I agree…but all I see is words because I’ve done something terrible to my laptop’s setup thing and I see no pictures or color which is horrible for a technicolor person like me! I need a personal Geek Squad on call at all times.
Rachel on
February 19th, 2007 12:10 am
Nice Picture, Sally! This place looks great!
Kerri on
February 21st, 2007 3:48 am
Sally, Great site!! I look forward to reading your blogs.
Great website, Sally. LOVE the picture. It so captures your spirit! I have good news for you. Someday you’ll be caught up. God promised that when Jesus returns, we’ll be “caught up” to meet Him in the air! So for once, we’ll ALL be caught up!!!
Catching up . . . sigh. Sally, girlfriend, I think we may get “caught up” in the THINGS we need to do–goodness knows I do–but what if it’s about the people, relationships? Being passionate about them and the gifts God has given us? Anyway, I’ve been pondering these lofty thoughts, too–a big deal considering I’m such a left-brainer.
Terri, I agree. Life here is all about people, but when my home gets so chaotic that it deters me from having people over or having time with my own family, then it’s time to do something!
And what I love is that we can get all the stuff we’re “supposed” to do, the cleaning and organizing, under control so it doesn’t take over our lives and we do have time for people! Really, really!
I’ve recently put myself on a schedule to make sure that I’m writing at least 1,000 words (usually closer to 2,000) every day…as well as getting in a little exercise, getting critiques done, and still having a little free time. But your post has reminded me what I forgot to build into that schedule–cleaning and organization…and my little house sure could use it!
Thanks for the reminder. I’ll be revising my schedule tonight–and praying for you that things start falling back into an order that helps you get everything you need to do accomplished.
2,000 a day–that’s great! I’m starting a new project and this time I’m keeping track of how much I do during my morning writing hours. I don’t want to kill myself or neglect my family (or socks) so I’m really curious how much I average a morning.
I’m interested to see where this blog takes me, Sally. Interesting….
Janette on
March 10th, 2007 4:43 am
Sally, I am enjoying your site and your blogs! I look forward to reading the books you discuss (with all the free time I’ll have after I start using routines!!). I have been thinking about how managing a home is really all about people – showing love to our family and friends by planning meals, washing clothes, etc. (Someone once said, nothing says I love you like a clean toilet!). Managing a home is a God-given responsibility and privilege – one that I would really like to grow in. I tried written routines some in the past and it did help. I’m going to start doing that again.
I like your mix of fiction and life management. Good job! I’ll be telling my friends about your site.
I hope this helps you. I know just putting this out there every Friday is making me get back on track, too.
Bethany on
March 10th, 2007 9:04 am
Hi, Sally! I found your site by “mistake”, digging through anything I can find on writing, and I love it! I’m currently writing my first novel, so it’s very encouraging to see people who have made it to that dream of publication! It’s beautiful, you’re beautiful! I especially enjoyed the interview! I’ll definitely be back!
Found my way here from a comment you made from Camy’s blog. I’ll bookmark your site and be back to read again ).
This book sounds interesting. I love Biblical fiction (other kinds too), and have even written a couple of Biblical short stories myself.
Please enter me in your contest.
Kerri on
March 12th, 2007 7:31 pm
Sally,
This looks like a great book! Isn’t it amazing how God continually wants to reconcile with us! I think that’s the theme running through the book of Hosea as well. Just amazing. Thanks for the review. I’ll have to go find this book.
Janette on
March 12th, 2007 8:13 pm
Wow, I can’t wait to read Wishing on Dandelions! Thanks, Sally! Gods and Kings sounds very interesting. I’m looking forward to your interview with Kacy Barnett-Gramckow. I thought her book The Heavens Before was very well written and I hope to read her other books soon.
Julie on
March 12th, 2007 8:27 pm
Hi Sally,
This book was awesome. I read it thinking at first that I wouldn’t want to read about that era of time but then when I heard Lynn Austin talking about all she went through to get this book pubbed (this was her first) I had to read it. Wow. The book was amazing and I learned so much. I’ve heard the others were really good too. How neat to study Isaiah in Sunday School after reading this book.
Julie
Loved this trilogy…especiall “The Heavens Before”. Thanks for posting this interview, Sally. It was neat hear how these books came about. (Going to go brush up on my DNA now!). Incidently, the one thing I like most about the first book was the glimpse of how the pre-flood world may have looked. We see the beautiful world we live in…but Noah and His family…not so much. Can you just imagine how wonderful it will be when God restores his creation? Can hardly wait!
Don’t try to schedule your whole day at once! I’ve done that so many times, sat down and planned out this beautiful schedule that accounted for almost every minute of the day. It’s that perfectionist in us!
Start with key schedules/routines that will get you going throughout the day. That’s what I’ll be talking about the next few Fridays, if it’s any help.
Sally,
Love your blog!
My schedule: Get up at 4:30 to make my husband a smoothie before work so he won’t pass out and die from hunger on the freeway.
Feed the cat who has been pawing at me for more than 2 hours trying to get me to feed her.
Weigh myself so that I can officially ruin my day before it starts.
Dress, straighten up the place for a few minutes (we live very simply so thankfully not much to do!)
Update my blog, do my bible reading, drink my cofee. Answer emails.
Write all day, taking breaks to check out the ACFW loop and online news things that interest me.
Yoga. Dinner. Spend the evening with my honey reading. Go to bed. Wake up. Begin again. It’s a nice life. Kids are grown.
Lately, my routine has included rising at 4:45 in the morning! I do NOT intend to keep that up any longer than necessary. I heard once about a young man who ran away to join the circus not to escape the rigid rules at home but to find the comfort of routine. The circus operated on a carefully constructed routine of work, practice, meals, play time. He craved the routine. Interesting concept.
Bethany on
March 19th, 2007 2:28 am
I can’t believe you ladies getting up before 5:00! I think I would roll over and die! In fact, that’s what I do! Roll back over and die until later in the morning (we won’t say how much later!). That’s one of our problems with homeschooling. For the first half of the year, we were very dedicated to our schedule and started exactly on time every day, but now that the end of the year is within reach, I think we’re getting senioritis! This is a good time to hit the reset button on the routines!
Bethany, I’m with you! If I open my eyes before five, I end up sick.
Cynthia, I’m very much like that man who joined the circus (although I can’t juggle or wrap my legs around my neck). I love a routine. I crave it. That’s when I’m most productive.
Julie on
March 19th, 2007 1:13 pm
Yippee! Yippee! I get to be first to post!!!
You know all my answers about Sports, but I was just thrilled to get to be the first one to post a comment!
For the rest of the readers – College Basketball (go IU – that’s Indiana University)
Huge fan of the World Series Champion St Louis Cardinals!! Season starts in 13 days.
NFL and NBA – not so much!!
For the record – I’m not winning in my brackets ( yes, I have more than one)!
I enjoy sports, Sally, but I have to be careful not to get so involved it takes me away from what needs doing. Baseball? Cubs (sorry, but I’m a northsider). Football? Bears, but I didn’t let myself get caught up in the frenzy. See above. Basketball? Don’t watch–neither March Madness or Bulls. Speaking of bulls, I love to watch bull riding Thanks to the special man in my life I was introduced to this fantastic sport and now I even watch it when he’s not with me.
Took me a minute to figure out what kind of brackets you were referring to. LOL, I guess that says a lot about me and sports. (You’d probably get along great with my hubby!) Actually, I grew up in a football family (dad’s a coach) where I learned early. Dad’s a Packer fan and my hubby is a Vikings fan–it’s a mixed marriage!
Routine? Yikes! My routine has been completely lost in the chaos of…um…chaos. Thanks for reminding me to get back to the basics. This was super-timely as hubby and I plan to spend the weekend rearranging the house. Maybe I will actually be able to keep it in its new more organzied state.
An encouraging post; one I needed at this point. I’ve been on the same WIP for too long. some days I fear even opening the Pandora’s Box that is the first chapter. I wonder, should I leave “well enough” alone? What if it isn’t? And then, having critiques is like being pregnant. Everyone has a different idea of what to ix, who to fix, how to fix. I decided years ago that I would write Christian fiction, but I don’t think I’m trusting Christ in my fiction writing.
Christa, writing seems like a lifetime of immersing ourselves in insecurity. But for whatever reason, we love writing anyway! Must be that desire God put in our heart.
Glad to be of encouragment! Like your analogy on being pregnant. Gestation is just so much longer — going on 9 years here! LOL
Kerri on
March 24th, 2007 6:12 pm
You hit the nail on the head for me. I am such a night owl. On the rare occasion that I get to bed at a decent hour I feel much more productive the next day. Thanks for the encouragement!!
LOL, Kerri! I was so thinking of you when I wrote this, but not in a bad way!
There’s nothing wrong with being a night owl as long as your schedule allows you to get enough sleep each night. So don’t feel bad because you stay up late!
[...] Sally Bradley talks about pushing ourselves to increase our writing muscle. [...]
Kerri on
March 26th, 2007 7:58 pm
I’m not a writer but I think these same principles could be applied to many of the situations in my life. Thanks for the encouragement!
Kerri on
March 26th, 2007 8:05 pm
I had no idea the Tooth Fairy was giving such gifts these days! I have a few years before she visits our house. Do the parents get a bill in the mail? I guess I better start saving. ) I can’t even remember if I got anything from the Tooth Fairy, but if I did it was probably a quarter as well.
Boy-oh-boy did I need to hear this today. Thanks for the encouragement. My editing day ended with my feeling like I’d been kicked in the stomach–and yet my work is so much the better for it. I’m glad to hear it gets easier over time if I just perservere.
Julie on
March 27th, 2007 12:28 pm
Wow! Our tooth fairy must be much tighter with the purse strings. I think our oldest receives $1.00 for each tooth. The younger one hasn’t parted with any of his teeth just yet.
This is still quite a leap from the tooth fairy of my day. I think we received a quarter per tooth.
Isn’t it funny how different writers can be? I had to push myself in the opposite direction. It used to take me FOREVER to finish a manuscript (assuming I ever did) because I couldn’t move beyond the first couple of chapters. I kept working on the same scenes over and over. I had to learn to allow myself to finish the manuscript, leave some parts a mess, and come back and fix it later. One thing is certain, though–we all have to learn and work. We all have to learn to work smart!
Kerri on
March 28th, 2007 7:01 pm
WooHoo! I’m especially looking forward to Merideth Efken. I read her book “SAHM I Am” and really enjoyed it.
Cherie Japp on
March 29th, 2007 2:47 pm
Great interview! Love the covers of those books!
Cherie Japp on
March 29th, 2007 2:50 pm
I don’t really have a set schedule each morning. I have a 5 month old baby girl and a 3 1/2 old boy so the routine varies every morning. I figure if I brush my teeth, get dressed and eat my breakfast before 10 AM I am doing great that day.
Jane Squires on
March 29th, 2007 11:07 pm
This interests me as I am just trying to get started writing so if I could win this, it would help motivate me in right direction. I have been a Christian over 45 years. I’m struggling now because of adults rebelling against all I taught them.
I endured such struggles. I had a children’s book I started years ago.
When my daughters were younger, their job was to empty the dishwasher; a task that would generally elicit a chorus of groaning. One day, I timed myself emptying and putting away. Yep, two minutes!
Cherie Japp on
March 30th, 2007 5:51 pm
I never thought of it that way. I will have to try that. Thanks for the suggestion.
Kerri on
March 30th, 2007 6:40 pm
I’ve come to the same sort of conclusion, Christa, but I’m the one doing the grumbling. ) Now I’ve found that I can have my dishwasher emptied in the time it takes to cook my oatmeal (stove-top, quick oats). What I don’t understand is that I still catch myself groaning about it, forgetting that it takes only a few minutes.
I’m actually really glad to know you’re out there Sally–I think I’ll send you my first 30 pages before I submit my new WIP in Septemeber. I’ll email you about that later on. September seems SO far away now, but boy, the time, she flies!
What a fabu idea! What do you think of this? A couple of years ago I was involved in a horendous clean-up of a rental house—it was the worst mess you’ve ever seen in your life, needed total renovation. My Mother told me that ANYTHING can be done in an hour. She said, just dive in and tell yourself that you’ll only work for an hour and that’s it. It was so strange that, for the most part, every job seemed to be done in just about an hour, no matter how gross the job. But you know, I really like the 2 minutes better. And now I’m off to go clean my kitchen! Thanks for the tip!
Katie, that’s what I’m doing this afternoon! I’m spending fifteen minutes on each room to get rid of the clutter that’s built up. I’m such a paper packrat!
For those of you with kids, have you tried giving your kids a timer, too? I did it with both of mine and told them they have to spend 15 minutes a day cleaning up their rooms. Amazingly enough, when we stick to that routine (I admit we sometimes forget) their rooms stay clean. Even more amazing? They don’t moan! Even my youngest has realized that 15 minutes is not a lot of time! You could even adjust this for younger kids and have them only do 10 or even 5 minutes of a task. Having their own timers helps them take ownership of the task as well. Give it a try!
Hey, couldn’t find your e-mail on this site, so I just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. Hope you have a great rest of the week!
Okay, Cynthia, it snowed here today! Thankfully not nearly enough to make tracks, though.
By the way, I mark Bible verses made into songs, too. Didn’t know anyone else who did that!
Julie on
April 5th, 2007 1:11 pm
I’ve done a couple different studies by Kay Arthur. She recommends all sorts of Bible markings. A triangle to represent any reference to the Trinity and pitchfork to represent satan are just a couple. It’s a great way to study.
I’ll have to try the musical notes for songs!! Good post!
This was a great post today, lots to think about. I started reading the bible in the early morning just a few months ago, pretty much before I do anything else, and I’ve been surprised how it sort of helps me set the tone to my day.
Thanks. I needed this. A while ago, I blogged about an epiphany I had that if I spent as much time obsessing about my spiritual body as I did about my physical body, I’d be toned.
Great reminder, Sally. I’m a morning person, too. But mostly because my brain doesn’t fully awake and switch to hyper-drive, so God can get a word in edgewise.
Definitely allows Him to at least set His tone for the day . . . before I go on and mess it up! LOL!
The sum is that in my season of life, I don’t do a regular tête-à-tête by the fire with anyone, so my not-doing it with God isn’t neglect, it’s just not in my personality.
What excites me is the way(s) God’s shown me to interact with Him and His Word without vast spaces of alone-time.
I’m one of those people who like to mark and like to collect bibles.
I think the “newness” of a translation or fresh bible somehow draws me in more frequently.
Sometimes I want to buy a new bible and feel I’m supposed to not, because I have enough at home already…
I’ve resisted for about a year and a half so far.
One thing I wonder is what to do with all these bibles I (like you) have collected. They’re like journals– I don’t want just to give them away, but I don’t use them the way I did before I found Biblegateway.com ;o)
///
My favorite thing about marking is “grazing” later: feeling tired or wanting only to be reminded of God’s voice, not dig for “new” information, I’ll go along just reading what I have underlined.
Amy Jane, I love going back over old markings, too. It can be so encouraging when you’re just emotionally worn out. And I forget what God’s done too easily. It’s great to see it written in the margin and dated for my little old brain!
Thank you Sally, that was very encouraging, and it makes me feel very much at home with the idea of being obedient to writing. Your words are God sent.
What wonderful reminder, thank you! Many is the time I’ve been so busy I’ve forgotten to eat, but my body reminds me by the time the next meal rolls around. I kind of wish the Lord would have installed spiritual hunger pangs that scream at us as loudly as our bodies do, when we forget to eat! But you’re so right, discipline is the key and a gentle nudge from a friend doesn’t hurt either. Blessings on your Easter!
LOL. Sounds like one of my road trips. No little kids along, but the dh listens to music and Bible teaching CDs while I peck away on the laptop. Yep, technology am grand!
Here’s an answer to your questions on my blog:
Good questions, Sally. I found no information on who they think stole it. I don’t think that’s known. It was taken in 1973 in a smash and grab heist from the Clayton Art Gallery in suburban St. Louis. It must have passed through several hands in order to have been auctioned in 1989 to Spielberg through a legitimate dealership. This is fairly typical of the art theft world. Pieces disappear for decades and then are found in unlikely places. Spielberg may get to keep the painting since the Clayton Art Gallery is defunct, and he bought it legitimately.
I enjoy the long car rides, singing together as a family or playing I-Spy and 20-questions.
On our latest jaunt across the mid-west, the boys and I took turns with matching states and capitals and then it shifted to sports teams and their mascots.
Call me “out of date” but I love it!!
Honestly, the boys do have a DVD player, but we don’t use it too often.
Glad you had a good time! It’s always nice to get away and be refreshed.
Oh, you gotta love technology! Sounds like you had a fun trip, and your children are well behaved and self entertaining (great combo!) Can’t wait until mine are a bit older so I can do the same–right now I chase binkies, pass out juice, and play referee.
Brandilyn’s book sounds GREAT! Can’t wait to read it.
Love your comment … because it is so important to be a part – a REAL part – of your church family. It’s essential to your spiritual satisfaction. For me, it’s all or nothing. I have to be involved – and it works wonders for that part of me that is naturally reclusive. LOL
Kerri on
April 11th, 2007 9:27 pm
I guess my DH and I are the wimps of this group. Our plan usually includes driving at night so our 3 yr old DD will sleeeeeeep. Sometimes it even works.
Maybe it deserves some Dove dark chocolate. Yup, I think so.
Kerri on
April 12th, 2007 8:00 pm
Hmm, what would I do if I found a dead body in my car? I’m thinkin’ I don’t want to find out. I wouldn’t mind reading to find out what someone else does though. Sally, should I read the first one in this series first?
Hmmm. I want to say, Kerri, that you can read these as stand-alone novels. I believe they’re about people in the same town, but each story is its own story.
I too am a morning person…If I am not up before everyone else and read my bible or work on my bible class lessons….I never get to them…too many kids and too much laundry …lol
I LOVE THIS POST!!! Everything you said 100% applies to me. LOL, never retire because we’ll always have to eat. Just wait, soon your kids will be old enough to do the dishes! I do breakfast and lunch, my teen does dinner dishes. Take out anyone?
Julie on
April 13th, 2007 1:09 pm
Ok Sally!
Do you have spy-cam in my kitchen or what?
This is probably my biggest area of weekness when it comes to housekeeping. Espescially in a small kitchen.
Thanks for the encouragement and the ideas for making a good routine.
BTW – when are you passing out the recipes for last nights dinner?!
This is my new way of life Sally. I love it! And you know, it works for a lot of things. Paying bills, writing, when you just don’t want to…15 minutes. But mostly, I love looking at the kitchen now and saying, “That’s ok. 15 minutes is all I’ll take. If it’s not done, I can always walk away. But it’s always done in just a few minutes!”
Kerri on
April 13th, 2007 5:18 pm
Oh, this is sooo me. I like to cook so by the time dinner’s over I’ve usually been in the kitchen for a while already. Who wants to go back in and clean it all up? Not me! It’s so much easier though when I’ve done my 2-minute type drills all day. Now about the rest of my house….
Julie, here are the “recipes.” Classico’s jar of sun-dried tomatoes alfredo sauce, fettuccine, salmon cooked in a skillet with some butter, lemon, salt & pepper, lettuce from a bag, and croissants from a can.
Have just recently found this site and am so excited! Not enough Christian fiction sites that I have found. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about “Time Me”. It is true;we would be amazed how little time it does to do something if we paid attention. Lela Fox, West Plains, Missouri
Oh, ,man. That’s me. A bunch of Bibles, and I ALWAYS still get excited by a new one, all clean and crisp and fresh and ready for me to start jotting away.
I love those superfine artist pens you can get at Art Stores, the German ones. Teeny-tiny points. They let you make notes even BETWEEN verses. So cool. I first used one when I was 15, and I was sold. At 47, highlighting pencils in multi-colors and those skinny pointed black ink pens are still my fave note-making tools.
And I have a brand new Bible to mess with–the Archaeological Study Bible.
Thanks.
Mir
Kerri on
April 16th, 2007 9:50 pm
One of the things that I’ve enjoyed about the book club I go to is that it’s really expanded my reading horizons. I’ve read (and enjoyed) books in the past 2 years that I NEVER would have picked up and read on my own. It’s also good to get together with friends and discuss some of the issues that come up in the book. God has used some of the books to convict me and some of them have just been for fun. I love my book club!!
I belong to the ACFW book club, but so far I haven’t participated. (SHame on me!) The timing hasn’t worked out. But I do love to discuss good books, and really dig deep. Otherwise it’s easy for me to read it and not really digest the deep stuff.
Kerri on
April 18th, 2007 4:47 pm
Looks like a good book for a book club! It would be interesting to read from a man’s POV. Looking at the book cover makes me wonder 2 things: what is that look on his face, and who is the chick on his shoulder, ex-wife or kid?
Sally, congrats on the braces!
Cherie Japp on
April 18th, 2007 9:01 pm
Sounds really good! Congrats on the braces! I remember how happy I was to get mine off when I was 32. I had to wear them for 4 years.
Hey Sally! Thanks for visiting my site. And congratulations on getting your braces off — yea!
I read A Bigger Life too and absolutely loved it. I was surprised at how well she could get into the mind of a single dad. After I read it, I made an appointment with my hairdresser and left her a big tip.
The book really made me more aware of how important it is to keep “dating” our husbands — to keep our marriage alive. I was sad, so sad, about Joel’s marriage. This is definitely a book where fiction is used successfully to show how God’s ways are the best for us!
Julie on
April 19th, 2007 12:26 pm
Well now I guess I am going to have to read this one too! Thanks for the insight on another great author it seems.
Congrats on the braces too! I know you’ve been looking forward to this day!
yay! go white sox! i’ve been a fan since i was 8 and i seemed to be in the minority since everyone else liked the cubs. so happy when they won the world series in 05.
Don’t you just hate being the forgotten team? ‘05 was a ton of fun. I replayed the games during last years’ World Series.
Now I’ll have to apologize to my friend Julie, a Cards’ fan!
Julie on
April 19th, 2007 11:39 pm
Oh no, you did not just say that. Too bad for you. It was a great series for the Cardinal fans!
I saw the highlights of Buehrle’s achievements this morning with the boys. Way to go, Sox!!
Honestly, I did see a bit of each game and did watch the final few innings. The celebration at a home stadium looked so fun. Would love to see that in Chicago some day!
Julie on
April 20th, 2007 1:11 pm
Definately a book I would love to read.
Sometimes we do really well with having the boys help and other times I fall into a rut and do it all and end up frustrated with everyone. The boys, 7 & 6, clean their rooms, empty and sort laundry, fold their laundry and put it away, unload the dishwasher, empty trash, dust, clean up doggie “doo” and the cat litter. They do enjoy using the Windex to help with the glass door and mirrors too. Now if I could get them on the windows, I’d be set!
Cherie Japp on
April 20th, 2007 2:09 pm
Sounds like a great book!
Stacia on
April 20th, 2007 6:07 pm
Your sight is interesting Sally. A friend let me know about it a month ago.
As for our family, we have a 9, 7 & 5 year old. They think they clean way too much but I started them out very early on. They do their rooms, fold their own clean clothes, dust, vacuum, clean bathrooms, dishes and even make their own breakfast and lunch. They learned to make breakfast during the summers while mom likes to sleep in. Sheila’s book sound very interesting and very true to life!
How right you are. I’ve had a really hard time remembering that but you just reinforced my goal for this year – to keep God in my life at ALL times. I know He doesn’t mind hearing from me when things are bad and I’m lamenting but I know that He probably relishes in the moments when he gets a good “call” – gets to share in the downward slopes.
Excellent thought – I would never be this coherent at at 2:30 in the morning.
Hey, Sally, you forgot some of us in the picture! That’s me poking my head in between Cyndy and Judy and next to Sally is Corky Richardson and next to her is Katie, one of our guests that evening who happened into the store, got a book signed and stayed for the meeting.
It was a great evening!
I am intrigued with this idea of collection bookmarks! After all, being a geek I already collect the electronic vairant of the same.
Sally, I became aware of your blog through a posting on the ACFW forum … i am trying to remember the thread where we crossed paths.
In any event, i see I might just make it under the midnight deadline as I am interested in the ‘free critique’
As a total newbie, I am always welcoming of critters giving me the time of day.
I plan to begin blogging soon too, trying now to prep for the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference in two weeks .. and trying to get something, anything on my website so netizens know I exist.
Thank you for your blogging efforts and your participation in the ACFW forum.
kind regards,
david w. fry –> author in training
aka –> frydwords
Julie on
April 30th, 2007 1:18 pm
Don’t laugh, please, but I have a collection of Pez Dispensers. Why? I don’t know really. I don’t even like the candy. They’re just cute!
They are not display (yet), but maybe someday!!
Everyone has their “thing”!!
Bookmarks are a great idea! I never have enough, I’m always grabbing scrap paper, the receipt for the book, or a piece of tissue. (Bad, I know.) I wish I was a collector of SOMETHING, but since our home is, well, small, we pretty much pare down to the essentials. Yet another great thing about bookmarks–they don’t take up much space!
Thanks for linking my blog! I hate to say I collect purses too. UGH.
Kerri on
April 30th, 2007 8:36 pm
Julie, my daughter would be envious! Of course she *does* like the candy. )
Sally, you could match one with every book you read if you use the ones that are a piece of string with pretty beads at each end. ‘Course those may break the bank. I think they’re like $6 a piece.
As for collections, I think my biggest collection would be recipes. Next to that would be my collection of cookbooks. I sit down and read them, post-it noting all the ones that I’d like to try someday.
Those are amazing flowers! Since my thumb is SOOO brown, I truly appreciate beautiful gardens and flowers, because it is a gift that I do not have. I’ll take two springs too!
Sally, thanks for stopping by my site. I got to become your first RSS subscriber! Too cool! I like your blog and love the flowers. I wish we had tulips here but every spring I forget to plant them.
Although 12 pounds may not sound like a lot, it seems like those last 10 or so pounds are the hardest to lose. But, You can do this!
My story is up too! Come by and visit, but no snacking while you’re visiting.
I’ll be hopping over to that site as soon as I finish posting this comment. Went to Target last night and purchased a scale. I started Atkins Induction yesterday–am already feeling the sugar/simple-carb withdrawal symptoms coursing through my body (mostly in the form of general grumpiness), so I need all the support I can get.
