It's Been Awhile

 I can't believe how long it has been since I've been on here. Time has changed many things, most for the good and a few leaving marks that will forever be in my soul. 

Science Guy and I move to Arizona when COVID hit. We've been here almost 5 years. Yes, summers are hot!! The rest of the year is amazing. We love seeing our granddaughters here, but miss our grandson back in Florida. 

My mom passed. It will two years in November. I miss her everyday. Every. Day. The word orphan is now a part of me. 

We have an amazing church and are so thankful that God brought us to Bellevue Heights Church. 

I will be back. My thoughts are to begin with a weekly post on Sundays. Hope to find those who gathered here in the past again. 

Vicki

Grace

     Grace, simple elegance, refinement of movement. Grace is also courteous and goodwill. Certainly both of these types of grace definitions are wonderful and I hope we all live in this. But it’s God’s grace that sometimes shakes me to my core. Why would he ever want to give me his grace. Not just give it, but freely give his grace, his unmerited favor, his love.

     We’ve all heard someone say, “but for the grace of God”. Stop, right where you are and think about for a minute (or two). But for God’s grace where would we be.

     So, here’s a few things I’ve learned.

     Grace can be found

     Genesis 6:8, But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Grace was given to Noah because he obeyed and aren’t you thankful he did. We would not be here. The grace God gave to Noah has been passed down to countless others who have said yes to God. See God will never ask anything of you that he won’t give you his grace and mercy. Just a little side note here for whomever needs to read it. If God is asking you to do what you feel is impossible remember he asked Noah to build an ark, a huge ark, for something called rain that Noah had never seen. If you can’t see it, don’t worry, God can. Say yes, and you will find grace in the eyes of the Lord.

     Grace can be poured

     In Psalm 45:2 it says, "You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips: Therefore God has blessed You forever". Grace, poured up your lips. If God pours grace upon our lips surely, we should extend that grace when we speak to others. Blessed forever. Wow. I don’t know what that means to you, but forever is strong. Do I always feel blessed, nope, I don’t. Yet I am and so are you.

     Grace can be given

     Psalm 84:11, For the Lord God is a sun and shield: The Lord will give grace and glory: No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Grace and glory. In the Old Testament glory traditionally meant “praise for the Lord”. When God gives grace, he gives us the praise for the Lord. In the New Testament the glory is in the presence of the Lord. With grace we praise the presence of the Lord in our lives. 

 

     Grace and Truth

     John 1:17, The law was given my Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Grace given with truth. I’m not sure if you realize what a strong statement that is. Jesus didn’t “just” give us grace, but he gave us truth with that grace. Our father, who loves us more than we can even begin to imagine wants us to know the truth. No hidden agenda, not anything in secret, but with grace and truth.

     Grace and growth

     2 Peter 18, tells us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Right above in 16 – 17 it tells of those who twist the scripture to their own destruction and that we must beware so that we don’t fall into the same and be led away. To do this we have to continually grow. Pray, read, meditate on the word daily.

     Grace is sufficient

     In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Paul talks about the thorn in his flesh. He asked; no the word says he pleaded three times for it to be removed. Paul goes on to tell us, He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul said, “Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Sufficient, all that you need. It’s true, it might not always be all that you want, but it will be all that you need if you abide him. Add grace to that and we are a blessed people.

     Grace and Salvation

     Ephesians 1:7, In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 2:8, For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Because of God’s grace we are given the free gift of salvation. We can’t work for it because salvation isn’t about what we accomplished, nope, it’s only through the grace of God.

     I guess if I had to summarize this, I would say this. When Grace is found it is freely given, poured into us with truth so that we will grow in the sufficient grace through salvation from our savior. 

~Vicki

2020 - The Year of Joy

It’s going to be long.

