Real Life is Better Than Fiction

What is quality time with the family? We hear a lot of talk about that today. I saw a commercial that proposed that quality family time was spent in front of the TV. It is enjoyable for our family to order pizza and rent a movie to watch together, but I much prefer the times we can actually talk and get to know each other better. That’s the way it was when I was a kid. As we become adults we realize that it’s a fact of life that kids grow up, move away, and sometimes start their own families. That is when it’s time for family reunions where everyone gets together and remembers the past. It seems we don’t often remind each other of the sensible or successful things we have accomplished throughout our lifetimes, but of the silly, the stupid, the ridiculous, the things we would rather not be reminded of. At least that’s the way it is with my family. One of the events that’s always remembered among my family is dinnertime. It’s brought to mind the most because that’s where...

I have the pleasure of a job that I love. Who wouldn’t like to write and read all day? All right, I know there’s probably plenty of people that would not enjoy that, but for me, it’s next to heaven, especially this time of year when I can work curled up with a quilt next to the wood stove. Because of my love of books, I often enjoy passing along my joys by giving them as gifts to others for Christmas, whether hard copies or ebooks. When I give a book, I feel that I am giving a gift that will last a lifetime. Once a person reads a story, it becomes a part of them. So, here are some of the favorite books I’ve read this past year. Click on the covers to go to Amazon and find out more about them and make purchases for the readers on your list. The Shift by M. Ann Ricks I, Saul by Jerry Jenkins The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky Three By Ted Dekker The Reunion by Dan Walsh Belonging by Ruth O'Neil If you are more into shorter fiction, here is ...

I once knew a woman who was constantly looked down on by her mother in law because her home was not perfectly clean. This mom spent her days taking care of her son knowing the days with him were short. She chose to enjoy every moment possible. While she kept up with household chores while he napped there were some things that were neglected, but a perfect house wasn’t of great importance to her. Once you have children your time is no longer your own. Your days are filled tending to other people’s needs. Often it may seem there are not enough hours in the day to cram in everything you need to do. If you weren’t feeling badly enough about all the chores you’ve left undone, along comes Wonder Woman whose house is in perfect order, never fixes her family frozen pizza for dinner and is always impeccably dressed with her perfect hair and perfect make-up. The same goes for her kids. You think it’s great if your kids are all fully clothed. We all inwardly do not like this Wonder Woman. Let...

This post is a little bit different from the norm, but maybe there is someone out there that needs it today. Do you remember important dates like when you bought your first car or house, your first kiss or your wedding and when your kids were born? Do you record milestones of children in baby books? Do you remember what was going on in your life when prayer became real to you? A lot of us prayed as children just because our parents did, but there needs to be a time when your prayers made a difference in your life. I remember when it changed for me. We found out my mother had cancer. The doctors gave her thirty days to live. Imagine discovering that you have to cram the rest of your life into thirty days! Naturally, I prayed for God’s healing. I believed God could heal her and didn’t want to believe that He would do anything else but make her well again. She was a beautiful, Christian woman and still had children to raise. She was too young to die. Everyday I prayed...

The change of seasons brings about the need in many people to change other things. Some people change out their wardrobe. Some people change the decorations in their home. Me, I look forward to cooking recipes appropriate for the new season. I love soups and stews in the winter and salads in the summer. What about when it comes to reading and writing? Do your tastes and choices change with the seasons? Do mine? I’m not sure my tastes change; I ALWAYS love to read and write. There is something about summer that makes me want to read more. Perhaps it’s because I can easily take a book outside and enjoy my guilty pleasure: the sun. I find that I do more writing during the winter months while I curled up under a quilt near the wood stove. I do like to read Christmas stories during the holidays to help get me in the mood. Here’s a link to one short story to help you get in the mood for the holidays. It’s entitled Christmas at Martha’s House and it’s only $.99. Just click...

Today is the day that we find out who the winner is of the Kindle! But first, I would like to take the time to thank you all for your support of Belonging . Many of you read my book before it was published, to give me feedback. You know who you are and you are irreplaceable to me. I am fortunate to call many of you dear friends and your friendship is something I will cherish forever. There are those of you who purchased books. Unfortunately, I don’t know all of you by name as Amazon does not give me that information for sales. You are priceless. Thank you for your multiple purchases. Thanks to all of you who have shared information about my book with your friends, family members, and followers on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. There is nothing that helps get the word out about books than good old word of mouth. I often buy books that others have recommended to me. I hope others do the same when hearing of my books. And now, without further ado, the winner of the Kin...

I have a lot of friends (of all ages) who are new moms or have very young children. Many are enjoying motherhood, but feel stressed at times. We all want to be that perfect mom and raise perfect kids. There’s one thing you can stop stressing about right now. You already know you aren’t perfect and your kids won’t be perfect, either. I enjoy babysitting little ones once in a while and I love working with them at church. But when I see parents exhausted from midnight feedings and from chasing toddlers around all day, I think, “I’m glad that’s not me”…anymore. I’ve reached a new stage in my life. I love being a mom and loved watching my children grow up, but I’m almost completely to the other side of that. I know from experience that being a mom can be stressful. I’ve dealt with boys peeing on things that weren’t supposed to be peed on (fortunately he’s outgrown that stage!). I’ve dealt with the teenage girl drama: the door slamming, the dreaded “I hate you,” and “You love he...