Glimpses

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen 100% Natural Highs

1. Falling in love.

2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.

3. A hot shower.

4. Making eye contact that can only be had with one particular person.

5. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.

6. Hot towels fresh out of a dryer.

7. A long steamy bubble bath. 

8. A stimulating conversation with someone "who gets you." 

9. Finding a $20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter. 

10. Midnight phone calls that last for hours. 

11. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep. 

12. Road trips with friends. 

13. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

do you ever wonder

...why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?

...why women can't put on mascara with their mouths closed?

...why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?

...why is "abbreviated" such a long word?

...why is it that to stop Windows XP, you have to click on Start?

...why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid is made with real lemons?

...why is the person who invests all your money called a broker?

...why are they called apart-ments when they are all stuck together?

...when dog food is new and improved-tasting, who tests it?

...why can a pizza delivery guy get to your house faster than an ambulance?

...why do supermarkets make sick people walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front?

...why do banks leave both doors open and chain the pens to the counters?

...why do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want?

Thirteen Fun Things About Pumpkin-time with Kids

1. We've taken the grandkids to the Pumpkin Patch every October since Carter was a baby.

2. There was just something about Carter B and his beautiful red auburn hair up against the brilliant orange pumpkins that made me smile. Every time. Every year.

3. Uncle Nate and Uncle Jordan enjoy the annual event just as much as the kiddos, I think. They might not admit it, but they do!

4. Of course, they have a long history of pumpkin patches too!

5. Some years we do crafts...

6. ...or have our faces painted...

7. ...and sometimes we just run the mazes with Pops.

8. Madie & Kenzie joined us last year at the Patch.

9. Are these the cutest set of cousins EVER, or what? The girls adore my boys and, obviously, the feelings are mutual!

10.  Pumpkin Season 2006 is off to a great start! Last Friday night Mike and I painted pumpkins with the Carter and Kendall...

11. ...and then we baked chocolate-chip cookies...

12. ...and decorated them with orange and white frosting. A good time was had by all.

13. And then we did the only thing left to do - we ate them, of course! 

not-quite Thursday Thirteen

Can I cheat on this Thursday Thirteen?

I need YOUR help in coming up with this list. I am about to embark on a new (though exciting) role - that of contributing columnist for a local paper. I'll be covering human interest stories, but I also hope to have a regular "slices-of-life" type of column that will run every other week.

Here's where you come in!

I need help in naming this column and I want to hear YOUR ideas. Imagine that you were sitting down with a steaming cup of hazlenut coffee with a trusted friend. Or maybe chatting over the fence with a close neighbor. Think apple pie. American traditions. Family values. Charming antecdotes.

Those are the kind of conversations that touch the hearts of people and those are the kind of conversations I want to have with my readers. (Isn't that optimistic of me to think there might actually BE readers?)

Can you help me? I'd love to hear from all of you - even those of you who usually just lurk! (You know who you are, and so do I!) Feel free to post comments as "anonymous" if you want, just please comment! I'll add to this list as the ideas begin to trickle in.

Thank you, in advance!

1.  Backyard Banter

2.  The Road Home (thanks, Cheryl!) Wow - this is a great title - for anything!

3.  A Slice of Life (again, kudos to Cheryl)

4.  Homegrown Chit-Chat (idea courtesy of Jen) Very original!

5.  Over the Hedge (Over the Fence is already taken as a column in the Metroplex) This was my original vision. I pictured two neighbors chatting over a back fence.

6.  Coffee with a Friend (thanks, Lisa-Marie!) I like this.

7.  Coffee with Staci (Lisa-Marie again!)

8.  Let's Talk About You (after three tries, TrainerDude came up with a great one. I think this could spark some back-and-forth conversation with readers which is what I would want.

9. Close to Home (great one, Carey!)

10. Latte Time (Love it, Dawn!)

11. Life's Treasures (Dawnie, again. I like this one a lot too. It's also the "feel" I'm going for.)

12.

13.

thirteen things kids say (and do) these days

Okay, you all know by now that I've gone back to school. If not, you can read about it here, or here, or here. After a twenty year "break", I'm hitting the books again. Brushing up on my study skills, stressing over exams, and learning to multitask (phone calls, bathroom breaks, cup of coffee) in the fifteen minutes I have in between each class.