I’ve never really done the word of the year thing. Each year I’d see others post their word of the year and I’d think that’s cool I’d should do that. I’d think about it but every time I’d think maybe this word or that word I’d see someone else post it was there word for the year. Surely I couldn’t take someone else’s word. I mean, words are words and they don’t really belong to anyone, but still he or she had just said it was theirs. I couldn’t copy them, right?

2020 starts and people begin to post their word. I read their post, smiled at some and had tears for others. Each person had a special reason why they felt/knew that word for them this coming year.

I prayed.

I’d think of a word and prayed. Nothing seemed to “fit” me for this year. That is until Paul called me at work and said, “Honey, try to find some joy today”. I’d replied simply okay and you try too. (It’s easier to push it back to someone sometimes).

Everywhere I looked, Facebook, Instagram, texts from friends, and even phone (yes actually talking on the phone), the word joy would appear.

Could that be my word for the year? Joy.

2019 had certainly had its ups and its downs, but could I really make Joy my word. With all that is happening with my mom and Paul? It would be hard, right?

Then I prayed. And I listened. I was still.

Merriam-Webster defines Joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires…the expression or exhibition of such emotion…a state of happiness”

As the Lego song says, Everything is Awesome.

But the Word of God says this:

Joy is a gift of from God. (Galatians 5:22

No greater Joy than to know our children walk in the truth (3 John 1:4)

Sounds really great so far, this could make my entire year full of joy beyond all measure.

Then I read, James 12-3: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Trails do not sound joyous, yet it’s right there in God’s word. That makes it so.

I read on. I prayed. I listened. And I was still.

Psalms 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! I love this scripture but it was just during this time that I realized it didn’t say to clap your hands and shout to God if you have joy. But to shout to God with loud songs of joy.

In Nehemiah 8:10 we’re told to go and enjoy great food, sweet drinks, and to send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the Joy of the Lord is your strength.

A. B. Simpson said, “ It is His joy that remains in us that makes our joy full.”

2020 will surely bring joyous times and hardships. This is the season of life that my family is in right now. Although it will not always be easy, my word for this year is JOY. I will sing for joy. I will weep at times, yet still will count it all JOY. And I will learn this year how to rest in his JOY.

Renovating, Writing…Same Thing?

We bought our house 8 years ago and immediately had plans. Let me add here that our home was great, but we wanted to do a few updates to the house.

Standing inside our empty home, we didn’t worry about where the furniture would be placed. That was easy and it would be easy to move it around if we didn’t like it (love the furniture disk, slides so easy).

Instead, we decided what we wanted to change. The order in which we would make these changes and just how quickly we’d get them done. By the end of year two everything inside and out should be finished.

Several of those items are still on the list.

It’s been eight years this month.

You know the saying, life happens or life got in the way or anyone of those life moment things. All true, life did get in the way. Jobs changed which caused the daily flow of our household to change. Surroundings and worker peeps within the job changed. We changed churches, which brought on more change. So yeah, life happened.

Two months ago, Science Guy and I decided to do the back yard and get that item checked off the list. Easy enough. We got a few quotes, I picked out the pavers (love them), and the fencing we were putting around the pavers. We bought an amazing grill cover/hut and we’ll finally be able to put up the canopy for the outside dining area. We had dates and deadlines and it was all going to be done in two, no more than three weeks.

That was six weeks ago, and it’s still not quite finished. We are now shooting for July 4^th weekend. It’s going to be beautiful.

Oh yeah, the writing part. You open that blank page and begin. You’re not worried about the placement of the scenes. You plotted them out and you know where they are going to land. At least in this first draft.

And then it happens. Things change. You realize that your character can’t do this or that until much later in the story. Or perhaps it won’t work at all unless you order more fencing (I mean add more to the scene). You may find out that you’ll need to change or cut out an idea to make everything work.

But when you’re finished. When you walk out on those beautiful pavers or finish those edits and it’s really the end you can sit back and smile and know that all the hard work has paid off.

 

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,

Vicki

Time

Time.

The definition says it's the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present and future regarded as a whole. A point of time as measured in hours and minutes past midnight or noon.

