Sunday, August 30, 2015
The choice to simplify your life
Our calendars, schedules, relationships, children, work and accomplishments own are sanity and time. Sounds exhausting, doesn't it? In my numerous decades on this earth, I'm actually beginning to learn a few things. What I've discovered and would like to share today is the first step to simplifying your life- finding the time to renew your energy resources. Well, how does one do that? Oh, I'm so happy you asked! I've come to learn that if you don't take the time to find a method that renews your energy you're about as useful as a dirty, sodden sponge. Whether you take the time to listen to the Lord, meditate, exercise or lock yourself in an empty room of your house is the first step to simplifying your life. Pursuing your passion is the next. Once you have established the passion that burns the brightest and the hottest you are soaring. But, hold on we're not there yet! With the pursuit of passion, you must also experience some pain. Say what? That's correct. Before you experience the nirvana of your passion, you must first embrace some pain. Just like the HEAs I write about in my romance novels. You gotta do the work and experience the pain before you bask in the glow of your rewarding simplified satisfaction. I can certainly attest to that. I have experienced pain as I pursued my choice to simplify my life while I pursued my passion and, unfortunately at my own hand. What do you do then? Throw in the towel, back your bags and forgot about taking that long-anticipated trip that you've salivated over for years. NO! You learn from your mistakes, you embrace your pain, you pick yourself up, use your method of renewable energy resources and you fricking try again! No way in hell are you giving up on your passion that you know in the end will simplify and enrich your life. I encourage you to choose to simplify your life. You won't be sorry. What's your passion?
Friday, August 14, 2015
EEEPPP! My first book signing!
Great news!! I have my first book signing!! Thanks to Stephanie Steinly at Harleysville Books in Harleysville, PA http://www.harleysvillebooks.com/
I'll be there for their local author event Saturday, November 14th from 2 to 4! Check out a great bookstore and come see me for a signed copy of Choices and Forgiveness and some great swag, oh, and cookies! Can't forget the cookies! Stay tuned for more details!
I'll be there for their local author event Saturday, November 14th from 2 to 4! Check out a great bookstore and come see me for a signed copy of Choices and Forgiveness and some great swag, oh, and cookies! Can't forget the cookies! Stay tuned for more details!
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Review for Only Human by JD Estrada
Rollicking adventure with imaginative characters…
JD Estrada’s Only Human is just that and so much more. Only
Human is a crafty, intelligent, thought-provoking story revolving around
intense characters racing toward the heart of humanity. The vampires held me
captive until JD crafted multiple fascinating worlds to explore adding layer
upon layer of long forgotten legends.
There’s nothing I love more than to sink my teeth into a
story that allows me to think about the meaning and purpose of life. With JD’s
feral and touching characters, you get to explore humanity in many facets
learning about times past and present questioning the purpose and balance of
each.
As one man’s quest
for truth and understanding collide against his humanity, his fears aren’t far
from your own. Well-researched, filled with tension and suspense, absorbing
characters that leave you with more questions eagerly anticipating book number
two. Great read!
Monday, August 10, 2015
The Education Choice
Home School VS. The Traditional Classroom.
A hotly debated topic. I compare the education choice to traditional publishing vs. self-publishing. As a formally trained teacher, I'll admit homeschooling irritated more than a few nerves probably in the same way self-publishing irritated many traditional publishing houses. What, everyone's a teacher now? Wait a minute, aren't I doing the same thing with my self-publishing? I'm not a formally trained writer. I have a passion, a need to create, and hope that my creations make a connection with other people. Most parents I know are passionate about their children. That passion drives them to seek the best for their creations. Who am I to judge? I was experiencing a little of the pot calling its kettle black. I most definitely needed to get off my high horse before I fell off it and broke my nose.
My doubts about homeschooling held me prisoner, but when my number one made the choice for herself to attend a homeschool program, it was the best decision ever. Why did I fight it for so long? Stupid pride, misconceived notions and well, it's just not the way things are done! Phooey! Homeschooling programs today are dynamic, interesting and driven. Don't think you can just breeze by with filling out a few worksheets and calling it a day. My number one's day is full of self-directed, independent learning that she owns. She is the captain of her ship. Her homeschool buddies are respectful, intelligent, motivated (boy, are they ever!), driven, responsible leaders. Don't you want that for your teenager? Now, don't get me wrong lots of teenagers in traditional school settings are just as motivated and responsible. I'm saying that it was a learning curve for me. I was pleasantly surprised by their intensity and quality of their pursuit of learning. The same can be said for self-published authors as well. Once the passion ignites, the fire burns bright and hot. Isn't life about finding your passion and making the choice to pursue it.