But now, as the fifth week of classes draws to a close, I think I've had a revelation. I think maybe this is sort of a social experiment for me. Here I am, a thirty-something mom of two teenagers, who is suddenly thrust into the <gasp> world of her kids!

Let me tell ya, I'm learning a whole lotta stuff. Stuff that isn't listed on any syllabi, or printed in any course descriptions, and certainly not found in any textbook.

In honor of the kids in my classes that I'm coming to truly love, here's thirteen things kids in this day and age are saying (and doing):

1.  (overheard) "Uh, yeah, for their one-month anniversay they got their eyebrows pierced together." Gee, I wonder what they'll do for their one YEAR anniversary?

2.  (commonly spoken in all my classes) "I'll just Google it later." Forget the traditional style of learning. You know, where you actually crack open a book and...ahem...read it. These kids are all about turning to Google and Yahoo to give them the quick scoop.

3.  "Sweet" means that something is very, very pleasing to them.

4.  Class time is the PERFECT time to catch up on any sleep you may have missed out on the night before. I know this, 'cause I see it in every. single. class.

5.  "Hola, Beech." Commonly heard among the girls. Really. My, how greetings have changed in twenty years. Kind of makes you miss the days of "What up, sister?" or "Hey, there, girlfriend," doesn't it?

6.  "Bad" is good, but "fat" is really good, er...sweet.

7.  "Yeah, I got this tatoo (girl points to like the jillionth visible tatoo on her body - this one happens to be on her upper arm) 'cause it was 50% off."  Fifty percent off of WHAT? I'd have never thunk it - you can shop the clearance aisle in a tatoo parlor...

8.  "Hot" means something is awesome or off the charts and, oh yeah - it's spelled with TWO "t"s (Hott)

9.  Kids take their friendships very seriously. I like this and the more I'm around them, the more I appreciate it.

10.  I've learned (or maybe it's that I'm just being reminded) that girls giggle a full two octaves higher than their normal speaking voice.

11.  A girl in my Religions class pointed me in the direction of this search engine. You gotta see it to believe it. Who knew?

12. The amount of chips, Cheerios, Red Bull, and water that these kids can fit into their backpacks is impressive. I definitely know the ones to hit up if I'm hungry and can't make it by a vending machine.

13. Being around these kids gives me a glimpse into the lives of my own kids. Possibly a view I might not have otherwise. I have to say that I'm becoming quite attached to my classmates. There's a lot there to admire. I'm learning much more than I signed up for, and I'm relishing every minute of it.

Thirteen Facts about the ACFW Conference

Right after my last class today I leave for the ACFW annual conference. For the past five years I've attended this conference and have seen the sights in some great cities in the process: KC, Houston, Denver, Nashville...

But this year the conference is being held right here in Dallas and, with my school schedule and family functions I'm kind of relishing the fact that I'll have a mere 20 minute drive to the hotel. Here's thirteen things I'm anticipating about the next four days.

1.  I get to spend quality face time with my critique partners, Kim and Ramona. These women take the words of my rough drafts and chop away. But always with lots of grace and love. I treasure the relationships.

2.  Since I am a home-town girl I will be one of the ones transporting ACFW members around, suggesting great local restaurants, and pointing out that some of the most fabulous shopping in Dallas is only a few short steps beyond the hotel door.

3.  I will be attending some great workshops in the Advanced Level. Some of the sessions I'll be in are: Inside Out Fiction, How to Juggle Your Career Without Dropping the Ball (SO looking forward to that one), and The Page Turner, How to Write it in Any Genre.

4.  At the end of each long day I'll be retiring to a gorgeous and luxurious hotel room. I have a thing for really great hotel beds (I'm thinking I may be in the market for one when we finally sell our house and move...) so I'm looking forward to unwinding and de-stressing from the hectic activities of the long days.

5.  However...while I'm luxuriating in this really great room, I am going to have to do some really great studying as well. I have two papers and a major (can you hear me hyper-ventilating?) exam next week in school. So my school books, laptop, and plenty of pens and brightly-colored highlighters will be coming to the conference too.

6.  I will have sit-down sessions with my agent, Wendy. We'll discuss the projects of mine that she is shopping around right now, including which editors now have Melrose Miracle on their desks.

