* THE JOURNEY OF LIFE *

After reading a beautiful and inspiring post over at Julie's A Thought Grows, I decided to post mainly quotes today. My regular visitors know how much I love them: funny ones, serious ones, uplifting and inspiring ones. 

Julie's blog post is about mountain climbing and writing.....and oh yes, I definitely agree they are similar!

~~~

"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it." -- Greg Anderson

"Too often we are so preoccupied with the destination, we forget the journey." -- Unknown

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -- Annie Dillard

"The journey between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life really takes place." -- Barbara DeAngelis

"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it." -- Jean de la Fontaine

"You should live every day like it's your last day because one day you're gonna be right." -- Ray Charles

~~~

It took me quite a few years to realize that life is about The Journey, and not The Destination. 

How about you? Do you have a favorite quote about life you'd like to share?

* Tea Cup Tuesday *

Welcome to a Tea Cup Tuesday! This weekly meme is hosted by Terri at Artful Affirmations and Martha of Martha's Favorites. 

I think it's been at least a year since I participated in Tea Cup Tuesdays. My blog is obviously not about decorating or tableware, but I do love tea cup sets, and tea pots, etc. So, I decided today was the day to take part in it again. I'm reposting part of one from May of 2010.

Below is one of my favorites, even though I couldn't possibly drink anything from it!

This is an adorable little set I bought years ago from one of those "Home Decorator" parties that women hosted in their homes. I don't remember the name of it, at the moment, but this was not their typical item, and must've been available for a certain period of time.

They are miniature in size. The cups and saucers are attached and are approximately one inch high, and the cup is one and a half inches wide. The tea pot is about 3-1/2 inches high and the tiny lid actually comes off.

They appear to be crocheted out of heavy white thread and are highly starched....thus keeping their shapes!
I especially fell in love with them, because in addition to my love of tea pots and tea cup sets, they reminded me so much of some starched knick-knacks my *maternal grandma* had in her curio cabinets....one being, in particular, of a crocheted high heel shoe!

* I wrote about my magical summer vacations at grandma's house in my soon to be released memoir, "From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More"




* Welcome to my newest follower Tammy. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! *




"Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet, than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years." -- Richard Bach

* Cover Reveal for Julie Flanders *

I'm very happy to take part in the cover reveal of Julie Flanders' debut novel ~ Polar Night

Julie is a writer blog friend who is always so supportive of others and I'm grateful that somehow our paths crossed. Please take a moment to read the book blurb and feel free to leave a comment directed to Julie. She'll be stopping by later. 

Book Blurb: When Detective Danny Fitzpatrick leaves his hometown of Chicago and moves to Fairbanks, Alaska he wants nothing more than to escape the violence and heartbreak that left his life in pieces. Numbed by alcohol and the frozen temperatures of an Alaskan winter, Danny is content with a dead-end job investigating Fairbanks' cold cases. That all changes when a pretty blond woman goes missing on the winter solstice, and Danny stumbles upon some surprising connections between her disappearance and that of another Fairbanks woman three years earlier. Forced out of his lethargy, Danny sets out to both find the missing woman and solve his own cold case.

The investigation points Danny towards Aleksei Nechayev, the handsome and charming proprietor of an old asylum turned haunted tourist attraction in the Arctic town of Coldfoot. As he tries to find a link between Nechayev and his case, Danny's instinct tells him that Nechayev is much more than what he seems.

Danny has no idea that Nechayev is hiding a secret that is much more horrifying than anything he could ever have imagined. As his obsession with finding the missing women grows, Danny finds his own life in danger. And when the truth is finally revealed, the world as he knows it will never be the same.

Bio: Julie Flanders is a librarian and a freelance writer who has written for both online and print publications. She is an avid animal lover and shares her home in Cincinnati, Ohio with her dog and cat. Polar Night, a suspense thriller with a supernatural twist, is her first novel. It will be published by Ink Smith Publishing on February 7, 2013. Find Julie online at her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

* I NEED HELP! I'M LOSING MY MIND! *

Many of us have blogged about having difficulty remembering things. I'm referring to our short-term memory: Major things. Minor things. Dates, appointments, e-mails, phone calls, errands that need to be completed, particular items from the grocery store, etc.

I'm constantly apologizing for forgetting, too. Even when I write notes....they get covered up with papers, they don't make it to my purse, they don't get written on the calendar. I drive myself nuts! I don't know what the answer is. 

Does anyone have a system that works for them??

Here's one of my latest and funniest memory lapses:
I made quite a few Christmas cut-out cookies last month and used the Two Christmas Sprinkle Colors on them: Red and Green.

