* Thin Threads Continue to Connect *

Late last night I wrote about having an amazing, magical, serendipitous day. (I always think of you, Lisa, when I hear or use that "S" word!) ☺

When I woke up this morning, I realized I can't write about it yet. I need to hold it in my heart a while longer. Then, maybe, I can possibly share it.

**NOTE** My friend, writer, and blog buddy, Donna Volkenannt, wrote a beautiful post on her blog this morning about (what was just) the beginning of my serendipitous day yesterday, which she witnessed and was part of! Please hop on over and read it. Donna said it all much better than I could have! Thank you, Donna. I'm really glad you wrote it and said such nice things about me, too.


I do have a new call for submissions that I can share! Kiwi Publishing has a new book in the works for their Thin Threads Series and they need your stories! It's called Women and Friendship. Doesn't that just have OUR names in it already?! Deadline for submissions is March 1, 2011, so no need to fret about having enough time, especially in the midst of holiday celebrations. No submission fee and if your story is chosen, you receive $100.00.

Please meet: Mary Jones. Mary is a writer and motivational speaker. Mary has her own radio show, does podcasts & TV segments & hosts workshops. I just "met" Mary and she will be working with Kiwi Publishing on this book. I know she will be wonderful to work with! Here's info from Mary's website about Thin Threads:

We invite you to contribute a true story or anecdote that will bring hope and happiness to all those who realize the possibility in each moment. We are looking for personal stories (800-1200 words) that are real, capture the essence of a thin thread event, and evoke an emotion from the reader. Events related to friendship that changed you forever.

Friends hold a deep, special bond and connection for women. We are looking for your story. A story from your heart. A story that will bring a smile or tear to others. For example, the story of how a friend was a lifeline for you, or a story about your life at a time that you realized the power, strength or value of a woman friendship.

I've also gotten to know Stacey Battat really well through our numerous e-mails and recent phone calls! Stacey is co-founder of Kiwi Publishing and is the President and Editor-in-Chief of the Thin Threads series.

I just love the definition of thin threads:"Moments, events, setbacks, crossroads or encounters that connect us to a person, place or opportunity and change our lives for the better." (As I said, those thin threads have really been weaving their magic around and through me lately!)

"Follow your bliss. If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living." -- Joseph Campbell

* A Serendipitous Day! *

♫♪ What a day this has been! What a rare mood I'm in!
Why, it's almost like being in love!
There's a smile on my face for the whole human race!
Why, it's almost like being in love!
All the music of life seems to be like a bell that is ringing for me!
And from the way that I feel when that bell starts to peal,
I could swear I was falling, I would swear I was falling,
It's almost like being in love. ♫♪

Today was such an amazing day. I honestly need to reflect on it some more and then maybe try to write about it tomorrow. It was as if one magical thing after another happened to and/or around me. I'd say there were definitely some Thin Threads moments going on!

"What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now." Unknown

* Microfiction Monday *

It's Microfiction Monday, where a tale is told in 140 characters or less. Thanks to Susan at Stony River for continuing to host this delightful writing challenge. Here is this week's picture and my story to go with it:

"Okay. Listen to my idea. It's for a reality show. My wife here can wrestle with wild bulls."

"Huh? What's a "reality" show?"

If you're interested in joining this little writing party, click on Susan's link above. I haven't participated in quite a long time, and I'm glad to be back. (I came up with 123 characters.)

P.S. Today is Louisa May Alcott's birthday. How many of us immersed ourselves into the lives of Little Women?!

* Sunday Night Random Thoughts *

First of all, I apologize again for neglecting my blog friends. I've been terrible at visiting and commenting, and I KNOW it is definitely something that I can fit into EVERY day! I'm getting closer to having a handle on my time management!! It's a necessity!!

(courtesy: wickedreport.com)

Thanksgiving Day and the entire weekend was truly enjoyable. Food, fun, friends, family and football! Hurray for the Rams' victory today!

