Twice today I screamed at people, but it wasn't my fault.

The first was when I went to let Scout the yellow dog out and when I opened the door, there stood my oldest daughter, inches from my face. When you don't expect to see a face staring at you, there's nothing to do but scream. She laughed hysterically. I did not find it amusing.

Later, I had to go back to work. I unlocked the front door and there is a guy sitting there at the computer who I had never seen before. I looked at him and screamed, "Oh, Shoot!" I can't believe that oh, shoot, is the first thing I can think of when faced with a strange person in my work place. I think I scared him more than he scared me. Don't worry, he did belong there, I just had never seen him before. Needless to say, I apologized and left immediately.

I guess I am easily spooked, but at least I'm not quiet about it.

On a happy note, I had a manicure today and my hands look fabulous.

Movie News: Hubby has finished the rough cut of last summer's film! A milestone passed. Congratulations, honey!

It is downright blizzardy outside. Iowa still thinks its winter, but spring if officially here.

We have enjoyed our first midwestern winter and it really hasn't been too bad. I am ready to be out-doorsy again, though, which is hard to do when it hurts to breathe in!

Things we have enjoyed this winter:

• Our kids first white Christmas
• Real winter clothes
• 2 hour school delays
• Snow ball makers
• Watching the dogs experience snow for the first time
• Hot chocolate!
• Sunny days even when it's cold, unlike the Pacific Northwest
• Becoming part of a new community

Why am I such a pushover for infomercials? If it has anything to do with transforming my shape, size, weight, I want it. The problem comes when the package I so desperately wanted shows up at the door and then sits untouched. My inspiration gone. My resolve, poof, vanished.
My 8 and 6 year old daughters, however, have abs of steel. They have engaged their core. They do the tapes for... FUN! Sick or what?

So, today, a new commercial came on, promising me dramatic results in just 6 weeks. The before and after testimonials were fabulous, astonishing, even. I gotta get it! I have, however, wised up a bit. I do not run for the 1-800 number. Ebay and Amazon are my new friends.

Even at the reduced costs, I just can't do this again. So, I have committed to use the stuff I already have, which is legion, and see if I can accomplish in six weeks what this other program says I can accomplish. It will be a scientific experiment, in which I will not stray. I am my own control group. I am Woman!

Okay, pep talk over. Now that I have put my aspiration out in cyber space I know I have to follow through. I wouldn't want to dissapoint the blogosphere! So, today I will take my measurements, which I will not post, lest you barf, but I will keep posting updates on inches lost. And let's see what happens! Who knows, maybe six weeks from now I'll be able to post a fabulous and astonishing "after" picture!

Yes, I know. I am the mother of a sculptress. Who likes to read. And exercise. Aren't you jealous?

This little foil sculpture is called "Guy doing pushups and reading". Isn't funny? I think it really looks like a guy doing pushups and reading. Something that amazes me, because my foil scultpures usually turn out looking like a little ball of foil! ha.

My heart is swelling with pride. Look for a gallery showing soon near you. Now that is pretty shiny.

Today is the first day of the Lenten season. A time of taking away anything extra in order to prepare our hearts for the Easter Season.

I will not be able to give you a fancy theological reason why I choose to participate in Lent. I did not grow up in an environment that observed Lent. We were more focused on that Jesus came to the world as a baby (Yeah, Christmas!) died and rose again to save us from our sins so that someday we could go to heaven to be with Him forever and that was a reason to celebrate.
These are good things.

As great as this is, the fact that while Jesus was here, dwelling among us, He suffered, He was hurt, He was thirsty and hungry, He was lonely. He went through puberty without sinning. He said 'no' to all the things I say 'yes' to. He was beaten and humiliated. He died a horrible, horrible death... and He would have done it even if I was the only one who needed it.

In a way, the simple, stupid thing that I choose to give up is important. The fact that I won't drink Diet Coke for 40 days is significant only because it will be an hourly reminder of the amazing thing that has been done for me. That the most amazing thing that will ever happen to me has already been done. It's a way for me to say, Hey, Jesus! I'm with you, thank you. I will never suffer as much as He has, but in this very small way, I acknowledge that He did. Denying myself, even a little, will make the celebration that much more meaningful to me.

Kathryn at Daringyoungmom.com recently blogged about her trip to the ER. She tells it so funny. Our family also had a little ER trip this weekend, so, being inspired by Kathryn, thought I'd share.