Without time, all who wander might actually be lost. Today time represents both the past and the future.

It's been forever since I attended a TARA (Tampa Area Romance Authors), meeting. Life, as they say, had definitely got in the way of my writing. Or so I liked to tell myself. Reality was I let it slide. Sure, I thought about it. Even opened my wip and added a bit here or there. But I didn't write the way that writers write, the way I used to write. I wasn't in my office at 5:00am before work, or in there after work until late into the night. Nope, I'd somewhat decided that just maybe I wouldn't ever do it again.

My heart and soul had other plans. What I've learned is that if you're truly a writer, your character will not let you completely go. They may take a vaca with you, but eventually they are going to start waking you up in the middle of the night, talking to you while you're at work (be really careful not to talk back to them out loud, people will wonder), and any place they think they'll breakthrough for a moment.

Then today happened. I'd rejoined RWA 3 months ago. I had my PRO status back in place and I beautiful new office area (thank you to my Science Guy), and it was time. Time to go home. To go back to the place where I knew I could talk to others like me. Who would be glad to see me and who would totally understand hearing voices was always a crazy thing.

I was going to be late. Maybe I should just wait until next month. But hadn't I already used that excuse? Walking in late meant everyone would see me. For those of you who know me I know what you're thinking. This girl isn't shy and if people see her then she'll be fine. But today was different. It wasn't about me. I wasn't the president, heck I wasn't even a member anymore. I was person who would interrupt the meeting. Do get where my head was going??? I was going to wait for a better "time".

Science Guy looked at me and said, "It's going to be great. Have fun and join when you get home." I love him. He knows me so well.

So, there I went. I walked in to the business meeting. Whew, that was great. Sure people were talking, but I hadn't walked in during the speaker, Lori Sanders Foley's, presentation.

And just like that I was home. Time was once again moving in my world. You see I am a writer and this group, these women, some who I've never met and some who I've known for years, they are my people and time has seen fit to bring us together again.

Vicki

Just Saying Hi

I wanted to stop by and say hi and to let you know that I really will be back one day soon.

I'm currently plotting my next book and although I've not been as productive as I'd like to be I am at least getting something on paper. Ummm...yeah, paper. I haven't put it in the computer just yet.

Games. iPhone games. Love them/hate them/so addicted to them. I've deleted a couple and hid a couple and now I have two that I really need to give up. My characters would be really happy if I did that. Well, all but one. One of them likes to see what my nbrs are doing in their places. She likes to ooh and aww over the decorations. Silly girl, her story will be next when this book is finished. YOu'd think someone who likes pretties and likes attention would want to have her book being written.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi and to let you know I'm still around.

TGIF,
Vicki

Time flies

Really??? It's been a little over a year since I last blogged. Wow! Life has been anything but normal in the household. The day job is no longer there and I've been doing the search and find for a few months. The big difference is there aren't any words on the sidebar to tell you what you're looking for. You get a clue, send a resume and yeah...instead of a real job you're new email addy is now full of spam. 

I'm kinda at a crossroads with my writing right now. Although I'm working on the second book in the BloodSpell trilogy, I'm also thinking about a totally different genre to write in. More to come on that later. :)

Science Guy and I have been doing some landscaping on the front of our home. Two more plants/trees to put in and then I'll put up some pictures for you. I love seeing the color as I drive up to the house. 

So, how is everyone doing? What's happened/changed in your life in the past year?

Vicki

Thursday - Um Yeah, Just Thursday

I know I've been gone and I know I said I was going to be here more often, but right now is a bit crazy at the day job. The world of 24/7 Shopping TV is hetic to say the least. Anyway, I'm also working on a new website/blog which I'm hoping to have live by the end of the month. As soon as it's ready to go I'll let you know. Hope everyone is doing great! Vicki

Monday Blues...or Musings - Take Your Pick :)

It's Monday. That should follow with enough said, but just for those who perhaps love their Monday's, I'll resist the urge.

