I'VE BEEN TAGGED....... BY THREE FRIENDS!

Thanks to three of my blog buddies, (two of which I know in person) I have been tagged in the Writerly Blog Chain that's been hopping around the blogosphere. Thank you so much to Pat Wahler of Critter Alley, Debora Rorvig of Whatsoever Things Are Lovely, and Sheree Nielsen of Sheree's Warm Fuzzies.

Please take a minute to stop by these three lovely ladies' blogs, because they've already answered the questions that I must now answer. They are wonderful writers: sometimes funny, sometimes thoughtful and serious-minded, and always the "real deal." I'm grateful for their friendship.  

Okay, I've been asked to answer four questions about my writing process, then tag two other writers to do the same, which I'll do at the end of this post. I'll make this as short and sweet as possible.

1) What am I working on?
     I'd love to say that I'm furiously writing the sequel to my memoir, but that's not true. I almost typed the words "because I haven't had time," but that wouldn't be true, either. What I need to say is, "I can't seem to manage my time properly!" As I've mentioned before, marketing has taken up a huge chunk of time. I've been unorganized and running in all directions. But, yesterday I seem to have gotten over a hurdle and I am focused on my direction. Marketing AND Writing.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
     I'm not sure how to answer this. I write memoir and personal essays. Readers have told me that reading my memoir, From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More, makes them feel like we're friends, enjoying a cup of coffee together and discussing life. I can't think of a nicer compliment than that.

3) Why do I write what I do?
     Because it's the only way I know how to write!

4) How does your writing process work?
     I jot down memories and thoughts in notebooks, or whatever is handy, so I won't forget them within the next few minutes. It might only be a couple of words, or an entire sentence, but it will be the basis for one of the chapters in my sequel. And as I admitted in my first answer, I haven't been writing nearly as often as I should. I don't have any particular day or time or schedule. I'm a "when the mood really hits me" kind of writer. It's worked pretty well so far! J

The last step in this process is to invite two other authors to participate in the blog chain. First, I'd like to invite McGuffy Ann Morris. She's an awesome writer, a poet, an avid reader, an animal lover, and a fabulous blog friend! What's not to like?!

Secondly, I'd like to invite Bish Denham. She's another awesome writer...of children's books! Bish and I have a "karma-like, ESP-kind of" bloggy friendship!

Thanks again to my three fabulous gal pals for inviting me.

 

"A good friend is a connection to life...a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world." -- Lois Wyse

* WHAT APRIL 1ST MEANS TO ME *

Every year on this day, April 1st, I remember a few, extremely momentous phone calls I made on that day in 1987.

Twenty seven (27) years ago today, I called long distance family & friends and said, "This is not an April Fool's Joke. I AM PREGNANT!"

Where has the time gone? I miss that baby, that little boy, that young man.....but I'm also so proud of the man he is today!

Below is from the chapter in my memoir, "The Joyous Journey":

"On March 30, 1987 the doctor uttered in his charming British accent those now infamous words, “My dear, you’re pregnant!” What??? How can this be?? How did this happen?? All those ridiculous, rhetorical questions kept repeating themselves in my head."

~~~

The same chapter was published in Chicken Soup for the New Mom's Soul, in 2007. My first major publication!




"I didn't know how babies were made until I was pregnant with my fourth child." -- Loretta Lynn

* PLEASE STAY TUNED....MORE POSTS SOON! *

* THE RONALD HELPS OUT *

 

I'm not sure if I've mentioned that The Ronald does help me around the house...somewhat. He took it upon himself a few years ago to load and unload the dishwasher, which I truly appreciate. I really do. (You already know there is a big "But" coming, don't you?)...

 

BUT, the manner in which he "puts things away" has a lot to be desired. I have a cardboard container to keep all the various lids in. (I got it free from a grocery store because it was empty. I'd intended to cover it with contact paper, but never got around to it, and it doesn't really matter since it's inside the cabinet.)



 

 

I (used to) keep the plastic bowls and measuring cups stacked inside each other.

The cookie sheet goes in the oven drawer.

I also (used to) keep the casserole dishes and pots & pans stacked as well as possible.

The white and blue fabric-looking material is actually rubbery shelf liner that I (used to) put between the glass casserole dishes for extra safety.

AND THIS PHOTO.......

 



.....is of Vern.

The reason he is hiding is because he is so embarrassed

 by the way The Ronald puts away clean dishes!! J

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Show me a man who lives alone and has a perpetually clean kitchen, and eight times out of nine, I'll show you a man with detestable spiritual qualities." -- Charles Bukowski

* I GOT NOTHIN'.....Again! *

I've been racking my brain since Sunday, trying to think of something to write about for a new blog post. My poor brain is tired, wired, and uninspired.

So, I made the decision to post something for the third time! It got lots of laughs and comments the first two times, so let's see how this one does.....

