Nail maintenance a MUST before we see the town…city!

Portland Rose Gardens
Oh, how I wish you could smell what I’m smelling! Sweet, perfumy heaven!

This is a small sample of the beautiful roses and pics. You can see more on at this link.

Before the hour plus hike to Pittock Mansion.
I was still happy and refreshed and didn’t know how long of a hike it really was!!

We reached the top and the mansion was closed!

Still a great view!

Reward for a looong climb!!!

My son has been playing the cello for a little less than a year and I just wanted to share how proud I am of him!

I’m not a huge environmental activist. You won’t find me hugging any trees, but I believe if we all did a little to help our environment it can go a long way and make our children’s future a better place to live.

Check out these Green and Eco-Friendly sites and share your own for a better tomorrow!

http://recycline.com

http://www.biobagusa.com/

I’m not quite through this one yet, but I really loved DiAnn’s last book in this series called Breach of Trust. I loved the story and the characters jumped off the page. Sworn to Protect has the same strong female protagonist and an interesting story line about a border control agent and illegal Mexicans, but the characters haven’t worked their way into my heart yet, like with the first book in the series. Still, it is a well-written, intriguing (because of the subject matter) read with just the right amount of romance (which for me is less than action.)

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Sworn To Protect Tyndale House (April 2010)
by DiAnn Mills

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies.

DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.

Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2007, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.

She lives in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Border Patrol Agent Danika Morales sends illegal immigrants back to Mexico; a job she’s paid dearly for. Her husband, Toby, was murdered two years ago trying to help and his murder’s never been solved. Now a string of attacks and arrests leads her to believe that someone from McAllen profits from sneaking undocumented immigrants into the country and somehow this illegal activity is tied to her husband, Toby’s death.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Sworn To Protect, go HERE.

Watch the book trailer video:

Still working to update my website and blog! Thanks for your patience!!!

It’s amazing how out of touch I feel without Facebook and twitter, though I’m not missing it all that much except for when I want to tell the world about something! I don’t know what’s going on with everyone and I feel disconnected, BUT I’m not spending hours mindlessly checking up on people. Which is a good thing!

What I also noticed while on this less than a week fast is that people tend to forget about you if you’re not there reminding them with a tweet! (maybe I need to give it more time!) At least that’s my perception. I haven’t gotten ONE legitamate twitter DM or @, and only ONE fb message from a parent of a student (didn’t check fb, it goes to my email) which tells me that if I’m not out there soliciting messages, or posting a witty tweet, then people just aren’t all that interested. Hmmm, what does that say about this whole social media thing AND my craving for it?

Actually, so far it hasn’t been that bad. In fact, without the tweeting and facebook I’ve actually felt more free in regards to NOT comparing how many messages I’ve gotten compared to someone else. Yes, I’m still an insecure needy twitterer at times, don’t tell me your not! But the freedom is well…freeing!

Anyway, it’s Tuesday (or was by the time you read this) and I’m rambling. And despite the fact that I got two major rejections in two weeks and basically have NOTHING out there with publishing houses now, I’m doing amazingly well!

How are YOU doing?

“A mile a minute – that is how fast your child can disappear.”  Haunting and truthful words posted on the website for Klaas Kids.

On Friday, February 19th, Margaret McSweeney will interview Marc Klaas, father of Polly Klaas who was kidnapped and murdered in 1993.  As a legacy to his daughter, Marc founded KlaasKids Foundation to help stop crimes against children. Please tune in to Kitchen Chat with Margaret McSweeney Friday at 11:00 am CST!

Here is an excerpt from Marc’s journal that is posted online:

“There is nothing that can prepare one for a murder trial. My family sits as the last few hours in Polly’s life are dissected, analyzed, de-constructed, reconstructed, cross-referenced and compartmentalized. The constant assault on our sensibilities by horrible revelations that defy the principles of civilization seem overwhelming much of the time. It is impossible to withstand or rise above the continual dehumanizing facts that are revealed in a constant, monotonous stream of revelation. There is no room for anything but the processing of nightmarish information. The killer laughs throughout the video tape and I want to shout, yet I must sit unflinching and stone-faced for fear of causing a mistrial. Every day my family is drawn into the world of murder, mayhem, rape and deprivation and there is no way out.”

Learn about effective ways to keep your children safe from harm and find out what you can do to help stop crimes against kids.  Please tune in and call in with your questions for Marc this Friday 11-12 CST on Kitchen Chat.