Maybe a Monday is your Friday and you're excited to have your week day time off. For me, the day brings crazy long hours, which leads me to want to do nothing but veg in front of the TV when I get home. After feeding the doggy babies and Science Guy, that is.

Tonight starts 'Dancing With The Stars' and although I said I wasn't going to watch it this season, we've already got it TiVo'd. Guess we'll see if it's going to turn out to be okay or not and then make the choice.

However, no matter how crazy of a day it's been, no matter how much I'd to do nothing but put on a pair of pj's, cuddle back into one of our oversized red chairs, watching TV while my mind wanders aimless through the show, I can't. I won't.

Why? Because I must write. I'm in a very small dingy, making my way to the writing island where other author friends are partying, err...I mean writing furiously (there's cabana boys and margarita's there).

Should be fun since my hero has just been thrown for a loop when he saw what the heroine did. And the coolest part is she doesn't really know what she did. She knows something changed, but she's not exactly sure what it was. Just yet that is.

Your turn. How was your day? Got any plans for tonight, or are you going to veg and re-coop from the day?

xoxoxox,
Vicki

Friday Five

It’s been a week of weeks, but Friday is finally here and I’m about 30 minutes from being free for the weekend. Free to write, read, and okay…write. A lot. I’ve got to finish this wip very soon. :)

So what has the past week brought?

Let’s see…

1. Saturday’s TARA meeting ROCKED! Lauren Abramo was amazing in both sessions and dinner with her was way too much fun.

2. I got a new phone and it’s a smartphone, a iPhone to be exact. I love it.

3. Since I got said phone I’ve downloaded a couple of apps and although I do love the Kindle for iphone, I’ve got to say, I’m addicted to Zombie Farm.

4. The time change has brought wonderful long evenings, walking the dogs again is not only good for them, but for Science Guy and I as well.

5. Watched Idol and truthfully didn’t think the right person went home. Not that I thought she would stay for a long time (if she didn’t show what she can really do), but there was another that based on this week’s performance, I thought would be the one. But hey, everyone got their vote and apparently didn’t feel the same way as me.

What about you? How did your week sum up? Exciting? Crazy?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Japan - A Place of Honor

First, let me say my heart goes out to those both in Japan and those around the world who have friends and loved ones living or working there.

The fury of the earth as it unleashes its power never ceases to leave me speechless and saddened. Many have lost their lives, their homes, or family and people who are dear to them. I can't begin to know what that feels like, so I send prayers for peace that passes understanding to wash over them.

Below is a link to a blog that my sister sent to me. Before I even clicked the link I paused and realized that throughout all of the news coverage I've not seen anything about looting.

People who live there are amazing in their reaching out to help others without thinking of taking for themselves. It's a country who has always been built on honor and in this horrific time we are seeing that this is not words, but this is who and what Japan is.

Why there is no looting in Japan

Vicki

American Idol – New & Improved?

I admit it, I love, love, love American Idol. I’ve watched it from the very beginning. I used to vote each week, but now, not so much. I’ve learned over the years of the show that there are many who don’t win Idol and yet go on to have a better career than the winners. So now, even though I may have my fav’s, I pretty much leave it up to the rest of the voters to keep them on the show or not. Which means if my fav is voted off I can’t complain. Nope, just root for someone else at that point.

Science Guy and I had decided we’d give it through Hell Hollywood week and maybe the first live show to decide if we’d continue to watch. Guess what, we’re hooked again.
The new judges and new format (how quickly they narrowed it down to 12 13), seem to be working. Nothing is stale and we aren’t sitting around waiting to get it ‘really’ started.

Both Steven Tyler and J-Lo are great IMVHO. They critique them, but they’re totally destroying anyone, which I like. Although I will say, this year has an abundance of talent. Most of them look like they been on the big stage forever. For me this is a double edge sword. I liked seeing them come into their own, growing each week with more confidence on the stage, reacting with the crowd and the TV audience more.