~~~~~

While driving to the grocery store this afternoon, with my list of fruits and veggies to buy, the following words popped into my head. I've mentioned before that I am not a poet, and don't y'all know it, as you can see below: 

(Hint: Sing out loud or in your head to the tune of ♫♪ Back in the Saddle Again. ♫♪)

I'm back into salads again.
Burgers & fries won't make me thin.
I saw some gorgeous clothes at 
the mall last week.
I must fight this war on fat and win.

(courtesy google)

Chorus:
I'm back into salads again.
Lettuce & broccoli are my friends
Also low cal dressing will help
Try to get rid of my chin(s)
I'm back into salads again.

(Forgive me Gene Autry!)



"The two biggest sellers in bookstores are the cookbooks and the diet books. The cookbooks tell you how to prepare the food and the diet books tell you how not to eat any of it." -- Andy Rooney

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

 

It's Time For Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

I just looked back at the most recent "Nostalgic Sunday" and I have a hard time believing I haven't posted one since December 22, 2013. That's just about THREE MONTHS! Well, it certainly is time for a new one now, isn't it??

These photos are obviously from one of those machines where you could get four pictures for about.....50¢? Does that sound about right, depending on the year, of course.

 I LOVE these pictures for so many reasons!

1) The fact that I actually have them. Because my family moved around quite a bit when I was young, and then after I left home, I moved around quite a bit, too, and things just get lost or tossed for whatever reasons.

2) I love our tans and almost-blonde hair due to being outside so much in the summertime. And speaking of hair, I love Mike's crew cut! We were so young and happy and innocent.
Trivia Question: Did I ever wish I had hair that short?! The answer is in my memoir! J

