What You've Been Waiting For

So I know all of you are waiting to hear how the conference went. Well...it was wonderful! I got to meet so many different people, received free books, listened to great speakers, and had some blessed meetings with agents and editors alike. I can't wait until next year!

 
Also, thanks to a very special couple my mom and I got to go to the St. Louis Cardinals game for free. God's blessings are rich and abundant.

Can you spot Ronald McDonald in the picture to the left?

I was also reminded again why I enjoy road trips so much, but I'll share more about that later. ;)

The Horseless Carriage Experience

We got to take our horseless carriage down a couple cobble stone streets in downtown St. Louis. Ain't that the coolest!? I blame it on the GPS, but as before, I really didn't mind. :) I'm loving the scenery.

One more day 'til the ACFW Conference!

Not Again!

I've graduated. Not from school. (Okay yes, I did but that was years ago.) No, I've graduated up from the paint can. Yep. That's right. I used a shoe, believe it or not. :) But really, I'd be nuts to swing a paint can at a scorpion on my wall. Well, at least when he's half way up a wall of Sheetrock. (If you missed the paint can story - here's the link.)

Am I the only one having these troubles? Or am I the only one crazy enough to admit I have the strangest exterminator habits in Southeast Texas? :)

P.S. Just FOUR DAYS until I make tracks for Missouri! I can hardly wait! I shall try to post pictures and keep up with my blog while I'm gone - but I make no promises. :)

Can You Find It?

I've added another feature to my web page/blog. Can you find it? Here's a hint - work from the top down.
If and when you do, post a comment with your answer, so those who've never dropped by won't be in the dark. :)

P.S. Just Six more days til I leave for the ACFW conference. Oh and Thursday expect another post called "Not Again!" I made myself laugh just writing it (but I'm weird like that :) ). I hope it'll do the same for you.

Timber!

I've found much to be thankful for this past week. On Sunday night, this is what I came home to:

Now, I have a few trees that are dead that wouldn't surprise me if they fell. However, this tree was GREEN! It wasn't suppose to fall!

Nevertheless, I was very thankful for three things:
     1. The lumberjack wind didn't send the towering timber onto any of my outbuildings. :)
     2. My driveway wasn't blocked. (That wouldn't have been fun at all)
     3. It's an oak tree that can be burned in a wood burning stove or fireplace (A pine would only be useful years down the road when it turns into rich pine.)

As you can see, you can always find the good if you look for it. If you're game, leave a comment about some of the good you've looked for and found this week. I'd love to hear it.

Another Step

There are many steps to go from writer to published author. I'm learning more about this fact everyday. My newest lesson: critiques. God is stretching me and pushing me to allow my work to be critiqued by others and be willing to do the same for them. Do you have any idea how terrifying it is to open yourself up to criticism?

The strangest thing happened though when I received back my first critique and started reading - I smiled. :) I enjoyed it. My writing, my story, my offering to God and others will be better for the advice I receive from my "critiquers". Therefore, I am thankful for the stretching and pushing and pulling because it's making me grow as a writer and as a person.

Four, Three, Two, Won

Four Scorpions ... Three Dead.
Two Copperheads ... I Won!

My-O-My have I had a busy week, although not in the way I expected. Seriously, those are the stats for the past 7 days. If I keep this up I'll have to note Kritter Killin' as a side business. (Yikes!) I'm praying for rain so these varmints will find somewhere else to search for the liquid gold. Until then...I better sharpen my shovel. :)

P.S. Next week I'll share a little more on the newest step in my writer's journey.