And I have to admit, Steven Tyler cracks me up. He’s trying to be good (most of the time), but really, he is who he is and it’s just going to come out.

It is a little odd each week when I see Randy in Simon’s seat and I’m not sure if he’s torn between being Randy and throwing a little bit of Simon in there.

One of my favorite changes is the fact that each contestant can stay true to who they are. Since American Idol is all about finding fresh new talent, then I love that country, rockers, jazz, etc. can stay true their voice. Wonder why it took so many seasons for them to figure this out?
All in all, I think they did a great job of choosing the new judges and hope they’ll stay on for a few seasons, if Idol continues on.

Your turn. Are you watching it this season? If so, what do you think about the new judges, the format, or really anything else new about the show? And do you have a favorite already, or are you still trying to figure that one out?

Vicki

I’m a SmartPhone Girl

I know what you’re probably thinking; she’s a little late to the party.

The thing is I like my other phone and when I got it that was the cool phone. Very tiny, flip up to answer and really you can could put it in the pocket of your jeans and hardly know it was there.
The battery life was amazing. At least three days and the phone was 5 years old.

But…

I couldn’t check my email, twitter, facebook, listen to music and although I could text, it was like being on an old fashion typewriter. It took forever.

So…

This past Sunday I went to my carrier and checked out the smartphones. The very wise and extremely helpful associate told me about the difference between the three types of phones I was looking at. And in the end I choose the iPhone since he assured me it was the easiest one to learn on my first foray into the smartphone world. It was also the one that was on ‘sale’, which I thought made him even more great. He could have very easily talked me into one of the higher price phones. I was ready to buy and he knew it. Thank you wonderful associate!

It was funny when he kept asking me questions like: how much time do you spend listening to music on your phone, or how much time to do you spend emailing, and things like that. Each time I held up the tiny phone and said, ummm…don’t really know. It wasn’t an option.
Which wasn’t exactly true. I could do most of those things on my tiny phone (not the music), but it took forever and was a royal pain, so I didn’t.

And…

Now I have a few apps, (love Zombie Farm),

got my Kindle for iPhone, of course Twitter and Facebook. I’ve added some songs to the phone (haven’t listened to them yet), and have my email accounts, including my work email on my phone at the touch or swipe of my fingers.

Yep…

In basically 2 days I’m hooked and don’t know why I waited this long, other than it’s that how change issue. I’m not so much fond of change.

How about you? Have you been at the party for a while now, or are you like me and just coming to the smartphone world?

What do you love best about your phone and what’s your favorite app?

Vicki

Friday Five

I don't about you, but I'm very happy Friday has finally arrived. For most of yesterday I thought it was Friday...so not a happy thought when I realized it was still Thursday.

So, five things about this week....

1. American Idol has started. Sure I know it started back with the auditions and Hell (I mean Hollywood) week. But as far as I'm concerned it really starts once America gets to vote.

2. Romance Junkies is having a great contest. Each week they're putting up six entries and you can vote on them. There are prizes for both readers (voters) and for those who are putting up their entries.

3. I've started a crochet project, which I hope will be a throw when it's finished. Red, Black, and Cream in color. Soft yarn and the pattern is really pretty easy. Yes, I know that spring is sort of here and summer will be here before we know it in sunny Florida, but hey, I'm feeling crafty and besides if this turns out well I might do some for Christmas presents. (Trust me it will take me this long to do all of them since they are done around my writing.)

4. Tonight I'm going to dinner with several of my TARA sister's and Lauren Abramo. WhooHoo, this should be a blast!

5. I've been working on Raising Hannah (instead of TLIAV), but this week I've been pulled back to that manuscript. I'm loving the plot for RH and will work on it in bits and pieces around TLIAV.

So, not really a ton happened this week. What about you? Anything exciting happen to you this week?

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Meet Sawyer - What Do You Think?

