Thursday, July 21, 2011

Reader's Block

So! I think I have reader's block. I don't know if this is something all avid readers suffer from from time to time, but I do! I have a new book to review that has been sitting on my island for a week now. I pick it up every now and then, but I can't seem to get started. I've suffered this before. I went ages without reading. It's like going without ice cream or oxygen; it just doesn't feel right, but I can't seem to get over it! I've been thinking about a way to end it sooner; to overcome the "block." This is what I decided; reader's block is like writer's block. Sometimes a writer just can't write. Sometimes they know why, sometimes not. Every writer has to have a way to overcome it that works for them. I've been trying to come up with a way to cure my reader's block. I've decided the only way to get back in the swing is to dive into a book I already know I love. I'm a firm believer in the notion that the only book worth reading once is the book worth reading twice, so I'm going to start rereading an old fave and see if that gets me back on the horse...it's worth a shot!
Just throwin' it out there!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Dumpling Divas 2011

This past weekend was the annual Dumpling Divas Sister Weekend! What in the world is that, you ask? Well, I'll tell you! Ten years ago, my aunts and my mom decided we should all get together every year in July, around my grandmother's birthday, and just spend time with one another. So, every summer, my mom, her 3 sisters, me and my 2 sisters, my mom's stepmom and sometimes her sister, and varied best friends and in-laws get together and spend time reconnecting to one another and our history. Our name comes from the absolutely-to-die-for-delicious dumplings my great grandmother, MomMc, used to make. We've done different things throughout the years. Year one was the Willie Nelson concert in Dallas. We went to Galveston one year; we stayed in Sulphur, OK. 3 years; we even walked down the brick street and took pictures at the monument in Wills Point, and this year we got hotel rooms in Dallas and kept it simple! We didn't do much of anything special, but it doesn't even matter! I love my "Sisters!" We can lay around hotel rooms chatting or sit in the lobby watching the news for hours and it really doesn't matter! The absolute only thing missing is my grandma. It is always bittersweet for me.  I'm sure it's even more so for my mom and her sisters. But one thing is consistent and it is the sole reason I will do anything and everything I have to to make sure I am there each and every year. Every year I go home knowing what kind of incredibly strong and resilient women I come from. The things my mom and her sisters have been through would cause a lot people to buckle and fold. Not my family! They are survivors and I take so much strength and hope for the future from them. They have taught me how to laugh through adversity and to lean on my family when I can't stand on my own.  I am so greatly blessed to have the opportunity to spend such valuable time with my family each summer. I wish every woman had a group of "sisters" to refresh and renew them like I do.
To you and your "sisters," may you find strength and laughter in one another!

Just throwin' it out there!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Mark of the Lion Trilogy

While I am waiting for my new books to come in the mail, I decided I would give you a review of the series I just finished...for the 3rd time! I love historical fiction. I love to become so immersed in a story that I feel a part of it. I hate it when a great book ends. I also believe that if a book isn't worth reading again, it isn't worth reading at all!


This trilogy by Francine Rivers is nothing short of incredible. The first book in the series is "A Voice in the Wind." The story is set in 70 A.D. and opens at the destruction of Jerusalem. You meet Hadassah, a Jewish Christian in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover with her family. Francine gives great insight into the Roman Empire and the history surrounding this event. She weaves actual historical people in with fictional characters seamlessly. Hadassah becomes a slave of the Roman Empire and taken to Rome. She is purchased by a Jewish slave of the Valerian family. Marcus and Julia, the grown Valerian children, are as Roman as Roman can be. They worship the gods of the land, along with selfishness, wealth, and the games. Hadassah shows the family Christ's love for them in the way she selflessly serves them, with quiet dignity and love. She becomes an essential part of the family, especially for Marcus and Julia, though for very different reasons. We also meet Atretes. He is the chief of the Chatti from Germania. He is taken captive by a Roman legion and sent to Capua and then Rome to be a gladiator. He becomes the most celebrated gladiator Rome has ever seen. Hadassah's relationship with God is what all Christians would hope to have. Her perseverance and faithfulness is truly inspiring. 


In the second book of the trilogy, "An Echo in the Darkness," our main characters become entangled in one another's lives. Marcus desperately tries to hold on to the reality he grew up knowing, all the while, Hadassah shatters it without even knowing. Julia is obsessed with herself and her status. Though Hadassah prays for her unceaselessly, she continues in her depraved lifestyle. Atretes fights for his freedom and his life with every match, while becoming more of a prisoner than he ever thought possible. Because of Hadassah's faithfulness to the Valerians and God, miracles happen in that family that only He could have imagined possible. 


