Friday, April 30, 2010

** This 'n That on a Friday Afternoon **

I've decided it's redundant to start any of my blog posts by saying things like, "I've had a couple of really busy days lately", because that's pretty much how it always is!

Here's my "This 'n That" for today.

First: I've been trying to avoid reading all my blog buddies' blogs, since I'm working on my book so much more now, but I decided that I need that connection! I need to leave comments and let my friends know I'm thinking of them. And I need them to do the same for me! I was kind of "blah" yesterday, and couldn't really put my finger on why....although there were a couple of things I was aware of.....but this morning, I knew it was about my blog friends! Thank you all for being who you are. You're all wonderful people, or else I wouldn't like you! 

Second: Somehow, somewhere, I recently came across a fantastic site for writers. It is jam packed with "Open Submissions" and a lot of it is for Christian writers, which I know some of you are. There are also other genres, too. When you're there, be sure to click on "Home" and "Submission Deadlines".  You'll be amazed at the variety and quantity.

ThirdPatchwork Path Books has a Call Out for "Mom" stories. Deadline June 30 and is a paying anthology. Click on link to learn more.

Fourth:  For any teachers, scrapbookers, moms, etc. who like fun, educational toys, school supplies, stickers, etc....you can find it all at Best Teacher Supply in O'Fallon, Missouri. Since this store isn't very far from my home, I was fortunate enough to visit it and go "Ga-Ga". (and I don't mean that strange girl singer!) I discovered the store has been there for YEARS and somehow it hasn't been very well known, ....at least by us "general public" kind of people! I found it by Googling award certificates that I needed to purchase for the Saturday Writers 3rd & 4th Grade Writers Contest. (Remember the 42 million certificates I had to write on?? Well, that's where I got them. The certificates were very good quality, the customer service was excellent....all in all a great store!

Fifth: Wednesday was an absolutely perfect day! Perfect weather, perfect driving conditions, and I had perfectly wonderful visits with two perfectly wonderful people! (My apologies. I just couldn't think of any better word than "perfect"!) My first stop was at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation & Technology.....part of St. Louis University, in St. Louis. I stopped by to visit Susan B. and pick up some photos of my dad she had borrowed last year. (If you're new to my blog, and would like to know more about this, go to my 2009 blogs: Parks College, Part of SLU 4/8/09, Update on Parks & NASA 4/29/09, Sentimental Journey 9/26/09)

After our visit, I drove to University City (right next to St. Louis) to have dinner with my son, Mark. I got there a little early, so I sat outside the Bread Co. which is near his apartment building. I drank iced tea, watched the people and cars go by, wrote a few notes, checked my e-mail and blogged a little on my Blackberry! He and I went to the Pasta House for dinner...one of his favorite places. That poor guy ate like he hadn't eaten in days! He said he's been living on PBJ's, Cheezits and frozen pizzas, which didn't surprise me one bit! We had a great time talking about a variety of things. Next stop: a shoe store where I bought him a pair of flip-flops and a pair of Sketchers. (He could practically pull his shoe apart, by the huge tear in it!) Final stop: grocery store and only bought enough items to use the Self Check Out!
See? Didn't I tell ya it was a perfect day??!!

Sixth: The Weather Channel is predicting quite a wacky weekend for a large part of the Midwest, my area included. I hope they are all wrong, because I certainly do not want to climb out of my basement and say to my beloved dog,....."Tiger, I don't think we're in Missouri anymore." If I do have to run downstairs, I'm taking my laptop, some Diet Pepsi and Tiger! And, if Ron, my hubby, is home...I'll have to drag him down with us, because he doesn't seem to believe in Tornado Warnings!

Guess that's it for now! I hope I haven't bored y'all to death. If you started to nod off, though, I'm sure you just went on to a different blog.....that's what I would do!!  (Even after all this, I feel as if I've forgotten something I wanted to "say"....Oh well....I can always add it later!)

"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams." -- Ashley Smith

*footnote: But not too much wind, please!*

24 comments:

  1. Wow! Lots of stuff today. :)

    I'm glad to see you had a great time with your son. Hopefully the weird weather doesn't hit your area.

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  2. That is one info packed blog post. Thanks! I will visit the links you provided.

    I'm glad you're visiting blogs again. I did notice your absence and hoped nothing was wrong. Glad nothing was. :)

    I can totally relate to your visit with your son. Mine lives in Florida (Sarasota, 15 minutes from the beach, the brat)so I don't get to see him that often. You're lucky to have your guy close!