This week over on the The Goddess Blog they're celebrating four years of blogging with fabulous post and great giveaways.

Yesterday was all about hero's and in the comment section we were to give a favorite hero name, what they look like, and what makes them who they are. Why would we as readers like him.

The name Sawyer immediately came to mind. I pictured him much like Hugh Jackman and then it was time to write what made him the way he was. This was a bit tougher since I wasn't writing about a hero's in any of my books. So to my trusty word doc I went.

Before I knew what was happening Sawyer just sort of entered the scene and took over. Without further ado, I give you Sawyer (last name unknown and I think he sort of likes it that way for now. No worries, I've already told him if he ends up in one of my books he'll have to give me everything.)

“Sawyer’s, well he’s –”

“I’ve got this.” Sawyer winked and turned to face the readers.

He rolled his neck from side to side and pulled his shoulders back, knowing the black muscle shirt left little to wonder about his abs. The dimple on the left side of his face deepened as he watched the readers eyes travel the length of his body before coming back to his face with appreciative smiles.

“Ladies, I’m the one your mothers told you to watch out for.”

An almost audible gasp was heard across the land of blog.

He smiled, apparently enjoying himself.

“What Vicki’s having trouble telling you is I’m not really your hero. I’m not in it for the long haul. While I can promise you a night you will never forget and who knows, maybe a week or two which will surely give you memories of a lifetime. After that, I’m not staying around. I never do.”

The faces in the crowded blog were a mixture of bad boy desire to anger.

“Um, Sawyer, you’re not doing such a great job being a hero here.” Vicki said. “Tell them the truth.”

“You want me to tell them?” Cold hard dreaded coiled through his body and landed in the pit of his stomach. “Won’t that mess up your happily ever after?”

“Yeah, not so much, I’m the author, trust me I can make it work. Tell them.”

Sawyer took a deep breath and measured his words. Even though he liked Vicki, she was a woman and while it was true she could write him anyway she chose, he didn’t like for anyone to have control over him or what he did.

After another few seconds went by he decided, what the hell, if I don’t like what she writes I can always freeze up on her. “The truth is I don’t trust people. Women in particular. My mother left us when I was five and never looked back. My father was too caught up in his own world to realize I thought it was my fault.”

He looked to Vicki, her eyebrows raised and she tilted her head with her signature ‘really’ popping into his mind. All of it, he mouthed. Surely she couldn’t want him to tell the next part, but as she nodded he realized he should have never come today. He should have given her writer’s block and walked away.

“Fine,” Sawyer grounded out between his teeth. “Here’s the deal. I was in love. Once. She was everything I thought I wanted. Beautiful, sophisticated, on the fast track to huge success as a model who traveled around the world. Heads turned when we were together and when we were alone, well let’s just leave it at it was magic. We had it all. Or so I thought until the day I decided to surprise her and show up at the flat she was renting in London while on location. Apparently, she had it all with another man as well. And had no trouble telling me he was better than me in every way.”

Not a sound could be heard in all of blog land, but the ones whose eyes had been filled with anger were a bit softer.

“Don’t go feeling sorry for me. I lived through it and decided to hell with all women. I’d date them, make love to them, and send them on their way. I didn’t want or need to feel anything more than sex with any of them ever again.” Sawyer turned a sheepish grin towards Vicki. “That is until my author decided to introduce me to the heroine. I should have known something was wrong when the woman flat out refused to go out with me and threatened to call the sheriff if I didn’t move my fence off of her grandfather’s property. Pitiful property it is and what did six inches matter. It wasn’t like that small amount of space was going to keep her from doing anything."

“So there you have it. I’m a bad boy through and through, my heart hardened to love. Or at least I was until a few weeks ago, but now I’m dreaming about a country girl who’d rather muck out a stable than have a glass of wine with me.”