You can do it! Go Sally! And once you’re done it’ll be easier to maintain. I understand about the sugar withdrawl–I started back in November. But I cheat. All in all, still a good decision.
BTW, I tagged you on my blog today. Come get the rules
Thanks for leaving comments on my blog. I too would like to lose a little weight (ok, a lot more than you)! It sure isn’t easy – especially if you would rather sit and read a book than exersice!
Okay, I was tagged already. You’re my third tag. Don’t know whether to take that as a compliment of insult. I guess I could post my tag stuff from shoutlife on my homepage.
Check out my homepage for my 8 random things.
Okay, Sally, you’re on my list. YYou jsut painted a traget on your blog. You’ll be tagged first next time.
You have a screw in your ankle? I took a friend to the doc the other day – she has 5 screws in her foot. One of them will be removed. Makes me want to faint. Can you feel it?
There is dark chocolate cake mix with chocolate chips added and drizzled with (soaked in) chocolate syrup, topped with whipped chocolate mousse with chocolate chips or curls and another drizzle of chocolate. To make it yet more decadent, make chocolate pudding, cut the serving of cake in half and insert a sizeable scoop before topping it with everything else. Oh, and you can’t forget the chocolate icecream on the side.
I lost count, so I can’t tell you how many “-ples” of chocolate that makes. Mmm… sounds good, now to make it!
Personally, I don’t think that the pound counts, what with the new scale and all!! (my doc’s scale is the same way) Any step in the right direction is a good one!
It’s good to look at the good side. And really, the fact that you posted even with a gain (although you could definitely dispute that with the new scales! I always hate getting weighed at the doc’s office) shows that you’re committed. Look forward to reading next week’s loss!
I bought a new scale last weekend to start this challenge and it said about 5 more pounds than my old scale. After I got over “that’s not fair” I decided to just go with it and will stick with just the one scale to keep track.
You still are making wise choices and the good results with start showing.
Good for you with the exercise. That’s still something I need to get serious about. I wish I still worked near the downtown YMCA and could swim laps in the evening, but, alas… Looks like it’ll be walking for me. Once I lose a little more weight and can move a bit better, I’d love to try yoga or pilates. I’ve been reading that weight/resistance training can actually burn fat faster than cardio. Still researching that, though.
I know you can do this–and no matter what the scale says, if you feel good about what/how you’re eating and if the exercise is giving you energy and stamina, then you’re doing well.
Norma on
May 16th, 2007 10:10 pm
Storing off season clothes is much easier if you use space bags. I now put the clothes in by size and drop a piece of paper with the size written on it so that I can quickly avoid that bad if I am going through a fluffy time of my life. The space bags, allow me to store about 3X the amount of clothes as before in the same plastic bin as before without worring about them getting dusty and soiled during the “off season” or waiting until I shed those few pounds again.
valerie mabrey on
May 17th, 2007 4:43 pm
The bets tip is use different colored tubs for each child’s stufft hat way you know whose clothes and such is whose in storage so you know what kids kids the hand me downs next and such as that.
Julie on
May 17th, 2007 10:52 pm
Hi Sally! Loved your post today. My organizational tip is I’ve found that when it comes to tasks, sometimes I start them with not enough time to complete them and I’m then frustrated by the additional disorder in my home until I finally get to the project again. I’m not saying don’t ever start a project but try to figure out how long a project will take before tackling it. 15 minutes is enough time to tackle your junk drawer or sweep your kitchen floor. Organizing your entire kitchen may take a day or more so allow for that and you’ll have a better experience.
Sylvia Belle on
May 18th, 2007 11:38 am
get an inexpensive label maker to label containers and it will be easier to find things.
You sound so much like me! I’m an all or nothing person too, and once I get going it’s hard to stop until it’s perfect. Retraining your thinking is a great idea–I’m working on it too! We have to, lest we drive ourselves (and our families) NUTS!
Wow! I drive myself nuts in other ways. Housework I pretty much have a handle on. But gardening? UGH. Beyond mowing the yard, I haven’t a clue! So I’m prone to leaving it be. Not good. Therefore, I’ve retrained my thinking and have promised to work on it weekly. Yes! Even as the beach beckons.
Sally, let’s chuck it all and read a good book! I can dream…
It’s funny, I’m good about doing things in little doses, generally–including keeping up with clutter. But the vacuuming and dusting and things like that? I know that once I get started, I’ll want everything to be perfect and will exhaust myself. I definitely need to check out this book!
Robin, this book is so good, and Marla talks from experience, not from perfection so it was encouraging!
Cathy on
May 18th, 2007 10:20 pm
Closet organization is enhanced thru the use of color coded hangers. This is especially true when moving those items from the laundry room / ironing room to the closets
Eric on
May 20th, 2007 3:05 am
Rubberbands are a great item – not only do they keep things like pencils, pens, papers, and letters to be mailed together, but if you put shoes sole-to-sole, it keeps them organized while they’re stored in the closet. Just match the shoes’ bottoms and slip over a rubberband that is strong enough – they will make sure shoes are always snuggly placed together – especially for children!
Hey Sally I am with you and Cee Cee! I have read Marla’s book and found it really helpful but I have trouble sticking to the plan – hehehe!!!
Tonya Froemel on
May 20th, 2007 11:01 pm
Keep a basket between the seats in your car to organize and prevent your stuff such as your purse, extra keys, cell phone, kleenex from sliding around and getting lost under the seat.
Personally, you’re braver than me. I haven’t owned a scale in years. It was making me neurotic. Of course, last year I reverted to measuring my waistline constantly. But I’ve almost kicked that habit, too!
Glass Roads PR is AWESOME! I first met Rebeca at Virginia Smith’s launch party last year, then spent some time with Kathy at Mt. Hermon – special, special ladies who know their stuff!
Renee does write an funny, engaging story! I’m not done yet but I’m enjoying my journey.
Have a great weekend Sally! Get to the beach if you can! It’s going to rain here but do you really think I care? I love the beach when it’s cloudy.
Cherie Japp on
May 25th, 2007 8:05 pm
Congrats Kerri!
Kerri on
May 25th, 2007 9:31 pm
WooHoo!! How fun! I don’t think I’ve ever won anything in my life. With Summer just around the corner I’ll have more time to read. Thanks Sally for setting this up and for letting us “play”.
Kerri on
May 25th, 2007 9:33 pm
Congrats, Sally on being a finalist!! You’ve got to be flying high!
Cecilia on
May 27th, 2007 7:13 pm
Last minute company coming over? Just grab a large plastic storage container, and make a quick run through the house while placing anything that is out of place in that container. Then throw the full container in the closet. This leaves time to run the sweeper and dust really quick too.
Later, when the company is gone, place the container on a table, and say ok everyone grab your stuff.
Rebecca Langman on
May 27th, 2007 10:34 pm
I’ve found an easy way to utilize the space on that skinny shelf in the middle of the fridge – put down a cookie tray and then instead of losing stuff in the back of the fridge, just pull out the tray and everything on that shelf is easily visible and reachable.
Kathy on
May 28th, 2007 7:23 am
I have gone to Homegoods and bought a bunch of really cute baskets with liners in them. They are great for organizing everything from your bedroom to your living room. I even have one in my kitchen for clean towels.
I feel your pain regarding the digital scales. I spent a week in VA last week and my friend had a digital scale. I fluctuated 10 lbs in 10 minutes. I weighed myself before I got in the shower and it was one weight then I weighed myself dripping wet and I was 10 lbs lighter. Go figure.
I love my digital scales. Well, as much as any gal can love a set of scales that is!! Mine are fairly accurate…I don’t have those big discrepancies you were talking about. I think they came from my neighborhood Wal-mart!
I’m in the same situation, though I can vaguely make out the 1 lb markings on my three-week-old analog scale (bought at Target for $19.99.
I wish I could afford a scale that would record in one-tenth pound increments. I’ve seen so many people over at Tales who can say they lost 0.2 or 0.4. All I know is that my needle is swaying somewhere around the same mark it swayed around last week. [sigh]
Here’s to a better week this week and good results to report next Tuesday!
I do believe I’ve found a soul sister! Love it! I cannot study without pens and highlighters in hand. And I love, love, love going back through the pages months or years later and being reminded of specific times in my life by the markings in my Bible. From henceforth and forever after, I will begin to think of them as tracks in the snow!
I bought a Tanita digital scale at Bed Bath & Beyond. I used one of their 20% off coupons and got it for $25.00. It’s great! It also calculates body fat and has memory for 2 different people to weigh themselves.
See I have the digital scales but I miss my old fashion one. On that one I can lean a certain way and get the results I want. That’s my kind of dieting!
Shea Ryan on
May 30th, 2007 1:47 pm
Hi,
We have a VERY TINY full bathroom (the only one!), and there is virtually NO cupboard or shelf space for towels and washcloths. UNTIL I purchased two of those hanging ‘canvas/vinyl’ type hanging sweater organizers (about $10 each!): they velcro attach to the shower curtain bar at the far end of the tub, facing outwards, and because they have only the front opening, stay dry! Now we have ample storage space for bath towels, washcloths, some other hard-to-place linens like extra toilet lid covers and bathmats, and they really don’t take up that much room at the end of the tub– in addition, being outside the shower curtain, they wind up providing even MORE protection keeping shower water IN the tub and not down the curtain and onto the floor!
Julie P on
May 30th, 2007 2:05 pm
Sally I wouldn’t say I love my scale, but it is accurate.
It’s a Weight Watchers Scale (about $50.00), but I got it half price, so not too bad.
Good luck with whole situation. That can be so frustrating!!
I love the beach during a storm. I don’t go into the water, of course, but those dark gray blue clouds rolling over the water as far as you can see and the huge waves crashing against the sand and the wind whipping your hair around, the smell of the storm in the air — I love it!
I like my digital because it doesn’t change no matter which way I lean. How’s it coming so far this week? I’m having a tough time, but plan to get back on track. Really.
I’m with you! Buried under a pile of books. The Voice in the Wind is one of my all-time favorites, and the only series I’ve read more than once. I hardly ever re-read, but that ones totally worth it!
Janette on
May 30th, 2007 7:32 pm
I “like” my Taylor Body Fat Monitor and Scale (as much as anyone can “like” such a thing). It’s digital and weighes in .5 increments. I don’t remember where I bought it or what it cost (it was a few years ago), but it seems reliable. I always know that whatever it says I weigh, Weight Watchers will say I weigh about 2.5 lb. more. I have been avoiding it because of stress eating, but after reading your blog decided to bite the bullet and find out the painful truth. It wasn’t pretty, but about what I expected. Hopefully seeing the number will help motivate me to take better care of myself. Best wishes on the “war.” Just think — no scales in heaven!
No scales in heaven–wow, that thought never occurred to me before!
Kerri on
May 30th, 2007 8:14 pm
I have a fairly run-of-the-mill digital scale. One of the things I wish I had thought of before I bought it is how big the readout numbers are. I am fairly blind without my contacts so I have to get on, weigh, get off and then bend over to read the numbers. I sure hope nobody has a hidden camera in my bathroom! LOL
I love my new digital scale. Numbers are nice and big. And you can program 4 different users. I weigh myself twice to make sure it’s correct. If I’m leaning or shifting weight, it does give me a false weight. Digital Scale
Jill O. on
May 31st, 2007 3:10 pm
Put a dust ruffle on your bed to hide storage containers underneath. It’s an easy way to hide and grab linens that change with the seasons.
I don’t have as tight a schedule as you do, but I definitely have a rhythm to my days. And, boy, am I one cranky girl if that rhythm is thrown out of whack for too long.
The summer schedule looks like this:
Morning,
Get up, stir around, drink diet coke, do bookwork. (I’m the bookkeeper for the family lumber business.)
Late morning through lunchtime,
Run errands, do chores as needed. (I have two beautifully housebroken kids, one almost 15, one 11, and their list of daily chores and mine keep our heads above water there.)
Afternoon: Write and try to stay off the internet until I do. (You can see how well that is going today!)
Evening,
Dinner, tv, games with kids and DH, chat with online friends, mess about.
My problem since becoming the bookkeeper a year ago…I am a mid-morning person. I do my best work then. But I have to reserve that time for the bookkeeping, since I’m actually being paid for it, and the gov’t and the accountant have these weird rules about everything adding up in the end.
If your scale can make me lose 20 lbs. in 10 seconds, I want it! LOL. Let me know what you buy; I NEED one for people who have to be able to see BIG numbers between their feet.
As far a goals for this summer, I want to teach DS #2 to tie his own shoes, provided he gets them on the correct feet first. That’s one more step to independency.
As for a routine, we pretty much have a morning routine in place with homeschooling, but we’re a little more lack in the summer. We don’t have a schedule for the day, rather each day of the week has a different highlight. Craft or painting day, cooking lesson day, play date, field trip, park, swimming, whatever, each day has one really fun thing too look forward too.
That hopefully motivates us to get all the other not-so-fun things done first. House cleaning, laundry etc.
We do take out lots of time for reading too- that’s always fun!
CJ on
June 4th, 2007 3:29 pm
Sally, thanks for visiting me and leaving a comment. I ain’t much one for fiction. As to the Outlander series, you won’t be sorry.
Teens, I have 2 teen girls one leaving for college this fall. I distinctly remember I took her to preschool yesterday. (-;
LOL, I was jumping out of my socks! OK, different kind of call. How old is your baby boy? My daughter doesn’t do much in the way of phone calls–it’s all Shout mail and emails, thankfully. Of course that could be because we don’t have a cordless phone so she’s out here with the rest of us, and we love to tease.
Maybe they’ll go away on vacation . . . LOL, Erica!
Yeah, the cordless phone would be a curse that way. But I’m always doing stuff when I’m on the phone–folding laundry, picking up around the house. I don’t think I could go back to a cord.
Awwww, that must be hard! I don’t have kids yet but…I can imagine. How old is your boy??? I was always old fashioned, and wanted my guy friends or boyfriends to call ME. haha
(although in the address i think there’s an extra http in there)
Janette on
June 4th, 2007 6:46 pm
Snitch sounds like a good book!
Janette on
June 4th, 2007 7:20 pm
I’m a little surprised that the parents of this girl are letting her do this. They probably think it’s “cute.” You could probably stop this by using a general phrase like “I’m sorry but we don’t allow [DS] to accept phone calls from girls.” Just an idea.
At this point, it’s pretty innocent, just friends from school, but if it continues too much, I am considering asking to talk to her parents and cutting it down to every other week or something!
Stacia on
June 5th, 2007 2:47 am
My kids also gave out their number on the last day of school. Fortunately my daughter mixed up the number so we probably won’t be getting any calls. Although she was in tears. So, now she is just hoping one of her friends will call her. Just wait until your kids start wanting to have sleep overs at other kids houses. That makes them seem grown up real quick.
Crystal G on
June 5th, 2007 5:41 am
Snitch sounds like a great book I will have to read. Thanks for the review.
Oh, Sally I was thinking THE CALL!! I was ready with my Snoopy dance.
OH, boy THOSE calls! You know what irks me? The school my son attends publishes all phone AND addresses in books in the beginning of the year. OH! NO! I had to nip the calls in the bud. Young ladies are not taught these days not to chase men. UGH.
Hey, I hope you all will the get the book, read it, and let me know what you think (drop my an email via my website at http://www.marloschalesky.com. See if you can guess who’s the hermit in the hills!!
JulieP on
June 6th, 2007 12:59 pm
Sally, You’ll have to explain to me what being a “finalist” means to this particular contest. Congrats though!!
Count me in for “Snitch”.
I read this book a while back and really enjoyed it (I’m posting on it at the end of the week.) Isn’t it amazing how prolific Melody Carlson is?
JulieP on
June 8th, 2007 1:01 pm
OK – so this is the place! Thanks for straightening me out. I think the book sound like great fun!!
JulieP on
June 8th, 2007 6:51 pm
We just did something similar, only it ecompasses the entire family. I put all of our jobs on one spreadsheet and on which days they are to be done.
It’s even color coded so we know who’s job is whose. We’ll see how well it’s works.
The new chart starts on Monday!!
My dad once gave me a side by side picture of the two of us–one when I was a baby and he was holding me, and one when I was grown with him holding me. Best present I ever received.
A year or so ago, I recorded about four hours worth of oral history from my parents. They lived through the Depression, World War II, farming with mules hitched to plows, etc. So this is pretty amazing stuff. I recorded it on mini cassette tape, but I have promised myself to figure out how to transfer it to digital and make CD’s for all my family. Thanks for the reminder. Got to get to work on that!
JulieP on
June 12th, 2007 12:57 pm
Before my grandmother passed away she “willed” something of hers or my grandfathers to everyone of the granchildren in our family (all 27 of us). I received a really ornate music box that plays Amazing Grace. I really love it and it always reminds me of her.
I did something similiar with my son and it did help a lot!
Kerri on
June 12th, 2007 11:00 pm
My G’ma and G’pa went to live with family a couple of years ago as they needed to be with someone who could help them with their care. Because of this they were giving some of their things away. Imagine my surprise when G’pa said that I was to take the heirloom (80 yr old), chiming, grandfather mantle clock. He said that I had admired it on a previous visit and he wanted me to have it. My G’ma died a couple of days after they moved. It’s special to know that I now have something that once graced her home.
Michielle on
June 13th, 2007 9:48 pm
Wow, I think I would like this book. Thanks for posting about it.
Oh, that makes me wish we had a bigger laundry room. Good tips–streamlining is always a good idea, and keeping like things with like. THanks for sharing
JulieP on
June 15th, 2007 1:15 pm
Well, since you asked……….it’s finally working like I wanted it too. I have the boys’ dresser in the laundry room and they can immediately put their clean clothes away.
Mostly all we keep in our bedrooms are pj’s and underclothes. Everything else stays in the laundry room. It has made for neater drawers and less cluttered closets.
BTW- Kerri, I loved the laundry tip on the wrinkle reducer made from home. Yippee. I’ll be trying that one.
Michielle on
June 15th, 2007 11:38 pm
Great tips will have to try them. Thanks
Cherie J on
June 18th, 2007 8:18 pm
Would love to be entered in the drawing for Snitch.
Good for you for having a great time with your husband – that is way more important that counting calories! And it sounds like you are getting right back on track – so have a great week!
I love the idea of getting together with folks to cook stuff to put in the freezer. In addition to enjoying your friends, you get a greater variety of food stocked up than if you had done it all yourself.
Sally Bradley! First off…I missed ya last week. Secondly, elliptical…WHA?????
Lela Fox on
June 19th, 2007 11:57 pm
Would love to win a book. I ‘m not able to buy as many as I like because I’m on disability. Man, I love books!!! They are the best thing ever invented.
am entering for the drawing for Snitch or frankly whatever. LOL
Kerri is an angel for submitting the tip about refilling the Downy Wrinkle-Release bottle with a capful of Downy and then filling the rest of the way with water (I used filtered rather than distilled, because I have a filter attachment on my sink). I tested it on an old, solid color T-shirt just to make sure it wouldn’t leave spots, and it worked PERFECTLY.
I don’t know if this would be considered a laundry tip or a closet tip or what, but I heard this at work this week and thought of your blog!
A lady I work with was talking about how hard it is to convince her husband/sons to replace their old ratty undershirts and underwear. Last time they took a family vacation, her husband packed all of his old undershirts and each night when he undressed, he threw the undershirt away. That way, not only were the undershirts gone, but there was that much less laundry to do when they got home.
Erin on
June 25th, 2007 1:30 pm
We have a corded phone in the kitchen with a stool underneath it. If the kids get a phone call, they take it there. Mom and Dad use the cordless phones.
I am so excited for you!! Getting into a routine with the exercise is the ticket, I tell you. It has worked for me. I am down to 220. That may sound huge, but I started out at 272 and it has only been two months.
One thing that can derail exercise is to allow it to compensate for cheating or snacking. I think you are on the right track and I applaud you!!
I think my attitude’s different because I’ve realized I can’t eat junk and exercise or not eat junk and not exercise. And the clothes “shrinking” doesn’t help either.
This is life. Deal with it. I think those were my exact words to myself!
Great job! Congratulations. And I’ll bet the MP3 player helps–or so I’ve heard. Keep up the good work, even though it’s hard. I like your revelation that you can’t eat junk and exercise or eat junk and not exercise. This is where I struggle. Sometimes I think I’ve earned the right to junk out after exercising. UGH.
I love the advice about keeping a planner nearby at all times. On January 1 of this year, I traded in my regular wallet for one of those little organizer/portfolio things. It has a calendar, address book, notepad, and spaces for my credit cards and money. I turned one section into my check (or debit card) register so I wouldn’t have to carry that around with me anymore. So now all my info is pretty much with me all the time.
[...] were definitely a number of those, but there was one that I thought of over and over–Jennifer’s tip of pre-packing child activity bags. Here it is again, in case you missed it. Jennifer says, “Organize your tote bag and minimize [...]
It sure is a process–a very LONG process. But we feel better, don’t we? You’ll be down again before you know it!
Kerri on
July 4th, 2007 3:25 am
Good job for sticking with it! I get discouraged and ‘fall off the wagon’ so easily. I think I’ve heard that you can gain a bit when you start working out or work out more than usual. Keep going! You can do it!
I love baseball, too, although I haven’t had much time to follow it lately. Back in the nineties when the Braves first started doing so well, it was really exciting, and I had to watch every night. (I lived in Atlanta.) The way the Braves are doing this year, it’s just as well I don’t have time.
I’m curious about your baseball series. Is it fiction or nonfiction?
A homerun derby at that launching pad of a ballpark in San Francisco should be terrific! Remember how the ball flew at Candlestick Park?
I’m a card carrying Die Hard Cubs Fan, and I root real hard for the Twins too. What a wild weekend between the Twins and W. Sox. Twins squandered all their runs in the doubleheader and had no gas left for the weekend games.
I used to be a Diamondbacks fan, but that was a long time ago when they were good. Not that I’m a fair-weather fan. Really. Although maybe they’ll be good this year? OK, I’ll admit it, I only watch when my hubby does, or when Dr. Phil is interrupted.
I’m so glad to know I’m not alone! One of the reasons I take the laptop elsewhere to write is so I will quit checking my email and be unavailable on the IM. I’m so weak. And chores never look so inviting as when I need to write.
You wait a full 3 minutes between email checks? Girl, you got willpower! I totally get where you’re at, though, because I look forward to my rewrite too. I think with the 1st draft I need to figure out exactly how my story will play out. Like you, it didn’t matter how much pre-work I did, my story still took some unexpected directions. Rewrites are way less scary, but there’s only one way to get there….
Yes, Sally, I know exactly what you mean! I hear people complain about rewriting and can’t understand it. I love rewriting. At least there’s something already there. But when you start from scratch and look at that blank computer screen with the little cursor blinking at you, and you have absolutely nothing there yet–what horror! I’m with you, I’m trying to press ahead and get a draft of any kind, no matter how horrible, just so I’ll have something to work on.
Love your list! On the 40 days of prayer is there a way to include praying for the families we leave at home? That’s a HUGE concern for me! Yay for no weight gain! Keep at it! 15 pounds is doable.
Georgiana, yes, families will be on it. It’s been a lot of fun to come up with almost forty different topics to pray about. I definitely have a greater respect for those who make the conference happen!
I actually have this book next on my “to read” list, I’ve heard so much about it. And I’m glad when Christian fiction takes on difficult subjects. That’s what we should be doing.
Kerri on
July 18th, 2007 8:43 pm
I’m with you, Robin. I appreciate when a difficult subject is handled well instead of just avoided. Karen Kingsbury comes to mind. I’ve read several of her books where the characters aren’t just ’squeaky clean’ Christians. They have difficulties and consequences of their sins but they eventually deal with them Biblically.
Julie on
July 19th, 2007 1:41 pm
Right on ladies. I just finished a book dealing with this issues and it was great to see the author turn the young lady into an advocate against abuse and not just a “victim”.
I did this survey a couple of days ago. It was really interesting how my opinion about whether I wanted to read this upcoming book changed as I viewed different covers. Then when I read the blurbs and the excerpt, I knew I wanted to read the book. They grabbed me with the words more than any of the covers. I guess there’s a lesson in marketing in there somewhere. We’re going to have to reach potential readers in different ways.
I’m happy to see a Christian book that isn’t cliched, that deals with real life situations and things that are uncomfortable – just like the Bible does.
It’s so easy to get frustrated when you’re longing to write, you have a deadline, self imposed or otherwise, looming, and it seems everything in your life is conspiring to keep you away from your keyboard.
Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and take care of what needs taking care of, and sometimes you have to carve out time for yourself, a few hours, a day. I’m known to steal a Saturday from time to time to put work in on a WIP where I can’t access my email, my blog or the fridge.
I also try to get my family “playing on my team” by letting them know what I need most…facetime on the laptop and quiet. My kids are great about this.
And I try to remember that every word I write is another step toward the finish line.
You can eat an elephant, but you have to do it one word at a time. Write on. 800 words is nothing to sneeze at.
I am currently reading “Authentic Parenting in a Post Modern Culture” by Mary. She has a way of putting things that nudges you in a firm, yet gentle way. Its almost as if you are sitting with a friend over coffee and discussing real life issues. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!
When I was working on my master’s degree a couple of years ago, I got so good at using every scrap of time available to me. I always kept one of my textbooks and a notebook with me. If I had ten minutes waiting for someone in a restaurant, I’d work on an assignment. It was not only amazing how much I got done, but it also kept my mind “in gear.” I didn’t have to do so much settling into the subject. I could use those small amounts of time because my momentum stayed built up.
Since I graduated, I’m having a hard time getting into that rhythm with my writing. I blame it on being burned out, but I really want to get back into that, because it truly is amazing what you can accomplish with a half hour here and there.
You sound like me! Summertime is the worst time for trying to get anything accomplished. I love routine and when I’m deprived of it, I wilt. THat said, I agree with the others that we have to use every scrap of time to get the words on paper. Also, I’m starting to use my “zoning” time on the treadmill to think about my story. That way when I sit down I have an idea where I’m going.
I’ve been planning to read this book for months now, and finally started it two days ago. It’s fabulous. I cannot wait for the weekend so I can hopefully just sit down and finish it. Enjoy, Julie!
Julie on
August 3rd, 2007 1:27 pm
Hip Hip Hooray!! Can’t wait to get started on the new book. Thanks Sally!!
And now I’ll go put a load of laundry in my wonderful machine!
