Saturday There Abouts...

This was the view from a window this morning. Chill came back to the Dallas after days of 70 degree weather. I headed off to meet up with dear chums for my Writers' Group. Although we gabbed about the world around us, sipped tea and munched brownies, we did take on writing.
My chums encouraged me more on the re-do I want to do with the one and only book I wrote--and self published, back in yester-century. Although, the story is a work of fiction, most events are true. I've started a re-do several times, yet nothing so sticks. I wonder first person or third person or if I am just being too hard on myself.
On of my other chums has the same issue with a story of hers. It really happened, yet feels it may be better as third person, yet she finds herself wanting to first person.
I think I just made my decision.
Just something about being first.
Stay tuned.

Couple Things...

Got through the day. Oh, and I feel some old age creep up on me. Seems when I rise in the morns, , body is STIFF. As I warm up, just like a '58 Chevy, I'm roarin' down the road. However--being more consistent on exercise may help. I'm stuck on the Lose Weight Train. Found out, a man once close to me, has shed about 60lbs. See, guys can lose weight by missing out on a hamburger, while we girl look at a hamburger and gain five pounds. Anyway, I don't even want to discuss it, except I did drink the 74 ounces of water. The trek to the bathroom proved that!

I received kind words from a woman I've never met, except for exchanging a few words on a Social Network, about my one and only self published book. The book itself is 11 years old. I'm amazed it still touches folks--well, really, that anybody is touched at all. Just nice. Humbling.

Good thing is, I'm off tomorrow. Boss wanted us to start using up our vacation. So for my 15 minute POKE test--which is what I call my Coumadin Check- I took off the WHOLE day. I do have to get get a tire, continue hunt for cheaper house/car insurance, plus other stuff before I head to get POKED. I just know I need a day off, while other people work. The sleepin' in, with a herd of cats, as a blanket will be nice.

The next man I date oughta be a vet. .

So tonight, on Dancing With the Stars, Michael did a very good job, Donny brought the house down and poor Mark--he had multi-partners due to Lacey's health. And on the girls' side: Mya I have yet to warm up to and Kelli whined just too many times for me, and maybe America. So if Michael isn't one of two booted off: it will be Mark and Kelli.

Stay tuned!

September 29, 1998 was Tuesday

...and I was out with a guy at a sports bar. I'd brought him a baked potato from Jason's Deli because the sports bar only served peanuts. We'd just had this phone chat how we wanted to know each other better. How he thought I was attractive. I'd recently decided to be more open and let the last two relationship slip out my memory banks---One was a married man and the other became a crossdresser. Yes, another post for another time. And the Texas Rangers were in the play offs for the first time in about ever.

It was also the time I first met Bear. He told how I intrigued him and bought me a couple drinks. I tried to eat my potato from Jason's Deli as I wondered how one man could hit on me while I was supposedly there to be with another. I guess, cause the man I was there to be supposedly with felt his buds were more interesting to talk to than me. Used me for the Jason's Deli potato, I'm sure! Bear did ask for my number, yet I hum and ha'd. Let me just say, we had our first (and kinda last date) 10 days later. OK, all that's another post too.

However, that main reason Bear and I began to chat was because of my book. Yes, you read right. My book. I'd self published and on this day, in 1998, I'd received my first shipment of 30 books. The publisher had made a a mistake and duplicated a couple pages and asked me what I wanted to do. One option was to still take delivery of these 30, while they worked on rest of my order. You see, my goal was to have my books by this date in 1998, because it was the anniversary of my mom's death. The book is primarily the story of a mother-daughter relationship. This book was a tribute to her.

Self publishing my book was an adventure in itself. The internet was far from what it is now. All samples I received from publishers was done through snail mail. Did I get rich? Did Hollywood come callin'? Did I get Whoopi Goldberg to play the mom--in fact, I thought of her playing BOTH parts, then I thought Queen Latifah could be the daughter...anyway, those dreams still float in my head today.

September 29, 1998 was one of those days you remember and still smile about.

Now, on this day in 2009, I've rediscovered my love for writing. Because of my book and the happenings after it, I didn't write anything but e-mail for three years. Felt like a failure. God sends me to Habakkuk 2:2 many times. He's shown me what words can do, even tho at times I may be hesitant to write them.

Stay tuned.

December 28, 1998 was a Monday

I had a book signing that night. Yep, in my Iowa hometown's library. One of my BEST nights ever. Class members, plus their parents and friends of my family turned out for it. I felt like Cinderella. I've had alot of good days since then, yet there was something about that night. Special really. Felt so good and right to talk about my written words. To autograph books for everyone. Back then, I just didn't sign my name, I pretty much wrote a novella to that person. A personal touch, I guess.