7.  Speaking of Wendy, this is the first time I've attended ACFW when I haven't felt the nervous tension and flutters of apprehension that are tagged to grueling editor and agent appointments.

8.  Since I have signed with Books & Such Literary Agency and Wendy has taken over the "selling" portion of my career, I just have to concentrate on introducing myself to certain editors so they can put a face with the name. <deep sigh>

9.  I will have major late night discussions with the other members of my mentoring group. Amy, Jen, and Mary are paramount to my writing. Not only do we lend critique suggestions to one another's work, but we also actively pray for each other, encourage one another, and basically just lend a faithful ear. We always share tremendous gut-busting laughter when we get together in person. It should be lots of fun.

10. There will also be Late Night Chats (LNCs) where informal groups gather to discuss topics that may be pertinent to us. These are optional sessions, but there are a couple that I definitely want to make. If I can keep my eyes open that late! These are To Blog or Not to Blog (how appropriate, huh?) and The Biggest Loser: Rejection and the Heart of the Writer (my friend Jen is leading this group so I want to be there to support her).

11.  Saturday night is semi-formal night, complete with banquet and awards ceremony. So I get to really dress up and feel pretty. I even have a brand new red clutch purse to match my outfit.

12.  The keynote speaker is Liz Curtis Higgs, the best-selling author of Thorn in My Heart. That's another great thing about this conference: I get to meet and mingle with so many great authors, some of which I've been a fan for YEARS.

13.  There is a worship service on Sunday morning. This is the time where we all come together and recommit our writing and our careers to God. It is always a time of refreshing and a gentle, lovely reminder that He is the reason we write.The people I will be spending the next four days with are my peers. Though most of the relationships are maintained via emails, loops, and phone calls, they are the folks that form "our company". There is no competition. We rejoice when someone lands a contract and we sympathize when the rejections slide in. I respect this group so much and I know the next several days will be rejuvenating and beneficial.

13 Things About My Friend Dawn

I remember the day I saw her for the first time. It was in the old theater building where we held church services while the new building was being constructed. She, her husband, and their new little baby boy were in town visiting his parents.

Tall, regal, and quiet are three adjectives I would use to describe my first impression of Dawn. It would only be much later - in the years that would follow - that I would add to that list: warm, compassionate, and trustworthy.

Since my own parents and her in-laws were best friends, it only seemed natural that after Dawn and Kevin moved to Texas that we would become really good friends. What I didn't realize at the time was just what a pivotal role Dawn would eventually play in my life.

Over the past five years we've moved from a casual friendship to a deep, soulful friendship that includes sharing confidences, providing a safe shoulder to lean on, and being prayer partners. She and her family moved again last year and are now pastoring a wonderful, growing church in Indiana. But she will always remain close in spirit and in heart.

Tomorrow is Dawn's birthday. So, in her honor, here are thirteen things I find unique, fascinating, and yes - maybe even entertaining - about Dawn. And when you're through reading this list, how about popping on over to Truly Living and leaving Dawn a little comment love...!

1. Dawn loves coffee. Seriously. If you don't believe me, then check out the links section of her blog. Uh-huh...see what I mean?
2. She has a heart for people who are hurting and in need. I've witnessed this great compassion many, many times.
3. She was raised in Mississippi, but don't hold that against her! No,really, I LOVE her accent.
4. And when you really want a good laugh, get her to do her sister's accent!
5. Chocolate comes in Number Two on Dawn's list of favorites...
6. ...or is that Diet Coke? Hmm...well, those are Numbers Two and Three, at any rate.
7. Dawn once sang karaoke. For real. It was at the Relay for Life last year.
8. It was after midnight, we'd been walking for over six hours, and she gets really punchy when she's tired.
9. Kevin was out of town. In fact, he was up in Indiana, preaching for the church they now pastor. She did an...um...amazing rendition of "Baby, Come Back" and dedicated it to her one and only.
10. Dawn is a wonderful mother to their children. I love that she uses cookie cutters to make the kids special pancakes. Now when I see cookie cutters, I think of Dawn. I bought her a big 'ol Texas-shaped one a few months back and mailed it to her. We can't have those poor children forgetting their Lone Star State roots, now can we?
11. Dawn was one of my inspirations in going back to school. I watched her and several other friends begin this journey and I began to slowly realize that I could do it too. She is very close to beginning her Masters and I. am. so. PROUD of her!
12. I like it that my husband makes her cry. I'm not strange, really. It's just that on each visit, whether they are here leaving to go back home, or we're there and saying good-bye to begin our trip back here, all Mike has to do is look her in the eyes and tell her that he misses having all of them here and...waterworks. Everytime. It's nice when your husband appreciates your friends. And when they love him right back.
13. She may be living several states away, but she's always close in my heart. Happy Birthday, Dawn! We love you!