Julie on
August 7th, 2007 12:56 pm
I don’t know about a machine that will hang shirts up for you, but I do know of a handy little do-dad that helps the folding process go quickly.
Same type of thing that department store use to keep all their shirts looking neat and tidy on the shelves.
Perhaps that’s a start!!
LOL, that’s a riot! Hey, if you can imagine it, someone can invent it. I’m not fond of hanging and folding a gazillion loads a week either (I think we run between 10 and 12.) But you can do it, you’re a super mom!
Stacia on
August 13th, 2007 2:09 pm
How exciting for your family! Guess that means no seeing you at school. Will you be able to be in a house?
Hope your home sells quickly. I love that little magic eraser too. Another wonderful cleaning tool is the swiffer duster which I use all the time because I am allergic to must and it traps them without spreading it.
God speed on selling your home!
Stacia on
August 17th, 2007 1:34 pm
I admit the magic eraser works great. Just be careful with it. There was a big article recently on how it can really irritate a child’s skin. It creates burn marks. This actually happened to my friend’s son.
If you like your cleaning products so much you can keep using them on my house
I really like the Magic Eraser too – it’s a great product. Oh – btw – see my book blog http://inthepages.blogspot.com a couple of posts ago I mentioned I have a friend that is trying to do a blog tour for her new book – she is a new Tyndale author – thought you might be interested in having her on your blog!!
I lived in Atlanta for years and adored it. A few years ago we moved back to my (much) smaller hometown. Now when I go to Atlanta and get stuck in the traffic and have to wait an hour and a half for a table at a restaurant, I really don’t miss it all that much! I’m sure you’ll be the same way. Lots to miss in a big city–but lots not to miss.
It’s always best to focus on the positives, isn’t it? And think of all that lovely, lovely barbeque, and how cheap you can get into Royal’s games, and apple cider donuts, and Jayhawk’s basketball.
Happy last Monday! True enough, Chicago pizza is awesome, but to have your own back yard and 3x the space more than makes up for cheese and pepperoni. God’s got great things in store!
Sally, I’m going to miss you so much. It’s been so much fun seeing you at the ACFW Chapter Meetings and following your writing career.
I really hope you can make it to this week’s meeting for your last ACFW Chicago Northwest Chapter meeting!
I’m excited for you and your husband, but sad you won’t be around here anymore. But I sure do hear you about the traffic LOL.
LOL, love your excuse! I wonder what percentage of writer’s are introverts? I’m one too, unless I’m in a totally comfortable situation. Otherwise I’m a wallflower. Have fun brushing!
There are so few people who have lovely old-fashioned names like this! My dad’s sister’s name was Charmian (shar-mee-ANN), but most people always mispronounced it as Sharmaine.
Oh, and you’re in good company being an “almost recovered” introvert. There are lots of us out here!
kim on
August 28th, 2007 5:00 pm
Hey, I just had an idea…. Dave and I could ship you pizzas from Lou’s!
I’m definitely an introvert, too. I would have thought almost all writers would be, but most writers at conferences seem to be a lot more comfortable with all the socializing than I am.
Speaking of sports fan, I have to mention our Little League World Champs right here in Georgia. We’re so proud of them! What a fun series that was to watch.
I love Camy. She encouraged me to become a blogger. Can’t wait to read this book. Thank you. When is it available? On another note…I am contacting everyone on the Laced With Grace blogroll to say….
As a contributor to the Laced With Grace Devotional Site, I want thank you for your faithful readership. September is our one-year anniversary. We are please to announce we have a permanent new address. http://www.lacedwithgrace.com. Please change your link to include this new address.
Awww! Welcome to your new home. Things will smooth out. Breathe some of the Kansas air for me, listen to the crickets and cicadas, and eat some of those apple donuts during Ciderfest.
You HAVE to find the book box! You HAVE to! Top priority! In the midst of all the chaos, enjoy your new home
Julie on
September 4th, 2007 12:54 pm
I’ve walked in your shoes and although it seems overwhelming now, you will make it. Looking back it won’t seem so bad.
Glad to hear you are diving right into the new church ministry. What a blessing your family will be there
FTR – I do agree with Georgiana, you HAVE to find the BOOK BOX.
Janette on
September 4th, 2007 9:43 pm
Sally,
I’ve been checking your blog regularly, hoping to hear how you are doing! I’m exhausted just reading about your last month. Moving, starting new ministries, looking for a job – all are big stressors (is that a word?). Do set aside a little time every day to take care of yourself, even if it has to be after 9 p.m. Your new church is so blessed to have you and your family! We miss you and are praying for you. Hey, I read that book “Summer of Light” and really enjoyed it. He (Dale Cramer I think?) has a great sense of humor. I especially enjoyed his witty sayings about the South.
Yep, I’ve been there, too. Moving is torture. I’m just so impressed that you managed to reach your writing goals with all the other stuff going on. Boy does that make me feel guilty!
Thanks, everyone. Actually, we had time as a family to watch a couple episodes of MythBusters the other night. We’re big fans of the show and laugh our heads off together when we watch it. So that was relaxing.
As for the book box with Thee book in it, I found it. Got the book out. Haven’t opened it. But will very very soon!
Eric said I should come can play. So: MA (I live here), ME, NH, VT, RI, CT, NY,NJ, PA,DE,MD, VA, NC, SC, FL, KY, MI, IL, MN, WI,TX, CO, CA Came close. 23 states.
Julie on
September 10th, 2007 1:16 pm
And here goes…………
Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Nevada, California, Colorado, Ohio, Louissiana, Mississippi…..
I feel like the Johnny Cash Song …I’ve Been Everywhere; and yet it’s only 24 states —still short of Sally’s record.
Time for a road trip
My husband and I once counted, and I think my number was 28. He beat me by a couple, though. It took me awhile to count them up back then, though, and since I’m playing hooky at work to read this, I’ll have to list them later. I will admit, though, that a few were just driving through the edge or changing planes.
Okay, let’s see if I can remember them all (CAPS are states where I’ve lived):
ALASKA, California, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, NEW MEXICO, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, LOUISIANA, Mississippi, Alabama, TENNESSEE, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, VIRGINIA, West Virginia, Maryland, & Pennsylvania; and Michigan and Minnesota if long layovers in airports (Detroit & Minneapolis) count.
Oh–and Illinois. I just remembered that when we came back to the lower-48 from Alaska, we flew into Chicago. My grandparents drove up from Baton Rouge to get us. From Chicago, we drove to Lafayette, Indiana, where my mom’s two sisters were living (one was attending Perdue) and stayed there overnight before driving to my great-aunt’s in Little Rock, AR, and then back “home” to Baton Rouge.
LOLOL! That’s funny. Aftertaste. Sorry to hear it Sally. But we can still be friends.
Janette on
September 11th, 2007 8:33 pm
For some reason (maybe to avoid housework?), I took it and here are my results! ***You Are Dr. Pepper***
You’re very unique and funky, yet you still have a bit of traditionalism to you.
People who like you think they have great taste… and they usually do.
Your best soda match: Root Beer
Stay away from: 7 Up”
Ha! I cannot stand Dr. Pepper! I’d almost as soon drink generic cough syrup (which, by the way, is really, really awful). And for anyone to describe me as funky, I think they would have to be drunk-y. The only thing accurate here is the root beer. I do like diet root beer, but my first choice would always be Diet Pepsi with caffeine.
Heather Diane Tipton on
September 13th, 2007 4:24 am
I took it and came up with Dr Pepper… and if you knew me you would know how funny that is. (total dr pepper freak!)
I love to travel & have been to 38 states plus Washington DC. Instead of listing those, I’ll put the 12 I haven’t yet visited, but hope to:
Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and North Dakota.
My favorites are Arizona, ARKANSAS (my home), and the Black Hills area of South Dakota. Oh, Hawaii is great, too, but when I lived there, I was either pregnant or nursing the whole time!
The black hills are so beautiful. When I was there, I had a bright blue walking cast on so the pictures are quite memorable!
Janette on
September 14th, 2007 8:43 pm
Sorry to hear you have the flu! Reminds me to start looking around for a place to get my flu shot. The shot is not a guarantee of anything, but hey, I’ll take all the help I can get. Hope Lyda sounds like an interesting author. Does she have her characters journal? I used to love journalling (on the computer) but have mostly given it up, except for jotting down the cute things my daughter is doing.
oh, I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well. I’ll be praying you are up and at ‘em soon and ready for a thrilling Texas two-step by Tuesday. (How’s that for alliteration? LOL)
Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, North dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, indiana, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey.
Having been in the military has helped me travel a lot more than I ever would have.
Can we tell countries?
Kerri on
September 24th, 2007 5:23 pm
Glad to hear you’re back and doing well (if a bit tired). I hope you don’t get sick. Bummer about the contest. ( Gettin’ your name out there is good though. I can’t wait to hear more details about the conference.
Sally, it was a joy to meet you in person, and together we will be thrilled to have finalled in the Genesis and will cheer our fellow writers who won with wholehearted enthusiasm!
Sally, I’m disappointed you didn’t win–but I still felt like I was sitting with a celebrity at the awards banquet. It was great meeting you, and I’m very impressed that you’ve managed to blog this past week! I’ll try to get started back today.
kim on
September 25th, 2007 6:00 pm
I’m Coke! I need to stay away from Dr. Pepper and the best match for me is Mountain Dew!
kim on
September 25th, 2007 6:02 pm
You all win! Illinois, Indiana, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Texas and Wisconsin.
I was great to meet you in person–even if we didn’t have a chance to really sit and visit. At least we got a picture together =) Glad you’re home safe, snug, and healthy!
It was a delight to meet Terri G. and Cynthia Ruchti in person. You wouldn’t believe how I was mangling Cynthia’s last name! LOL I’ve caught her radio program here on KFSI from time to time.
The conference was great! I wish I could emerge from this post-conference twilight zone a bit and clear my head. Maybe by tomorrow…
I didn’t know Cynthia R. is one of your crit partners. That must be fun. She’s a riot! And you’re right (at least judging from her emails), she’s always encouraging.
I love Kristin’s writing, too. This sounds like another good one.
Julie on
October 4th, 2007 10:06 pm
Sally, I haven’t commented recently, but it sounds like you had a fabulous time in Dallas. Even though you didn’t win an award, I’m sure the whole experience will be beneficial to your writing career.
Hope all else is going well in KC.
Sally, What a great review. Thanks so very much for taking the time to read NOBODY and lend such an alluring endorsement. All the best to you! Your friend, Creston Mapes
Sally, I’m just now getting around to catching up on your blog. How fun to relive a slice of the Dallas conference with you today! Please send me the picture of the four of us from the critique group. We all look as happy as if we’d just signed a three-book contract. It’s probably prophetic, right?
Hi, Sally. I well understand how busy you are. These library (and bookstore) jobs eat up a lot of time, don’t they? Brandilyn’s book sounds great. Thanks for sharing.
On another note, you won the contest over at my site for the autographed copy of Demon: A Memoir. Email me your snail mail addy and I’ll send it to you. Enjoy!
Disappointing to hear–but I agree with you. I hate it when characterization is sacrificed for action. This is also disappointing because it would be so wonderful to have a book that could draw in those DaVinci Code readers.
Sally, you won a free copy of Robin Caroll’s book from my blog. Wanted to make sure you saw this so you can send me your info. Email me through my web site.
Thanks so much for doing this, Sally! It’s been great getting to know you.
Many blessings,
Nicole
Matt Bronleewe on
November 3rd, 2007 10:15 pm
I’ll be honest…I held back from revealing too much about the characters because they have MANY MORE ADVENTURES AHEAD. I couldn’t give you all the details at once! And this is just the beginning… The follow-up to ILLUMINATED comes out August 12th, 2008. Prepare yourself for the next thrillride…HOUSE OF WOLVES!
I hope things calm down for you soon. Sounds like you’ve had a Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom beginning. Who knew rural Kansas was such a frontier of fauna.
And the speed of garter snakes freaks me out too.
Kerri on
November 5th, 2007 5:57 pm
I’m sitting here with shivers going up my spine.
So where did the snake-under-the-motorcycle go? I would have been freaked out that I couldn’t find it.
I hope that all the creepy-crawlies at your house figure out that you live there now and that they aren’t welcome. Well, we can hope, can’t we? )
I hate snakes!
My neighbors heard a rattling noise in their closet, called the Fire Dept.
The firemen came and found a huge rattlesnake curled up in their closet near the front door.
What a nightmare.
I’m trying not to laugh. I really am. But I grew up in the wilds of Georgia. Been there, done that. When we went to London a few years ago, I was so fascinated that people left windows open without screens over them. Just try that in Georgia–even for a few minutes!
I’m afraid of all birds who are not waterfowl. I love ducks and geese, but crows and yellowhammers, swallows and robins…it’s the beady eyes and the pecky little beaks, the scratchy feet and the SPEED! EEEEK!
Hitchcock’s The Birds is his scariest movie for me. He tapped my inner avianphobia.
What fantastic news! I remember meeting Jill at ACFW also, and she was such a nice lady. Nice to hear of someone else who’s had to hang in there for a long time. Gives us all encouragement.
How big is your TBR pile now? I couldn’t work in a bookstore–I’d be spending my entire paycheck, and probably going into debt =)
Can’t think of the last book I picked up for the cover only, but I sure like the ones you picked!
Julie on
December 10th, 2007 2:50 pm
Too funny! Not to you really, I’m sure. I could just envision this happening to me too!
It’s good to hear about life in KC. We trust that you are settling in and enjoying your new home and church.
Those covers are beautiful! I love the covers on Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series, and all of the Dick Francis books published by G.P. Putnam’s sons. I’m always interested to see how they are going to do the next one.
I really enjoyed Abomination by Colleen Coble, and Demon by Tosca Lee. There were tons of other books I enjoyed as well, but these are the ones that stuck with me long after I set them down. I look forward to some great reading in ‘08 too
Dead Heat by Dick Francis
Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Book of Old Houses by Sarah Graves
Sushi for One? by Camy Tang
Try Dying by James Scott Bell
There is so much to the Show that it takes a visit to the site during the week of activity to understand a lot of it.
My husband and I traveled from Arizona to Virginia to personally deliver and install our bubbling water features for the Lucas Family.
It was an uplifting experience that we would do again if asked. Although I’m not so sure of traveling all the way across country… between traveling the distance and working long hours on the set, it was exhausting!
More info about our experience (at least what we can say until it airs in February/March) is available on our Extreme Makeover: Home Edition page.
I highly recommend that if EMHE comes to your home town, or one nearby, you take the opportunity to join in the enthusiasm and camaraderie. It’s eye opening.
It was a truly amazing show! The part you highlighted–that I now know the family was sitting inside waiting, wondering if the bus would show up–was the main part that got to me, as well. Although, having experienced a lot of rejection in my life, I couldn’t help thinking about the other families. Still, it’s hard to imagine a family more deserving than the Woodhouses.
Julie on
January 15th, 2008 2:14 pm
This has nothing to do with EMHE, but I wanted to tell you I finally read Romance Rustler and Thunderbird Thieves. I loved it. I can’t tell you how many times she had me laughing out loud.
I loved that everything wasn’t sunshine and roses at the end of the book either. After all, life rarely works out that way.
You’re in the Guide? Whoa, I’m impressed! Sounds like they’ve added a lot of resources since I last used this as well. I love the idea of it being on CD so you can search it more easily.
I’ll have to check this out. I usually don’t like romance, either, but I’ve been looking for some out-of-the-ordinary examples.
Pam Williams on
January 23rd, 2008 4:02 pm
I’m here to say I have the book and have enjoyed reading. Antics from the characters are very enjoyable and I was delighted to see the heroine watching for God’s direction above her own desires.
This sounds like a good one. And so timely. I’ve known of many churches–and relationships–to be torn apart over this sort of thing.
Kerri on
February 12th, 2008 12:54 am
Sally,
I just want to give you a huge hug! It’s so hard when things aren’t turning out the way we expected. And doubly hard when what we want is truly a good thing. Having been through 9 years of infertility I know some of the pain you’re feeling.
There were a couple of things that helped me most when my dreams were not working out as I planned. I learned in a big way during those years that God is sovereign (that one was easy) but also that He is good (that one isn’t so easy sometimes). The really hard part is to see that God is sovereign *and* good at the same time. It can be a bitter pill to swallow. To know that the plans that He is working out are straight from His hand *and* that they are the best for His purposes. Like I said, not easy.
Another thing that helped me was the verse 2 Corinthians 1:4. In essence it says that God comforts us through our tribulations and then we can turn around and comfort others the same way that God has comforted us. It was a huge help to me to be able to come together with other infertile friends and comfort each other with the things that we were learning about God. Growing in Him was a comfort in and of itself.
I don’t want these things to sound trite. Sometimes, even though it’s not what we want most at the time, holding onto the doctrine that we know is true is what will help us through.
I know it hasn’t been “years down the road” yet but these are truly the things that helped me. That and the hugs and understanding ears that friends gave me. )
Just one more thing. Just because God says, “No” right now doesn’t mean that it’s no forever. Thanks for helping me remember. I’ll think of that right now while I go hug my 4 year old daughter. )
When God tells me no, I usually pout–but that’s not the right response You’re right about it being way easier to look back, years later, and see that He knew best all along. I guess we have to trust that what He said is true: He has plans to prosper us, not to harm us, to give us hope and a good future. I also try to look at it from a parents’ perspective, and how I deal with my young ones.
Love ya!
Julie on
February 12th, 2008 1:49 pm
Sally,
It’s so hard to understand why God’s plans aren’t always the same as ours, especially when we think our plans are doing us so much good.
Moving for us was a hard decision. We prayed exstensively and felt the Lord leading us to the Chicagoland area. We moved our family and left behind a wonderful church and great friends and family.
After only 18 months, Kirk lost his job. What a blow. I thought God moved us here for the job and now we don’t have one any longer. Why did I give up everything to come here ?
It was hard to understand how God was leading us. What I had to do to avoid the bitterness that was welling up inside me was plaster (and I mean that) my house with Scripture verses. I had verses of comfort posted on every wall, at every turn. I read them all over and over again until not only my head believed them, but my heart did also.
I also had to remember that our boys were watching our reaction. How we responded to this situation would certainly impact how they would respond in the future to God. It was difficult for me to be transparent and allow them to see the hurt and the healing.
Without sounding mundane, it was so helpful to remember that God is good and just and His ways are so much better than our own. Remember times past when God said “no” and how things worked out then was so helpful. I think it’s in
I Samuel where they talk about raising an “Ebeneezer” stone to remind them of God’s goodness.
Sally, I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this. I’ve been struggling with discouragement the past week or so, myself. It’s not fun.
Like someone else who commented, I’ve been through infertility, and the tests and treatments, the ups and downs. I believe we eventually came to a point that we got a final “no.” And you know what? God took away that consuming desire for children, in my husband and me. He turned our hearts in other directions, like the goodness of traveling together, and planning for his early retirement (instead of planning for paying college bills).
On other things, though, the “no” seems to be for a season. He won’t remove the desire from me, but has me continue to work toward that goal. Sometimes I want to be released from the wondering and waiting–to just be told “no” once and for all so I can move on. But that doesn’t happen.
In the middle of my discouragement last week, I “coincidentally” received the audio book of Believing God by Beth Moore from my rental club. I’d been trying to get it for months, but guess when I managed to get it? LOL! I won’t go into specifics. But the whole thing deals with what we’re talking about. You might want to check it out. Very inspiring stuff.
Sally, I read this blog on the day you posted it, and I didn’t reply because I didn’t know what to say. I’m still sure I don’t have all the answers, but I will tell you what I use to comfort myself.
I KNOW that God loves me. He cares about my future even more than I do. His motives are pure. If He closes a door, it is for my good and not to harm me. This doesn’t mean a closed door doesn’t hurt, but it does mean I don’t need to fear. My destiny is foreknown by One who loves me, and it is all in His hands. It’s okay to grieve a dream postponed or lost, as long as we also rejoice in knowing that God wants only what is best for us.
Remind me of this the next time I find myself standing before a slammed door.
The premise sounds really good. I don’t mind books that start out a little slow as long as the characters are interesting. Let us know how the rest of it goes!
Thanks for at least mentioning the Braves! LOL. I’m hoping for better things this year for my mother’s sake. She’s 88 and lives for the Braves! So she’s excited right about now, too.
Julie on
March 31st, 2008 3:03 pm
I’m wearing my St Louis Cardinals Jersey today in honor of Opening Day !!
Oh I wish that I could say your predictions are wrong. We’ll be watching an almost all new line-up for the Redbirds this season and getting to know new players. Who knows, they could surprise us all.
Let’s not yet forget that the Final Four isn’t finsihed…………
I predict……MEMPHIS!!
Oh, my! I’ve got to get this one. It sounds like what I’m trying to accomplish with my current book–the gothic feel, the mystery that seems supernatural. And I’m having so much trouble figuring out how to weave the past in with the present. Thanks for letting us know about this one!
LOL! When I find myself short of something I need in the kitchen, I am so excited when I finally purchase it…I plan a meal where I can use it…then realize I’m missing some other important ingred.
Here’s hoping you have beef, cheese, buns, and bacon.
Great review. You’re a finalist. There will be many, but you made the first cut so you are in the running for the featured blog on the new online mag.
Julie on
June 10th, 2008 3:48 pm
So, I wondered when you were going to announce the 2/3rds…..
Congratulations !!!
Hope all is going well.
Michelle on
June 11th, 2008 5:57 am
Great job! I felt EXACTLY the same way. This review is a finalist for the mag. You did a great job expressing what is so hard to express. No real substance — but you still can’t put it down.
Julie on
June 13th, 2008 1:03 pm
I had my library order this book and just picked it up yesterday. I’m anxious to begin reading!!!
It really is amazing how your own place in life can affect the way you enjoy–or don’t enjoy–a particular novel. I’ve had the opposite experience, too. There are books that I hated in college, when I was forced to read them, that I love now. I know it’s because as a twenty-year-old with little life experience, I just couldn’t identify with the old fogey characters and their struggles. But boy, I can now!
Sally,
are you expecting???? We just had our 4th in Feb. We had a little boy names Hudson John. If you are then congratulations.
Julie on
June 29th, 2008 11:54 am
Finished !
Wow, what a great story. I think I could definately read this one again and find something I missed the first time through. I may have even convinced my DH to read it too. How neat to see history unfold through Martha’s eyes.
Thanks for the “head’s up” on this one Sally!
I love your reviews, Sally. They’re so insightful and honest. I’m really interested in point of view issues lately, though–so it almost makes me want to take a look at this book and study the problems you found.
You’re right about the POV, Sally. One of the things that I was trying to do in this book was write something where the author had to show everything; no telling allowed. So if you want to reveal something about a character, you have to do it by, say, showing how he cooks dinner.
And it’s a style you either love or you don’t. I’m hearing more of the former than the latter, but I know that it won’t be for everyone.
If you want to read something that’s totally opposite, IN HIGH PLACES (finalist for a 2008 Christy) is just that: a first-person POV throughout. Maybe I can vindicate myself with you — hope I can!
Sometimes I like a book that’s like a mini vacation in itself. I used to love taking the “Cat Who” mystery books along on vacations because of that. They enhanced the holiday, travel mode and didn’t jerk me back to reality. Sounds like the Sisterchick books would be good beach reads (particularly the Hawaii one).
I call it the “wince effect” which is a little-known technique among writers. LOL, I’m just teasing! But it really was fun to write Lucy and see what kinds of trouble I could cause.
Kerri on
August 6th, 2008 8:04 pm
Thanks for reviewing this book, Sally. On my local Christian radio station Chris Fabry does an “audio blog” and I’ve always enjoyed listening to him. I had no idea that he wrote books too. I’m still in “babyland” with my almost-4-month-old son but I may be able to carve out a few minutes here and there to read this book.
I think I’ve heard Chris Fabry on radio, too, but hadn’t made the connection. The book sounds intriguing. As long as they’re not too esoteric, I generally like those books with a literary feel to them, so maybe I should check this one out.
I really loved this novel because of the writing. I did not care for the twist at the end, but it was an interesting conclusion, and it did work regardless of whether or not I liked it. Fabry just plain writes beautiful prose, and it reeled me in. There were two stereotypes in it, but for a first adult novel (since he’s written many for kids), it was a hit as far as I’m concerned, and I will look forward to any more of his efforts for adults.
Stacia on
October 8th, 2008 7:35 pm
So happy for you Sally! I just sent your sister a message on FB trying to contact you. We don’t have your email and I just wanted to congratulate you. He looks precious. I bet your kids are loving him to pieces!
You’re the third person I’ve checked out who’s read the book, Sally, and liked it. I must be the lone ranger who really didn’t. My review gives the reasons why.
Kerri on
October 13th, 2008 6:10 am
Congrats, Sally! We’re so happy for you guys!
Julie on
October 13th, 2008 1:41 pm
I’ve been waiting to hear the “official” news. Congratulations. The adoring looks on the older ones faces are precious!!
I agree with Georgiana. You’re sensitive to what God wants you to do and open to His leading. The way will be made clear. It’s the time before, where I’m waiting and wondering, that is the hardest.
Boy can I identify! I’m feeling a longing not to return to writing (I am writing now), but to return to the kind of writing I love. To do that, I need to push myself and finish this manuscript I do not love, but told my agent I would write. But I’m finding it so difficult to find the energy, time, or desire to work on it. Let’s say a prayer for each other!
Hi, Sally, it’s been awhile since I read your blog & tho’t I’d stop by. Good job. Don’t get too busy w/cares of life to keep it up. You do a good job. Smiles.
Carole
You’re so right, Sally! How many times do we routinely pray for opportunities, but do we really want them? One former pastor told a great story about praying for God to bring new people into his life to witness to. Later that day, he was stopped at a red light and someone approached his vehicle with some kind of cult literature and he shooed the man away. As he was driving off, a little voice said in his head, “There was that opportunity you were praying for!”
What a great story! I’m so glad Steve stuck to the gospel truth and didn’t water down his message! Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from him!
Praise God for Godly men who give us examples to live by!
Can hardly wait to meet him in person. Dibs on holding him next time you’re in town!!! I’m trying to save up to treat Scott to a weekend away sometime this winter…wonder where we could go……….
The plot sounds a little like one of my favorite movies–Return to Me–although the movie was handled with humor. One of those stories that makes you laugh and cry. It’s an interesting premise.