These are from my 2011 cookies.

Since I was making dozens and dozens of cookies, I began to run out of one of the colors. I knew which color it was, but when I got to the grocery aisle and began looking at the colors, I never could remember.....and, of course I'd forgotten to write it down! 

So, first trip to store, I came home with Red Sprinkles, which resulted in 1-1/2 containers of Red, and only the 1/4 container of Green. Oooh, I was aggravated at myself!

A few days later, I'm back at the store, and this time I'd even written the color on my list, which I forgot and left on the kitchen island. Again, I stand and look at the colors. Again, I'm not sure. I buy another container of Red! 

So, at home I had 2-1/2 containers of Red and still the one, lonely 1/4 container of Green!

I stopped even trying after that. I managed to do fine with the Green I had, and I'll have plenty of Red for Valentine's Day, and everything else right up to Christmas cookies of 2013!

(As I've said before, it's a very good thing my Long-Term Memory is amazing since I write about my memories!)


* What forgetful things have you done recently?? Am I ready for the Loony Bin, or am I "sort of" normal?! *




"Life must go on; I forget just why." -- Edna St. Vincent Millay

* DOG BOOKS AND BOOK BABY *

And the winner is......

I drew names out of a hat last night and the winner of NYMB...On Dogs is Joanne Fox! And how appropriate, because I just noticed this morning that Joanne has a gorgeous dog, Harvey, who wrote her most recent blog post! :)

Thanks to everyone who participated. I hope to have more give-aways again this year. Especially since The Ronald and I really will be moving one of these days, I need to get rid of a lot of stuff!  

~~~

I have a writer friend who is considering publishing her book on Book Baby. She asked if I knew anything about it, and my answer was no. I've heard of it, but that's all. Has anyone had experience with them, or knows of someone? Please leave comments or e-mail me, whether the experience was good or bad. 

~~~

* Welcome to my newest follower Patricia, who keeps up with four blogs! (She's a very talented artist, among many other talents! I know her from Treasure Barn. If you click on that link, and check out her profile page, you'll find her other blogs.) I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! *

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? I thought I was the only one."-- C.S. Lewis

* Calling All Writers *

Recently I've come across various Calls for Submissions and Contests for Writers. You don't have to be a professional, published writer, either. That's the best part. So, come on everyone, give it a try, especially the ones that are free to enter. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!

Chicken Soup for the Soul:  (You'll find all the info you need when you click this link) *As always, Chicken Soup does not charge a fee to submit your stories, and below are their current anthologies with deadlines approaching.

Devotional Stories for Wives 

The deadline date for submissions is February 28, 2013.

Holiday Stories 
The deadline date for story submissions is February 28, 2013.

Lemons to Lemonade 
The deadline date for story and poem submissions is February 28, 2013.

Messages from Heaven: Love Never Dies 

The deadline date for story and poem submissions is March 31, 2013.

Multitasking Mom's Survival Guide 
The deadline for story and poem submissions is June 30, 2013.

~~~

These next ones came from Lynda Schab's blog On The Write Track. I asked Lynda's permission to share these and she "Sure, Becky!" One of the things I like about these is that they're wholesome places to submit. Example: the Romance Short Stories is for an anthology and says they're looking for: "Clean, sweet, wholesome romances. No steamy love scenes, no erotica. We want clean, sweet, beautiful stories. (and) If it has a natural Christian element to the story, that's great, but it is not a requirement."    Go to Lynda's blog for complete information!

*Romance Short Stories
*The "JOY" Contest
*ACFW Genesis Contest 
*FaithWriters Page Turner Contest 
*FaithWriters Paid Blogging Contest
*FaithWriters Writing Challenge 
*Highlights for Children

(some of these have fees, others are free)

~~~

How many of you get the weekly Writer Gazette E-Newsletter? It's loaded with all kinds of info, and there's a complete list of contests and calls for submissions on their website. 

~~~

Okay, here's a really cool anthology for us women who grew up in the 60s and/or 70s. Times They Were A Changing I've been reading about this for MONTHS, and still have not submitted anything. Well...it's now or never for me...and all of you, because the deadlines is THIS TUESDAY! THE 15TH!  They're accepting poetry and prose. Click on the link for full details. 