Thirteen Things I Like About Myself

I just found out from Tess that Denise is challenging Thirteeners today:

"I would like to challenge all Thirteeners to come up with 13 things they like about themselves. I feel like we, as women, spend so much time scrutinizing ourselves that we sometimes forget the good stuff."

I think this is a very true statement! I'm not sure where along the journey from girlhood to womanhood we lose the joy of sharing our victories and our triumphs, but grown women are generally afraid to share the "good stuff."

Having said that, this is tough for me! But if you'll agree to try, then I'll give it a go, 'kay?

1. I like that I cry easily. Testimonies in church, Hallmark movies, sappy commercials...what can I say?
2. I like that I make friends easily. I really am more of an introvert, but I'm finding that as I age I am able to reach out to others more readily. Not quite sure what's up with that, but I'm enjoying it, Denise!
3. I like that I'm fairly intelligent. Okay, yeah, I'm smart.
4. I like that I can also be a true BLONDE. That kind of balances the smartness in me, don't you think?
5. I like that my husband enjoys talking to me. About everything, and about nothing. Maybe that's more about him, but seeing me through his eyes kind of makes me like ME more. Make sense?
6. I like that I try to be a loving, kind, and fair mom. I know I don't always succeed. But it is always in the forefront of my mind.
7. I like that I'm a girly girl. No excuses. No apologies. I like it.
8. I like that I can be independent if I have to be. I have had to be in the past and I was.
9. I like it even more that I have a husband who is crazy in love with me and lets me be dependent on him. Again, maybe that's more about him...
10. I like that my writing is slowly but surely finding an audience.
11. I like that I finally found the confidence and the willpower to go back to school! I'm loving it!
12. I like that I smile a lot. And can laugh really hard, just ask my friends. Milk, Rochelle!
13. I like that I love like crazy. If you're loved by me, then you KNOW it!

Making a list like this is tough. But my key Bible verse is Psalm 139:14: "I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

If I really, truly believe that - and I do - then there is no need to feel shy about praising Him for what He's created in me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made...

...and so are YOU!

Thirteen Things About a Weekend with "The Girls"

1. No cooking. (Unless you count making coffee in the hotel room each morning.)
2. No cleaning. (Except for when your friend insists on straightening up the bed - what's up with that...?)
3. Diet Coke and shared desserts. (Who knew that something called spumoni could taste so good?)
4. Morning Starbucks stops (This is an absolute given.)
5. Understanding one another's in-bred need for occasional bubble baths and two minutes of uninterrupted solitude.
6. Diet Coke and shared desserts. (cheesecake at Champions Bar & Grill!)
7. Tylenol A.M. ('cause you didn't take it until 1 a.m.!)
8. Uncontrolled laughter in the middle of a sermon. (Come on, don't TELL me that's never happened to you!)
9. Diet Coke and shared desserts. (a midnight [almost] walk to the Shell station for DC when the hotel only serves <gulp> Pepsi products!)
10. Hearing a song during altar service and knowing it was God's gift - meant just for your friend.
11. Non-intentional stalking and "picture girls."
12. Learning new words and their definitions! (ex: Pat; boogie boys; spumoni)
13. Diet Coke and shared desserts. (Or maybe it's just the friends who share your passion for the Diet Coke and who don't mind asking for two extra spoons to do the sharing.)

Thirteen (some fascinating, some meaningless, yet fun) Internet Sites

I've given myself permission to take an official break from the mental gymnastics I've been doing this week, what with refreshing myself with algebra and working on finishing chapters of a WIP.  So I hope you'll indulge me here and allow me to introduce you to some totally meaningless - some influential, and all surprisingly fun - internet sites.