I love suspense, and yet I’ve never read any Brandilyn Collins. What am I waiting for, I wonder? (In my defense, I do have one of hers on my “to be read” shelf, which is alarmingly crowded.)
I’ve heard of patches for computers … maybe it would have stopped smoking if you put a “patch” on it?
Thanks for your congratulations regarding my selling-first-novel post. I’m sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. We started cover design and a general edit right away. Whew!
Hitting an animal is absolutely horrible. I’ve hit a squirrel and–believe it or not–about three birds. But I’ve been with other drivers when they hit a deer and once, a dog. There was no way to avoid any of this but it’s still so upsetting.
I’m just the opposite, Sally. I almost always spend a lot of time in reflection over the holidays, set goals, make resolutions. Last year, you may recall, started off with minor disasters and I broke pretty much every goal on January 1. Don’t use the credit card–at 10 a.m. I was making an emergency purchase of a washing machine, on my credit card. Read the Chronological Bible–my house was flooded on January 1 and I forgot all about starting it. And so on. So this year I was afraid to make goals! I’m trying to get organized now that the new year is safely under way, LOL!
[...] what happy clients are saying about Affordable Novel Critique [...]
Robin Grant on
January 16th, 2009 6:48 pm
You’re probably right, Sally. It’s probably the genre that was the problem. But a lot of folks like knowing they’re moving toward the happy ending, I guess.
I enjoyed this story, too, Sally, but I thought the cover, the title, and the back cover copy sold the story short. (You can read my review on Wed.’s post.) (Contest goin’ on over there, too, if you’re interested under “The Academy Awards” post.)
Robin Grant on
February 10th, 2009 2:11 pm
Sounds like fun, especially the Hollywood angle.
Julie on
February 18th, 2009 1:38 pm
I was thinking the same thing as Cassandra. He looks like Steve.
The drool is adorable too!
I am also glad there is a second and third book. The end doesn’t bother me though. I still felt hope in the end, which is what I always “hope” for when I read a book by a Christian author, but even more so with Mary DeMuth. You are so right about how Mary points readers to hope and how she creates characters out of nothing but letters. I can’t wait for the next book!
I mentioned on my blog that a major story thread is left unresolved. I think had I known that up front it wouldn’t have bothered me because the story was thoroughly enjoyable otherwise. That said, I had to take a deep breath at the end. It was definitely worth it, but I wish I’d been warned.
Linda on
March 3rd, 2009 2:31 pm
I’ll answer your question as a reader. I definitely prefer books that end, and everything is all wrapped up. I really enjoy stories in a series that are related, same people, same town, that kind of thing, but I like each book to be able to stand on its own. I don’t get as much time to read as I would like and I want to enjoy the story and not be frustrated by a non-ending.
Writers are the worst critics, and they certainly see the things in writing stories that the “average” reader misses every time. It’s the training we receive, the “necessities” pounded on by the professionals, even when they know the best writers simply use these things as guidelines.
However, as writers and avid readers, we develop specific tastes and admire certain styles and techniques in the storytelling craft.
I was disappointed in the ending of this book. To be taken back to Chapter One at the end of the novel felt like a gimmick.
I haven’t read Daisy Chain so it’s hard to know how I would react to it. From your review, it sounds as though EVERYTHING is left hanging in that one, which would drive me crazy. I actually like having some unanswered questions to think about and ponder, if I know there’s a sequel coming. I love the Harry Potter books, which usually tie up the main threads of the current novel but have a separate thread running through the whole series that doesn’t get fully answered until the end. It’s great for sharing and discussing with other readers and anticipating the next little tidbit that gets revealed. Great stuff!
I haven’t read Daisy Chain, but in other books I’ve read, I don’t want to be left hanging. I prefer books that could stand alone. That being said, there are exceptions. I like the LOTR trilogy, and if any books ever leave you hanging and having to read the next one, it’s those.
Glad you’re up and running again. And thanks for the reminder that I need to get my Goal List posted!
Personally, as a reader, I hate cliffhangers with a passion, and as a reviewer, I had a very similar reaction to the book. She’s a good writer and uses imagery well to create a feeling of hopefulness even though the events/plot of the book itself only provide reasons to be hopping mad. I was a little concerned about the difficult-to-strike balance between shining light on the dark, and focusing on it to the exclusion of the the light of truth, but it is only the first book. (IE focusing on what gets broken without much hint to what not broken looks like, which I find ironic, because I recall seeing a nonfiction title along those lines in the author’s bio.)
BTW, the “come full circle” ending is a classic and valid way to end a story that works well in stories like this one to provide a sense of catharsis/peace.
The Heir is my favorite of the three. Road to Nowhere was just that. This is a pleasant enough read, clever, well-written. Ever so slightly pretentious, I thought, but for those readers who like really tame suspense/mystery, it’ll work.
Oh, I love Jane Eyre! So this sounds right up my alley. Maybe the formal tone was trying to stay in line with the gothic atmosphere? Don’t know without reading the book, of course.
I have read CBA novels that kept my heart hammering and my mind spinning for days, then gulped at a negative posting and shrugged my shoulders, wondering whether I knew books…or not. In this postmodern society, the old saying “different strokes for different folks” seems to apply to the literary world more than ever.
Speaking of the literary world, it’s a pretty small group of folks, really, especially in the Christian market. The dear soul you give a poor review may be a fellow publishing house mate next year. You may be asked to serve on a committee with that writer. And some writers are sensitive and have long memories when it comes to their babies.
Balancing on the tightrope of building up brothers and sisters in Christ and criticism meant as instruction can be a tenuous position. After a few nasty spills where I got bumped and bruised, I’ve pledged to only post reviews that will encourage my fellow Christian writers. Lord knows there’s enough of the other type of reviews out there.
Hmm, I wonder if I would like this. It sounds extremely intriguing. I don’t mind if something strays over into horror as long as it doesn’t go too far–and I suppose that’s a personal judgment call. I loved Stephen King for a long time and then his stuff started to get too disturbing for me, with images I wish I’d never gotten stuck in my head. I’ve read one Ted Dekker and it was fine.
Probably depends on your level of horror “consumption”, Robin. Read a few of the reviews and then make your decision. Sally’s review is very honest about her preferences, making her definitely not the target audience for this novel.
I’ve read a couple of other reviews of this book, and while the premise sounds interesting, it sounds like the novel strays too far into “horror” territory for me to be comfortable with it. I just can’t “do” horror in books or film. Your review seems very fair & balanced, thanks! And thanks for visiting my blog as well!
Excellent! I can tell from your book reviews that you would make an excellent critiquer. (For example, you would catch the overuse of the word “excellent.”)
Ooooo!!! Very cool! Please sign me up for your contest!!
Kath on
July 12th, 2009 12:22 pm
Hey Sally, I was so excited to find your website. Do you still live in Kansas? I think we’re neighbors but don’t know if you’d remember me from meeting at conference a couple years ago!! I’d love a chance at your crit. I’m gonna read more of this wonderful website…..
Mike Weaver on
July 12th, 2009 1:10 pm
I would be very interested in your contest. Please sign me up. Thanks.
I would like to win the Free Critique!
I have written several articles which have been published on relatively unknown sites. I am working on my first ms and would appreciate the opportunity of having a professional review the work so far.
My oldest, now 29, said his first word at 9 months old — Da-Da. He waited another 7 months before he said his second word — Ma-Ma. It was funny for a week. Drove my wife crazy, until she realized who he was calling for all the time — and she was thankful. Drove me crazy for almost 7 months.
Sally, count me in–but if I were to win, can I have awhile to collect? Not ready for a critique at this particular moment, but I’m sure I’ll need it soon.
Saw this book talked about on another blog, and I’ve put it on my to-read list. Sounds fascinating, especially when you talk about the transition technique.
I’m really interested to read this book! Naturally, since it’s about pirates, but also to see how he manages the transitions and finally brings the two stories together. I keep having similar ideas for books and so far it has proven wickedly difficult to blend the two time periods or two stories.
Good review. I’m going to review the book soon, but for now, I’m giving away a copy of Offworld at ResAliens Blog. Drop by and enter the drawing. Thanks, Lyn
I definitely want to read this one! I just discovered a really good YA novel called Gone. (Everyone above the age of 15 suddenly disappears.) This premise sounds a little similar.
Sally, I’m so sorry about the fire. I really appreciate the fact that you wanted to read my book:) Please send me your mailing address and I’ll send you another!
Ay, Ay, Ay, Sally. Horrible. Glad the contents of the trunk were guarded, not to mention the protection of your family!
Rosie Baldwin on
September 5th, 2009 9:09 am
Sally, I appreciate the prayers you’ve written in the Loop Digest. They have helped me know more of what to pray for in my own prayers. I thank God for people who love, trust and serve Him.I look forward to meeting you at the conference.
Rosie
I’m not the one who’s written the prayers, though. Forty different ACFW members volunteered, and I have the job of making sure they post when they’re supposed to.
I reviewed it over at Into the Fire, Sally. I wouldn’t have picked it up (much like the case with Lisa Wingate’s novel Word Gets Around) but was impressed and glad to have read it.
I’ve been intending to read some of MaryLu’s books for quite awhile and finally got around to it with The Blue Enchantress. It was great fun! I’ve also enjoyed meeting MaryLu–at least in an online, virtual kind of way. I’m going to have an interview with her on my blog in a week or two.
Sally,
Thank you for your honest and gracious review of this book! If you do not mind I’m going to link this on my blog! I love how you said this with grace and love! May God bless you!
Andi
Sally, this is a clear review. You noted everything you objected to and with the reasons you gave, readers can decide if those things matter to them in their selection of novels. And, as Andi said, you were gracious in your criticism.
As much as we hate to do them, the “negative” reviews remain necessary. Thank you for your honesty.
Thanks, Sally, for your encouraging words about “Prisoner” and most of all, that my writing had improved. I’m working really hard on that, and for someone to notice it — well, it spurs me on. I am so grateful that you took the time to review my book. Thank you!
Sally Bradley on
November 12th, 2009 10:39 am
Golden, I really enjoyed the book. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Well, I kinda resent your attitude about my little problem. I mean, I’m seeing a counselor about it. And it takes a lot of prayer and time, she says. I mean, it’s embarrassin’ enough that my whole life is laid out by that nosy author.
Things changed, though, when I read that you don’t want any of us women to get hurt. In fact, I softened up like butter on a hot day. And anyone named Sally can’t be all bad!
Sally Stevens
Sally Bradley on
November 18th, 2009 9:20 pm
LOL, “Sally.” I’m glad we agreed eventually. Actually, I was able to finish your story just before dinner tonight, and the second half that I hadn’t read was the best of the whole book. Loved it!
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never read the Theone’s books but have heard great things. They look like the kind of meaty historical fiction that I love. Do you have one you’d recc. I start with? I imagine they’ve written a whole bunch:)! Great review, Sally. Thanks.
Sally, I’m off to order Vienna Prelude:) And I promise to tell you what I think. Am sure I’ll find it hard to put down! BTW, the cover for The Gathering Storm is just beautiful. I’m such a cover fan! It means a lot that you would take time for my historicals as I know you are more a contemp. writer and reader. Love your blog!! Must add to my sidebar…
I just found your site and I’m so excited… I LOVE fiction… and I can’t wait for your contest! But even more, I’m superexcited to find a review site where I can get advice on which books to buy!!
Sally Bradley on
September 1st, 2010 2:53 pm
Erin, I LOVE fiction, too! The contest is on hold right now for a number of reasons; I should update that front page. But I’m hoping to be able to do it. I post more about books I read on Facebook if you’re there.
If you enjoy Christian fiction, you could win as many as twenty novels -- just for letting me know what you're reading. Visit the Fiction Addiction page for more information.
Great job, Sally! I love the site! I explored the whole thing
Sally, girlfriend! Mazel tov on the great website! Can’t wait until your blog is up and running!
Wow! This is incredible! Love it, love it, love it.
Thanks, guys! I’m looking forward to it, too!
I agree…but all I see is words because I’ve done something terrible to my laptop’s setup thing and I see no pictures or color which is horrible for a technicolor person like me! I need a personal Geek Squad on call at all times.
Nice Picture, Sally! This place looks great!
Sally, Great site!! I look forward to reading your blogs.
Great Site, Sally! Congrats! I look forward to seeing more! Love the picture, too!
Great website, Sally. LOVE the picture. It so captures your spirit! I have good news for you. Someday you’ll be caught up. God promised that when Jesus returns, we’ll be “caught up” to meet Him in the air! So for once, we’ll ALL be caught up!!!
LOL, Cynthia! Hadn’t thought of that. But I’d like some order down here on earth, too.
Catching up . . . sigh. Sally, girlfriend, I think we may get “caught up” in the THINGS we need to do–goodness knows I do–but what if it’s about the people, relationships? Being passionate about them and the gifts God has given us? Anyway, I’ve been pondering these lofty thoughts, too–a big deal considering I’m such a left-brainer.
Amen, Cynthia!!!! Can hardly wait! In the meantime, I’ll be tuned in on Monday, Sally!
I think its great!
Wow, my mom, everybody! Thanks, Mom.
Terri, I agree. Life here is all about people, but when my home gets so chaotic that it deters me from having people over or having time with my own family, then it’s time to do something!
And what I love is that we can get all the stuff we’re “supposed” to do, the cleaning and organizing, under control so it doesn’t take over our lives and we do have time for people! Really, really!
Great post, Sally!
I’ve recently put myself on a schedule to make sure that I’m writing at least 1,000 words (usually closer to 2,000) every day…as well as getting in a little exercise, getting critiques done, and still having a little free time. But your post has reminded me what I forgot to build into that schedule–cleaning and organization…and my little house sure could use it!
Thanks for the reminder. I’ll be revising my schedule tonight–and praying for you that things start falling back into an order that helps you get everything you need to do accomplished.
Okay, if you insist…I’m a sucker for a free book. Found your blog from Barbara Warren’s newsletter.
2,000 a day–that’s great! I’m starting a new project and this time I’m keeping track of how much I do during my morning writing hours. I don’t want to kill myself or neglect my family (or socks) so I’m really curious how much I average a morning.
Have fun writing, Kaye!
Okay… Your blog is magnificent and I’m a sucker for a free book
Seriously, I enjoyed reading several of your posts and your blog layout is beautiful.
That was neat to read. I’d like to read the book “Raising the Christian Family You Never Had”. Thanks for posting this interview,Sally!
I’m interested to see where this blog takes me, Sally. Interesting….
Sally, I am enjoying your site and your blogs! I look forward to reading the books you discuss (with all the free time I’ll have after I start using routines!!). I have been thinking about how managing a home is really all about people – showing love to our family and friends by planning meals, washing clothes, etc. (Someone once said, nothing says I love you like a clean toilet!). Managing a home is a God-given responsibility and privilege – one that I would really like to grow in. I tried written routines some in the past and it did help. I’m going to start doing that again.
I like your mix of fiction and life management. Good job! I’ll be telling my friends about your site.
Thanks, Janette.
I hope this helps you. I know just putting this out there every Friday is making me get back on track, too.
Hi, Sally! I found your site by “mistake”, digging through anything I can find on writing, and I love it! I’m currently writing my first novel, so it’s very encouraging to see people who have made it to that dream of publication! It’s beautiful, you’re beautiful! I especially enjoyed the interview! I’ll definitely be back!
Yay for routines!
Can’t wait till next Friday to see what tidbits I can pick up from you!
Found my way here from a comment you made from Camy’s blog. I’ll bookmark your site and be back to read again
).
This book sounds interesting. I love Biblical fiction (other kinds too), and have even written a couple of Biblical short stories myself.
Please enter me in your contest.
Sally,
This looks like a great book! Isn’t it amazing how God continually wants to reconcile with us! I think that’s the theme running through the book of Hosea as well. Just amazing. Thanks for the review. I’ll have to go find this book.
Wow, I can’t wait to read Wishing on Dandelions! Thanks, Sally! Gods and Kings sounds very interesting. I’m looking forward to your interview with Kacy Barnett-Gramckow. I thought her book The Heavens Before was very well written and I hope to read her other books soon.
Hi Sally,
This book was awesome. I read it thinking at first that I wouldn’t want to read about that era of time but then when I heard Lynn Austin talking about all she went through to get this book pubbed (this was her first) I had to read it. Wow. The book was amazing and I learned so much. I’ve heard the others were really good too. How neat to study Isaiah in Sunday School after reading this book.
Julie
I too am ‘doing’ Isaiah. After initial groans, I’m loving it! The book looks good too! Thanks!
I found your site through ACFW. I have enjoyed your blog. Thanks for the free book drawings. I love to read!
Sally, may I borrow this?
Sally, ok–I meant this book. I’m a little retarted when it comes to figuring out which buttons to click ;o)
Loved this trilogy…especiall “The Heavens Before”. Thanks for posting this interview, Sally. It was neat hear how these books came about. (Going to go brush up on my DNA now!). Incidently, the one thing I like most about the first book was the glimpse of how the pre-flood world may have looked. We see the beautiful world we live in…but Noah and His family…not so much. Can you just imagine how wonderful it will be when God restores his creation? Can hardly wait!
I found you through the ACFW member forum and would like to register for the Market Guide giveaway.
And I’d hate for those ladies to visit my house. I’m not that bad of a housekeeper, but I bet they’d find a lot that I miss
LOL. Don’t worry, Elizabeth. We all have our moments.
I wish I had a daily schedule I could stick to. I find it difficult to follow any schedule, but I’m working on that.
Don’t try to schedule your whole day at once! I’ve done that so many times, sat down and planned out this beautiful schedule that accounted for almost every minute of the day. It’s that perfectionist in us!
Start with key schedules/routines that will get you going throughout the day. That’s what I’ll be talking about the next few Fridays, if it’s any help.
Does this mean I shouldn’t put my pj’s on after my morning shower? But they’re so comfy…….
LOL. I guess as long as they’re clean and not ratty! And you don’t mind being seen in public in them?
Sally,
Love your blog!
My schedule: Get up at 4:30 to make my husband a smoothie before work so he won’t pass out and die from hunger on the freeway.
Feed the cat who has been pawing at me for more than 2 hours trying to get me to feed her.
Weigh myself so that I can officially ruin my day before it starts.
Dress, straighten up the place for a few minutes (we live very simply so thankfully not much to do!)
Update my blog, do my bible reading, drink my cofee. Answer emails.
Write all day, taking breaks to check out the ACFW loop and online news things that interest me.
Yoga. Dinner. Spend the evening with my honey reading. Go to bed. Wake up. Begin again. It’s a nice life. Kids are grown.
Lately, my routine has included rising at 4:45 in the morning! I do NOT intend to keep that up any longer than necessary. I heard once about a young man who ran away to join the circus not to escape the rigid rules at home but to find the comfort of routine. The circus operated on a carefully constructed routine of work, practice, meals, play time. He craved the routine. Interesting concept.
I can’t believe you ladies getting up before 5:00! I think I would roll over and die! In fact, that’s what I do! Roll back over and die until later in the morning (we won’t say how much later!). That’s one of our problems with homeschooling. For the first half of the year, we were very dedicated to our schedule and started exactly on time every day, but now that the end of the year is within reach, I think we’re getting senioritis! This is a good time to hit the reset button on the routines!
Bethany, I’m with you! If I open my eyes before five, I end up sick.
Cynthia, I’m very much like that man who joined the circus (although I can’t juggle or wrap my legs around my neck). I love a routine. I crave it. That’s when I’m most productive.
Yippee! Yippee! I get to be first to post!!!
You know all my answers about Sports, but I was just thrilled to get to be the first one to post a comment!
For the rest of the readers – College Basketball (go IU – that’s Indiana University)
Huge fan of the World Series Champion St Louis Cardinals!! Season starts in 13 days.
NFL and NBA – not so much!!
For the record – I’m not winning in my brackets ( yes, I have more than one)!
What’s baseball???
D
It took me awhile to figure out what you were talking about. I second Kerri’s comment–What’s baseball? LOL!
Forgot to say… that trophey/plaque thing is a really fun idea!!
I enjoy sports, Sally, but I have to be careful not to get so involved it takes me away from what needs doing. Baseball? Cubs (sorry, but I’m a northsider). Football? Bears, but I didn’t let myself get caught up in the frenzy. See above. Basketball? Don’t watch–neither March Madness or Bulls. Speaking of bulls, I love to watch bull riding
Thanks to the special man in my life I was introduced to this fantastic sport and now I even watch it when he’s not with me.
Pam
Pam, isn’t that how it is with our men? My husband’s responsible for converting me to the White Sox.
And what is baseball??? Oh, the humanity! And Julie, it’s now 12 days to opening day! Almost single digits!!
Took me a minute to figure out what kind of brackets you were referring to. LOL, I guess that says a lot about me and sports. (You’d probably get along great with my hubby!) Actually, I grew up in a football family (dad’s a coach) where I learned early. Dad’s a Packer fan and my hubby is a Vikings fan–it’s a mixed marriage!
Routine? Yikes! My routine has been completely lost in the chaos of…um…chaos. Thanks for reminding me to get back to the basics. This was super-timely as hubby and I plan to spend the weekend rearranging the house. Maybe I will actually be able to keep it in its new more organzied state.
An encouraging post; one I needed at this point. I’ve been on the same WIP for too long. some days I fear even opening the Pandora’s Box that is the first chapter. I wonder, should I leave “well enough” alone? What if it isn’t? And then, having critiques is like being pregnant. Everyone has a different idea of what to ix, who to fix, how to fix. I decided years ago that I would write Christian fiction, but I don’t think I’m trusting Christ in my fiction writing.
Christa, writing seems like a lifetime of immersing ourselves in insecurity. But for whatever reason, we love writing anyway! Must be that desire God put in our heart.
Glad to be of encouragment! Like your analogy on being pregnant. Gestation is just so much longer — going on 9 years here! LOL
You hit the nail on the head for me. I am such a night owl. On the rare occasion that I get to bed at a decent hour I feel much more productive the next day. Thanks for the encouragement!!
LOL, Kerri! I was so thinking of you when I wrote this, but not in a bad way!
There’s nothing wrong with being a night owl as long as your schedule allows you to get enough sleep each night. So don’t feel bad because you stay up late!
[...] Sally Bradley talks about pushing ourselves to increase our writing muscle. [...]
I’m not a writer but I think these same principles could be applied to many of the situations in my life. Thanks for the encouragement!
I had no idea the Tooth Fairy was giving such gifts these days! I have a few years before she visits our house. Do the parents get a bill in the mail? I guess I better start saving.
) I can’t even remember if I got anything from the Tooth Fairy, but if I did it was probably a quarter as well.
Boy-oh-boy did I need to hear this today. Thanks for the encouragement. My editing day ended with my feeling like I’d been kicked in the stomach–and yet my work is so much the better for it. I’m glad to hear it gets easier over time if I just perservere.
Wow! Our tooth fairy must be much tighter with the purse strings. I think our oldest receives $1.00 for each tooth. The younger one hasn’t parted with any of his teeth just yet.
This is still quite a leap from the tooth fairy of my day. I think we received a quarter per tooth.
Do the parents receive a bill? I’m pretty sure they do! And I’m also pretty sure lost teeth after the first one are cheaper. Phew.
Isn’t it funny how different writers can be? I had to push myself in the opposite direction. It used to take me FOREVER to finish a manuscript (assuming I ever did) because I couldn’t move beyond the first couple of chapters. I kept working on the same scenes over and over. I had to learn to allow myself to finish the manuscript, leave some parts a mess, and come back and fix it later. One thing is certain, though–we all have to learn and work. We all have to learn to work smart!
WooHoo! I’m especially looking forward to Merideth Efken. I read her book “SAHM I Am” and really enjoyed it.
Great interview! Love the covers of those books!
I don’t really have a set schedule each morning. I have a 5 month old baby girl and a 3 1/2 old boy so the routine varies every morning. I figure if I brush my teeth, get dressed and eat my breakfast before 10 AM I am doing great that day.
This interests me as I am just trying to get started writing so if I could win this, it would help motivate me in right direction. I have been a Christian over 45 years. I’m struggling now because of adults rebelling against all I taught them.
I endured such struggles. I had a children’s book I started years ago.
When my daughters were younger, their job was to empty the dishwasher; a task that would generally elicit a chorus of groaning. One day, I timed myself emptying and putting away. Yep, two minutes!
I never thought of it that way. I will have to try that. Thanks for the suggestion.
I’ve come to the same sort of conclusion, Christa, but I’m the one doing the grumbling.
) Now I’ve found that I can have my dishwasher emptied in the time it takes to cook my oatmeal (stove-top, quick oats). What I don’t understand is that I still catch myself groaning about it, forgetting that it takes only a few minutes.
Maybe that’s just an old habit, Kerri? I still find my shoulders slumping looking at that messy kitchen. But that’s a good idea.
Cherie, I’m glad it helps. Christa, I’ll have to have my kids time how long it takes them to empty the dishwasher so they won’t grown (as much)!
Yes-me, me, me –interested in the free critique!
Hey,
Hope you had a nice vacation. Let me know if you’re doing anything more in April. I’ll add it to my site.
Enter me in you contest.
Thanks,
R
Thanks, Rhonda. We did have fun. Now back to the real world! Sigh.
Sounds like something I need to do more of … you’ve inspired me! I WILL do more of it. I will, I will!
Okay, so I posted it on the wrong blog … now you get to read it twice! LOL
Sounds like something I need to do more of. You’ve inspired me! I WILL do more of it … I will, I will!
(Is there an echo in here?) :O)
Thanks for doing this interview Sally. I read the Finding Anna book and just loved it.
I’ll definately try her others now too.
Never fear, Delia! You’re not the first to do that and probably won’t be the last!
Glad to hear it, Julie!
Oh yeah, sign me up for the free critique!
I’m actually really glad to know you’re out there Sally–I think I’ll send you my first 30 pages before I submit my new WIP in Septemeber. I’ll email you about that later on. September seems SO far away now, but boy, the time, she flies!
What a fabu idea! What do you think of this? A couple of years ago I was involved in a horendous clean-up of a rental house—it was the worst mess you’ve ever seen in your life, needed total renovation. My Mother told me that ANYTHING can be done in an hour. She said, just dive in and tell yourself that you’ll only work for an hour and that’s it. It was so strange that, for the most part, every job seemed to be done in just about an hour, no matter how gross the job. But you know, I really like the 2 minutes better. And now I’m off to go clean my kitchen! Thanks for the tip!