Okay, according to my comments…2009 was a pathetic blogging year for me! Is it the content (I’m sure that had a lot to do with it since I did a lot of product and book review stuff,) is it the fact that I’m on WordPress instead of Blogger (Please chime in on this because I’m seriously thinking about switching to blogger to reach more people,) or is my message boring. (Yes, I’m not the fun, turn a crazy life into a humor post kind of blogger, but I am honest and real, truthful and hopeful, and hopefully encouraging.)

I’m not in this for the numbers (most of the time!;) But I do want to be faithful to what I believe God wants me to do. I don’t want to do my own thing because it rarely works, so if you’re one of my lurking readers, tell me what you want, what you really, really want. Why do you come back? Why do you stay away! Should I switch back to Blogger!

In case you missed the few highlights or care to relive them!

Our trip to North Carolina to tape for the Raggs PBS show:
Part one  and   Part two

What’s the Point So glad I pushed past this!

Tortoise of Hare? I’m still running the race…

The Face of Divorce Sure has Changed

Jack of All Trades vs. Master of One

A Fear Overcome and a Dream Come True

ACFW Revisited Pensive and Humbled

5 Things I’ve Learned about Writing NaNo 

I LOVE Alphabet Island

There Must be 50 Ways to Edit your WIP

We’re excited to announce that Carol from Carol’s Notebook won the necklace!

Carol left a comment on Freda Man’s blog!

Congratulations!

Here’s another chance to win…5 copies of the Pearl Girls book will be given away this week on the Pearl Girls’ blog. All you need to do to be entered is leave a comment before 1/8/10.

(The winner was chosen using random number integer.com)

and let me know you’re just dying to be on my newsletter email list (that I only send out about 3-4 times a year) which is filled with “must read” information about my currently nonexistent writing career and published novels!

Of course, it’s stuffed with other goodies like contests, book giveaways, and interviews with successful “dream chasers.” You know, the ones who you’d like to hit upside the head with a brick or 2X4 (;) because they seem to have their acts together homeschooling while running a successful at home business with spotless homes who have book contract after book contract… Not that I would resort to violence because I’m actually very content in this season of life (read between the lines and you see I have no choice but to be content in this season of waiting since God obviously knows what’s best, but I would rather have a three book contract, a spotless house and kids that could homeschool themselves!)

But in the chance that I’ll actually get published in this next century and you’re even remotely interested I’d love to add you to my email list.  And the best thing is, I only send out the newsletter quarterly, if that much. Just ask Vertical Response, the newsletter service I use who called today to ask why I hadn’t sent out a newsletter in months! That’s when I figured I better write a Dec/January newsletter before my credits expire!

So if you’d like to be put on this list, comment and leave me your email. If you’d rather pass, then you can pretend you never read this post and I won’t even know the difference!

It only takes 10 seconds to show your appreciation!

At www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier currently serving in Iraq. Best of all it’s FREE!

Sounds like a great Veteran’s Day project, don’t you think?

They’ve been around for years. Smucker’s Uncrustables. And I’m a little reluctant to say we’ve never tried them, until now. Sure, they looked like a great idea. Quick and easy PBJ without the fuss or crust. Buy my kids never had a problem with crust. I never started cutting them off, and they never complained.

But when I was given the opportunity to try and review Smucker’s Uncrustables, I thought “why not? I’ve always wanted to.” My kids picked out the  white bread uncrustables with strawberry jelly. I didn’t even realize they made whole wheat or I would have gotten those. I just might have to go back and try them out. I had always imagined them being outrageously priced, but at $2.50 a box at Walmart, it wasn’t that bad.

I asked my seven-year-old if she liked them and she said, “No…I Love them!” I even enjoyed my uncrustable which I ate as a take-it-with-me breakfast. My other kids enjoyed them for a snack and as lunch. I found the pockets to be full of ooey, gooey goodness. Much yummier than the organic PBJ sandwiches I make for the kids. If you’ve never tried Smucker’s Uncrustable and would like a chance to win a free 4-pack box, then check out their website.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Smucker’s Uncrustables and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

I’m not one to spend a lot of money on shoes. No Prada or Dulce and Gabana for me, though I’m sure I’d love them if I had to the money to spend on them. I’m more of a Payless, Walmart shoe girl. I buy cheap shoes that feel good and look nice. But it seems like it’s been YEARS since I bought shoes and my old ones were looking pretty ragged.