~~~

* Welcome to my newest follower Teresa Coltrin of Journaling Woman. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! *

~~~

One more thing, since I  haven't had a give-away in a long, long time.... (Didn't I at one time, have a give-away once every month??)

I'll have one today! All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post.

Don't have to be a follower or any other rules. I'll choose a winner by random drawing, and the winner will receive.....a copy of the new anthology, "Not Your Mother's Book...On Dogs." A story of mine is included, titled, "Rocky Loses by a TKO."

Everyone is eligible.....Even my around the world blog friends!!  

I'll draw the winning name on Tuesday the 15th at midnight. 

Winner will be posted on Wednesday, the 16th. 

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -- C.S. Lewis

Blazing the Trail of Cosmetics

It was as if I came up with the idea for the flux capacitor! 

~~~

How many of you put on your makeup while standing at your bathroom sink or vanity, looking into the mirror on the wall?

I stopped doing that a long time ago...because I couldn't see that far! Yeah, sad isn't it?

So, now I sit and use a table top mirror positioned about 6 inches from my face. (Not magnified, though. Unfortunately, that side of the mirror shows way too many lines and wrinkles.)

So, just the other day, as I opened up my tube of L'Oreal Eva Longoria lipstick, (which I've had for a long time because I hardly ever wear lipstick) it occurred to me how crazy the world of cosmetics is. 

I'm sure many women buy a certain brand of makeup or perfume just because of whose name is on it. Not me! I buy the cheapest lipstick that has the shade I want. I buy a fairly inexpensive liquid makeup that's the shade I think looks best on me. 

So, as I looked at Eva's fancy signature imprinted on the lipstick's plastic tube, I had a brain storm. Someone should come up with an entire line of beauty products for ladies, ahem..."of a certain age" and it should be named after Erma Bombeck!!

How about.....?

"Erma's Elixir"

"Ms. Bombeck's Magic"

"Queen Erma's Quick Fix"

Everyone join in! What names can you come up with?

(Mine aren't very good, so I'm hoping for some real doozies!) This post is obviously geared toward women, but men can join in, too!

~~~

* Welcome to my newest follower John. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! *

~~~

And, of course, I'm ending with all Erma quotes...

"Sometimes I can't figure designers out. It's as if they flunked human anatomy." 

"In two decades I've lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet."

"It's frightening to wake up one morning and discover that while you were asleep you went out of style."

* Another Trip Around the Sun *

It's finally here.... A Really BIG Birthday. 

image: www.kauffmanpost.com

I didn't have to buy my own birthday cake. The Ronald bought one for me! Plus helium balloons! 

Happy Birthday, also to my blog friend Rachel Cotterill.

"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened." -- Jennifer Yane

"In childhood we yearn to be grown-ups. In old age we yearn to be kids. It just seems that all would be wonderful if we didn't have to celebrate our birthdays in chronological order." -- Robert Brault

"I'm 60 years of age. That's 16 Celsius." -- George Carlin

Yep, those quotes just about say it all!

Writing Books and Sequels

Well, I've resigned myself to the fact that I won't be reaching my Kickstarter Project goal. Although I'm disappointed, it's certainly not going to keep me from publishing my memoir! It will just take longer than I'd hoped for. 

Have I mentioned that I'm just in the beginning stage of writing a sequel to my memoir? I have so many stories yet to tell and it just wouldn't work to include them all in one book.

image from Google

I fiddled around with a couple of possible titles for it, and then it occurred to me too, that if readers like the first book enough, and the second book, maybe I could write a third, and thus have a series. But, my focus right now, of course, is publishing From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More.

Here's the titles I came up with today for possible sequel(s).

From High Heels to Old Lady Shoes: A Memoir & More.

From Spiked Heels to Sensible Shoes: A Memoir & More.

From Skate Keys to Car Keys: A Memoir & More.

I'd love to know your thoughts and ideas on any of this. Please leave a comment! 

~~~

Welcome to my newest followers: Angela Atkinson and Bethany Myers. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see!  

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -- Helen Keller

Hello and Welcome to 2013

No, I didn't welcome 2013 with an alcoholic drink, 

but I'm taking on Maxine's attitude for the year

because this is the year for 60th Birthdays

for myself and most of my school-age friends.

I just happen to be the one born the earliest in 1953,

and I'm happy to lead the way in Celebrating our Sixties!

The following song lyrics just popped into my head and I think they'll be my 2013 Theme Song because no matter what I do this year, especially pertaining to my writing or publishing, "I got to keep on moving"!

Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride
Nobody's gonna slow me down, oh-no 
I got to keep on moving
Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride
I'm running and I won't touch ground 
Oh-no, I got to keep on moving

~~

Matthew Wilder

Please don't forget my Kickstarter Project ends on my birthday, January 6th. If you can help in any way, I'm very grateful.