Katie, that’s what I’m doing this afternoon! I’m spending fifteen minutes on each room to get rid of the clutter that’s built up. I’m such a paper packrat!
For those of you with kids, have you tried giving your kids a timer, too? I did it with both of mine and told them they have to spend 15 minutes a day cleaning up their rooms. Amazingly enough, when we stick to that routine (I admit we sometimes forget) their rooms stay clean. Even more amazing? They don’t moan! Even my youngest has realized that 15 minutes is not a lot of time! You could even adjust this for younger kids and have them only do 10 or even 5 minutes of a task. Having their own timers helps them take ownership of the task as well. Give it a try!
Lovely orchids. Is that a hint to where you went on vacation? The tropics?
No tropics. That was actually a picture I took in the greenhouse at the Biltmore. Now there’s a house!
Great advice there, Elizabeth!
Hey, couldn’t find your e-mail on this site, so I just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. Hope you have a great rest of the week!
Okay, Cynthia, it snowed here today! Thankfully not nearly enough to make tracks, though.
By the way, I mark Bible verses made into songs, too. Didn’t know anyone else who did that!
I’ve done a couple different studies by Kay Arthur. She recommends all sorts of Bible markings. A triangle to represent any reference to the Trinity and pitchfork to represent satan are just a couple. It’s a great way to study.
I’ll have to try the musical notes for songs!! Good post!
Julie, that’s what I do, a little music note.
This was a great post today, lots to think about. I started reading the bible in the early morning just a few months ago, pretty much before I do anything else, and I’ve been surprised how it sort of helps me set the tone to my day.
Thanks. I needed this. A while ago, I blogged about an epiphany I had that if I spent as much time obsessing about my spiritual body as I did about my physical body, I’d be toned.
Great reminder, Sally. I’m a morning person, too. But mostly because my brain doesn’t fully awake and switch to hyper-drive, so God can get a word in edgewise.
Definitely allows Him to at least set His tone for the day . . . before I go on and mess it up! LOL!
Hugs.
Oh Cynthia! I do love the way you think! Don’t you love a marked up bible that is obedient, too. Opening right up to the passage you were looking for?
I recently wrote a post about a different kind of “quiet-time” than I’ve ever heard anyone write about.
The sum is that in my season of life, I don’t do a regular tête-à-tête by the fire with anyone, so my not-doing it with God isn’t neglect, it’s just not in my personality.
What excites me is the way(s) God’s shown me to interact with Him and His Word without vast spaces of alone-time.
I’m one of those people who like to mark and like to collect bibles.
I think the “newness” of a translation or fresh bible somehow draws me in more frequently.
Sometimes I want to buy a new bible and feel I’m supposed to not, because I have enough at home already…
I’ve resisted for about a year and a half so far.
One thing I wonder is what to do with all these bibles I (like you) have collected. They’re like journals– I don’t want just to give them away, but I don’t use them the way I did before I found Biblegateway.com ;o)
///
My favorite thing about marking is “grazing” later: feeling tired or wanting only to be reminded of God’s voice, not dig for “new” information, I’ll go along just reading what I have underlined.
It is a very encouraging exercise.
Amy Jane, I love going back over old markings, too. It can be so encouraging when you’re just emotionally worn out. And I forget what God’s done too easily. It’s great to see it written in the margin and dated for my little old brain!
Thank you Sally, that was very encouraging, and it makes me feel very much at home with the idea of being obedient to writing. Your words are God sent.
What wonderful reminder, thank you! Many is the time I’ve been so busy I’ve forgotten to eat, but my body reminds me by the time the next meal rolls around. I kind of wish the Lord would have installed spiritual hunger pangs that scream at us as loudly as our bodies do, when we forget to eat! But you’re so right, discipline is the key and a gentle nudge from a friend doesn’t hurt either. Blessings on your Easter!
LOL. Sounds like one of my road trips. No little kids along, but the dh listens to music and Bible teaching CDs while I peck away on the laptop. Yep, technology am grand!
Here’s an answer to your questions on my blog:
Good questions, Sally. I found no information on who they think stole it. I don’t think that’s known. It was taken in 1973 in a smash and grab heist from the Clayton Art Gallery in suburban St. Louis. It must have passed through several hands in order to have been auctioned in 1989 to Spielberg through a legitimate dealership. This is fairly typical of the art theft world. Pieces disappear for decades and then are found in unlikely places. Spielberg may get to keep the painting since the Clayton Art Gallery is defunct, and he bought it legitimately.
Very cool, Jill. Thanks for sharing that.
I enjoy the long car rides, singing together as a family or playing I-Spy and 20-questions.
On our latest jaunt across the mid-west, the boys and I took turns with matching states and capitals and then it shifted to sports teams and their mascots.
Call me “out of date” but I love it!!
Honestly, the boys do have a DVD player, but we don’t use it too often.
Glad you had a good time! It’s always nice to get away and be refreshed.
Oh, you gotta love technology! Sounds like you had a fun trip, and your children are well behaved and self entertaining (great combo!) Can’t wait until mine are a bit older so I can do the same–right now I chase binkies, pass out juice, and play referee.
Brandilyn’s book sounds GREAT! Can’t wait to read it.
Love your comment … because it is so important to be a part – a REAL part – of your church family. It’s essential to your spiritual satisfaction. For me, it’s all or nothing. I have to be involved – and it works wonders for that part of me that is naturally reclusive. LOL
I guess my DH and I are the wimps of this group. Our plan usually includes driving at night so our 3 yr old DD will sleeeeeeep. Sometimes it even works.
Good point, Delia. If we’re shy by nature, which I was, we can’t use that as an excuse to stay inactive at church.
Ah, yes, but then who’s counting?
Maybe it deserves some Dove dark chocolate. Yup, I think so.
Hmm, what would I do if I found a dead body in my car? I’m thinkin’ I don’t want to find out. I wouldn’t mind reading to find out what someone else does though. Sally, should I read the first one in this series first?
Hmmm. I want to say, Kerri, that you can read these as stand-alone novels. I believe they’re about people in the same town, but each story is its own story.
You’re right, it does NOT. It deserves a mini-milk chocolate Nugget with toffee and almond pieces.
You guys aren’t helping me!!!!!
I too am a morning person…If I am not up before everyone else and read my bible or work on my bible class lessons….I never get to them…too many kids and too much laundry …lol
I LOVE THIS POST!!! Everything you said 100% applies to me. LOL, never retire because we’ll always have to eat. Just wait, soon your kids will be old enough to do the dishes! I do breakfast and lunch, my teen does dinner dishes. Take out anyone?
Ok Sally!
Do you have spy-cam in my kitchen or what?
This is probably my biggest area of weekness when it comes to housekeeping. Espescially in a small kitchen.
Thanks for the encouragement and the ideas for making a good routine.
BTW – when are you passing out the recipes for last nights dinner?!
This is my new way of life Sally. I love it! And you know, it works for a lot of things. Paying bills, writing, when you just don’t want to…15 minutes. But mostly, I love looking at the kitchen now and saying, “That’s ok. 15 minutes is all I’ll take. If it’s not done, I can always walk away. But it’s always done in just a few minutes!”
Oh, this is sooo me. I like to cook so by the time dinner’s over I’ve usually been in the kitchen for a while already. Who wants to go back in and clean it all up? Not me! It’s so much easier though when I’ve done my 2-minute type drills all day. Now about the rest of my house….
Hmm———maybe this will work for me and writing………………………….
Julie, here are the “recipes.” Classico’s jar of sun-dried tomatoes alfredo sauce, fettuccine, salmon cooked in a skillet with some butter, lemon, salt & pepper, lettuce from a bag, and croissants from a can.
I tell you, it about killed me!
Have just recently found this site and am so excited! Not enough Christian fiction sites that I have found. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about “Time Me”. It is true;we would be amazed how little time it does to do something if we paid attention. Lela Fox, West Plains, Missouri
Glad to have you, Lela!
I would love to read one of your books. They sound soo good and you sound like a fun person!
Oh, ,man. That’s me. A bunch of Bibles, and I ALWAYS still get excited by a new one, all clean and crisp and fresh and ready for me to start jotting away.
I love those superfine artist pens you can get at Art Stores, the German ones. Teeny-tiny points. They let you make notes even BETWEEN verses. So cool. I first used one when I was 15, and I was sold. At 47, highlighting pencils in multi-colors and those skinny pointed black ink pens are still my fave note-making tools.
And I have a brand new Bible to mess with–the Archaeological Study Bible.
Thanks.
Mir
One of the things that I’ve enjoyed about the book club I go to is that it’s really expanded my reading horizons. I’ve read (and enjoyed) books in the past 2 years that I NEVER would have picked up and read on my own. It’s also good to get together with friends and discuss some of the issues that come up in the book. God has used some of the books to convict me and some of them have just been for fun. I love my book club!!
I don’t belong to any book club. I haven’t had the time to join anything like that because of school.
I also wanted to let you know that the book I won last month came in the mail today, and I’m really looking forward to reading it! Thanks so much!
Love this, Sally! I hate going back into the kitchen after a meal. But I can do it if I know it’s only for 15 minutes … yaaaay for timers!
I belong to the ACFW book club, but so far I haven’t participated. (SHame on me!) The timing hasn’t worked out. But I do love to discuss good books, and really dig deep. Otherwise it’s easy for me to read it and not really digest the deep stuff.
Looks like a good book for a book club! It would be interesting to read from a man’s POV. Looking at the book cover makes me wonder 2 things: what is that look on his face, and who is the chick on his shoulder, ex-wife or kid?
Sally, congrats on the braces!
Sounds really good! Congrats on the braces! I remember how happy I was to get mine off when I was 32. I had to wear them for 4 years.
Hey Sally! Thanks for visiting my site. And congratulations on getting your braces off — yea!
I read A Bigger Life too and absolutely loved it. I was surprised at how well she could get into the mind of a single dad. After I read it, I made an appointment with my hairdresser and left her a big tip.
The book really made me more aware of how important it is to keep “dating” our husbands — to keep our marriage alive. I was sad, so sad, about Joel’s marriage. This is definitely a book where fiction is used successfully to show how God’s ways are the best for us!
Well now I guess I am going to have to read this one too! Thanks for the insight on another great author it seems.
Congrats on the braces too! I know you’ve been looking forward to this day!
yay! go white sox! i’ve been a fan since i was 8 and i seemed to be in the minority since everyone else liked the cubs. so happy when they won the world series in 05.
Don’t you just hate being the forgotten team? ‘05 was a ton of fun. I replayed the games during last years’ World Series.
Now I’ll have to apologize to my friend Julie, a Cards’ fan!
Oh no, you did not just say that. Too bad for you. It was a great series for the Cardinal fans!
I saw the highlights of Buehrle’s achievements this morning with the boys. Way to go, Sox!!
Yeah, my bad.
Honestly, I did see a bit of each game and did watch the final few innings. The celebration at a home stadium looked so fun. Would love to see that in Chicago some day!
Definately a book I would love to read.
Sometimes we do really well with having the boys help and other times I fall into a rut and do it all and end up frustrated with everyone. The boys, 7 & 6, clean their rooms, empty and sort laundry, fold their laundry and put it away, unload the dishwasher, empty trash, dust, clean up doggie “doo” and the cat litter. They do enjoy using the Windex to help with the glass door and mirrors too. Now if I could get them on the windows, I’d be set!
Sounds like a great book!
Your sight is interesting Sally. A friend let me know about it a month ago.
As for our family, we have a 9, 7 & 5 year old. They think they clean way too much but I started them out very early on. They do their rooms, fold their own clean clothes, dust, vacuum, clean bathrooms, dishes and even make their own breakfast and lunch. They learned to make breakfast during the summers while mom likes to sleep in. Sheila’s book sound very interesting and very true to life!
Hm, I’m liking the breakfast thing!
I LOVE this idea! Great job! The dishes are one of my least favorite chores and I swear they breed like rabbits when I’m not looking!
How right you are. I’ve had a really hard time remembering that but you just reinforced my goal for this year – to keep God in my life at ALL times. I know He doesn’t mind hearing from me when things are bad and I’m lamenting but I know that He probably relishes in the moments when he gets a good “call” – gets to share in the downward slopes.
Excellent thought – I would never be this coherent at at 2:30 in the morning.
That’s my goal, too, Erin. It’s too easy to get slack spiritually when things are hunky-dory!
And a SOX fan to boot! Double Woo HOO!
Thanks for coming by!
(going outside to cool off my hormonal, peri- self)
Finally checked your site out! Very cool! I’m hoping for another no hitter when I’m at the game Sunday! Ok a win is good too….
They might not deserve another, but why keep them apart?
A win is no longer enough! We need no-hitters. No, scratch that — perfect games. I want a perfect game!
I have some clothespins you can use!
Or some Ziploc disposable containers. Great for re-using; great for I’m-not-going-to-open-this and throwing away too.
Did throw one container away! No way was I opening that.
Looks like you all had tons of fun! I can see why you live for those meetings! Aren’t ACFWers wonderful?
Sounds intriguing. I would read it and my DH probably would too!
Hey, Sally, you forgot some of us in the picture! That’s me poking my head in between Cyndy and Judy and next to Sally is Corky Richardson and next to her is Katie, one of our guests that evening who happened into the store, got a book signed and stayed for the meeting.
It was a great evening!
Pam
It’s great to motivated by the pros. You’re so lucky.
Okay, for the record, I did not mean to leave out anyone! Was just plugging away our pubbed writers.
I’ve thrown many containers away! No wonder I’m always saying I don’t have containers!
I am intrigued with this idea of collection bookmarks! After all, being a geek I already collect the electronic vairant of the same.
Sally, I became aware of your blog through a posting on the ACFW forum … i am trying to remember the thread where we crossed paths.
In any event, i see I might just make it under the midnight deadline as I am interested in the ‘free critique’
As a total newbie, I am always welcoming of critters giving me the time of day.
I plan to begin blogging soon too, trying now to prep for the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference in two weeks .. and trying to get something, anything on my website so netizens know I exist.
Thank you for your blogging efforts and your participation in the ACFW forum.
kind regards,
david w. fry –> author in training
aka –> frydwords
Don’t laugh, please, but I have a collection of Pez Dispensers. Why? I don’t know really. I don’t even like the candy. They’re just cute!
They are not display (yet), but maybe someday!!
Everyone has their “thing”!!
Bookmarks are a great idea! I never have enough, I’m always grabbing scrap paper, the receipt for the book, or a piece of tissue. (Bad, I know.) I wish I was a collector of SOMETHING, but since our home is, well, small, we pretty much pare down to the essentials. Yet another great thing about bookmarks–they don’t take up much space!
Thanks for linking my blog! I hate to say I collect purses too. UGH.
Julie, my daughter would be envious! Of course she *does* like the candy.
)
Sally, you could match one with every book you read if you use the ones that are a piece of string with pretty beads at each end. ‘Course those may break the bank. I think they’re like $6 a piece.
As for collections, I think my biggest collection would be recipes. Next to that would be my collection of cookbooks. I sit down and read them, post-it noting all the ones that I’d like to try someday.
Dan, like the comment about electric bookmarks! Guess I’ve been collecting them, too.
Julie, a lot of people collect Pez dispensers! Next time I’m tempted to throw one away (kids get them from time to time), I’ll send it your way.
Thanks, everyone! You all made me feel normal!
I love bookmarks! I try to keep meaningful ones on hand and tuck them into birthday cards.
FWIW, my earlier April comments would love the critique.
I am currently trying to retrain myself to *use* a bookmark, rather than leaving the book splayed open on the couch/bed/floor.
I only just lost a pretty one with hot air balloons that lasted me two books in a row.
*Sigh*
I know where the scored “pesky” comes from! How fun!
My five year old son was SO excited when I bought him his own pair of cleaning gloves so he could scrub the toilet. Start ‘em young.
Can you give us a hint of what you’re trying to organize? ::wink wink::
Those are amazing flowers! Since my thumb is SOOO brown, I truly appreciate beautiful gardens and flowers, because it is a gift that I do not have. I’ll take two springs too!
Sally, thanks for stopping by my site. I got to become your first RSS subscriber! Too cool! I like your blog and love the flowers. I wish we had tulips here but every spring I forget to plant them.
Just my life, LOL!
You can do it! And I *much* prefer the idea of “lifestyle changes” to “dieting”.
You’re on the right track!
Although 12 pounds may not sound like a lot, it seems like those last 10 or so pounds are the hardest to lose. But, You can do this!
My story is up too! Come by and visit, but no snacking while you’re visiting.
Sally…you’re right…it’s about getting healthy; not so much about “dieting”!
Thanks for the info on the Denise book. I’ve never heard of it, but anxious to see what it’s all about.
Stopping in to wish you luck. I know that the encouragement of all the members will help.
And I’ve never really liked the idea of a “diet” – lifestyle change sounds like the way to go!
Welcome aboard! I am looking forward to all of us doing this “together”. We can do it!
You can do it! We’re in this together.
I’ll be hopping over to that site as soon as I finish posting this comment. Went to Target last night and purchased a scale. I started Atkins Induction yesterday–am already feeling the sugar/simple-carb withdrawal symptoms coursing through my body (mostly in the form of general grumpiness), so I need all the support I can get.
Thanks for posting the link!
–kaye
Kaye, I’ve got the mild headache from no sugar, too.
But tomorrow’s my birthday, and sorry, but I’m having a little ice cream with my hot fudge!
Having said that, thanks, everyone, for your encouragement!
You can do it! Go Sally! And once you’re done it’ll be easier to maintain. I understand about the sugar withdrawl–I started back in November. But I cheat. All in all, still a good decision.
BTW, I tagged you on my blog today. Come get the rules
Sally, what beautiful flowers! I love seeing all these signs of spring. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Sally,
Great blog!
Thanks for leaving comments on my blog. I too would like to lose a little weight (ok, a lot more than you)! It sure isn’t easy – especially if you would rather sit and read a book than exersice!
[...] else’s recipe! [If you want it, email me — sallybradleywrites {AT} gmail DOTDOTDOT com. Leave me a tip while you’re at [...]
Brazil?!?!?! I hope you incorporate that into one of your books! How funny that you almost hung up on your agent!
What a great idea, Georgiana! Too bad I didn’t take better notes. We’ll just have to go back again!
That is still the coolest trip I ever took. What a fun country, as long as you don’t drink the water!
Okay, I was tagged already. You’re my third tag. Don’t know whether to take that as a compliment of insult. I guess I could post my tag stuff from shoutlife on my homepage.
Check out my homepage for my 8 random things.
Okay, Sally, you’re on my list. YYou jsut painted a traget on your blog.
You’ll be tagged first next time. 
Okay… okay, I’ll participate
) Especially since I haven’t done a blog entry in a week.
I call no tag backs!
Love your list of eight ransom things. Thks for playing!
Arggh! I’m with Rhonda … been there, done that on my ShoutLife blog. I claim the right to use the same 8 boring random facts.
And Sally, that target on your back is growing … and growing … and ….
I’ll play, but only if everyone also reads the next blog just UNDER my eight little bites of “who cares”? LOL
You have a screw in your ankle? I took a friend to the doc the other day – she has 5 screws in her foot. One of them will be removed. Makes me want to faint. Can you feel it?
Gee, thanks Sally! *gasp* LOL
Does anyone know what that red dot on my head means???
Quadruple chocolate, you ask? Well…
There is dark chocolate cake mix with chocolate chips added and drizzled with (soaked in) chocolate syrup, topped with whipped chocolate mousse with chocolate chips or curls and another drizzle of chocolate. To make it yet more decadent, make chocolate pudding, cut the serving of cake in half and insert a sizeable scoop before topping it with everything else. Oh, and you can’t forget the chocolate icecream on the side.
I lost count, so I can’t tell you how many “-ples” of chocolate that makes. Mmm… sounds good, now to make it!
Dessert is always a reward. I love dessert. As for routines, I’ll have to gather my best ones and send them to you.
What beautiful flowers! The flowers are not blooming like that yet where I live. I can’t wait- I just love spring!
I am wanting to make this now – sounds yummy!!! Thanks for this supper idea for this week!!
Oh yum!!
Personally, I don’t think that the pound counts, what with the new scale and all!! (my doc’s scale is the same way) Any step in the right direction is a good one!
It’s good to look at the good side. And really, the fact that you posted even with a gain (although you could definitely dispute that with the new scales! I always hate getting weighed at the doc’s office) shows that you’re committed. Look forward to reading next week’s loss!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Perhaps we can encourage one another with this whole tales from the scales thing!!
Oh, goodness. What have I gained in one weekend?? Ugh!
My waistline expands from reading your post!
I’ll have to look for this book. Lovely cover!
So true about the Dr. scales….the worst!!
I bought a new scale last weekend to start this challenge and it said about 5 more pounds than my old scale. After I got over “that’s not fair” I decided to just go with it and will stick with just the one scale to keep track.
You still are making wise choices and the good results with start showing.
Wishing you a good week!
~Betty~
What a great way to turn a difficult circumstance into a beautiful testimony!
Good for you with the exercise. That’s still something I need to get serious about. I wish I still worked near the downtown YMCA and could swim laps in the evening, but, alas… Looks like it’ll be walking for me. Once I lose a little more weight and can move a bit better, I’d love to try yoga or pilates. I’ve been reading that weight/resistance training can actually burn fat faster than cardio. Still researching that, though.
I know you can do this–and no matter what the scale says, if you feel good about what/how you’re eating and if the exercise is giving you energy and stamina, then you’re doing well.
Storing off season clothes is much easier if you use space bags. I now put the clothes in by size and drop a piece of paper with the size written on it so that I can quickly avoid that bad if I am going through a fluffy time of my life. The space bags, allow me to store about 3X the amount of clothes as before in the same plastic bin as before without worring about them getting dusty and soiled during the “off season” or waiting until I shed those few pounds again.
The bets tip is use different colored tubs for each child’s stufft hat way you know whose clothes and such is whose in storage so you know what kids kids the hand me downs next and such as that.
Hi Sally! Loved your post today. My organizational tip is I’ve found that when it comes to tasks, sometimes I start them with not enough time to complete them and I’m then frustrated by the additional disorder in my home until I finally get to the project again. I’m not saying don’t ever start a project but try to figure out how long a project will take before tackling it. 15 minutes is enough time to tackle your junk drawer or sweep your kitchen floor. Organizing your entire kitchen may take a day or more so allow for that and you’ll have a better experience.
get an inexpensive label maker to label containers and it will be easier to find things.
Thanks for the introduction and nice contest.
Don’t fret…we’ll get there! Dr’s scales are totally, totally the worst!
Oh Sally,
You sound so much like me! I’m an all or nothing person too, and once I get going it’s hard to stop until it’s perfect. Retraining your thinking is a great idea–I’m working on it too! We have to, lest we drive ourselves (and our families) NUTS!
Wow! I drive myself nuts in other ways. Housework I pretty much have a handle on. But gardening? UGH. Beyond mowing the yard, I haven’t a clue! So I’m prone to leaving it be. Not good. Therefore, I’ve retrained my thinking and have promised to work on it weekly. Yes! Even as the beach beckons.
Sally, let’s chuck it all and read a good book! I can dream…
It’s funny, I’m good about doing things in little doses, generally–including keeping up with clutter. But the vacuuming and dusting and things like that? I know that once I get started, I’ll want everything to be perfect and will exhaust myself. I definitely need to check out this book!
CeeCee, can we read them on the beach????
Robin, this book is so good, and Marla talks from experience, not from perfection so it was encouraging!
Closet organization is enhanced thru the use of color coded hangers. This is especially true when moving those items from the laundry room / ironing room to the closets
Rubberbands are a great item – not only do they keep things like pencils, pens, papers, and letters to be mailed together, but if you put shoes sole-to-sole, it keeps them organized while they’re stored in the closet. Just match the shoes’ bottoms and slip over a rubberband that is strong enough – they will make sure shoes are always snuggly placed together – especially for children!
Hey Sally
I am with you and Cee Cee! I have read Marla’s book and found it really helpful but I have trouble sticking to the plan – hehehe!!!
Keep a basket between the seats in your car to organize and prevent your stuff such as your purse, extra keys, cell phone, kleenex from sliding around and getting lost under the seat.
Sounds like a fun book! Count me in on the drawing, please. Can’t wait to hear about the other books.
ALWAYS!
This sounds great! Just what I have come to expect from Tracey Bateman.
Sounds good. Sounds like a refreshingly new plot. Count me in on the drawing please.
Sounds like a book I must read. Please include me in the drawing please.
OH OH – Pick me !! Pick me!! (waving hands madly in the air) Ok not really, but this book sounds intriguing and I’d like to read it!!
Thanks for all of these reviews!! I love a good book.
Sounds like an interesting read. Count me in!
OMG!!! Your comment on my post had me laughing HARD! Glad to see your scale is still alive…
Okay, I had to go back and see what I wrote. Yes, I could see how that would be funny.
But I wasn’t trying to be funny. I’m serious!!! And that makes it very, very sad indeed.
Whoo hoo!!! Way to go – stay strong and have another great week!
Personally, you’re braver than me. I haven’t owned a scale in years. It was making me neurotic. Of course, last year I reverted to measuring my waistline constantly. But I’ve almost kicked that habit, too!
You are doing great.
It’s so true! If you say you’re going to take 15 minutes, it usually A) takes less time than that or B) gets up the momentum to finish anyway.
WOW–not only a 2 pound loss, but a FINALIST IN THE ACFW GENESIS CONTEST!
Double congrats, girl!
Way to go!! I like the idea of making the scale earn it’s keep….maybe I’ll threaten mine this week!!
so, your secret is chocolate, huh?
Going back to live on the ‘inside’ instead of coming out to live ‘outside’. Hmm, that’s a great story idea! Count me in!
Julie P, you crack me up!
)
Congratulations on being a finalist! Woohoo!
Great title and cover! Love to read it–
Thanks, Kaye and Erica! Big grin here.
Erica, congrats on being a finalist, too! How exciting. Can the conference start tomorrow, puhlease!!!!
And not fainthearted, no my secret isn’t chocolate. Sigh. Only in a perfect world . . .
Hooray! And CONGRATULATIONS ON FINALING IN GENESIS!!!!!
yes ditto on the congrats!
Hey Sally – congrats from me too! So can you tell this Aussie girl what being a finalist means and same for the eventual winner?????
