REJECTED BY A CHICKEN WITH A SOUL.....(?)

I just found out today that my doggy story wasn't chosen to be included in a new, upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul book. And what's truly odd about it is....I'm not even upset, disappointed or sad!! I'm so busy with other writing projects, speaking engagements, and Habitat for Humanity assignments, that I just thought...."oh well".....and went on about my day! Now that's what I call a great way to accept rejection!

** QUIT COUGHING ON OTHER PEOPLE!! **

I swear....some people are just plain dumb! I know that's not "politically correct" to say, but they really are!

Plain old-fashioned manners and courtesy tells a person to not cough all over someone else, and especially without covering their mouth!

While working at the check-out counter the other evening, 2 women (who were way old enough to know better!!) coughed all over me!! Neither one put their hand over their mouth or even said "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry!" One of them did begin to tell me about just receiving a "pneumonia shot".....Oh, that makes me feel even better about their germs flying through the air at warp speed directly at me!

Now, don't get me wrong.....I'm not germophobic....but it's just common sense and courtesy...and especially with the H1N1 (oink-oink) Flu going around....Come on people....geeez!

And truthfully......I woke up the next morning with that scratchy throat, sniffly, icky feeling that I get every time I'm beginning to get a cold....and I've been fighting it ever since! I'm just soooo tired...and in fact....I've been up for 4 whole hours and I think it's time for a nap.

** Update on Parks College & NASA Connection **

Earlier in my blog I wrote about my dad, James Lewellen, who graduated from Parks Aeronautical College in 1952, and also about Gene Kranz, graduate of 1954, who went on to NASA and had a major role in getting the astronauts safely back home during the Apollo 13 crisis.

I just discovered that my dad also had a very important role in NASA's history. He worked at Cape Canaveral during John Glenn's 2nd flight in 1998. (The comment around some family members' houses at that time was: "Who's older? Dad or John Glenn??")

It appears that dad was one of the few remaining computer guys around that could "read" old computer language and translate it into the modern. He moved around his desk and work areas on a scooter of some sort, because his health was already deteriorating.

Even though his body was slowing down, his mind was still brilliant.

* Brenda Warner speaks at "Divas Building Dreams" Kick-Off Breakfast!

Yesterday morning was the Kick-Off breakfast for the St. Charles County, Habitat for Humanity, "Divas Building Dreams" program....(Wow, what a mouthful that is!) It was an amazing morning. Kelly Brooks, Development Coordinator should be commended for all her work!

There were approximately 250 fabulous women, lots of yummy breakfast foods, plenty of hot coffee...<<< always a "must"....plus attendance prizes and great speakers.

(We "divas" will be building a home this summer for a well deserving single mom and her young daughter. The tentative work schedule as of today is: Pouring of foundation, etc. on May 4, 2009, to Dedication Ceremony on August 30, 2009.) http://www.habitatstcharles.org/ There's still time to join!

The keynote speaker was Brenda Warner, wife of NFL quarterback Kurt Warner. She gave a wonderful speech about her life as a young girl, to her hard luck days as a single mom, to her extraordinary life now. She was so gracious and stayed afterwards signing autographs and having her picture taken with divas. I also gave her an autographed copy of "Chicken Soup for the Soul; Love Stories" with a bookmark in my story's page telling her it was because she and Kurt had such a wonderful love story.

She and Kurt sponsor "Kurt Warner's First Things First Foundation" which helps many people in many ways. Please check out their website http://www.kurtwarner.org/

** Another Speaking Engagement **

My next speaking engagement will be at Castlio Elementary School in St. Charles, Missouri, on May 8, 2009. The school is having Career Day and I will be one of various speakers.

This time I'll only talk to each class for approximately 15 minutes, and there are 7 classes, so I won't be there the entire school day, like at Duchesne!

I still have other appointments in the works with schools, before their school year is over.

** NEW MOONRISE HOTEL - DELMAR LOOP

Ron and I attended the VIP Party at the Moonrise Hotel this evening. (We ran into "Sir Smashington" from KLOU, 103.3 FM radio & also Katy Kruze from K-Hits, 96.3 FM radio.)Newly opened and owned by Joe Edwards, the man who single-handedly transformed Delmar & The Loop area of University City (St. Louis) Missouri. Everything about the Moonrise Hotel is First Class, from the moment you walk in the front door. Outstanding employees welcome you with smiles and greetings....Awesome dining areas....guest rooms....etc. Cool decor, all with the moon theme. The food buffets were beautiful and full of fabulous food! I'll post more pictures as soon as I can. The photo here is one of the lovely rooms that were open for viewing. I can't wait to actually stay there some time. The mattress is about 12" deep and I'm sure it is the most comfortable mattress made! Thanks to Joe Edwards and Kathryn Jamboretz for the invitation! We really appreciate it!
www.moonrisehotel.com

** I FELT LIKE A TEACHER! **

Today was the day I spoke to 6 different English Literature classes at Duchesne High School in St. Charles, Mo. I was asked to speak about "going for your dream", which I had perfect material for....both with my "late start" in writing, and my son Mark's desire to go to Wash U in St. Louis.

I really enjoyed talking to the kids and I don't think I bored any of them too terribly!
After I was finished talking, a few kids had questions, which also showed they were at least paying attention!

At the end, too, I handed out 2 papers to each student. One consisted of various writer websites, such as http://www.writersgazette.com/ and http://www.writersdigest.com/ . I also included websites and information about Saturday Writers and SLWG.

I told the kids to be sure and check out my blog, and to e-mail me when they get something published.

I'll be going back another day before the school year is over to speak to a different group of English students. One of the genres they are learning is writing for newspapers, so that will be lots of fun!

GOOFY FABRICATED NAMES

I've been kind of down in the dumps the past couple of days, and that is SO unlike me! I e-mailed my fabulous friend, Tammy, and told her we need to start making up silly names for ourselves again, like we used to do. She and I can come up with some really comical ones, but some of our favorites are actual names we've seen in newspapers, etc.

Here's one I thought up just moments ago: Snigglefarts Bustapants

Thanks Tammy, also, for suggesting I write about my "issues". Duh! Why didn't I think of that? But I won't be posting them here for all to see....I guess you'll have to wait for my book to come out .... :-)

Just having supportive friends can help women get through anything!