DD#3 had been complaining about stomach pains for a few days. Gave her some tums and thought nothing much of it, until she started running a fever and wincing everytime someone got close to her belly.

Naturally, one jumps to the conclusion that their baby's appendix is about to burst and rushes said daughter to the emergency room.

After the nurse checks vitals, they call in the doctor, from his nice, warm home, to see us. Fortunately, we live in a small town, so the doctor probably only lives a few blocks away.

He begins poking, and prodding, and wouldn't you know it, we hear the biggest pooter this side of the Mississippi. That's right, our ER trip was made because of a giant gas bubble that needed to be popped.

The trip wasn't a total waste, however. After looking into her mouth, the doctor spotted a bad case of tonsilitis, which, believe it or not, can cause gas pains.

Go figure. I'll take a round of amoxycillin over surgery any day.

Hubby calls me today at work.

"Now that I have searched through all the cupboards in the kitchen, please tell me where the Pur Water Filters are."

"Did you rummage through all the cupboards and mess them up?" I say.

Silence

"Did you check in the cupboard with the juicer?"

"The one with all the plastic grocery bags shoved in it?" he asks.

My turn to be silent.

"There they are!"

The funny thing is, we spend $50 a month for water softener, salt delivery and a reverse osmosis water tap that is built into our sink. Hubby won't drink from it because he says it tastes like basement.

Sigh.

This weekend I had the opportunity to read a new book given to me by author Brenda Coulter. Brenda gave away more than 30 books to bloggers in return for reviews. Very cool. At this time, I did not have a blog, but I am never one to pass up a free book, so I started my very own blog. If you never hear from me again after today, you know I ran out of steam, but kept my promise!

Usually, when I pick up a small paper back, I know exactly the kind of book I am getting, and that's okay. I will be able to read it in one sitting, I know the guy will get the girl, or vice versa, and I accept that sometimes it is not the best writing in the world.

A Family Forever had two of the elements I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised with the humor, conversation and characters in this nicely paced and multi-dimensional read. I felt the heart break and hopefulness of the characters instead of just reading that I should be heart broken or hopeful. The characters are Christians, but not perfect. I almost felt that if this were a couple you met at church and went out to lunch and you got to talking about how they got together, this is the story they would tell. (At least the big parts of it.)

I do recommend this book for the entertaining and fun read that it is. I found myself smiling a lot while reading this book and know that many of you out there will enjoy it as well.

Brenda's blog is also fun to check everyday, so after you go to amazon to buy her book, you can read her daily installment while you wait for the mailman. (Links below)

A FAMILY FOREVER

By Brenda Coulter

From Steeple Hill Love Inspired

Look for it in stores after February 28

Order now from amazon.com

Read most of the first chapter at BrendaCoulter.com

Visit Brenda's blog, No rules. Just Write.

PS. I also read Brenda's first book this weekend, Finding Hope, which is a great debut novel.

I recently read on another blog (can't remember which, but Brenda's blog has everyone linked that reviewed) that they had hoped to find A Family Forever less formulaic. Brenda replied something to the effect that this is the best writing she is capable of ... Well, I for one, found her novels to be a tad less formulaic than most in this genre and I would love to see her try a chick lit or a fun mystery, as well as more inspirational romances. Her humorous style and believable dialogue would be a good fit for other genres and I can see her only improve in her writing. Whatever she writes, I know I want to see more from Brenda.

Kathryn from Daring Young Mom is the person I most wish would write a book. Just from reading her blog you can tell that she would be perfect for a chick lit book. She is funny and she has a writers way of looking at things. She even has her own line of t-shirts and could easily go from daring young mom to daring young author. :) She's also a Washingtonian, like me, so it's practically inevitable that I would like her. She is also a very consistent blogger. There is usually something new to read when I pop over there. Why don't you take a trip on over and check it out.

Coming up on Monday there will be a review of Brenda Coulter's new book, A Family Forever,
I will have those links up so you can read a sample chapter and order the book for yourself. Brenda is another one of those consistent bloggers that always has something fun to read. On her website she shares about her publishing experience and she is always running some kind of contest. Fun, fun, fun.

Also, so excited!!! Lori Copeland's last Men of the Saddle series book came out. I will have some fun reading to do this week.

Have a super weekend.

This is a birthday card I made for one of my daughters friends. My guideline was that it couldn't have flowers, or pink, or in general be too girly.

I'm happy to say I made the cut, and the card was taken to the party! Yeah!