A hotly debated topic. I compare the education choice to traditional publishing vs. self-publishing. As a formally trained teacher, I'll admit homeschooling irritated more than a few nerves probably in the same way self-publishing irritated many traditional publishing houses. What, everyone's a teacher now? Wait a minute, aren't I doing the same thing with my self-publishing? I'm not a formally trained writer. I have a passion, a need to create, and hope that my creations make a connection with other people. Most parents I know are passionate about their children. That passion drives them to seek the best for their creations. Who am I to judge? I was experiencing a little of the pot calling its kettle black. I most definitely needed to get off my high horse before I fell off it and broke my nose.
My doubts about homeschooling held me prisoner, but when my number one made the choice for herself to attend a homeschool program, it was the best decision ever. Why did I fight it for so long? Stupid pride, misconceived notions and well, it's just not the way things are done! Phooey! Homeschooling programs today are dynamic, interesting and driven. Don't think you can just breeze by with filling out a few worksheets and calling it a day. My number one's day is full of self-directed, independent learning that she owns. She is the captain of her ship. Her homeschool buddies are respectful, intelligent, motivated (boy, are they ever!), driven, responsible leaders. Don't you want that for your teenager? Now, don't get me wrong lots of teenagers in traditional school settings are just as motivated and responsible. I'm saying that it was a learning curve for me. I was pleasantly surprised by their intensity and quality of their pursuit of learning. The same can be said for self-published authors as well. Once the passion ignites, the fire burns bright and hot. Isn't life about finding your passion and making the choice to pursue it.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Mommy guilt...yep, it's a choice, too!
Ouch! I know, I know, touchy subject. Every mother experiences it whether you've been a mom for decades, or you're a brand new one. Constantly second-guessing and doubting your decisions because you understand the importance of raising a child. I'm going to share something I've learned about mommy guilt you need to tell it to pack its bag and take a long walk off a short pier as my mother would say. Mommy guilt is just your self-doubt and insecurity rearing its ugly, nasty head! Remember, your kids can smell fear and see it on your face. They're tiny predators waiting for weakness to show in your demeanor, on your face or seep out of your pores, remember they can smell doubt, and bam in for the kill. Your guilt is your weakness. Don't feel it then it doesn't show.
I've spoken to my close friends, my colleagues, and my neighbors for years about mommy guilt. Whether you're an outside of the home working mom or whether you choose to work at home, mommy guilt is always there, lurking behind every corner, waiting patiently to strike. For those working outside of the home, the guilt is multiplied, because sometimes work needs to be a priority over family. My friends who stay at home sometimes feel they aren't contributing enough to the family's welfare. Here's what I say for whatever it's worth. Your children learn what they live. If they see that you are doing everything you can for your family chances are your guilt is yours, not theirs. They only see how hard you're working for your family. You're teaching them valuable lessons about life, priorities, balance, and love. Children are adaptable, and they will adjust to your life and your schedule. It's your fear that allows guilt to fester and poison you and eventually them. So, relax, give yourself a break and know that your children love you whether you work inside, outside or in between side the home. They will survive because you will make sure they survive. That's what we do as parents.
I've spoken to my close friends, my colleagues, and my neighbors for years about mommy guilt. Whether you're an outside of the home working mom or whether you choose to work at home, mommy guilt is always there, lurking behind every corner, waiting patiently to strike. For those working outside of the home, the guilt is multiplied, because sometimes work needs to be a priority over family. My friends who stay at home sometimes feel they aren't contributing enough to the family's welfare. Here's what I say for whatever it's worth. Your children learn what they live. If they see that you are doing everything you can for your family chances are your guilt is yours, not theirs. They only see how hard you're working for your family. You're teaching them valuable lessons about life, priorities, balance, and love. Children are adaptable, and they will adjust to your life and your schedule. It's your fear that allows guilt to fester and poison you and eventually them. So, relax, give yourself a break and know that your children love you whether you work inside, outside or in between side the home. They will survive because you will make sure they survive. That's what we do as parents.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Summer Choices
It's that time of year! The words that make every mom and dad worldwide cringe, "I'm bored!" Vacation-over, pool-boring, camp-done! What now? Here are some summer choices to fill the doldrums! Enjoy!
1. Tie dye shirts! Really, tie dye just about anything! Set up huge plastic tubs in the backyard, the front yard, the pavement, the front porch or your little space of concrete. Wherever! Here are some great links http://www.guidepatterns.com/47-cool-tie-dye-shirt-patterns.php http://www.favecrafts.com/Tie-Dye/Tie-Dye-Techniques-and-Patterns for your masterpieces! Let the kids have it! Super cool! Great fun!