I tried weeks ago looking for some simple black sandals. I even went to the pricey stores and they didn’t even have any to choose from. But today at Shoe Carnival I hit the motherload of shoe sales and that was before I even walked through the door.

What caught my eye was the sidewalk sandal sale. I would have stopped even if there was no sale, but these marked down shoes were $5 off the pick sticker which were already marked down about 75%. I felt the adrenaline spike when they dad several cute sandals in black, white and brown in MY size…or close to it. So I tried them on and actually only ruled out one pair. I couldn’t decide on the rest so I bought ALL of them. Hubby doesn’t know yet, but I got 8 pairs for what some woman spend on one.

How could he complain! So here they are. What do you think and how much do YOU think I spent?

‘MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL’

God

We’re finally settled into our hotel after several delays (2 hours this morning!)A Raggs crew member met us wearing a bright orange t-shirt and a sign with my daughters name. She was shy at first, but started warming up. I’m just praying she warms up tomorrow for the taping.

The only disappointment is that we got in three hours later than expected. I had hoped to have the afternoon to explore downtown Charlotte, but we might have time for that after our taping in the morning. Though we won’t have a hotel room to come back to.

And speaking of hotel rooms, the first thing my daughter got excited about was the flat screen tv on the wall. To put it “Wickedly” this place is swankified! Pretty cool, modern, but no literature in the rooms that tell about the hotel. Though I did see something on the internet I’ll go and explore in a minute.

Give your kids a hands-on mission project and a chance to serve needy children around the world

What do think about when you read headlines about economic hardships, natural disasters, and politically charged conflict?  Circumstances like these set families and entire communities reeling, and few people are affected as profoundly as the children involved.  How do the littlest victims cope with the changes and uncertainty around them?  And what can the church do to reach out specifically to these little ones?

Group Publishing, the premier publishers of children’s Bible curriculum including Sunday school and VBS, believes that some of the best ministers to children experiencing disaster and hardship are other children.  That’s why they have created a program called Operation Kid-to-Kid (OK2K), which partners with nondenominational Christian ministries like International Bible Society and World Vision to provide opportunities for children in North America to share God’s love with other children in difficult or disastrous situations.  Since its inception ten years ago, Operation Kid-to-Kid projects have impacted millions of kids all over the world.

“Operation Kid-to-Kid is a great way to teach kids compassion and service,” says Joani Schultz, cofounder of Group and OK2K.  “Children learn by doing.  It’s one thing to drop a nickel in the offering plate, but when kids make a gift with their own hands, when they can be creative and personal, this leaves a real impression on both the givers and the receivers.”

Q: What is Operation Kid-to-Kidâ„¢?

A: Operation Kid-to-Kid™ is a partnership of Group Publishing, Inc. and nondenominational Christian organizations dedicated to creating hands-on service projects for children in North America.  Operation Kid-to-Kid™ projects have ministered to kids all over the world.  Over the years, Group’s Operation Kid-to-Kid™ has become one of the largest forces mobilizing children in serving other children around the world.  Millions have been impacted with gifts of comfort critters, school supplies, Bibles, hygiene kits, Christmas gifts, Bible coloring books, and socks and shoes.  Operation Kid-to-Kid™ gives children a meaningful service project that will change their hearts as they help change the world.

Q: What is a Comfort Critter?  Where do I get the Comfort Critters?

A: Comfort Critters are adorable, easy-to-assemble crafts designed especially for kids to make and receive.  Custom-made Comfort Critters are available from Group and Group suppliers.  This year’s special critter is a cuddly little turtle that reads “God Cares” and features a pocket so each child can include a special message to another child in need.

 

Q: We all want to teach our kids about God’s compassion.  Why are the Operation Kid-to-Kid^TM Comfort Critters so effective for this purpose?

A: Children learn by doing.  While activities like collecting spare change definitely serve a good purpose, it’s hard for young children, who don’t really understand the value of money yet, to understand how the money they collect will minister to other children.  But all children know what it’s like to be scared or lonely.  They know how a teddy bear, stuffed animal, or blankie makes them feel better.  As they use their own hands to make these little turtles, they are creating personal, tangible expressions of compassion.  The handy sewn in pocket gives them the opportunity to send a message from their own hearts.  And because they make two turtles—one to give away and one to keep—they will have a touchable reminder that other children are struggling and in need of compassion and comfort.