Thanks for visiting my blog! No need to enter me in the drawing, since I’m running the same contest on my site… just wanted to stop by and say hi.
Ok, I’m game for this book too! Sounds interesting although I don’t believe in “spooks”.
Ooh, this one sounds really intriguing! I love this kind of spooky mystery. Count me in!
Hopped over from fiction fundamentals. Love sites with contests, and these books sound interesting (Gone with the Groom?)
So glad your scale is safe.
Congrats on being a loser!
Sounds really good! Very interesting and uniQue plot.
Wow, that’s some powerful stuff. I’d never heard of this author before, but NOW I have to! Glad I discovered this site. I will be back.
Wow, you all are so nice!
Narelle, it’s the ACFW Genesis contest for aspiring novelists. I made the cut!
sorry but i’ve tagged you for a meme on my blog!
Glass Roads PR is AWESOME! I first met Rebeca at Virginia Smith’s launch party last year, then spent some time with Kathy at Mt. Hermon – special, special ladies who know their stuff!
This package of books looks great! What fun!
Another great sounding story!
This sounds great!
Congrats Kerri !!
Congratulations Kerri! Books are so much fun to get in the mail!
Renee does write an funny, engaging story! I’m not done yet but I’m enjoying my journey.
Have a great weekend Sally! Get to the beach if you can! It’s going to rain here but do you really think I care? I love the beach when it’s cloudy.
Congrats Kerri!
WooHoo!! How fun! I don’t think I’ve ever won anything in my life. With Summer just around the corner I’ll have more time to read. Thanks Sally for setting this up and for letting us “play”.
Congrats, Sally on being a finalist!! You’ve got to be flying high!
Last minute company coming over? Just grab a large plastic storage container, and make a quick run through the house while placing anything that is out of place in that container. Then throw the full container in the closet. This leaves time to run the sweeper and dust really quick too.
Later, when the company is gone, place the container on a table, and say ok everyone grab your stuff.
I’ve found an easy way to utilize the space on that skinny shelf in the middle of the fridge – put down a cookie tray and then instead of losing stuff in the back of the fridge, just pull out the tray and everything on that shelf is easily visible and reachable.
I have gone to Homegoods and bought a bunch of really cute baskets with liners in them. They are great for organizing everything from your bedroom to your living room. I even have one in my kitchen for clean towels.
throw junk away!
Hang in there dear one, you will lose this weight.
I feel your pain regarding the digital scales. I spent a week in VA last week and my friend had a digital scale. I fluctuated 10 lbs in 10 minutes. I weighed myself before I got in the shower and it was one weight then I weighed myself dripping wet and I was 10 lbs lighter. Go figure.
This sounds really good!
I love my digital scales. Well, as much as any gal can love a set of scales that is!! Mine are fairly accurate…I don’t have those big discrepancies you were talking about. I think they came from my neighborhood Wal-mart!
I’m in the same situation, though I can vaguely make out the 1 lb markings on my three-week-old analog scale (bought at Target for $19.99.
I wish I could afford a scale that would record in one-tenth pound increments. I’ve seen so many people over at Tales who can say they lost 0.2 or 0.4. All I know is that my needle is swaying somewhere around the same mark it swayed around last week. [sigh]
Here’s to a better week this week and good results to report next Tuesday!
My TBR list is TOTALLY that long, if not longer!!!! We’re pathetic, you realize that?
Camy
Something I LOVE about my scales? Sally, puh-leeze!!! The word “scales” and the word “love” should never be used in the same sentence.
Never.
Ever.
I do believe I’ve found a soul sister!
Love it! I cannot study without pens and highlighters in hand. And I love, love, love going back through the pages months or years later and being reminded of specific times in my life by the markings in my Bible. From henceforth and forever after, I will begin to think of them as tracks in the snow!
I bought a Tanita digital scale at Bed Bath & Beyond. I used one of their 20% off coupons and got it for $25.00. It’s great! It also calculates body fat and has memory for 2 different people to weigh themselves.
See what it looks like on this post.
See I have the digital scales but I miss my old fashion one. On that one I can lean a certain way and get the results I want. That’s my kind of dieting!
Hi,
We have a VERY TINY full bathroom (the only one!), and there is virtually NO cupboard or shelf space for towels and washcloths. UNTIL I purchased two of those hanging ‘canvas/vinyl’ type hanging sweater organizers (about $10 each!): they velcro attach to the shower curtain bar at the far end of the tub, facing outwards, and because they have only the front opening, stay dry! Now we have ample storage space for bath towels, washcloths, some other hard-to-place linens like extra toilet lid covers and bathmats, and they really don’t take up that much room at the end of the tub– in addition, being outside the shower curtain, they wind up providing even MORE protection keeping shower water IN the tub and not down the curtain and onto the floor!
Sally I wouldn’t say I love my scale, but it is accurate.
It’s a Weight Watchers Scale (about $50.00), but I got it half price, so not too bad.
Good luck with whole situation. That can be so frustrating!!
Okay, I’m buying a new scale! A nice digital one! Anybody want a new, hardly used, analog scale?
Yes, but let’s keep it our secret, okay?
I love the beach during a storm. I don’t go into the water, of course, but those dark gray blue clouds rolling over the water as far as you can see and the huge waves crashing against the sand and the wind whipping your hair around, the smell of the storm in the air — I love it!
I like my digital because it doesn’t change no matter which way I lean. How’s it coming so far this week? I’m having a tough time, but plan to get back on track. Really.
I’m with you! Buried under a pile of books. The Voice in the Wind is one of my all-time favorites, and the only series I’ve read more than once. I hardly ever re-read, but that ones totally worth it!
I “like” my Taylor Body Fat Monitor and Scale (as much as anyone can “like” such a thing). It’s digital and weighes in .5 increments. I don’t remember where I bought it or what it cost (it was a few years ago), but it seems reliable. I always know that whatever it says I weigh, Weight Watchers will say I weigh about 2.5 lb. more. I have been avoiding it because of stress eating, but after reading your blog decided to bite the bullet and find out the painful truth. It wasn’t pretty, but about what I expected. Hopefully seeing the number will help motivate me to take better care of myself. Best wishes on the “war.” Just think — no scales in heaven!
No scales in heaven–wow, that thought never occurred to me before!
I have a fairly run-of-the-mill digital scale. One of the things I wish I had thought of before I bought it is how big the readout numbers are. I am fairly blind without my contacts so I have to get on, weigh, get off and then bend over to read the numbers. I sure hope nobody has a hidden camera in my bathroom! LOL
Okay, I’ll play. Heading off to the blog to post my answers.
http://www.onthewritepath.blogspot.com/
Give loose items “homes” in closed containers. If they are out of sight, your home feels more organized and you are more ready for dreaded “drop-ins.”
I love my new digital scale. Numbers are nice and big. And you can program 4 different users. I weigh myself twice to make sure it’s correct. If I’m leaning or shifting weight, it does give me a false weight.
Digital Scale
Put a dust ruffle on your bed to hide storage containers underneath. It’s an easy way to hide and grab linens that change with the seasons.
I don’t have as tight a schedule as you do, but I definitely have a rhythm to my days. And, boy, am I one cranky girl if that rhythm is thrown out of whack for too long.
The summer schedule looks like this:
Morning,
Get up, stir around, drink diet coke, do bookwork. (I’m the bookkeeper for the family lumber business.)
Late morning through lunchtime,
Run errands, do chores as needed. (I have two beautifully housebroken kids, one almost 15, one 11, and their list of daily chores and mine keep our heads above water there.)
Afternoon: Write and try to stay off the internet until I do. (You can see how well that is going today!)
Evening,
Dinner, tv, games with kids and DH, chat with online friends, mess about.
My problem since becoming the bookkeeper a year ago…I am a mid-morning person. I do my best work then. But I have to reserve that time for the bookkeeping, since I’m actually being paid for it, and the gov’t and the accountant have these weird rules about everything adding up in the end.
Hey Sally – you don’t even want to see my TBR pile and I need to review them all too – ahhhhhh! The pleasure – the pain!!
Camy – I think I can rival yours – LOL!
Let me just say – I have shelves of books – eek!
If your scale can make me lose 20 lbs. in 10 seconds, I want it! LOL. Let me know what you buy; I NEED one for people who have to be able to see BIG numbers between their feet.
I would love to ge on a better schedule, but I get distracted by unexpected things.
This is probably a really stupid question, but what is Flylady?
Okay, I nearly fell out of my chair in anticipation that you’d gotten a call on a ms.
Calls, from girls, to your little boy…eek! What a shocker for you and the DH.
Good idea about laying down some ground rules right away. Maybe it’s a fluke. Maybe they’ll all go away on vacation. A mom can hope.
Here’s the link for Flylady.
http://www.flylady.org/
As far a goals for this summer, I want to teach DS #2 to tie his own shoes, provided he gets them on the correct feet first. That’s one more step to independency.
As for a routine, we pretty much have a morning routine in place with homeschooling, but we’re a little more lack in the summer. We don’t have a schedule for the day, rather each day of the week has a different highlight. Craft or painting day, cooking lesson day, play date, field trip, park, swimming, whatever, each day has one really fun thing too look forward too.
That hopefully motivates us to get all the other not-so-fun things done first. House cleaning, laundry etc.
We do take out lots of time for reading too- that’s always fun!
Sally, thanks for visiting me and leaving a comment. I ain’t much one for fiction. As to the Outlander series, you won’t be sorry.
Teens, I have 2 teen girls one leaving for college this fall. I distinctly remember I took her to preschool yesterday. (-;
Woot woot! I’m so excited! Thank you
LOL, I was jumping out of my socks! OK, different kind of call. How old is your baby boy? My daughter doesn’t do much in the way of phone calls–it’s all Shout mail and emails, thankfully. Of course that could be because we don’t have a cordless phone so she’s out here with the rest of us, and we love to tease.
Yeah, my kiddos were learning to crawl just a few months ago, too.
And college? I so dread that now. I hope you have a fabulous summer with your girls.
Maybe they’ll go away on vacation . . . LOL, Erica!
Yeah, the cordless phone would be a curse that way. But I’m always doing stuff when I’m on the phone–folding laundry, picking up around the house. I don’t think I could go back to a cord.
But for the safety of my son . . . hmmm.
You’re welcome!!!!!
Awwww, that must be hard! I don’t have kids yet but…I can imagine. How old is your boy??? I was always old fashioned, and wanted my guy friends or boyfriends to call ME. haha
thanks for plugging my blog’s contest!
(although in the address i think there’s an extra http in there)
Snitch sounds like a good book!
I’m a little surprised that the parents of this girl are letting her do this. They probably think it’s “cute.” You could probably stop this by using a general phrase like “I’m sorry but we don’t allow [DS] to accept phone calls from girls.” Just an idea.
Whoops! Fixed it. Thanks for letting me know.
At this point, it’s pretty innocent, just friends from school, but if it continues too much, I am considering asking to talk to her parents and cutting it down to every other week or something!
My kids also gave out their number on the last day of school. Fortunately my daughter mixed up the number so we probably won’t be getting any calls. Although she was in tears. So, now she is just hoping one of her friends will call her. Just wait until your kids start wanting to have sleep overs at other kids houses. That makes them seem grown up real quick.
Snitch sounds like a great book I will have to read. Thanks for the review.
Snitch sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for keeping me abreast of new books out there…
I have not experienced this with OldMan…yet. I’m actually surprised, because I’ve heard it happens younger and younger.
Your poor scales…it has no idea how thin it’s thread of life is! Congrats on the pound!!!
Woo Hoo, you are doing great.
Oh, Sally I was thinking THE CALL!! I was ready with my Snoopy dance.
OH, boy THOSE calls! You know what irks me? The school my son attends publishes all phone AND addresses in books in the beginning of the year. OH! NO! I had to nip the calls in the bud. Young ladies are not taught these days not to chase men. UGH.
Hey, I hope you all will the get the book, read it, and let me know what you think (drop my an email via my website at http://www.marloschalesky.com. See if you can guess who’s the hermit in the hills!!
Sally, You’ll have to explain to me what being a “finalist” means to this particular contest. Congrats though!!
Count me in for “Snitch”.
Hmmm . . . I was in COLLEGE before I mustered up the courage to call a boy without him calling me first (not that that happened all that often).
Yeah, just tell the mother of the little girl she can only call once a week because you have to keep your phone line open for THE CALL
.
LOL, Kaye! Good point.
I read this book a while back and really enjoyed it (I’m posting on it at the end of the week.) Isn’t it amazing how prolific Melody Carlson is?
OK – so this is the place! Thanks for straightening me out. I think the book sound like great fun!!
We just did something similar, only it ecompasses the entire family. I put all of our jobs on one spreadsheet and on which days they are to be done.
It’s even color coded so we know who’s job is whose. We’ll see how well it’s works.
The new chart starts on Monday!!
Looks like you’re creating little Type A’s–gotta love it! Lists are our friends.
My daughter has ADD and the lists are great! She’s getting better at her morning routines.
Jennifer
Yes, lists are wonderful! Hard to argue with the list.
I love the idea of tapes! My wheels are turning.
My dad once gave me a side by side picture of the two of us–one when I was a baby and he was holding me, and one when I was grown with him holding me. Best present I ever received.
A year or so ago, I recorded about four hours worth of oral history from my parents. They lived through the Depression, World War II, farming with mules hitched to plows, etc. So this is pretty amazing stuff. I recorded it on mini cassette tape, but I have promised myself to figure out how to transfer it to digital and make CD’s for all my family. Thanks for the reminder. Got to get to work on that!
Before my grandmother passed away she “willed” something of hers or my grandfathers to everyone of the granchildren in our family (all 27 of us). I received a really ornate music box that plays Amazing Grace. I really love it and it always reminds me of her.
I did something similiar with my son and it did help a lot!
My G’ma and G’pa went to live with family a couple of years ago as they needed to be with someone who could help them with their care. Because of this they were giving some of their things away. Imagine my surprise when G’pa said that I was to take the heirloom (80 yr old), chiming, grandfather mantle clock. He said that I had admired it on a previous visit and he wanted me to have it. My G’ma died a couple of days after they moved. It’s special to know that I now have something that once graced her home.
Wow, I think I would like this book. Thanks for posting about it.
Very cool gifts, everyone!
Georgiana, check out digital voice recorders. I think you can get them for $30-$40 minimum.
And Robin, my mom hired a computer techie at her church to turn the tapes into mp3s.
I’m in the process of reading Rene’s Scoop ~ I would love to add Snitch to my collection
Oh, that makes me wish we had a bigger laundry room. Good tips–streamlining is always a good idea, and keeping like things with like. THanks for sharing
Well, since you asked……….it’s finally working like I wanted it too. I have the boys’ dresser in the laundry room and they can immediately put their clean clothes away.
Mostly all we keep in our bedrooms are pj’s and underclothes. Everything else stays in the laundry room. It has made for neater drawers and less cluttered closets.
BTW- Kerri, I loved the laundry tip on the wrinkle reducer made from home. Yippee. I’ll be trying that one.
Great tips will have to try them. Thanks
Would love to be entered in the drawing for Snitch.
Good for you for having a great time with your husband – that is way more important that counting calories! And it sounds like you are getting right back on track – so have a great week!
Hang in there dear, that pound will come right off.
I love the idea of getting together with folks to cook stuff to put in the freezer. In addition to enjoying your friends, you get a greater variety of food stocked up than if you had done it all yourself.
Sometimes it’s good to take a break from it all. Good job!!
Good luck this week!
Sally Bradley! First off…I missed ya last week. Secondly, elliptical…WHA?????
Would love to win a book. I ‘m not able to buy as many as I like because I’m on disability. Man, I love books!!! They are the best thing ever invented.
am entering for the drawing for Snitch or frankly whatever. LOL
YAY for exercise! Keep going–you can do it! And I agree with Robin, time with hubby overrules calories.
I love the second book cover, too. It doesn’t hurt that the model is so cute!
Your blog is interesting. Enter me in July contest. I am going to have to get into your books and read some. God Bless.
Kerri is an angel for submitting the tip about refilling the Downy Wrinkle-Release bottle with a capful of Downy and then filling the rest of the way with water (I used filtered rather than distilled, because I have a filter attachment on my sink). I tested it on an old, solid color T-shirt just to make sure it wouldn’t leave spots, and it worked PERFECTLY.
I don’t know if this would be considered a laundry tip or a closet tip or what, but I heard this at work this week and thought of your blog!
A lady I work with was talking about how hard it is to convince her husband/sons to replace their old ratty undershirts and underwear. Last time they took a family vacation, her husband packed all of his old undershirts and each night when he undressed, he threw the undershirt away. That way, not only were the undershirts gone, but there was that much less laundry to do when they got home.
We have a corded phone in the kitchen with a stool underneath it. If the kids get a phone call, they take it there. Mom and Dad use the cordless phones.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I can’t wait to read them both!
These are some great tips Sally!
I just started putting the spools of ribbon I use for stamping cards on a curtain rod. It makes them so much more accessible. Great tip!
Who irons their bedskirt Sally??
Congrats on your weight loss!
I am so excited for you!! Getting into a routine with the exercise is the ticket, I tell you. It has worked for me. I am down to 220. That may sound huge, but I started out at 272 and it has only been two months.
One thing that can derail exercise is to allow it to compensate for cheating or snacking. I think you are on the right track and I applaud you!!
Good for you! I haven’t done the elliptical because I limit my workouts to home. Don’t have one of those machines!
Keep up the good work!
Dang! Good for you! Your tone to this challenge sounds very different this week…that’s a good thing.
I did 508 calories today! Woo-hoo!
I think my attitude’s different because I’ve realized I can’t eat junk and exercise or not eat junk and not exercise. And the clothes “shrinking” doesn’t help either.
This is life. Deal with it. I think those were my exact words to myself!
Congrats on such a great weight loss.
Wow!! Good for you for all the exercising you do.
Congrats on your weight loss!
Great job! Congratulations. And I’ll bet the MP3 player helps–or so I’ve heard. Keep up the good work, even though it’s hard. I like your revelation that you can’t eat junk and exercise or eat junk and not exercise. This is where I struggle. Sometimes I think I’ve earned the right to junk out after exercising. UGH.
This sounds great! I love Grisham, and it sounds vaguely similar to one of my favorites, The Pelican Brief.
I love the advice about keeping a planner nearby at all times. On January 1 of this year, I traded in my regular wallet for one of those little organizer/portfolio things. It has a calendar, address book, notepad, and spaces for my credit cards and money. I turned one section into my check (or debit card) register so I wouldn’t have to carry that around with me anymore. So now all my info is pretty much with me all the time.
[...] were definitely a number of those, but there was one that I thought of over and over–Jennifer’s tip of pre-packing child activity bags. Here it is again, in case you missed it. Jennifer says, “Organize your tote bag and minimize [...]
Congrats to Jennifer. That was a good tip!
Congrats, Jennifer! This is a great tip for me to use for my 3 year old.
Thanks for running this contest, Sally. It’s been fun to read how other people organize their lives.
Wow! I’ve been looking for something new to read and haven’t had much luck finding anything. This book looks great!
Congratulations Jennifer!
Wow, that’s a ton of great tips! I can only imagine how hard it was for you to choose.
How hilarious…but doesn’t everyone already do number six? Weird…cuz I do. LOLOL
Congrats Jane! Hope you love the book.
What fun! Can’t say as I’d try any of them though.
) I’m chicken.
It sure is a process–a very LONG process. But we feel better, don’t we? You’ll be down again before you know it!
Good job for sticking with it! I get discouraged and ‘fall off the wagon’ so easily. I think I’ve heard that you can gain a bit when you start working out or work out more than usual. Keep going! You can do it!
Thanks for the encouragement. I know there’ll be days the scale goes up. That’s normal so I refuse to freak about it!
I love baseball, too, although I haven’t had much time to follow it lately. Back in the nineties when the Braves first started doing so well, it was really exciting, and I had to watch every night. (I lived in Atlanta.) The way the Braves are doing this year, it’s just as well I don’t have time.
I’m curious about your baseball series. Is it fiction or nonfiction?
A homerun derby at that launching pad of a ballpark in San Francisco should be terrific! Remember how the ball flew at Candlestick Park?
I’m a card carrying Die Hard Cubs Fan, and I root real hard for the Twins too. What a wild weekend between the Twins and W. Sox. Twins squandered all their runs in the doubleheader and had no gas left for the weekend games.
Sounds like you’re going to have lots of fun!
I used to be a Diamondbacks fan, but that was a long time ago when they were good. Not that I’m a fair-weather fan. Really. Although maybe they’ll be good this year? OK, I’ll admit it, I only watch when my hubby does, or when Dr. Phil is interrupted.
I’m so glad to know I’m not alone! One of the reasons I take the laptop elsewhere to write is so I will quit checking my email and be unavailable on the IM. I’m so weak. And chores never look so inviting as when I need to write.
You wait a full 3 minutes between email checks? Girl, you got willpower! I totally get where you’re at, though, because I look forward to my rewrite too. I think with the 1st draft I need to figure out exactly how my story will play out. Like you, it didn’t matter how much pre-work I did, my story still took some unexpected directions. Rewrites are way less scary, but there’s only one way to get there….
Yes, Sally, I know exactly what you mean! I hear people complain about rewriting and can’t understand it. I love rewriting. At least there’s something already there. But when you start from scratch and look at that blank computer screen with the little cursor blinking at you, and you have absolutely nothing there yet–what horror! I’m with you, I’m trying to press ahead and get a draft of any kind, no matter how horrible, just so I’ll have something to work on.
Ah, posting goals is a great motivator. I find it just the nudge I need to get things done.
I’m trying to ignore the fact that we’ll be starting school in 16 days.
Sounds like VBS was a hit.
Whew! And I thought I was overwhelmed. So many of our goals are similar–I think I’ll just steal your list.
I was bad about excercising last week, but I got back on track the last two days. Hope I can keep it up now.
Love your list! On the 40 days of prayer is there a way to include praying for the families we leave at home? That’s a HUGE concern for me! Yay for no weight gain! Keep at it! 15 pounds is doable.
You are doing really good, hang in there sweet one.
Good for you, Robin! And thanks for the encouragement, Denise!
Georgiana, yes, families will be on it. It’s been a lot of fun to come up with almost forty different topics to pray about. I definitely have a greater respect for those who make the conference happen!
Great job!
Good luck this week!
WoWzer! What a list!
Okay. What’s a one page?
I actually have this book next on my “to read” list, I’ve heard so much about it. And I’m glad when Christian fiction takes on difficult subjects. That’s what we should be doing.
I’m with you, Robin. I appreciate when a difficult subject is handled well instead of just avoided. Karen Kingsbury comes to mind. I’ve read several of her books where the characters aren’t just ’squeaky clean’ Christians. They have difficulties and consequences of their sins but they eventually deal with them Biblically.
Right on ladies. I just finished a book dealing with this issues and it was great to see the author turn the young lady into an advocate against abuse and not just a “victim”.
Thanks so much for reading the book. I’m thankful that you enjoyed it.
Love this book!
I did this survey a couple of days ago. It was really interesting how my opinion about whether I wanted to read this upcoming book changed as I viewed different covers. Then when I read the blurbs and the excerpt, I knew I wanted to read the book. They grabbed me with the words more than any of the covers. I guess there’s a lesson in marketing in there somewhere. We’re going to have to reach potential readers in different ways.
Okay, that’s funny!
Too funny! (Your family name isn’t Skywalker, is it?)
Too funny! Especially if that’s your last name. Hehe
I’ll have to look into my family tree!
I’m happy to see a Christian book that isn’t cliched, that deals with real life situations and things that are uncomfortable – just like the Bible does.
That’s great! WHat a gifted family!
It’s so easy to get frustrated when you’re longing to write, you have a deadline, self imposed or otherwise, looming, and it seems everything in your life is conspiring to keep you away from your keyboard.
Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and take care of what needs taking care of, and sometimes you have to carve out time for yourself, a few hours, a day. I’m known to steal a Saturday from time to time to put work in on a WIP where I can’t access my email, my blog or the fridge.
I also try to get my family “playing on my team” by letting them know what I need most…facetime on the laptop and quiet. My kids are great about this.
And I try to remember that every word I write is another step toward the finish line.
You can eat an elephant, but you have to do it one word at a time. Write on. 800 words is nothing to sneeze at.
I am currently reading “Authentic Parenting in a Post Modern Culture” by Mary. She has a way of putting things that nudges you in a firm, yet gentle way. Its almost as if you are sitting with a friend over coffee and discussing real life issues. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!
When I was working on my master’s degree a couple of years ago, I got so good at using every scrap of time available to me. I always kept one of my textbooks and a notebook with me. If I had ten minutes waiting for someone in a restaurant, I’d work on an assignment. It was not only amazing how much I got done, but it also kept my mind “in gear.” I didn’t have to do so much settling into the subject. I could use those small amounts of time because my momentum stayed built up.
Since I graduated, I’m having a hard time getting into that rhythm with my writing. I blame it on being burned out, but I really want to get back into that, because it truly is amazing what you can accomplish with a half hour here and there.
Awww, there goes my illusions. It’s still a great quote though.
You sound like me! Summertime is the worst time for trying to get anything accomplished. I love routine and when I’m deprived of it, I wilt. THat said, I agree with the others that we have to use every scrap of time to get the words on paper. Also, I’m starting to use my “zoning” time on the treadmill to think about my story. That way when I sit down I have an idea where I’m going.
Congrats, Julie! That looks like a good one.
You rock, girl!
Thanks, you’re a sweetie pie!!
I’ve been planning to read this book for months now, and finally started it two days ago. It’s fabulous. I cannot wait for the weekend so I can hopefully just sit down and finish it. Enjoy, Julie!
Hip Hip Hooray!! Can’t wait to get started on the new book. Thanks Sally!!
Thanks, Sally!
Camy
It’s all about the perspective, isn’t it?
And now I’ll go put a load of laundry in my wonderful machine!
I don’t know about a machine that will hang shirts up for you, but I do know of a handy little do-dad that helps the folding process go quickly.
Same type of thing that department store use to keep all their shirts looking neat and tidy on the shelves.
Perhaps that’s a start!!
Amen, Charles.
I’m having a chocolate attack right now!
Ha! Gotta love that! Speaking of chocolate, I just discovered Nestle’s Treasures in Dark Chocolate filled with Caramel. Oh yum!