I don't know why, but these little projects make me happy.

Happy Birthday to the sweetest mother-in-law! I made these cards in honor of Donna's 65th birthday. If you squint you will be able to see some of the 65 ways I love her.

Still trying to get a handle on this blog thing. Couldn't figure out how to rotate my pictures. I hope you enjoy them anyway.
The Happy Birthday Donna Mae card was inspired by some lettering I saw from Becky Higgins book, The Art of Creative Lettering.
You can get this book from Creating Keepsakes magazine. Tons of ideas.
Mailing the cards today. Hope she likes them and helps to make a big birthday special.

I really enjoy Mary DeMuth, even though, I hate to admit, I haven't read any of her books yet. But I will! Her web site and blogs are so encouraging and inspiring. She has a heart to serve others instead of herself, and you can tell she is trying to keep her head on her shoulders as she becomes more successful in her field. She has a genuine interest in teaching others to become better writers and even offers a complete non-fiction book proposal for those interested in how to present their idea to a publisher. There are a lot of helpful hints as well as devotionals, essays, recipes and pictures of her life in France. Mary's blog is not entirely for writers. She talks about motherhood, missions, food, friendship, healing, and the list goes on. Click on here to get a taste of a warm and inviting blog.

Do you know the feeling you get when you try to get somewhere new all by yourself? Maybe you have been a passenger in a car and have traveled the road a couple of times, but now you are in the driver's seat. All the landmarks seem different. Things you didn't notice before seem huge now. Nothing is familiar.

Well, that's how I feel right now. I have read thousands of books, but trying to write one feels so strange. Does the . go before or after the "? When should I start a new paragraph? Is that participle dangling? :) You would think that after you read so many books, that at the very least the basic structure would be easy. And what about all those thousands of words that make up a book. Do I even have enough to say that would keep someone interested from the first word to the 90,000th?

So, there. Does this make me angsty enough to be an author? Who knows. I may not ever be published, but I am determined to at least complete something. I know one thing, there is a TON of free information floating around on blogs and web sites out there to make a pretty darn good creative writing program. Thank you to all you generous writers who take the time to tutor us "aspirings" out here.

Off to write! Blessings.

Let me tell you a little bit about one of my favorite blogs, A Beautiful Mess. I discovered Elsie Flannigan's art recently while thumbing through a scrap book magazine. I like to doodle, and when I saw how much Elsie doodles in her pages, it made me happy. She takes ordinary items and puts them together in such sweet ways. Elsie's pages are creative and seem to have a movement and sparkle to them. She is a great photographer, too. She has a great eye and she wears the coolest head bands! Pop on over to her site and check out her stuff.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Happy Valentines Eve!

Today I was surprised with two dozen red roses from my sweet husband. I love Valentines Day!

I just finished reading Odd Thomas and Forever Odd by Dean Koontz. Pretty scary, but not in a too gory or horror-ish way. It felt like I was stepping into the character of Odd and experienced his heart ache along with him. I am branching out from what I normally read to learn from authors of other genres. Christian historical romance and chick lit has been my diet of choice for a long time. I am sure I will still prefer it, but am looking forward to reading outside my box.

I am also working on how to write a good review. I know what I like, but I don't always know how to express that. For example, see previous paragraph.

Have a happy valentines! Find someone who needs some love and bless them!

Welcome to my new blog. I've been wanting to start a web log for some time, but could not think of a theme,a platform, or a title, (thus, pretty shiny, a couple of words I like. I also like the words elbow and apple dumplings, but those would be even worse!) So, it's just going to be whatever I want and we'll see what happens. I hope that I will be able to track my progress on projects as well as get in the habit of writing a little something everyday. It may take a while for me to hit my stride, but I'm okay with that. This blog will be more for me than any reader who may stumble upon it, but if I make a cyber friend or two, that's cool!

A little about me: I am a wife and mom of four of the funniest kids. I work outside my home but would prefer to work from it. I have started writing a couple of books, but have yet to finish anything, something I hope to change. I love to doodle and read and spend time with my family. I like my family a lot. I use way too many exclamation points, something I will endeavor not to do here. I am not to be trusted with a box of red vines. I love lip gloss, HGTV and a good bargain. I Love Jesus. I hate to exercise, but am trying to learn to at least tolerate it. I try to be a good friend, a better mom and a super wife, even if I fail at it sometimes.

That's all for now. Looking forward to this new adventure! Blessings to you, whoever you are!