Well, what do you think of Sawyer? Think he has a book in him? Or is this a hero's journey you'd rather not read about.

xoxoxo,
Vicki

New...Is It Really Better

Today I'm blogging over at Everyboday Needs A little Romance. Science Guy took me downtown to the pier on Sunday. Although I live here and the place is great, I'd never actually done more than drove by it.

Now they want to tear it down and rebuild. Go on over and check out the post and the pics and let me know what you think. Is New Always Better?

Hugs,
Vicki

Update on my Dad

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post. I used to be so very good at post everyday during the week and now I'm doing good to get here once a month. So sorry about that and I'd like to say I'll be back to normal again, but yeah that's so not going to happen for the next few months. After that...well, let's just say I've got goals.

My stepdad's been quite ill and at one point we didn't think he'd still be with us. He had to have brain surgery where they removed what blood clots they could from his brain. It was touch and go for several days.

He's amazing in so many ways though. Were many of us would have lost the fight, he didn't. In fact, he worked hard and fought his way from ICU to a regular room and then to rehab. He's finally home after two more trips to the hospital and trust me this is making life much easier for him and my mom.

My stepdad will turn 87 in April. He's lived a life full of adventure and has always been an admiral man. It's just we're not ready to let go of him and thank goodness he's not ready to quite fighting.

Love you bunches Dad.

Vicki

Yarn Over, Double Chain, Yarn Over…Start Over

I'm blogging over at Everybody Needs A Little Romance today,so I've put some of it here. But to read the entire post and see the pictures, click the link above and check it out.

My best friend and critique partner crocheted me a scarf for Christmas. It’s a beautiful red yarn with tiny gold thread running through it and I absolutely love it. She used a loom and after I saw the others she’d done decided I wanted to do some myself.

With coupons in hand, I went to Michaels, found the loom (and a couple of others in different sizes), picked out the yarn, and the crochet hook I’d need to finish the ends when I was done.

I may have forgotten to mention that I did not know how to crochet, which was why the loom sounded like a perfect solution for me. I mean really, how hard could it be to just finish the thing with some single stitches at the end.

I’d completed about 10 rows when I realized I wasn’t putting the yarn on the loom correctly and had to pull it off and start over.

Maybe reading the directions a little better would have been a good idea, but I wanted to start making the scarf, not spend time making sure I knew what I was doing. Hmmm…I think I’ve been down this road before.

It took about a week of working on it in the evenings to finish it. Uh yes, I should have been writing, but right now, I have this story idea germinating. And I did have a pad and pen with me while I was working on this project. Sometimes doing something else my ideas and plotting really start to flow.

Here’s a picture of that one. The ends are…okay, not so much matching a hundred percent, but unless you look hard, you wouldn’t really notice.

What’s a girl to do? Yep, go to Michaels and buy some more yarn. Only this time I decided I wanted to truly crochet a scarf. No loom, just the hook and me. With several hooks in different sizes and several different skeins of yarn in different colors and sizes I was went home ready to begin.

The problem? I have (or had), no idea how to do that. So I did what anyone who needs to do some research does. I went to the internet. YouTube to be exact. There I found many videos on crocheting. Learned how to do the single crochet stitch and then…stop! These women’s fingers flew across the screen and they used language that I did not understand. Chain three, single, skip two, chain 5 and so on. I soon realized I was way over my head and needed to start at the beginning with something much simpler than a shell stitch.

The girl who works across from me in my day job crochets and knits (with 4 needles, dear Lord), she’s made several baby hats with the most adorable flowers on the sides. I told her my plan, err plight, and she said bring the yarn, bring the hooks (all of them) and she’d show me what to do.

You’d think I would have learned from the above-mentioned taking the yarn off the loom and starting over several times before I had that down. But nope, not me. I brought in this beautiful gunmetal gray yarn that all soft and furry and going to be the most beautiful scarf in the world yarn. Yeah, the girl looked at me with you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me eyes. She took the time to show me what to do, but strongly suggested I used a ‘normal’ yarn for my first time.

