Starting New Rhythms… This morning I woke up late after having a bit of insomnia. In part, I blamed the two cupcakes (sugar, chocolate, gluten and all!) that were leftovers from my granddaughter’s 1st Birthday Party on Sunday. Second, my 17-year-old hadn’t sent me a Snapchat saying he was home from work (our agreement so I don’t wake up at 2am wondering if he made it home safe!) However, after
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When the Third One Left the Nest – The Differences Between Sons and Daughters
Maybe it’s because I’m the mom and he’s my son, but I had no idea it would be so hard to watch my boy leave home. After all, his sisters have been on their own for years and they are doing amazing. So, why did the smallest thought of him being on his own bring so many tears? I admit his dad and I haven’t done the best job allowing
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Removing the Yolk of Other’s Ideals
I’ve never really thought of myself as a people-pleaser. Though I don’t like to disappoint others and I have often felt burdened by what I think others think – especially when it comes to how I’ve behaved. I desire to be a good friend, competent employee, help to a stranger, a consistent parent, and a devoted wife. When life spins beyond my control I get frustrated and analyze my choices
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Releasing Myself of Expectations
If I examine each of my relationships and our typical conversations, they are almost all focused on comparing and not completing (or embracing our differences). And at the core, isn’t this also about expectations?
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When Failure is Part of God’s Plan
Failure according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: 1a: omission of occurrence or performance; specifically: a failing to perform a duty or expected action b (1) : a state of inability to perform a normal function c: a fracturing or giving way under stress 2a: lack of success b: a failing in business 3a: a falling short (deterioration or decay) 4 : one that has failed Is it just me, or is the concept of failure taboo these days? Why do we avoid
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WCCW Conference 2015 Reflections
Time to Be Brave and Embrace the Call to Write! Attending a writer’s conference is one of those things difficult to transfer onto paper (or screen.) You really have to be there to understand the full experience. From making face-to-face connections with writers and mentors you only known via social media to making new contacts with fellow writers or published, yet unfamiliar authors—there are many benefits beyond simply listening to
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Finding the Story by Finding the Reason
How my analysis of daily life helps me to discover plot and character traits. Lately, my own personality quirks have afflicted me. How can I be the practical, rational, and organized working woman/mother/friend/wife while also being the creative, expressive, unique writer? I have stewed for weeks about how I will ever find a rhythm between my daily life and my writing journey. How and when can I express myself accordingly. Who cares?
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Toilet Paper and Tears: Discovering the Writer Within
I was full of imagination as a young girl. My mother says I was always telling stories and organizing make-believe with my two younger sisters, the neighbor kids and children from her home day care. Of course, I needed a loud, authoritative voice to be such a leader and I used it both day and night. It didn’t matter if I was dictating a group of preschoolers or playing on
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Writing with a Day Job, Five Kids, and Life at the Door
If you are looking for advice about writing with a day job, you may be disappointed. I haven’t got it figured out yet. I keep telling myself if I am going to call myself a writer, I better be writing! But life isn’t that simple. Writing books and magazines sit stacked on my nightstand, my every intention to spend just twenty minutes reading something to keep my mind on the
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Frantic February Thoughts
February is turning out to be a crazy month! See the latest on our family’s dietary woes HERE. In other news, I am trying to get back on track with an improved diet, exercise, and finally seeing a doctor for the first time since we moved back to California in 2011. Although I am managing my pain and other symptoms to the point where I can complete my daily tasks,
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Are You Running on Memory Overload?
I made a discovery yesterday. After weeks of frustration regarding my smart phone’s limited memory I realized that over 2000 email messages I thought I had deleted were still being stored in the “trash” folder under each of my five email accounts! As discouraging as this discovery was, I was grateful to have found the source of my memory problems. Several hours and over seventy megabytes of recovered memory later,
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Bold but Gentle~Somewhere in Between Jerk and Doormat
Gentleness may conjure up the image of a mother cuddling her newborn. Yet many circumstances and relationships require gentleness in both attitude and action. Gentleness isn’t about being soft-spoken, silent, or sweet. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ~Matthew11:29 Gentleness is about a willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause, humility,