LOL, that’s a riot! Hey, if you can imagine it, someone can invent it. I’m not fond of hanging and folding a gazillion loads a week either (I think we run between 10 and 12.) But you can do it, you’re a super mom!
How exciting for your family! Guess that means no seeing you at school. Will you be able to be in a house?
Congratulations! You can’t go wrong living in Kansas.
so will you be supporting the Royals now?
Sounds exciting! and stressful…..
Dawn
We understand about the limited blogging. You’ve got your hands full. That’s a BIG move, but it sounds like God is all over this one! Congratulations.
Best wishes, Sally. Sounds like you have a great attitude, anyway. I hope you enjoy this new chapter in your life.
Thanks, everyone!
Hope your home sells quickly. I love that little magic eraser too. Another wonderful cleaning tool is the swiffer duster which I use all the time because I am allergic to must and it traps them without spreading it.
God speed on selling your home!
I admit the magic eraser works great. Just be careful with it. There was a big article recently on how it can really irritate a child’s skin. It creates burn marks. This actually happened to my friend’s son.
If you like your cleaning products so much you can keep using them on my house
I love the Magic Eraser…it’s aptly named.
Sell, house, sell!
I really like the Magic Eraser too – it’s a great product. Oh – btw – see my book blog http://inthepages.blogspot.com a couple of posts ago I mentioned I have a friend that is trying to do a blog tour for her new book – she is a new Tyndale author – thought you might be interested in having her on your blog!!
You are a busy little bee! Glad you discovered the Magic Eraser–indispensible around these parts.
I lived in Atlanta for years and adored it. A few years ago we moved back to my (much) smaller hometown. Now when I go to Atlanta and get stuck in the traffic and have to wait an hour and a half for a table at a restaurant, I really don’t miss it all that much! I’m sure you’ll be the same way. Lots to miss in a big city–but lots not to miss.
It’s always best to focus on the positives, isn’t it? And think of all that lovely, lovely barbeque, and how cheap you can get into Royal’s games, and apple cider donuts, and Jayhawk’s basketball.
Happy last Monday! True enough, Chicago pizza is awesome, but to have your own back yard and 3x the space more than makes up for cheese and pepperoni. God’s got great things in store!
Sally, I’m going to miss you so much. It’s been so much fun seeing you at the ACFW Chapter Meetings and following your writing career.
I really hope you can make it to this week’s meeting for your last ACFW Chicago Northwest Chapter meeting!
I’m excited for you and your husband, but sad you won’t be around here anymore. But I sure do hear you about the traffic LOL.
Love,
Pam
LOL, love your excuse! I wonder what percentage of writer’s are introverts? I’m one too, unless I’m in a totally comfortable situation. Otherwise I’m a wallflower. Have fun brushing!
Wow, you have a really cool name. The title of your post totally made me crack up.
Camy
[...] Bradley confesses, “I Just Want to Be Bad” as she talks about the struggle to get that first draft [...]
There are so few people who have lovely old-fashioned names like this! My dad’s sister’s name was Charmian (shar-mee-ANN), but most people always mispronounced it as Sharmaine.
Oh, and you’re in good company being an “almost recovered” introvert. There are lots of us out here!
Hey, I just had an idea…. Dave and I could ship you pizzas from Lou’s!
You must be in the middle of your move! How’s it going? If you have a chance, it would make for a great blog post. Hint hint.
I’m definitely an introvert, too. I would have thought almost all writers would be, but most writers at conferences seem to be a lot more comfortable with all the socializing than I am.
Speaking of sports fan, I have to mention our Little League World Champs right here in Georgia. We’re so proud of them! What a fun series that was to watch.
Thanks so much for the interview, Sally!
Camy
I love Camy. She encouraged me to become a blogger. Can’t wait to read this book. Thank you. When is it available? On another note…I am contacting everyone on the Laced With Grace blogroll to say….
As a contributor to the Laced With Grace Devotional Site, I want thank you for your faithful readership. September is our one-year anniversary. We are please to announce we have a permanent new address. http://www.lacedwithgrace.com. Please change your link to include this new address.
Thank you. Lynn
Awww! Welcome to your new home. Things will smooth out. Breathe some of the Kansas air for me, listen to the crickets and cicadas, and eat some of those apple donuts during Ciderfest.
You HAVE to find the book box! You HAVE to! Top priority! In the midst of all the chaos, enjoy your new home
I’ve walked in your shoes and although it seems overwhelming now, you will make it. Looking back it won’t seem so bad.
Glad to hear you are diving right into the new church ministry. What a blessing your family will be there
FTR – I do agree with Georgiana, you HAVE to find the BOOK BOX.
Sally,
I’ve been checking your blog regularly, hoping to hear how you are doing! I’m exhausted just reading about your last month. Moving, starting new ministries, looking for a job – all are big stressors (is that a word?). Do set aside a little time every day to take care of yourself, even if it has to be after 9 p.m.
Your new church is so blessed to have you and your family! We miss you and are praying for you. Hey, I read that book “Summer of Light” and really enjoyed it. He (Dale Cramer I think?) has a great sense of humor. I especially enjoyed his witty sayings about the South.
P.S. Book box? I assume you mean book boxes?!
Yep, I’ve been there, too. Moving is torture. I’m just so impressed that you managed to reach your writing goals with all the other stuff going on. Boy does that make me feel guilty!
Good to hear that you all are “getting” settled.
While I have found the book box, I am still trying to find the Windex and other various cleaning supplies. (sigh)
Hope all is going well for you guys! We already have some interesting stories about our experinece in the Metamora metropolis.
Jannette, you’re right. Book boxes!
Thanks, everyone. Actually, we had time as a family to watch a couple episodes of MythBusters the other night. We’re big fans of the show and laugh our heads off together when we watch it. So that was relaxing.
As for the book box with Thee book in it, I found it. Got the book out. Haven’t opened it. But will very very soon!
Thanks for posting about my book, Sally!
Camy
Lynn, the book was released September 1, so it’s out there!
Thanks for stopping by, Camy.
Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconisn, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky
19…I’ll have to get out more.
Eric said I should come can play. So: MA (I live here), ME, NH, VT, RI, CT, NY,NJ, PA,DE,MD, VA, NC, SC, FL, KY, MI, IL, MN, WI,TX, CO, CA Came close. 23 states.
And here goes…………
Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Nevada, California, Colorado, Ohio, Louissiana, Mississippi…..
I feel like the Johnny Cash Song …I’ve Been Everywhere; and yet it’s only 24 states —still short of Sally’s record.
Time for a road trip
Wow, I’m surprised that I’m still in the lead. CJ, you’ve hit all those New England states I want to see some fall!
My husband and I once counted, and I think my number was 28. He beat me by a couple, though. It took me awhile to count them up back then, though, and since I’m playing hooky at work to read this, I’ll have to list them later. I will admit, though, that a few were just driving through the edge or changing planes.
He-LLO! Hasn’t anyone been to AZ??? Sheesh. I don’t even come close. I’m at like 10. Maybe less.
Okay, let’s see if I can remember them all (CAPS are states where I’ve lived):
ALASKA, California, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, NEW MEXICO, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, LOUISIANA, Mississippi, Alabama, TENNESSEE, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, VIRGINIA, West Virginia, Maryland, & Pennsylvania; and Michigan and Minnesota if long layovers in airports (Detroit & Minneapolis) count.
Oh–and Illinois. I just remembered that when we came back to the lower-48 from Alaska, we flew into Chicago. My grandparents drove up from Baton Rouge to get us. From Chicago, we drove to Lafayette, Indiana, where my mom’s two sisters were living (one was attending Perdue) and stayed there overnight before driving to my great-aunt’s in Little Rock, AR, and then back “home” to Baton Rouge.
LOLOL! That’s funny. Aftertaste. Sorry to hear it Sally. But we can still be friends.
For some reason (maybe to avoid housework?), I took it and here are my results! ***You Are Dr. Pepper***
You’re very unique and funky, yet you still have a bit of traditionalism to you.
People who like you think they have great taste… and they usually do.
Your best soda match: Root Beer
Stay away from: 7 Up”
Ha! I cannot stand Dr. Pepper! I’d almost as soon drink generic cough syrup (which, by the way, is really, really awful). And for anyone to describe me as funky, I think they would have to be drunk-y. The only thing accurate here is the root beer. I do like diet root beer, but my first choice would always be Diet Pepsi with caffeine.
I took it and came up with Dr Pepper… and if you knew me you would know how funny that is. (total dr pepper freak!)
Could you email me please?
I love to travel & have been to 38 states plus Washington DC. Instead of listing those, I’ll put the 12 I haven’t yet visited, but hope to:
Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and North Dakota.
My favorites are Arizona, ARKANSAS (my home), and the Black Hills area of South Dakota. Oh, Hawaii is great, too, but when I lived there, I was either pregnant or nursing the whole time!
I demand a recount! This quiz said I’m a Root Beer (ick!). But since I’m dieting right now, I guess I’m a water.
Don’t you believe it, Sally. They’re lying. Diet Coke does not have an aftertaste! (Now Tab, that was a different story.)
The black hills are so beautiful. When I was there, I had a bright blue walking cast on so the pictures are quite memorable!
Sorry to hear you have the flu! Reminds me to start looking around for a place to get my flu shot. The shot is not a guarantee of anything, but hey, I’ll take all the help I can get. Hope Lyda sounds like an interesting author. Does she have her characters journal? I used to love journalling (on the computer) but have mostly given it up, except for jotting down the cute things my daughter is doing.
oh, I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well. I’ll be praying you are up and at ‘em soon and ready for a thrilling Texas two-step by Tuesday. (How’s that for alliteration? LOL)
How’re you feeling now? I pray you get completely well soon! Must be better for conference!
Good for you Sally! I like people to be honest! Not every book is for every person.
Have a wonderful time at the ACFW conference! Hope to see you there next year!
Sally, have a great time at the conference! I’ll be praying for you.
I completely agree with you.
Sally, thank you so much for having me on your blog! I hope you have a wonderful, fruitful and blessed time at the conference.
MaryLu
Thanks for an honest review.
The Restitution looks like a good book. Certainly not like anything I’ve read before!
MaryLu has an interesting life story. I’m gonna head over to read her husband’s story.
Sally, we’d love to hear how the conference went. With pictures too!
Can I play too?
Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, North dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, indiana, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey.
Having been in the military has helped me travel a lot more than I ever would have.
Can we tell countries?
Glad to hear you’re back and doing well (if a bit tired). I hope you don’t get sick. Bummer about the contest.
( Gettin’ your name out there is good though. I can’t wait to hear more details about the conference.
Hey!
Good to hear you are back, safe and sound!
Glad you had a great time.
Looking forward to hearing some of the details.
Sally, it was a joy to meet you in person, and together we will be thrilled to have finalled in the Genesis and will cheer our fellow writers who won with wholehearted enthusiasm!
Thanks, everyone. Glad to be back and with my wonderful hubby and kiddos.
Sally, I’m disappointed you didn’t win–but I still felt like I was sitting with a celebrity at the awards banquet.
It was great meeting you, and I’m very impressed that you’ve managed to blog this past week! I’ll try to get started back today.
I’m Coke! I need to stay away from Dr. Pepper and the best match for me is Mountain Dew!
You all win! Illinois, Indiana, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Texas and Wisconsin.
I was great to meet you in person–even if we didn’t have a chance to really sit and visit. At least we got a picture together =) Glad you’re home safe, snug, and healthy!
It was a delight to meet Terri G. and Cynthia Ruchti in person. You wouldn’t believe how I was mangling Cynthia’s last name! LOL I’ve caught her radio program here on KFSI from time to time.
The conference was great! I wish I could emerge from this post-conference twilight zone a bit and clear my head. Maybe by tomorrow…
I didn’t know Cynthia R. is one of your crit partners. That must be fun. She’s a riot! And you’re right (at least judging from her emails), she’s always encouraging.
You’re so right about airport, shuttle, hotel, shuttle, airport. We went to dinner once, but other than that we were inside the bubble!
I love Kristin’s writing, too. This sounds like another good one.
Sally, I haven’t commented recently, but it sounds like you had a fabulous time in Dallas. Even though you didn’t win an award, I’m sure the whole experience will be beneficial to your writing career.
Hope all else is going well in KC.
Christian writers are the most awesome group of people around! I’m sure of it!
That is so awesome that they published the Genesis winners, too!
Sally, What a great review. Thanks so very much for taking the time to read NOBODY and lend such an alluring endorsement. All the best to you! Your friend, Creston Mapes
Sally, Did I thank you for the post? I meant to…thank you! Creston Mapes
Sally, I’m just now getting around to catching up on your blog. How fun to relive a slice of the Dallas conference with you today! Please send me the picture of the four of us from the critique group. We all look as happy as if we’d just signed a three-book contract. It’s probably prophetic, right?
Hey, kiddo, just wanted to see if you were keeping your nose above water.
I miss your regular posts
Come baaaaack! Hope you’re enjoying your new jobs!
Hi, Sally. I well understand how busy you are. These library (and bookstore) jobs eat up a lot of time, don’t they? Brandilyn’s book sounds great. Thanks for sharing.
On another note, you won the contest over at my site for the autographed copy of Demon: A Memoir. Email me your snail mail addy and I’ll send it to you. Enjoy!
Thanks for the heads up. I haven’t read this one, but I’ve loved other Francine Rivers books I’ve read. And I’ve heard so much about Redeeming Love.
Thanks for the honest review.
Disappointing to hear–but I agree with you. I hate it when characterization is sacrificed for action. This is also disappointing because it would be so wonderful to have a book that could draw in those DaVinci Code readers.
Sally, you won a free copy of Robin Caroll’s book from my blog. Wanted to make sure you saw this so you can send me your info. Email me through my web site.
This is the first I’ve heard of this book, and it sounds really intriguing. Thanks for sharing. Great interview!
Thanks so much for doing this, Sally! It’s been great getting to know you.
Many blessings,
Nicole
I’ll be honest…I held back from revealing too much about the characters because they have MANY MORE ADVENTURES AHEAD. I couldn’t give you all the details at once! And this is just the beginning… The follow-up to ILLUMINATED comes out August 12th, 2008. Prepare yourself for the next thrillride…HOUSE OF WOLVES!
Peace.
Matt Bronleewe
Snakes and bugs and ozone, oh my!
I hope things calm down for you soon. Sounds like you’ve had a Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom beginning. Who knew rural Kansas was such a frontier of fauna.
And the speed of garter snakes freaks me out too.
I’m sitting here with shivers going up my spine.
So where did the snake-under-the-motorcycle go? I would have been freaked out that I couldn’t find it.
I hope that all the creepy-crawlies at your house figure out that you live there now and that they aren’t welcome. Well, we can hope, can’t we?
)
Ewww!!!! I. Hate. Bugs. Glad to hear you’re surviving the wild =)
I hate snakes!
My neighbors heard a rattling noise in their closet, called the Fire Dept.
The firemen came and found a huge rattlesnake curled up in their closet near the front door.
What a nightmare.
I’m trying not to laugh. I really am. But I grew up in the wilds of Georgia. Been there, done that. When we went to London a few years ago, I was so fascinated that people left windows open without screens over them. Just try that in Georgia–even for a few minutes!
Woo-hoo! The book sounds great, and so do the contests. Thanks for passing this along.
I’m afraid of all birds who are not waterfowl. I love ducks and geese, but crows and yellowhammers, swallows and robins…it’s the beady eyes and the pecky little beaks, the scratchy feet and the SPEED! EEEEK!
Hitchcock’s The Birds is his scariest movie for me. He tapped my inner avianphobia.
What fantastic news! I remember meeting Jill at ACFW also, and she was such a nice lady. Nice to hear of someone else who’s had to hang in there for a long time. Gives us all encouragement.
Congratulations to Jill! She’s a terrific example of perserverance!
That’s really cool! What a great lesson to us all!
Sounds intriquing to me ! I’ll have to give this one a try.
I’m so happy to hear this–about this interesting book and about the direction Bell is taking. I think we need more books out there like that.
Gonna have to go along with this recommendation; thanks a lot!
Have you heard anything on the house? Nat and I have been praying for you guys. Send us an e-mail to let us know how things are going.
Ooh, thanks for the list! I’m always on the lookout for new books to give my mom and grandmother for Christmas!
Whew, I’m so glad you went ahead and took care of this for me. Now I know.
And sawdust works good for picking up oil too. And it smells good.
sorry about the spill. Wonder what critter it was?
Aww, sounds like something that would happen to me =( Glad it’s over with!
Georgiana took my comment–seems like something that would happen to me. And possibly still will, in spite of your kind warning!
I think we’ve got all kinds of critters in the woods behind us, and our neighbor feeds the squirrels so . . . But don’t get us started on that topic.
How big is your TBR pile now? I couldn’t work in a bookstore–I’d be spending my entire paycheck, and probably going into debt =)
Can’t think of the last book I picked up for the cover only, but I sure like the ones you picked!
Too funny! Not to you really, I’m sure. I could just envision this happening to me too!
It’s good to hear about life in KC. We trust that you are settling in and enjoying your new home and church.
Those covers are beautiful! I love the covers on Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series, and all of the Dick Francis books published by G.P. Putnam’s sons. I’m always interested to see how they are going to do the next one.
I’ve been in Georgia. They make Kansas look bug-free. Maybe I need to live in London if they can get by without screens!
And I know you should never explain your jokes, but I sure hope you all got that last one about all the tiny white holes in the night sky.
Those are stars this Chicago girl’s never seen!
Sounds disappointing. But you did get me interested in book one!
Thanks for all your great reviews! Do you have any advice on making time to read? I read some but not nearly as much as I would like.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas in your new home! We miss you guys!
I really enjoyed Abomination by Colleen Coble, and Demon by Tosca Lee. There were tons of other books I enjoyed as well, but these are the ones that stuck with me long after I set them down. I look forward to some great reading in ‘08 too
Welcome back, Sally. Happy New Year! Sounds like some good choices.
ooo, a hard question…I’d have to say:
Dead Heat by Dick Francis
Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Book of Old Houses by Sarah Graves
Sushi for One? by Camy Tang
Try Dying by James Scott Bell
I loved Marilynn Griffith’s book Made of Honor–which I think is part of this series. This one sounds even better.
There is so much to the Show that it takes a visit to the site during the week of activity to understand a lot of it.
My husband and I traveled from Arizona to Virginia to personally deliver and install our bubbling water features for the Lucas Family.
It was an uplifting experience that we would do again if asked. Although I’m not so sure of traveling all the way across country… between traveling the distance and working long hours on the set, it was exhausting!
More info about our experience (at least what we can say until it airs in February/March) is available on our Extreme Makeover: Home Edition page.
I highly recommend that if EMHE comes to your home town, or one nearby, you take the opportunity to join in the enthusiasm and camaraderie. It’s eye opening.
Lisa
Thanks for visiting with me today
It was a truly amazing show! The part you highlighted–that I now know the family was sitting inside waiting, wondering if the bus would show up–was the main part that got to me, as well. Although, having experienced a lot of rejection in my life, I couldn’t help thinking about the other families. Still, it’s hard to imagine a family more deserving than the Woodhouses.
This has nothing to do with EMHE, but I wanted to tell you I finally read Romance Rustler and Thunderbird Thieves. I loved it. I can’t tell you how many times she had me laughing out loud.
I loved that everything wasn’t sunshine and roses at the end of the book either. After all, life rarely works out that way.
Thank you for guest blogging. I’ve already had one writing friend (non-ACFW) asking about ANCS. I hope she contacts you soon!
You’re in the Guide? Whoa, I’m impressed! Sounds like they’ve added a lot of resources since I last used this as well. I love the idea of it being on CD so you can search it more easily.
I really loved this book. And didn’t she also write My So Called Love Life? I loved that one too. She must have a great sense of humor.
I’ll have to check this out. I usually don’t like romance, either, but I’ve been looking for some out-of-the-ordinary examples.
I’m here to say I have the book and have enjoyed reading. Antics from the characters are very enjoyable and I was delighted to see the heroine watching for God’s direction above her own desires.
Thanks for the honest review, Sally!
Warmly,
Cheryl
Looks to me like I need to keep my eyes open for this book to get next chance. Thanks for sharing about it. Sounds great.
This sounds like a good one. And so timely. I’ve known of many churches–and relationships–to be torn apart over this sort of thing.
Sally,
I just want to give you a huge hug! It’s so hard when things aren’t turning out the way we expected. And doubly hard when what we want is truly a good thing. Having been through 9 years of infertility I know some of the pain you’re feeling.
There were a couple of things that helped me most when my dreams were not working out as I planned. I learned in a big way during those years that God is sovereign (that one was easy) but also that He is good (that one isn’t so easy sometimes). The really hard part is to see that God is sovereign *and* good at the same time. It can be a bitter pill to swallow. To know that the plans that He is working out are straight from His hand *and* that they are the best for His purposes. Like I said, not easy.
Another thing that helped me was the verse 2 Corinthians 1:4. In essence it says that God comforts us through our tribulations and then we can turn around and comfort others the same way that God has comforted us. It was a huge help to me to be able to come together with other infertile friends and comfort each other with the things that we were learning about God. Growing in Him was a comfort in and of itself.
I don’t want these things to sound trite. Sometimes, even though it’s not what we want most at the time, holding onto the doctrine that we know is true is what will help us through.
I know it hasn’t been “years down the road” yet but these are truly the things that helped me. That and the hugs and understanding ears that friends gave me.
)
Just one more thing. Just because God says, “No” right now doesn’t mean that it’s no forever. Thanks for helping me remember. I’ll think of that right now while I go hug my 4 year old daughter.
)
(((hugs))) to you.
PS ~ Sorry this post turned out so long!
When God tells me no, I usually pout–but that’s not the right response
You’re right about it being way easier to look back, years later, and see that He knew best all along. I guess we have to trust that what He said is true: He has plans to prosper us, not to harm us, to give us hope and a good future. I also try to look at it from a parents’ perspective, and how I deal with my young ones.
Love ya!
Sally,
It’s so hard to understand why God’s plans aren’t always the same as ours, especially when we think our plans are doing us so much good.
Moving for us was a hard decision. We prayed exstensively and felt the Lord leading us to the Chicagoland area. We moved our family and left behind a wonderful church and great friends and family.
After only 18 months, Kirk lost his job. What a blow. I thought God moved us here for the job and now we don’t have one any longer. Why did I give up everything to come here ?
It was hard to understand how God was leading us. What I had to do to avoid the bitterness that was welling up inside me was plaster (and I mean that) my house with Scripture verses. I had verses of comfort posted on every wall, at every turn. I read them all over and over again until not only my head believed them, but my heart did also.
I also had to remember that our boys were watching our reaction. How we responded to this situation would certainly impact how they would respond in the future to God. It was difficult for me to be transparent and allow them to see the hurt and the healing.
Without sounding mundane, it was so helpful to remember that God is good and just and His ways are so much better than our own. Remember times past when God said “no” and how things worked out then was so helpful. I think it’s in
I Samuel where they talk about raising an “Ebeneezer” stone to remind them of God’s goodness.
We’ll be praying for you!
Julie
Sally, I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this. I’ve been struggling with discouragement the past week or so, myself. It’s not fun.
Like someone else who commented, I’ve been through infertility, and the tests and treatments, the ups and downs. I believe we eventually came to a point that we got a final “no.” And you know what? God took away that consuming desire for children, in my husband and me. He turned our hearts in other directions, like the goodness of traveling together, and planning for his early retirement (instead of planning for paying college bills).
On other things, though, the “no” seems to be for a season. He won’t remove the desire from me, but has me continue to work toward that goal. Sometimes I want to be released from the wondering and waiting–to just be told “no” once and for all so I can move on. But that doesn’t happen.
In the middle of my discouragement last week, I “coincidentally” received the audio book of Believing God by Beth Moore from my rental club. I’d been trying to get it for months, but guess when I managed to get it? LOL! I won’t go into specifics. But the whole thing deals with what we’re talking about. You might want to check it out. Very inspiring stuff.
Sally, I read this blog on the day you posted it, and I didn’t reply because I didn’t know what to say. I’m still sure I don’t have all the answers, but I will tell you what I use to comfort myself.
I KNOW that God loves me. He cares about my future even more than I do. His motives are pure. If He closes a door, it is for my good and not to harm me. This doesn’t mean a closed door doesn’t hurt, but it does mean I don’t need to fear. My destiny is foreknown by One who loves me, and it is all in His hands. It’s okay to grieve a dream postponed or lost, as long as we also rejoice in knowing that God wants only what is best for us.
Remind me of this the next time I find myself standing before a slammed door.
I will be praying for you, my friend.
You made me stop and think. Thanks for sharing.
Since I am a champion bargain hunter, I really should start reading these books. This one sounds like fun.
Sally:
I have internet! When do you want me to host your critique service on my blog?
The premise sounds really good. I don’t mind books that start out a little slow as long as the characters are interesting. Let us know how the rest of it goes!
Thanks for having me here, Sally!
Camy
What a cute interview!!!
Thanks for introducing this author to us. I hadn’t heard of her until now, but her books sound good. Intriguing setting.
Hi Sally!
I enjoyed the visit to your blog and learned a lot!
Love,
‘Julie
Thanks for at least mentioning the Braves! LOL. I’m hoping for better things this year for my mother’s sake. She’s 88 and lives for the Braves! So she’s excited right about now, too.
I’m wearing my St Louis Cardinals Jersey today in honor of Opening Day !!
Oh I wish that I could say your predictions are wrong. We’ll be watching an almost all new line-up for the Redbirds this season and getting to know new players. Who knows, they could surprise us all.
Let’s not yet forget that the Final Four isn’t finsihed…………
I predict……MEMPHIS!!
I watched opening day at Wrigley. Brrrr! Cold rain. The new field looks great, but the ivy is all still dormant.
Gooooo Cubbies!
And a shout out to the Twinkies. They may surprise some folks this year.
The Braves should surprise some people. But I have to think the Yankees will make the playoffs.
I think the Indians are overrated. CC had a career year last year.
Um, can I take back my American League Wild Card pick? Ugh.
Oh horrors!
I’m so glad I found your blog, Sally! I’ve had a wonderful ramble about the place!
LOL!!!! You are SO funny! May you make a heinz/hunts run soon. Get the to the Price Chopper!