I was determined to do this. I worked at it for several nights and realized that I had no idea what she’d really taught me and my very pretty yarn was knotting up something horrible.

Back to the proverbial drawing board. New yarn, the ‘normal’ kind and this time I told her to tell me what to do and let me do it instead of watching her. She gave me the directions, which sounded like this:


So, if you went to the over blog, what did you think about the scarfs? Do you jump in with both feet and to wade back to the beginning of the pool and start over again, or do make sure you've got it down before starting a new project?

Hugs,
Vicki

A little Frog Wisdom for 2011

It’s the beginning of a New Year and normally this is when I talk about reflecting on the past year and making goals for the New Year. Instead I thought I’d give you a little story that was sent to me several years ago. Funny thing is it still holds true in your writing career whether you’re published or aspiring to be published.

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs who decided to have a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants.

The race began and honestly no one in the crowd really believed the tiny frogs would ever reach the top of the tower.

You heard statements such as:

"Oh, WAY too difficult!!"
"They will NEVER make it to the top."
Or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"

Sure enough as time went by the tiny frogs began collapsing. Some of them stopping to glance back at the crowd, listening to the roar of people saying they’d never make.

As those frogs stopped the ones behind them seemed to have a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"More tiny frogs slowed down to listen and gave up.

But ONE continued higher and higher and higher...this one wouldn't give up!At the end all of the frogs had given up climbing the tower except for the one tiny frog that, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it? The crowd had told them it was too hard, that they would never make it. How could one frog reach the top when everyone else had given up.

A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal.It turned out...That the winner was DEAF!!!!

The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic... because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart! Always think of the power words have. (There's life and death in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21.) Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!

Therefore:ALWAYS be....POSITIVE!And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams!

If you fall down 10 times,Stand up 11 times.

In other words if you’re rejected 10 times you may need to submit something new but submit again you must. A great friend once told me never give up today because tomorrow might be your miracle. I realize that the miracle comes from hard work but you can achieve your dreams if you never, ever give up on them.

One of the major key words there is worked. This writing journey takes work. It's not easy, but if this is your heart’s desire never give up and never listen to those who say you can't do it.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

The History of Mistletoe

This came to me in an email from a florist shop in Phoenix. I thought you might enjoy knowing the history if you didn't already.

Since Victorian times, mistletoe has been a cherished Christmas decoration if only to provide the excuse for a kiss when hung in a prominent doorway.
The tradition of misletoe finds it's origin in pagan rituals. After the Winter Solstice, Druid priests cut mistletoe down from the Oak trees in a special ceremony.The priests separated the branches and distributed sprigs of mistletoe among the people to protect them from evil. The ancient Celts believed the plant held miraculous healing powers. In fact, the word "mistletoe" in Celtic means "All-Heal".

Scandinavian mythology holds that Baldur, god of peace was slain by Loki, god of destruction with an arrow made from mistletoe. Outraged by the injustice of Baldur s death the other gods and goddesses demanded his life be restored. As a token of thanks, Baldur s mother, Frigga, hung mistletoe and promised to kiss all who passed beneath it, thus establishing the symbolism of love, peace and forgiveness that is now associated with mistletoe.

The use of mistletoe as a romantic lure stems from England as early as the 1500s. In 1520, William Irving wrote that a young man should pluck a berry each time he kisses a young girl beneath the mistletoe. When all the berries are plucked off the mistletoe it no longer has romantic powers.

Mistletoe is an evergreen plant that lives throughout the southern United States, from the Atlantic Coast to California, and on every continent except Antarctica. Mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant, found high in the trees. It doesn't take root in the ground, but in the branches of tree itself. Although it gets all its nutrients by taking them from the tree, its presence keeps the tree green throughout the winter.

Even if the pagan significance has been long forgotten, the custom of exchanging a kiss under the mistletoe can still be found in many European countries, United States and Canada.

Happy Holidays,
Vicki