Enjoy!

1. This is just to make you laugh and say, "Oh! I remember THAT!" (Make sure your speakers are on!)
2. Granted, I've been neck-deep in algebra review learning this week, but I still think you'll find this quiz lots of fun. How "nerdy" are YOU? In case you're wondering, I'm 28% nerd. Is this a good thing to know? I'm not sure yet...
3. Okay, all you shutterbug fanatics (like ME) who are always on the lookout for new and innovative scrapbook sites, dMarie is definitely one of those! But it's more! Go to this site, plug in a date in time, and then see all the interesting things that happened on that date. I inserted July 19, 2006, and was reminded that gasoline was $1.29/gallon and Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion was an instant hit.
4. Two of my very best friends pastor this church. I miss them here in Texas, but I have no doubt that they are right where they are supposed to be! I'm so proud of you, Dawn and Kevin!
5. This is MY church. Can I just say that it is, bar none, the most dynamic, awesome church anywhere. I love it, I love the people there, I love the pastor!
6. Okay, here's where the "meaningless" comes in. (Remember, before you judge me, that I've been immersed in math stuff for two days. Sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, you know?) So...what kind of candy would YOU be - if you were candy, that is?Here is MY result:   "You're chocolate. You're the old soul type, people feel they have known you their entire life. Many often open up to you because they view you as thoughtful and trustworthy. Although people trust you, you have a hard time trusting them. You prefer to keep your feelings bottled up inside, or display them very quietly. It is alright to open up every once in a while."
7. This is for Cheryl! I pass on all the sudoku sites I find to her  - I think she's <whisper> addicted to them. I tried it once, but numbers (translation: MATH) are involved so my attention span fell into that of ADD!
8. Speaking of MATH, check out these algebraic problems you can solve on-line. If I didn't have such an aversion to said topic, I might just think this was a facsinating site.
9. Ah! Need I say more???
10. This is the Christian fiction bestseller list for July 2006. Number 20 is Kim Sawyer, one of my best writer friends and a trusted crit partner.If you haven't read Waiting for Summer's Return yet, run out and get yourself a copy! It's...well, it's a best seller! Congrats, Kim!
11. Saving Grace will be out in three weeks! Go here to read a preview and to order an early copy. Or...just email me or visit my website and I'll make sure one is shipped to you!
12. This is an on-line Bible reference site that I use in a pinch when I'm thinking of a verse, but can't quite remember where's it's found. Great site...
13. Toula Butler is a character in my novel, Melrose Miracle. Check out this video to see where I found such marvelous southern inspiration! (Speakers again.) And then read the snippet below that introduces Toula to Ella.

(Excerpt from Melrose Miracle)

Ella twisted around to get a better look at the jovial matriarch of the network. A salt-and-pepper wedge haircut framed a round angelic face. And if Toula Butler’s smile had been any brighter, Ella mused, they wouldn’t have need of the studio lights.

“Hel-lo, yawl!” With her trademark Georgia drawl and distinctive Southern charm, Toula Butler ushered the finalists into the next portion of the competition. “Who’s ready to do some good ‘ol down home cookin’ this afternoon?”

For the next half hour Ella sat entranced as Toula Butler whipped up one of her specialties—Southern fried chicken and smashed red potatoes. When the cheery host of Toula’s Home Cooking dropped in a whole stick of butter—butter not margarine—Ella almost fell off her chair.

It seemed as though everyone these days ate either low-fat or low-carb. Always one or the other, and never both at the same time. To see someone throw trends out the window like they were yesterday’s trash was both startling and liberating.

Ella couldn’t stifle the grin on her face as Toula fried the chicken to the golden brown in the most oil Ella had seen in a pan at one time—ever.

“Man, oh man, oh man,” Ben sat up straight and patted his stomach as the meal neared completion, “Do y’all smell that?”

Ella had to agree. Toula Butler’s southern-inspired meal sent delicious aromas wafting in the air just above their heads. A loud rumble and growl from her own tummy reminded Ella that she’d skipped lunch.

I hope you've had fun perusing these sites! Drop me a comment and let me know your favorite sites. Maybe I'll need them one day!