I'd self published my book in September 1998. The first and only book I've written. A story that nawed at my heart, and still does. The story idea is great, but the way it was written then--could be so much better. At the time, I needed to get it down. To get it in people's hands. I'd sent out query letters for possible publication. Had two bites to see the completed manuscript. Both turned me down, although one publisher gave me 40 minutes of his time, on the phone, how to improve the story. I still remember to this day. And then I've learned so much as a writer over this time.

In fact, I've started a re-do about 3 times and quit. I actually did quit writing altogether after the book came out. I'd sent my book to a site for a review and be featured on their site. Oh man...the guy tore it shreds. I felt like a failure. Ever wrote that in my journal "I am a failure. I cannot write." Wrote nothing else--except in my diaries--for a few years. I didn't even think about writing. Didn't want to. Ignored the question, "What have you written lately?"

Ten years have passed. Alot has happened, because it had too. Today I enjoy writing fiction short stories. Query to have them published. But to my one and only book--it still is in my home town's library. Heck, I still have a few in my closet. Quit selling them long ago. Will I write another book? Sure. When the time is write. Not my time, but God's time.

Eventhough it was great I wrote the book--and I Google the title and my name. There are used copies on sites, that I don't recognize the language. HOW did it get there? Especially the SIGNED copies? I digress. I am proud I wrote the book when I did. God was with me, yet I pushed it through at times. I wasn't patient. I learned alot and lost alot of money. I had no plan. To self publish, you a plan A thru at least T is needed. All in all, I wasn't ready.

He's making me ready now.

OK-so now we have....

the Dallas Cowboys..*sigh* .They are behind the Philadelphia Eagles 41-3 and the game isn't over yet! Nobody saw it coming THIS bad. The Cowboys had to win to be in the play-offs. Former Cowboy QB Hall of Fame Troy Aikman is calling the game. I wonder his thoughts. If he wishes he were still part of the fray. Yes, it's why the game is played, yet the Dallas Cowboys didn't quite play it well enough. December 28, 2008 will end their season. Let the finger points begin. Uh, who threw those interceptions?

My night in 1998 was more fun. I am blessed.

Sunday Slow Down...

Almost 6pm. 100 Degrees. Just finished a spur of the moment “Let’s Eat” at Chili's with a chum of mine, the CPA. She’s not quite the CPA, yet soon will be. Says she’s gets into balancing her checkbook to zero. Oh, really? Balance checkbooks? Wow—now ain’t that novelty? Good chat. To think this is the same girl who, and another co-worker thought it humorous to put Anbesol on my water jug. I didn’t realize their felony. My lips numbed. I thought I had a stroke symptom not heard before. Yes, I let her live. She’s quite my Little Sister in Christ now. And she’s gonna have a cow when she reads this…..oh well! :)

Other Sunday thoughts-I visited the Inspiring Body of Christ Church today. Even though, I love my church, I visit a few times a year—especially on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Pastor Rickie Rush spoke from Galatians 6:1-7. How we, as Christians. restore each other. That we should not tire of those coming to us for advice and/or to just need us to listen. These folks are drawn to us, yet we better not think we’re all that because they do. For me personally, I’ve realized younger women come to me, because I ‘tell it like it is’ and I become their other mother. I 've not given birth, yet I have about a dozen kids. It’s a role I’m getting use to. Sometimes, it’s a role I’m not sure I quite like. After today’s lesson, I learned it’s really not my say. All in all, Pastor Rush’s sermon hit where I live. I even told him so after service. An added bonus was seeing a friend as a choir member-which for the past few months has been all male. A good (and handsome) 150 voices strong. I didn’t know my friend had joined the choir—nice surprise to see him amongst those who sang Zion's song.

The storms we go though to get where we need to go. For me, I ponder about my writing. I self published a book in 1998. Not written another book since. I even sent a copy, with rose potpourri in the envelope, to Oprah. Never heard back. :) I’ve written a few fiction short stories and some articles. Some even published. Yet not another book. I’ve started a book re-do a time or three, on that self published book. It’s been suggested I consider public speaking, because of the book—being about a motherless daughter who wonder, ‘what if….” Also of being a play write. I wrote a one act play which I’m told needs to be longer. I realize God has blessed me with a gift. It’s up to me if I choose to use it. Habakkuk 2:2 is my mantra. I’d put it here, yet that would be too easy. Take a minute to look it up—especially if you aspire to write.

Sunday thoughts--God is in my house every day. Feels good to go to His.