Possible a widow in the middle of the book. I can handle that scenario the best if it comes to that.

So if the agent who’s hopefully reading it now or soon doesn’t want it, then that will just help me in the direction I need to go. Maybe. Or I may have to shop it around and wait a while longer…or start rewriting. Everything is up in the air, but I do now more balance needs to come to my life and family. And it already has!

If you’re of the praying persuasion, I could use all you got!