Holiday music

Right now, I’m listening Michael Buble (holiday) radio station on Pandora.com and I can’t stop grinning. There’s just something about holiday music that sets the perfect mood for me. It brightens my spirit and lightens my heart. I’m more forgiving when “The Christmas Waltz” is playing in the background. I don’t mind those little snotty comments that come from family quite so much when Nat King Cole is softly crooning nearby. I even laugh at the old sibling insults that used to bother me so much…(well, they might still sting a little). But they’re more tolerable with the dreamy voice of Sinatra smoothing things over.

In fact, I’ve come to the conclusion that Christmas music was made for that very purpose. Driving to Thanksgiving dinner with my side of the family, I could feel my heart pounding in my neck and my throat closing. I knew exactly what would happen. I knew that there would be that awkwardness between my father and I, since we only see each other twice a year and neither of us really know each other. I knew there would be a comment said by my younger half-sister that would make me want to say something when I should simply bite my tongue. I knew I needed to be convincing when I lied sweetly about something absurd.

But like a fix I needed before I walked through the door, I kept the radio tuned to holiday music. And after listening for a few minutes, I was ready to face all my family with a smile. And in the end, it wasn’t so bad. I survived another Thanksgiving.

Now, Christmas at my mom’s house will be another story.

Until then…

Unemployment and Story hour

While driving tonight, I passed a marquee that read “Unemployment and Story hour” at the precise moment I passed. I do not know what came before it or what followed, but it instantly struck me as a sign. My sign to be exact.

I’ve had a lot of signs in the past week. Signs so definite and out of the norm that they could not be mistaken. Yet, with that said, although I’ve seen the signs, I still do not know where they’ll lead. Since they are so specifically tied to aspects in my life that I’ve been praying about for a very long time, the signs were like a knock over the head with a pointy club. Very painful and yet necessary.

Now, the only way to find out if this alleged sign I saw tonight is mine, or merely a coincidence that made me stop and take notice, I’ll try an experiment tomorrow. Of course, I’ll post the results on my blog no matter what the outcome.

Stay in touch. :)

Julie of the Wolves

I just finished a wonderful children’s book, Julie of the Wolves. It was a poignant story of loss, friendship and acceptance that has opened my mind to a world of possibilities. Only a well written story can do that.

Since I don’t have much time tonight, I can’t go into a lot of detail. But if you’re interested in a great book that will touch your heart, pick up Julie of the Wolves.

I love the weekend!

The week had a dismal start when I realized that Monday was not Tuesday after all. However, by the time Wednesday arrived, my spirits lifted. And now I am so glad to be at home for the weekend.

I am currently writing a novel that has me captivated, which of course is always a good thing for the author. :) In addition to the romance I’m targeting for Harlequin, I’m also writing a children’s story for one of the women I work with (or rather, for her son who refuses to be potty trained). The working title is Jak’s Adventures in Pottyland. And it promises to be a book like no other! haha

Of course, there are those who doubt I could ever top last year’s It’s Okay to Poop at School, a tongue-in-cheek story I wrote to help the special needs children I work with. It’s been hugely popular and several adults have made copies to take home to their spouses who are afraid to poop at work. Of course, if I don’t watch out, I might just have the market cornered on children’s potty stories instead of romance novels. :)

But either way, I’m having fun. I love what I do, whether it’s writing funny children’s stories or smart and steamy romance novels.

Promise kept

If you read yesterday’s post and were anxiously awaiting my latest recipe, then you’ll be delighted to know that I keep my promises. The recipe for Fully Loaded Oatmeal Cookies is up and running.

Even if you’re not a fan of oatmeal cookies, you’ll like these. These aren’t your ordinary oatmeal raisin cookies, these are heavy duty. :)

Recipe

I just realized that I forgot to load my November recipe. I’ve been so incredibly busy this week that I didn’t even remember the date! For those of you who are anxiously awaiting my latest addition…I’m here to tell you that it will be very soon. Since I spent the last night baking and then today reaping the rewards of oohs, ahhs, and smiling faces, I know exactly what recipe to post. :)

Come back again tomorrow to find it.

I survived!

It was a close call, but I survived public speaking!

I thought the pulse at my throat was surely visible to my audience, like a frog leaping away from a fire. To tell you the truth, it wouldn’t have been so bad if I’d had a topic that was even remotely interesting to talk about. But seriously, the linguist (who shall remain nameless) I did my presentation on was not the most lively fellow. Of course, I tried to incorporate pictures to make it lively…but I feel I failed miserably. Sure…my friends all said that it was great, considering my topic. But I know what a great presentation feels like. It feels like you’ve just put on the perfect dress and all you want to do is twirl around in circles, simply to feel the air lift your skirt.

But the most important thing to share with you tonight is that I survived. And now I get a whole week off before I have to do it again! :)