 3) My silly faces! Oh my gosh! I was a goofball even back then! And how do you like my bangs?! My mother could not cut bangs in a straight line. She'd do some snipping, and then step back and look, and say, "Oh, it's uneven. I need to cut a little more on this side." And back and forth until my bangs were ONE INCH long, and still uneven! It didn't take long for me to learn to run when she came toward me with scissors in her hand.

~~~

Between now and midnight, I'm going to attempt to read and leave a comment on as many blogs as possible! If I miss yours, e-mail me and say "Hey! What up?" * Well, I did a very lousy job in commenting. I don't think I made it to anybody's blog! I'll try again later today. Promise. *

 

 

 

"When we are children we seldom think of the future. This innocence leaves us free to enjoy ourselves as few adults can. The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind." -- Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind

 

 

* AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT *

I'm sure most of you are really tired of reading anything that has to do with my memoir....and I'm kind of weary of it myself! So, as the title proclaims, this won't be the same old same old.

 

 

Below is my favorite 2013 Christmas gift! 

 

I know all about those Keurig Coffee Makers being such a big hit, but I'm not about to pay that much for any kind of coffee maker. It doesn't matter to me that it can make different flavors of coffee and tea and other drinks.

 

 

BUT, sometimes I don't feel like making an entire pot of coffee, and would love to brew just one cup. My best (non-writer) friend, Sherry and I were out shopping before Christmas and I saw the box of this adorable little maker - Bella Single Serve Brewer. (We always exchange Christmas gifts. Nothing extravagant. Just something we know the other person will love!) It was less than $20.00, so I nonchalantly said something about what a great gift that would make! J And so, you know what I received from (non-writer) Sherry!

 

It will work for a coffee mug, a larger mug, and even a tall Styrofoam cup! I just love it! After the first few weeks of getting out the large coffee container every time for just a teeny scoop, I decided I needed some kind of container(s) that would hold the individual portions. I was hoping to find something inexpensive at one of the discount stores, not really knowing what I wanted. I knew, though, that when I saw it, I would know.

 

So, as I was weaving through the aisles, looking for the small-plastic-containers-similar-to-Rubbermaid-Tupperware-type thingys.....I passed this amazing little thingy in the craft aisle! It is PERFECT! It holds the small amount I need. It snaps shut. It holds enough for six large Styrofoam cups of coffee, and it cost One Dollar! Ta Da!

** Welcome to my newest follower, Neurotic Workaholic. I hope you will stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see!  Thank you so much! ** 


* I forgot to remind everyone that I'm the guest blogger at Carol Kilgore's, Under the Tiki Hut this week. My post will be the top one until next Monday, March 17 at 6:00 AM. Please stop by and leave a comment if you haven't already. And YES, I did mention my memoir again!! *

(I couldn't decide on just one coffee quote....!)

"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons." -- T.S. Eliot

"My dream is to have a house on the beach, even just a little shack somewhere so I can wake up, have coffee, look at dolphins, be quiet and breathe the air." -- Christina Applegate

"To me, the smell of fresh-made coffee is one of the greatest inventions." -- Hugh Jackman

"I put instant coffee in a microwave oven and almost went back in time." -- Steven Wright

* MY MEMOIR IS AVAILABLE ON KINDLE *

To everyone who has been patiently waiting for my memoir to be available on Kindle, it's here! Just click on the direct link below. The Kindle version is $3.99

 Amazon.com   http://www.amazon.com/Pigtails-Hairs-Becky-Lewellen-Povich-ebook/dp/B00IXBG1F6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394564953&sr=1-1&keywords=from+pigtails+to+chin+hairs

~~~

Also, here's an option I wasn't even aware of that some people might be interested in....The kindle matchbook...

If you buy a new print edition of this book (or purchased one in the past), you can buy the Kindle edition for only $1.99 (Save 50%). Print edition purchase must be sold by Amazon.

~~~

 

Below are links for the Kindle version at Amazon UK, and Amazon Australia. *I found out today that Amazon Australia (AU) does not ship certain things, and my print copy happens to be one of them. Weird! So, if any Aussies would like to buy my print copy directly from me, I will help pay the postage! Just leave a comment or send me an e-mail (in my profile).

 

  Kindle - Amazon UK    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pigtails-Hairs-Becky-Lewellen-Povich-ebook/dp/B00IXBG1F6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394565580&sr=8-1&keywords=from+pigtails+to+chin+hairs+kindle

 

 

 Kindle - Amazon AU   http://www.amazon.com.au/Pigtails-Hairs-Becky-Lewellen-Povich-ebook/dp/B00IXBG1F6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394565642&sr=8-1&keywords=from+pigtails+to+chin+hairs  

 

 

 Thanks again to everyone who has already bought my book, and especially for all the wonderful reviews left at Amazon, Goodreads, and other sites. I truly appreciate it.

Remember when I posted about my little collection of statues of people or animals holding a book, or books! I'm showing this little girl again because she looks like "spring" to me.....and today's temperature is very spring-like! (I just looked back and I got her at a dollar store in May of 2011!)

~~~



** Welcome to my newest follower, Robin. I hope you will stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see!  Thank you so much! **


I've always professed that my dream is for From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More to become a bestseller, and I make no bones about it. It may seem like a pipe dream to some, but hey.....it's my dream!



"A best-seller was a book which somehow sold well because it was selling well." -- Daniel J. Boorstin