Q: How many Comfort Critters will I need?

A: You will need two for each child participating—one for them to keep, and one to give away.

Q: Can I use a different Comfort Critter for our church service project?

A: Not if you are distributing it through International Bible Society for disaster relief.  They’re counting on receiving these Comfort Critters with the special message of God’s love.  IBS has learned it’s important that items distributed to children should be identical.  No child should feel less special because his or her Comfort Critter doesn’t look like the others.

Q: Do I have to send my Comfort Critters to the International Bible Society for distribution?

A: Feel free to tweak your Operation Kid-to-Kid™ program.  You can use your Comfort Critters as a local community service project—or send the items with your church mission team.

Q: Besides the Comfort Critters, what other Operation Kid-to-Kidâ„¢ projects can my group participate in?

A: There are so many ways to involve children in ministry throughout the year.  Through the Rome VBS program, you can send monthly Bible readers to children in the underground church around the world.  Since it is dangerous for these children to own a Bible, these comic book-style readers offer much needed encouragement.

The Operation Kid-to-Kid Prayer Bear missions program warms hearts and minds and allows children to share the joy of God’s love.  Kids will learn what it means to help others as they create a Prayer Bear that says “Jesus” in English, Spanish, and French.  Plus, everyone can personalize a message to put in their Bear’s pocket to send to an orphan in Africa.  Join us in one of the world’s largest forces mobilizing kids in serving others around the world.

This easy, hands-on mission program can serve those in your local community, be sent to military personnel, or simply be sent to the International Bible Society for distribution to children around the world.

 

When it comes to interior decorating, I have various styles. I often told myself I needed several homes to satisfy my decorating craves. An apartment in NYC for the chic, clean line styles with black and red colors, a formal home for the formal, antique, frilly side of me and a casual home, maybe cabin in the mountain or by the sea for, you got it, casual me. Right now I try to incorporate the formal and casual into one house. I think it works. Our upstairs room is formal with my grandma’s marble tables and pillow back sofas. Not as kid friendly, though that doesn’t stop them from spending time there. Downstairs is the family room, brown leather couches, tan pillows and throws and one of these days we’ll get blue/denim curtains!

Most people can’t tell you what there style is. Like me, they just know what they like. But if your interior decoratingly challenged you might want to hop on over here and find out how to help find your style or at least have a clue where to start. It had some great suggestions to help me find my decorating style.

Still, I’ve concluded I need several houses to decorate them with all my styles!!!

But this site isn’t just about style. It’s a wealth of information that I should have discovered BEFORE I moved into my new home. Yet, it’s not too late to glean from the content. And I’m sure my hubby will appreciate all the articles on tiling, remodeling, and landscaping.

For some reason I am unable to get into any of the other blogs to post or do admin type stuff. Luckily, I already transferred writer…interrupted, but I’m worried about this one. So just in case I can’t get back in here and I stop posting, you’ll know why! Pray it doesn’t come to that!

Since we moved into our new home six months ago we haven’t been able to use our master bath. For one, it had a leak and hubby had to uproot the sunk in whirlpool tub with the help of 7 men and once he fixed the problem, the tub sat in the middle of our master bath until a few weeks ago. Today, I finally finished cleaning most of the bathroom and moved my stuff in, but the shower is still unusable. Plumbing isn’t the problem, it’s nasty water and mildew stains that won’t come off. YUCK!

Hubby and I have discussed gutting the whole bathroom, and even had plans drawn up, but with our old home not selling yet, it might be a while until we get to it. But I can’t wait! We talked about a huge walk-in tiled shower and on the other side of the wall, a wall fountain. How cool and relaxing would that be?

I’m from the east coast and grew up 3 miles from the ocean. I spent my summer by the ocean. Nothing soothes me like the sound of the ocean and the trickle of fountain waterfall. I’ve never been a bath person, but I could definitely get used to the idea of soaking in a big whirlpool tub listening to the sound of a cascading water. Maybe if I closed my eyes and used my imagination, I could pretend I was on a tropical island. I’m sure my four little natives would be happy to add to the atmosphere! ;0

While I’m on the subject of fountains, I’d also love a garden wall fountain specifically one that flowed into the pool in out backyard, one like these but our pool and patio isn’t designed for the big cascading waterfall into the pool. Still, there’s so many options to choose from that I’m sure we’ll find something that will work in the back and in the front yard! Guess that’s one more project we’ll have to add to our list!