The final book of the series, "As Sure as the Dawn," follows Atretes back to Germania to find his tribe and resume the life he thought he wanted. He travels with Rizpah and Theophilus. God put these two people in Atretes life to help him find his way. He uses all the defenses he learned over his 10 years in captivity to fight what was happening in his heart and in his life. Atretes, Rizpah, and Theophilus battle all manner of evil when they reach the Chatti and have to rely on God in ways they never knew they could. This is truly a story of learning to depend on Christ for all our needs and letting Him go out before us to fight the battle. Our strength alone is never enough. 


These are three of my all-time favorite books. Each time I read them, I take away new insights and discover more about myself that I didn't know before. I believe that these books are essential reads for the Christian historical fiction lover as well as anyone interested in deepening their walk with Christ. I have a set if you want to borrow them!


Just throwin' it out there!

Friday, July 8, 2011

I. CAN'T. STOP. SCRATCHING!!!

Ok. Here it is. I stupidly did a laser hair removal repeat on my legs! For those of you that were around last time should remember that train wreck! Let me get to why this is a problem right now. I'm am trying to get this blog formatted the way I want.  A friend turned me on to a great website with awesome templates that would really knock your socks off. Trust me, I know! I'm still not to the problem yet. I have a terrible reaction to lasers. That's not something just anyone can say! One thing that helps take away the absolutely freaking insane itching is aloe vera with lidocaine. I have to use it NONSTOP!!! My hands are constantly covered in it! My work friends know that I'm working on my fancy shmancy new Macbook.  Since it isn't mine, I'm kinda concerned about using my aloe coated fingers to move around the mouse thing! So to make a long story short, I think I have to take a blog design hiatus for the next 3 days until this eases up. I know, I know. This is devastating news!  You'll just have to live with the design as is until I can get these itching extremities under control!

Just throwin' it out there!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Coming Soon!

For some crazy reason, ideas keep popping into my head about things I could blog about. Well, not ideas so much as titles for the posts! Mostly, the titles are just things I say a lot and could really cover most situations! Here are a few examples:
"Are you freakin' kidding me?" (that's my fave!)
"Seriously?"
"I will CUT you!"
"It's the best day eeeever!" (my favorite Spongebob song:)


Spongebob really has the best attitude and outlook! I think we can all learn a lot from him!


So, those of some of the titles I have come up with. I have NO CLUE what the posts will be about though!  


Jeremy also told me my book review was boring:( I knew it wasn't great, but it was the first one. I promise to make them more interesting in the future! I have 2 books in the mail-"Billy Graham in Quotes" and "The Awakening."  I read the book from yesterday on my computer. It was weird! There is just something about holding a book!


Also to come...I am going to start trying new churches in Forney and I'll let you know what I think. I have a church in WP, but it looks like I'm stuck here forever, so I need to start getting used to it! My prayer is to find a church home where we can thrive and grow as well as get more involved in our community and in helping others. I think I'm going to start with Lakepointe in Forney. (Not sure if I spelled it right!) I love that they are so involved in Forney. 


I'm also thinking about taking the 30 Books in 30 Days challenge from "The Book Whisperer" blog...we'll see! I sure like to nap in the afternoons...


Please leave a comment and let me know what you think :) 

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

A Place Called Blessing: Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins

I just finished "A Place Called Blessing." I had never heard of this author or the book before downloading it this afternoon. I was attracted to it because of the book description. The story is told in first person by it's main character, Josh.  Josh suffered a rough childhood and became orphaned, along with his two older brothers by the time he was four.  He recounts his experiences matter-of-factly leading up to a tragedy when he was six that forever changed his life and set him on a course for isolation and self dependence.  Fate intervened when he was nineteen and through the unconditional love and acceptance of complete strangers, Josh's world became one that was on the verge of normal for the first time in his life.  This is a beautifully told story told in a very conversational style.  It was a very easy and quick read. That is not to say, however, that it won't touch you deeply and will hopefully stir in your heart what it means to "bless" someone else.  This book gives a picture of a family living out Christ's love for us in a very real and practical way and I am glad it came my way.

Full Disclosure: This book was given to me through Book Sneeze and I, in return, must provide an honest feedback of my opinions and thoughts about this book.

Really???

Here's a little bounce house etiquette I picked up this morning. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to expect parents to halfway monitor their wild and out of control big kids when little kids are around! I get it, I really do! It's free play time. It's a break for parents. Kids will be kids. Kids need to learn how to play well with others. Yadda, yadda, yadda.  When your 7 year old jumps up as high as he can and lands on my 2 year old-on purpose mind you, and starts laughing, you should expect me to go nuts on him! 


Maybe it's my teacher control freak self coming out. Maybe it's my mama bear side coming out. Maybe, just maybe, it's the common courtesy of those around you coming out. Who's knows for sure, but this I do know; nobody messes with my kids!


Just throwin' it out there!


Be sure to click "follow" so you can keep up with me: ) I also just got my first E book, so look out for my first ever book review!