You’ll survive–but will your children? They’re probably making life pretty unpleasant right now, LOL!
I totally agree! I haven’t gotten to the ending yet, but man–so far I’m blown away. I’m so glad I got this one.
Oh, my! I’ve got to get this one. It sounds like what I’m trying to accomplish with my current book–the gothic feel, the mystery that seems supernatural. And I’m having so much trouble figuring out how to weave the past in with the present. Thanks for letting us know about this one!
I would’ve died after 24 hours!!!! We buy the stuff in the largest bottles we can find.
My condolences…hopefully you have more available by this time.
Heinz, definitely!
Actually, the ketchup shortage is hardest on me. I’d drown my sorrows in ketchup, but then again . . .
LOL! When I find myself short of something I need in the kitchen, I am so excited when I finally purchase it…I plan a meal where I can use it…then realize I’m missing some other important ingred.
Here’s hoping you have beef, cheese, buns, and bacon.
Thanks for the update, Sally. I was very worried! By the way, I’ve almost finished Winter Haven and I’m really enjoying it.
We LOVE those commercials!! Those are probably the only ones we love.
… and you can fast forward through the Countrywide Home Loan Commercials that play OVER and OVER… and over.
I love DVR too!
LOL! ‘Serving Chowder and Iced Tea!’ Yup, those are hilarious.
Those songs run through my head all day after I’ve heard one of them. Love them!
Can’t wait to read this one. I loved Time Lottery and Just Jane! And I’m really fascinated by the time period of the American Revolution.
Great review. You’re a finalist. There will be many, but you made the first cut so you are in the running for the featured blog on the new online mag.
So, I wondered when you were going to announce the 2/3rds…..
Congratulations !!!
Hope all is going well.
Great job! I felt EXACTLY the same way. This review is a finalist for the mag. You did a great job expressing what is so hard to express. No real substance — but you still can’t put it down.
I had my library order this book and just picked it up yesterday. I’m anxious to begin reading!!!
It really is amazing how your own place in life can affect the way you enjoy–or don’t enjoy–a particular novel. I’ve had the opposite experience, too. There are books that I hated in college, when I was forced to read them, that I love now. I know it’s because as a twenty-year-old with little life experience, I just couldn’t identify with the old fogey characters and their struggles. But boy, I can now!
LOL! you are too funny!
Sally,
are you expecting???? We just had our 4th in Feb. We had a little boy names Hudson John. If you are then congratulations.
Finished !
Wow, what a great story. I think I could definately read this one again and find something I missed the first time through. I may have even convinced my DH to read it too. How neat to see history unfold through Martha’s eyes.
Thanks for the “head’s up” on this one Sally!
I love your reviews, Sally. They’re so insightful and honest. I’m really interested in point of view issues lately, though–so it almost makes me want to take a look at this book and study the problems you found.
You’re right about the POV, Sally. One of the things that I was trying to do in this book was write something where the author had to show everything; no telling allowed. So if you want to reveal something about a character, you have to do it by, say, showing how he cooks dinner.
And it’s a style you either love or you don’t. I’m hearing more of the former than the latter, but I know that it won’t be for everyone.
If you want to read something that’s totally opposite, IN HIGH PLACES (finalist for a 2008 Christy) is just that: a first-person POV throughout. Maybe I can vindicate myself with you — hope I can!
Blessings,
Tom
Sometimes I like a book that’s like a mini vacation in itself. I used to love taking the “Cat Who” mystery books along on vacations because of that. They enhanced the holiday, travel mode and didn’t jerk me back to reality. Sounds like the Sisterchick books would be good beach reads (particularly the Hawaii one).
I have enjoyed all the Sisterchick books, but Hula is my favorite by a big margin. I don’t know what it is about that book, but it resonated with me.
I’m having a hard time getting this book finished too. And I love it! Life is pressing in, but the few chapters I’ve read have been wonderful.
Thank you for featuring Table for One
I loved this book. I read a couple passages wincing because of the trouble Lucy got into.
Sounds like a lot of fun!
I call it the “wince effect” which is a little-known technique among writers. LOL, I’m just teasing! But it really was fun to write Lucy and see what kinds of trouble I could cause.
Thanks for reviewing this book, Sally. On my local Christian radio station Chris Fabry does an “audio blog” and I’ve always enjoyed listening to him. I had no idea that he wrote books too. I’m still in “babyland” with my almost-4-month-old son but I may be able to carve out a few minutes here and there to read this book.
I think I’ve heard Chris Fabry on radio, too, but hadn’t made the connection. The book sounds intriguing. As long as they’re not too esoteric, I generally like those books with a literary feel to them, so maybe I should check this one out.
I really loved this novel because of the writing. I did not care for the twist at the end, but it was an interesting conclusion, and it did work regardless of whether or not I liked it. Fabry just plain writes beautiful prose, and it reeled me in. There were two stereotypes in it, but for a first adult novel (since he’s written many for kids), it was a hit as far as I’m concerned, and I will look forward to any more of his efforts for adults.
So happy for you Sally! I just sent your sister a message on FB trying to contact you. We don’t have your email and I just wanted to congratulate you. He looks precious. I bet your kids are loving him to pieces!
Congratulations! Rest well.
Congratulations, Sally. What a beautiful family!
I missed sleeping on my tummy the most too. Congratulations on your beautiful family!
Thank you, everyone!
You’re the third person I’ve checked out who’s read the book, Sally, and liked it. I must be the lone ranger who really didn’t. My review gives the reasons why.
Congrats, Sally! We’re so happy for you guys!
I’ve been waiting to hear the “official” news. Congratulations. The adoring looks on the older ones faces are precious!!
Yay, Sally! Congratulations!!
I really missed the stomach sleeping too!!
I hope you all are happy and baby starts sleeping for you right away!
I’m just so amazed that you’re blogging at all!! I’m not managing it and I don’t have a good excuse. Congratulations again!
I just found your blog on the LWG blogroll…. great blog… off to read more…. (((hugs)))
Well said. I’ve had those unexplainable unctions before too. At least you’re paying attention to the still small voice
I agree with Georgiana. You’re sensitive to what God wants you to do and open to His leading. The way will be made clear. It’s the time before, where I’m waiting and wondering, that is the hardest.
Boy can I identify! I’m feeling a longing not to return to writing (I am writing now), but to return to the kind of writing I love. To do that, I need to push myself and finish this manuscript I do not love, but told my agent I would write. But I’m finding it so difficult to find the energy, time, or desire to work on it. Let’s say a prayer for each other!
Hi, Sally, it’s been awhile since I read your blog & tho’t I’d stop by. Good job. Don’t get too busy w/cares of life to keep it up. You do a good job. Smiles.
Carole
How amazing is our God? And you must be proud of your husband for doing the thing he knew to be right. Who knows what fruit his obedience might reap?
Agreed on everything, Erica. Steve said some people looked bored, but some looked interested. All we’re responsible for, though, is our obedience.
Amen, Sally.
You’re so right, Sally! How many times do we routinely pray for opportunities, but do we really want them? One former pastor told a great story about praying for God to bring new people into his life to witness to. Later that day, he was stopped at a red light and someone approached his vehicle with some kind of cult literature and he shooed the man away. As he was driving off, a little voice said in his head, “There was that opportunity you were praying for!”
Sally,
What a great story! I’m so glad Steve stuck to the gospel truth and didn’t water down his message! Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from him!
Praise God for Godly men who give us examples to live by!
Sally,
Can hardly wait to meet him in person. Dibs on holding him next time you’re in town!!! I’m trying to save up to treat Scott to a weekend away sometime this winter…wonder where we could go……….
The plot sounds a little like one of my favorite movies–Return to Me–although the movie was handled with humor. One of those stories that makes you laugh and cry. It’s an interesting premise.
This was a quick read for sure. She amped up the tension very well. Love her early novels (Eyes of Elisha, Dread Champion). Good book.
I love suspense, and yet I’ve never read any Brandilyn Collins. What am I waiting for, I wonder? (In my defense, I do have one of hers on my “to be read” shelf, which is alarmingly crowded.)
I just purchased this book and can’t wait to read it. I’m a big fan of Brandilyn’s, both as a writer and as a person. She’s amazing.
I’ve heard of patches for computers … maybe it would have stopped smoking if you put a “patch” on it?
Thanks for your congratulations regarding my selling-first-novel post. I’m sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. We started cover design and a general edit right away. Whew!
Merry Christmas!
Oh, that’s too bad. But I know what you mean about all the things that can flash through your mind in an instant.
Hitting an animal is absolutely horrible. I’ve hit a squirrel and–believe it or not–about three birds. But I’ve been with other drivers when they hit a deer and once, a dog. There was no way to avoid any of this but it’s still so upsetting.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Sally, and a Blessed and Happy New Year.
May your Christmas be joyful, hopeful, meaningful, and blessed, Sally.
We’ve had this study at our church. Good stuff!
Blessings and Happy New Year!
Linda
HEART OF A READY WRITER – Reading Through the Bible in 2009
I’m all about the goal setting. I posted a list last week and will update it monthly.
Your goals look great. You’re an inspiration, writing, editing, pastor’s wife, homeschooling, new baby.
I love homeschooling. I am so glad God pushed me into it. I wouldn’t change a thing about it now.
Erica, your goals actually inspired me to get with it this year!
So it’s 11 pm here, and I’m about to blow it on my first goal. Must Go Read NOW!
I’m skimming through old posts and stopped to read this one. Man, did I get it wrong!
But my White Sox did make me a little happy!
I just wanted to let you know, that I felt exactly the same way.
The cover copy is misleading. The novel may have been more enjoyable had it not been billed incorrectly.
You have some great goals lined out. Wow, two mortgages–yikes! I hope you sell soon!
I’m just the opposite, Sally. I almost always spend a lot of time in reflection over the holidays, set goals, make resolutions. Last year, you may recall, started off with minor disasters and I broke pretty much every goal on January 1. Don’t use the credit card–at 10 a.m. I was making an emergency purchase of a washing machine, on my credit card. Read the Chronological Bible–my house was flooded on January 1 and I forgot all about starting it. And so on. So this year I was afraid to make goals! I’m trying to get organized now that the new year is safely under way, LOL!
[...] what happy clients are saying about Affordable Novel Critique [...]
You’re probably right, Sally. It’s probably the genre that was the problem. But a lot of folks like knowing they’re moving toward the happy ending, I guess.
I normally don’t care for straight romance, but I enjoy a book like this one sometimes if I have been reading heavier stuff.
LOL, what a great pictures. And that boy kinda favors you, don’t he? Well, minus the drool of course.
What a beautiful baby. And he’s growing so fast.
He’s adorable!!
This is amazing, Sally! He looks just like your husband, only in a diaper…and without the drool. Too Funny!
Yes, he does, doesn’t he? People at church call him Steve’s clone.
He looks like I remember Ty looking as a baby. Very cute…
It does sound like a fresh way to look at a familiar story. I’ve actually never read any of Oke’s books. This sounds like a good one to start with.
Wow, he’s getting to be a big little guy–if that makes sense!
A lady pirate! I love it!!
I enjoyed this story, too, Sally, but I thought the cover, the title, and the back cover copy sold the story short. (You can read my review on Wed.’s post.) (Contest goin’ on over there, too, if you’re interested under “The Academy Awards” post.)
Sounds like fun, especially the Hollywood angle.
I was thinking the same thing as Cassandra. He looks like Steve.
The drool is adorable too!
I love your reviews! They’re so honest–which translates to helpful. I’m afraid a lot of other reviews I read are simply cheerleading.
We do agree here, Sally.
I am also glad there is a second and third book. The end doesn’t bother me though. I still felt hope in the end, which is what I always “hope” for when I read a book by a Christian author, but even more so with Mary DeMuth. You are so right about how Mary points readers to hope and how she creates characters out of nothing but letters. I can’t wait for the next book!
I’d love to hear what the rest of you think/feel about a novel that makes you wait for the next book.
Does it bug you like it obviously does me? Or do you eagerly X off each day on a calendar?
I mentioned on my blog that a major story thread is left unresolved. I think had I known that up front it wouldn’t have bothered me because the story was thoroughly enjoyable otherwise. That said, I had to take a deep breath at the end. It was definitely worth it, but I wish I’d been warned.
I’ll answer your question as a reader. I definitely prefer books that end, and everything is all wrapped up. I really enjoy stories in a series that are related, same people, same town, that kind of thing, but I like each book to be able to stand on its own. I don’t get as much time to read as I would like and I want to enjoy the story and not be frustrated by a non-ending.
(Sally, I did a post on this today.)
Writers are the worst critics, and they certainly see the things in writing stories that the “average” reader misses every time. It’s the training we receive, the “necessities” pounded on by the professionals, even when they know the best writers simply use these things as guidelines.
However, as writers and avid readers, we develop specific tastes and admire certain styles and techniques in the storytelling craft.
I was disappointed in the ending of this book. To be taken back to Chapter One at the end of the novel felt like a gimmick.
I haven’t read Daisy Chain so it’s hard to know how I would react to it. From your review, it sounds as though EVERYTHING is left hanging in that one, which would drive me crazy. I actually like having some unanswered questions to think about and ponder, if I know there’s a sequel coming. I love the Harry Potter books, which usually tie up the main threads of the current novel but have a separate thread running through the whole series that doesn’t get fully answered until the end. It’s great for sharing and discussing with other readers and anticipating the next little tidbit that gets revealed. Great stuff!
I feel the same as both of you. I don’t mind a couple things, minor things, left open for the next book, but I want some things resolved.
Anyone else?
I haven’t read Daisy Chain, but in other books I’ve read, I don’t want to be left hanging. I prefer books that could stand alone. That being said, there are exceptions. I like the LOTR trilogy, and if any books ever leave you hanging and having to read the next one, it’s those.
Glad you’re up and running again. And thanks for the reminder that I need to get my Goal List posted!
Personally, as a reader, I hate cliffhangers with a passion, and as a reviewer, I had a very similar reaction to the book. She’s a good writer and uses imagery well to create a feeling of hopefulness even though the events/plot of the book itself only provide reasons to be hopping mad. I was a little concerned about the difficult-to-strike balance between shining light on the dark, and focusing on it to the exclusion of the the light of truth, but it is only the first book. (IE focusing on what gets broken without much hint to what not broken looks like, which I find ironic, because I recall seeing a nonfiction title along those lines in the author’s bio.)
BTW, the “come full circle” ending is a classic and valid way to end a story that works well in stories like this one to provide a sense of catharsis/peace.
Welcome back, Sally.
The Heir is my favorite of the three. Road to Nowhere was just that. This is a pleasant enough read, clever, well-written. Ever so slightly pretentious, I thought, but for those readers who like really tame suspense/mystery, it’ll work.
Sounds fun–like a good summer beach read. If only I were going to the beach soon…
I’ll add it to my “maybe someday soon” vacation list.
I read the first of Paul’s books, The Heir, and loved it. I’ll have to see if I can find this one.
Oh, I love Jane Eyre! So this sounds right up my alley. Maybe the formal tone was trying to stay in line with the gothic atmosphere? Don’t know without reading the book, of course.
You and me both, Sally.
What a shame! The premise sounded really intriguing. But the synopsis was making me expect the kind of moody suspense that I like, not a romance.
I have read CBA novels that kept my heart hammering and my mind spinning for days, then gulped at a negative posting and shrugged my shoulders, wondering whether I knew books…or not. In this postmodern society, the old saying “different strokes for different folks” seems to apply to the literary world more than ever.
Speaking of the literary world, it’s a pretty small group of folks, really, especially in the Christian market. The dear soul you give a poor review may be a fellow publishing house mate next year. You may be asked to serve on a committee with that writer. And some writers are sensitive and have long memories when it comes to their babies.
Balancing on the tightrope of building up brothers and sisters in Christ and criticism meant as instruction can be a tenuous position. After a few nasty spills where I got bumped and bruised, I’ve pledged to only post reviews that will encourage my fellow Christian writers. Lord knows there’s enough of the other type of reviews out there.
Patti Lacy
As a rule, I don’t post bad reviews. Patti, you’re right; there’s no point in bashing each other.
Here I was forced to give a review, no matter how I felt about the book. I’d rather say nothing, but that’s not how the CFBA works.
Hmm, I wonder if I would like this. It sounds extremely intriguing. I don’t mind if something strays over into horror as long as it doesn’t go too far–and I suppose that’s a personal judgment call. I loved Stephen King for a long time and then his stuff started to get too disturbing for me, with images I wish I’d never gotten stuck in my head. I’ve read one Ted Dekker and it was fine.
Probably depends on your level of horror “consumption”, Robin. Read a few of the reviews and then make your decision. Sally’s review is very honest about her preferences, making her definitely not the target audience for this novel.
I’ve read a couple of other reviews of this book, and while the premise sounds interesting, it sounds like the novel strays too far into “horror” territory for me to be comfortable with it. I just can’t “do” horror in books or film. Your review seems very fair & balanced, thanks! And thanks for visiting my blog as well!
Hi Sally! I didn’t realize you were a freelance editor. How cool! I’ll know where to go if I decide to go that route.
Excellent! I can tell from your book reviews that you would make an excellent critiquer. (For example, you would catch the overuse of the word “excellent.”)
Thanks for the great review, Sally. I really appreciate it!
Adam
Sounds like my kind of read!
Love the picture of Split Rock Lighthouse on the cover.
Sounds like a good read!
Ooooo!!! Very cool! Please sign me up for your contest!!
Hey Sally, I was so excited to find your website. Do you still live in Kansas? I think we’re neighbors but don’t know if you’d remember me from meeting at conference a couple years ago!! I’d love a chance at your crit. I’m gonna read more of this wonderful website…..
I would be very interested in your contest. Please sign me up. Thanks.
I would like to win the Free Critique!
I have written several articles which have been published on relatively unknown sites. I am working on my first ms and would appreciate the opportunity of having a professional review the work so far.
the hyper diaper? LOL
There is nothing sweeter than a baby kiss.
Hope you get yours soon!
Hyper diaper?! I LOVE IT! Figures Dad would get the first kiss
Hope all goes well for the firsts this week!
My oldest, now 29, said his first word at 9 months old — Da-Da. He waited another 7 months before he said his second word — Ma-Ma. It was funny for a week. Drove my wife crazy, until she realized who he was calling for all the time — and she was thankful. Drove me crazy for almost 7 months.
So far everything’s good.
Especially since I got my kiss!!!
Awww, that’s all so sweet. Enjoy!
Sally, count me in–but if I were to win, can I have awhile to collect? Not ready for a critique at this particular moment, but I’m sure I’ll need it soon.
Robin, if you win, I’ll wait until you’re ready.
I came over from Erica’s blog — Count me in…
I’d love a free critique! I can be ready by the next email!
Forgot to say I came over from Erica’s blog! In case she gets extra points or something – maybe Green Stamps for ending over commenters?
LOL!
I got sidetracked the last time I checked and forgot to leave a post. Would love a free critique
Hey, Sally. . .what a cool idea. I need all the help I can get. . . .
I’m always up for a free critique!
Poor Hyper Diaper. I hope it goes well for you at the doc’s, and I’ll be back to see who won.
Congratulations, Bonnie!
And to all the rest, enter again! It’s a prize worth winning!
The Hyper Diaper got off easy — finger stick and one shot.
He cried for about four seconds then was fine.
Yay!
Sally, thanks so much! I’m very excited. I’ll get the pages to you ASAP…
Saw this book talked about on another blog, and I’ve put it on my to-read list. Sounds fascinating, especially when you talk about the transition technique.
Ooh, I love the premise! Can’t wait to hear your review. But I do understand how pirates come first.
I’m really interested to read this book! Naturally, since it’s about pirates, but also to see how he manages the transitions and finally brings the two stories together. I keep having similar ideas for books and so far it has proven wickedly difficult to blend the two time periods or two stories.
Then this book sounds like the one for you, Robin.
I think one thing that makes the two stories work so well together is that the characters are likable, particularly the story about Bold Ted.
Good read, Sally, and a notably good first effort.
Good review. I’m going to review the book soon, but for now, I’m giving away a copy of Offworld at ResAliens Blog. Drop by and enter the drawing. Thanks, Lyn
I definitely want to read this one! I just discovered a really good YA novel called Gone. (Everyone above the age of 15 suddenly disappears.) This premise sounds a little similar.
Yeah, I was a bit skeptical at first – a lot of stories use the vanishing concept, but Parrish does a pretty good job with the premise. Here’s my review: http://blogginoutloud.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-of-offworld-by-robin-parrish.html
You’re finding too much good stuff out there. I don’t have time for it all! Aargghhh!!
I thought it was a great debut novel, too, Sally. I’ll be looking forward to more of his as well.
HI! Thanks for stopping by my place. Sounds like an inspired book…I’ll have to put it on my list!
Oh my! That’s awful. I do so hope insurance covered everything for you!!!
Sally, I’m so sorry about the fire. I really appreciate the fact that you wanted to read my book:) Please send me your mailing address and I’ll send you another!
So you expect us to fall for the old “my car burned the book” excuse?! LOL.
(Seriously, glad things weren’t worse!)
Did you read this before or after your car fire? Sounds too traumatic to be reading afterward!
Well, if anyone had a good reason, this would be it. I’m glad you are all safe, tand that the trunk items survived.
Ay, Ay, Ay, Sally. Horrible. Glad the contents of the trunk were guarded, not to mention the protection of your family!
Sally, I appreciate the prayers you’ve written in the Loop Digest. They have helped me know more of what to pray for in my own prayers. I thank God for people who love, trust and serve Him.I look forward to meeting you at the conference.
Rosie
Great post, Sally Girl.
Rosie, thanks for your kind comment.
I’m not the one who’s written the prayers, though. Forty different ACFW members volunteered, and I have the job of making sure they post when they’re supposed to.
Really enjoyed the interview, Sally. Found out some stuff about you I didn’t know! I’m even more impressed now.
I reviewed it over at Into the Fire, Sally. I wouldn’t have picked it up (much like the case with Lisa Wingate’s novel Word Gets Around) but was impressed and glad to have read it.
I’ve been intending to read some of MaryLu’s books for quite awhile and finally got around to it with The Blue Enchantress. It was great fun! I’ve also enjoyed meeting MaryLu–at least in an online, virtual kind of way. I’m going to have an interview with her on my blog in a week or two.
Doesn’t she usually write YA? But I would assume this one is for adults? (Not that adults like myself don’t enjoy a good YA read, I must confess…)
Yes, she does YA as well. This is her first adult novel.
When will Double Trouble be available? enjoyed Nothing but Trouble.
It looks like February 1st. Thanks for the heads up on the title.
Sounds like a good vacation read. And for some reason I like stories that involve arranged or convenience marriages that end up working out.
Yup.
I love Terri Blackstock! Not just her writing. She’s such a gracious lady and really encouraged me once when I was close to quitting.
(By the way, Sally, the new website looks awesome!)
Thanks, Robin. There’s still some more work to be done, but so far I’m happy with it.
Sally,
Thank you for your honest and gracious review of this book! If you do not mind I’m going to link this on my blog! I love how you said this with grace and love! May God bless you!
Andi
Sally, this is a clear review. You noted everything you objected to and with the reasons you gave, readers can decide if those things matter to them in their selection of novels. And, as Andi said, you were gracious in your criticism.
As much as we hate to do them, the “negative” reviews remain necessary. Thank you for your honesty.
Thanks, Sally, for your encouraging words about “Prisoner” and most of all, that my writing had improved. I’m working really hard on that, and for someone to notice it — well, it spurs me on. I am so grateful that you took the time to review my book. Thank you!
Golden, I really enjoyed the book. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Good interview, Ladies.
Thank you, Sally, for having me here! A fun interview, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the book.
Great inteview! Erica’s books are a treat
Great interview. That must be an unforgettable thing, to get you first book contract in front of an audience at a writers’ conference!
Well, I kinda resent your attitude about my little problem. I mean, I’m seeing a counselor about it. And it takes a lot of prayer and time, she says. I mean, it’s embarrassin’ enough that my whole life is laid out by that nosy author.
Things changed, though, when I read that you don’t want any of us women to get hurt. In fact, I softened up like butter on a hot day. And anyone named Sally can’t be all bad!
Sally Stevens
LOL, “Sally.” I’m glad we agreed eventually. Actually, I was able to finish your story just before dinner tonight, and the second half that I hadn’t read was the best of the whole book. Loved it!
Hmm…after reading the comments I may just have to read this book because this Sally Stevens sounds like a real character…uh, sorry.
Robin, sure hope you do! then visit my 21st century blog! Yes, I have made an attempt to be modern.
Blessings,
Patti
I loved this book. Very much looking forward to her next book!
I loved this book! What a page-turner. Just the way I like ‘em, keeping me guessing.
Wow! Julie Klassen and I sound so much alike! Except I enjoy short hikes and long naps, LOL!
The book sounds great, too, by the way–especially after a good review from you, Sally. I know you’re honest and generally right on target.
I wish I’d gotten this one. I’m really on a historical kick lately.
Pretty much, yeah.
I loved this book. Good review, Sally.
I agree with the confusion areas, Sally. Good book but maybe a tad too ambitious of a plot which some untied plot points remaining.
Sorry: “with” some untied plot points remaining. Good first effort, though.
Thanks for feedback, Sally and Nicole! I appreciate your honest thoughts.
Great review, Sally. You almost convinced me to read this historical! Almost.
I keep hearing really good things about this book! I’ll have to add it to my “must read” pile.
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never read the Theone’s books but have heard great things. They look like the kind of meaty historical fiction that I love. Do you have one you’d recc. I start with? I imagine they’ve written a whole bunch:)! Great review, Sally. Thanks.
Vienna Prelude! Love that book. Have read it over and over. Here’s the link.
Sally, I’m off to order Vienna Prelude:) And I promise to tell you what I think. Am sure I’ll find it hard to put down! BTW, the cover for The Gathering Storm is just beautiful. I’m such a cover fan! It means a lot that you would take time for my historicals as I know you are more a contemp. writer and reader. Love your blog!! Must add to my sidebar…
Hi Sally!
I just found your site and I’m so excited… I LOVE fiction… and I can’t wait for your contest! But even more, I’m superexcited to find a review site where I can get advice on which books to buy!!
Erin, I LOVE fiction, too! The contest is on hold right now for a number of reasons; I should update that front page. But I’m hoping to be able to do it. I post more about books I read on Facebook if you’re there.