2. Make a blob for the backyard. Yes, you read that correctly... a blob. Great for little ones! Watch this crazy dad entertain his kids! Of course, mom is the voice of reason, but it looks like super fun! Just don't do what dad did! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRA5MLdy70o
4. Go for a walk at dusk.
5. Make fruit popsicles. Sell them at your lemonade stand! Cut up fruit, get some fruit juice and freeze them in the popsicles molds. This link has great non-toxic popsicle molds http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/non-toxic-popsicle-molds-for-homemade-popsicles/
6. Paint ceramics! I can't do enough of this! It's so relaxing.
7. Henna tattoos! My girls can't do this enough! Patterns http://www.freetattoodesigns.org/henna-tattoos.html Premixed paste http://www.shopbeachcombers.com/Natural-Henna-Paste-Cone-p/nc.htm or you can mix your own. Take a drive to your local organic health store, pick out your henna, mix it up, and place it an applicator with a pointed tip!
8. If Henna isn't your thing try temporary tattoos with watercolor crayons! http://www.michaels.com/10397541.html
9. Build a fort in the living room on a rainy day then make a slide with cardboard boxes and cover the stairs!
10. Camp in your own backyard! Best ever!
Here's to your summer choices! Have fun!
1. Tie dye shirts! Really, tie dye just about anything! Set up huge plastic tubs in the backyard, the front yard, the pavement, the front porch or your little space of concrete. Wherever! Here are some great links http://www.guidepatterns.com/47-cool-tie-dye-shirt-patterns.php http://www.favecrafts.com/Tie-Dye/Tie-Dye-Techniques-and-Patterns for your masterpieces! Let the kids have it! Super cool! Great fun!
2. Make a blob for the backyard. Yes, you read that correctly... a blob. Great for little ones! Watch this crazy dad entertain his kids! Of course, mom is the voice of reason, but it looks like super fun! Just don't do what dad did! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRA5MLdy70o
3. Go for a nature walk, collect anything that interests you! Bring your treasures home and make a book!4. Go for a walk at dusk.
5. Make fruit popsicles. Sell them at your lemonade stand! Cut up fruit, get some fruit juice and freeze them in the popsicles molds. This link has great non-toxic popsicle molds http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/non-toxic-popsicle-molds-for-homemade-popsicles/
6. Paint ceramics! I can't do enough of this! It's so relaxing.
7. Henna tattoos! My girls can't do this enough! Patterns http://www.freetattoodesigns.org/henna-tattoos.html Premixed paste http://www.shopbeachcombers.com/Natural-Henna-Paste-Cone-p/nc.htm or you can mix your own. Take a drive to your local organic health store, pick out your henna, mix it up, and place it an applicator with a pointed tip!
8. If Henna isn't your thing try temporary tattoos with watercolor crayons! http://www.michaels.com/10397541.html
9. Build a fort in the living room on a rainy day then make a slide with cardboard boxes and cover the stairs!
10. Camp in your own backyard! Best ever!
Here's to your summer choices! Have fun!
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Give up or Give More
The power of Choice is amazing. Our choices or decisions in life created the direction our lives travel. Some good, some not so good. It's easy to embrace the good decisions with celebrations, but what do we do when we make a bad decision-run, hide, pull the covers over our heads and never see the light of day. NO!
Take a deep breath and check in with yourself. Bad choices are a learning experience, and we can all relate, myself included, but it shouldn't stop you from pursuing a dream. What are you gonna do, give up, or give more? You pick yourself up, dust yourself off and ask yourself how you can do better. Here are some ideas you can ponder as you make your next big decision.
1. Be careful where you place your trust.
2. Try not to make a decision when your anxious. Be patient and wait it out.
3. Reflect on the past.
4. Don't always go with what worked before.
5. Make an informed decision.
6. Do what's best for you and the people involved with your decision, not what other people think.
Good luck in making your next big decision and remember bad decisions are life's learning experiences.
Take a deep breath and check in with yourself. Bad choices are a learning experience, and we can all relate, myself included, but it shouldn't stop you from pursuing a dream. What are you gonna do, give up, or give more? You pick yourself up, dust yourself off and ask yourself how you can do better. Here are some ideas you can ponder as you make your next big decision.
1. Be careful where you place your trust.
2. Try not to make a decision when your anxious. Be patient and wait it out.
3. Reflect on the past.
4. Don't always go with what worked before.
5. Make an informed decision.
6. Do what's best for you and the people involved with your decision, not what other people think.
Good luck in making your next big decision and remember bad decisions are life's learning experiences.
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