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  3. Hope we are all spared that turbulent weather. So far on the west side of state, it is only a gentle, steady rain (and chilly again). I hope the "severe" stuff stays away.
    We are to meet St.Louis friends at Roaring River for fishing Sunday...not looking good for that! You have a good weekend, Becky!

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  4. Hi Becky! It's hard not to look at all your friends blogs. Sometimes I have time to comment and sometimes I don't, but it doesn't mean I don't care. Have a great weekend!

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  5. Sounds like an eventful week. And I'm kinda like your hubby on the tornado warning siren. My first reaction is to go outside and look for a tornado. Haven't found one yet! (And I hope I don't!)

    Pat
    www.critteralley.blogspot.com

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  6. Thanks, Becky. You are a sweetie. Thanks, especially, for the Christian writers blog. I will definitely check that out. You are very humorous. Make sure you don't forget hubby if you hunker down in the basement at tornado time! Take care and have a great night. Sincerely, Susan

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  7. I loved reading about your perfect day-I thought those were like an urban myth or something.:-)

    (P.S. Thanks for all the lovely links-I should get busy!)

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  8. Hi Becky, woosh a full day for you. Hope the weather skirted around you. We dodged the bullit here so far. There is a blog on my sidebar I think you'd like. It's called Life At The Altar. Take a peek! Hugs, Mollye

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  9. Hi Becky! Thanks for all the great links! We had some heavy rain and wind here last night overnight. It knocked down a couple of big branches out of one of our trees, but no damage otherwise. Hope all is well there.

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  10. Hi Janel! Thanks! Yes, I had a great time with my son. And, fortunately, no bad storms here at all last night. There were some in a couple of counties south of us, though. Tonight is supposed to be Round Two! :[

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  11. Hi Lisa! Awww, it's nice to know I was missed! :D
    And as I said, I missed y'all, too!
    I do know how lucky I am to have Mark so close. All our sons live nearby, which is really nice. Florida is a neat place, but it's too bad your son is so far away. I'm sure you miss him!

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  12. Hi Claudia! I hope you didn't have any damaging weather, and that you'll be able to go on your fishing trip tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. Hi Lynn! Thanks! And "ditto"! Sometimes, there just isn't enough time.....Hey, get out that spare minute I gave to everyone! :)

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  14. Hi Pat! I'm kind of a "closet tornado chaser" myself! Although, once I hear the sirens, my daringness (is that a word?!) goes down to the basement with me! I live vicariously through the storm chasers on TV!

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  15. Hi Susan! Thanks! Luckily, we didn't have to venture down to the basement last night. We barely had any rain, thunder or lightening, at all. I'm glad, too, for Tiger's sake. She gets so upset! :(

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  16. Hi Cathy C.! Yeah, those perfect days are pretty few and far between! I really hope you and many others have good luck with some of those writers' sites! Keep me posted!

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  17. Hi Mollye! Good to hear you dodged the bullit on the weather! Here, too! Thanks for the blog suggestion! I will definitely give it a peek! Hugs back at ya! :)

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  18. Hi Daisy! I'm sorry you had some rain and wind damage, but glad it wasn't TOO bad! Hope tonight won't be stormy for ANY of us, out here in Blog Land!

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  19. Your perfect days are busy days. Hope you have a perfect week.

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  20. I hope you don't get tornadoed!! It must be crazy to live somewhere where that is a real threat.

    I know what you mean about being busy - and about needing to reach out and connect with people, however many other things might be going on at the same time. I always have other stuff I 'should' be doing, but I always find time for this too ;)

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  21. Becky,
    I never bore reading your words.. Glad to call you my friend.
    Remember To Breathe !!!
    The Turtle Lady

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  22. Hi Linda! Thanks! I hope you have a perfect week, too!

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  23. Hi Rachel! Thanks so much! No, we didn't get tornadoed! The weather people tend to dramatize it much more than necessary! We barely had any rain or wind at all where I live. It's really not that bad here in Missouri, but thanks for thinking of me!! No need to worry! And yes, we must keep up with our friends, whether they're our next-door-neighbors, or our far-away blog friends!! Have a great week!

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  24. Hey Turtle Lady! Thank you, my dear. I'm very happy to call you my friend, as well. Yes,I'm trying to remember to B-r-e-a-t-h-e!

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