I have sold all 10 Thin Threads books, (thank you all so very much!) and have ordered 20 more. I will continue to offer the free shipping anywhere in the US and Canada, until Friday, December 3rd. Please keep that in mind if you're considering buying any. I received an order over the weekend for one that will be a Christmas gift. I was asked to sign it to that person, which I thought was really special.

I actually did get some writing accomplished over the weekend, too. I've got so much going on right now that I feel like I'm.....

 

But, hey.....that's what life is all about, right?! I'm working on completing my book. I'm attempting to submit to more anthologies. I've taken on the position of president of Saturday Writers....I really do like challenges, so I'm definitely up for the part.

And, as the king in The King and I would say......Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera!


"Writing is my time machine, takes me to the precise time and place I belong." -- Jeb Dickerson"

* Can You Say STUFFED? *

Just a short post again today.....

The Ronald and I had a wonderful time yesterday. Since we had our family Thanksgiving last Saturday, we went to our dear friends' (S&B) home for dinner yesterday. We arrived at 1:00pm and a scrumptious meal was served. (I LOVE being the guest and not the hostess!) We sat and talked, watched football on tv, ate some more, sat some more, talked more, etc...you get the idea! A wonderful day!

You can listen to the beautiful Vienna Boys Choir on my blog today. I felt Christmasy and thought their angelic voices would be the perfect music for the day after Thanksgiving.

Now, I'm off to perform many tasks and already know I will enjoy every one of them....because I feel so thankful and blessed! (And yes...a very important, at the top of the list, task is: WRITING!)

(photo from December 2009, but it's cold enough for a fire today!)

"Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles." -- Author Unknown

* Thanksgiving Day - 2010 *

Happy Thanksgiving!!

** The Thin Threads Books Are Here! **

Yesterday evening that Big Brown Truck drove down my street and I mentally told it to stop at my house....and guess what? It did! UPS delivered my box of books from Kiwi Publishing! I felt like a kid at Christmas time, waiting for and then receiving that most anticipated gift.

I'll sign the books that have been ordered from me and get them mailed as soon as I can. This is the list of names I have, and if I've forgotten anyone PLEASE let me know! Lynn O. Teri S. Kathy M. Sioux R. and OJ G-C. (I feel as if I AM forgetting someone. I should've written all the names on ONE piece of paper!)

Kiwi Publishing is also offering a *special* on the Thin Threads site. Buy at least one book and receive a 10% discount, plus FREE shipping. Those books would ship directly from their warehouse, so I wouldn't be able to sign them. Their offer is good through 12/31/2010.

So, here are the two possibilities:

Order from me, pay full price of $17.95, receive free shipping, and I will autograph and donate $5.00 per book to my local Habitat for Humanity office.

*Order from Thin Threads* pay $16.15, receive free shipping, and I will still donate $5.00 per book. IF YOU DO ORDER DIRECTLY FROM THIN THREADS, CONTACT ME FIRST, SO I CAN GIVE YOU THE DISCOUNT CODE.

After meeting Tara and becoming involved in Habitat for Humanity, I can't tell you how much it means to me to be able to help, even in a small way. There are wonderful stories in this anthology and would truly make a very thoughtful gift during the holidays. And with Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I think all of us who are using a computer and blogging, have a decent place to live.

“The goal of this organization is to make sure that all families have a good place to live. To accomplish that ambitious goal, decent and good housing must become the hearts’ desire of committed and generous people. Substandard housing must become socially, religiously, morally and politically unacceptable.” — The late Millard Fuller, Habitat for Humanity Founder

* No Leftovers! *

Thanks to everyone who left such nice comments about our family Thanksgiving yesterday. This morning, I'm kind of dragging. LOL. We had a great time. The weather was nice enough that The Ronald was able to "play" outside with all the grandkids, which is what he really looks forward to! There were only 10 grandkids this year!! Two of them weren't able to attend!! Not sure when my text post will be, because I'm also trying to get back to writing my book! Baby steps, Joe.....baby steps. ☺

(courtesy: theroguecookie.com)

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~ G.K. Chesterton