* IF IT'S TUESDAY, I'M MIXED UP AS USUAL *

For the past year or more, I always seem busier on Mondays than any other day. And so, when Monday evening rolls around, I feel like I've done two days worth of tasks, and I ask The Ronald, "Is today Tuesday?" To which he has a variety of answers, some of which I won't post here. (Tsk, tsk. Don't automatically think they must include bad language or something. Get your minds out of the gutter!)

~~~

This afternoon, I really have no idea what day it is. I've spent approximately SEVEN HOURS attempting to "fix" my printer/copier. Yes. Seven hours. And it's still not "fixed." I think I'm going to have to buy a new one. (Don't even ask. My reply might send electrical shock waves through the cyberspace.)

~~~

I do want to say that I'm being featured in kind of a blog tour for my memoir, and I thank the following three women with all my heart:

Tomorrow, December 11th, the lovely Julie Flanders is hosting me. Please stop by and leave a comment for Julie and/or me. 

Monday, December 16th, the always lovely Jennifer Shirk will be my host. Please stop by there, too let Jennifer know you were there.

And on Monday, December 23rd, the ever so lovely Margo Dill will have a little something about me, too. And again, I ask, please stop by and leave a comment. My appearance on Margo's blog has been postponed until January 20, 2014. I'll post a reminder when the date gets closer. Thanks, Margo!

** P.S. After I posted this I found out that Ann, at Ann's Reading Corner, also highlighted my memoir in her Teaser Tuesday post! Thank you, Ann! **

~~~

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

"The world is a book, and those who don't travel, read only a page." -- St. Augustine

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

For tonight's Nostalgic Sunday, I'm sharing more random snippets from my memoir. These paragraphs are from various chapters and will perhaps pique your interest.

~~~

It felt like we were flying along the highway, even though the car’s tires weren’t actually leaving the road. Almost all of the windows were rolled down, and my dad’s left arm rested comfortably on the driver’s side door, giving him that funny one-armed sunburn he got every summer. It was so hot that Dad’s white, cotton, short-sleeved shirt stuck to his skin. My mother poured yet another cup of steaming hot coffee from the thermos and handed it over to him. Dad barely took his eyes off the road as he took it. I couldn’t imagine why he wanted something so hot to drink. Mother brought a cold jug of Kool-Aid for my brother Mike and me.

Times like these, I wished I had a crew cut like my brother or a flattop like my dad. The force of the wind whipped my long pigtails around so much they actually stung my face every time they slapped against it. 

~~~

Grandpa was a quiet spoken man, always pleasant and easy going. Grandma had an extremely peculiar voice, which I can’t possibly describe. Let’s just say it wasn’t a soft, ladylike tone. It kind of reminded me of Ma Kettle’s, especially since she bossed Grandpa around all the time. He was old and retired from his job, so he was home a lot. It got on my nerves, but I guess he’d learned to just tune her out. They’d been married for about 100 years, so he was used to it.

~~~

Mother did relent after I begged and begged for some white go-go boots. All the girls dancing on the TV show, Hullabaloo, wore them and they were so cute. The popular girls at school had them, too. Surely, I could be popular and cute, too, right? Uh…no. It also didn’t take long to realize they hurt my feet and really weren’t worth the price. They stayed on the floor of my bedroom closet for years, all scuffed and unappreciated, just like I deemed I was.

~~~

I grew up in a home where chiropractors were thought of as quacks. The word “chiropractor” itself was pronounced with such disdain that even as a little girl, I knew I didn’t want to ever see one. I was even afraid of “real doctors,” those with an M.D. after their names. My parents, though, considered them to be God-like. They faithfully followed all their instructions and advice, and they also trusted nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. But chiropractors? My mother practically shuddered at the very thought. 

  ~~~

Faith, hope, and a sense of humor have always been important in my life, and I’ve learned you don’t have to have a perfect childhood or a perfect life to be truly happy. The joy just comes from within, from your daily appreciation of life, and from whatever warm memories you hold in your heart.

~~~

My mother told me in so many words she thought I was nuts. She honestly believed my accident at Woolworth’s—involving an ice machine, a crowbar, and my head—caused severe brain damage. In her way of thinking, it was the only possible explanation for what she considered the erratic behavior I developed soon after.

<<<>>>

** Monday, December 9th, please stop by Karen Lange's blog, Write Now. Besides sharing some great "Tips for Every Writer," Karen was kind enough to mention me and my memoir. Thank you, Karen! **

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

"Writers will happen in the best of families." -- Rita Mae Brown

* This 'n That on a Thursday Evening *

You know how thoughts just seem to pop in and out of your head? Sometimes remembered, but most likely forgotten, and some are truly important.

Yesterday I decided I need to order one of those waterproof thingys for the shower, so I can write down those awesome brainstorms before they're forgotten!

Another thing that popped into my head, and where this came from I have NO idea, was that if I had to describe my present-day personality combining three literary characters, they would be: Pollyanna, Little Orphan Annie, and Lucy Van Pelt.

Pollyanna: She always looked for, and found, the good in everything. There was always something to be glad about. As a young girl, every time I watched the movie on TV with Hayley Mills as Pollyanna, I'd get so upset with all the adults in it because they'd get angry at her for always being so cheerful. It just didn't make sense to me, and still doesn't!

Little Orphan Annie: She always looked forward to tomorrow, because things were going to be better then, or at least they could be. She had spunk, self-reliance, and hope. She never gave up.

Lucy Van Pelt: Oh my goodness...there's so many reasons! She's such a smart-alecky, know-it-all, and still says the funniest things.

~~~

Okay, now that I shared that bit of trivia, I must apologize for not getting back to my blog like I kept saying I would. I've been in such a whirlwind that continues to spin, so I'm just going to post the short version.

1) I didn't go shopping after all on Small Business Saturday, except at my local resale boutique and hit the mother lode on great clothes. They were actually in my size, fit perfectly, and of course were very inexpensive. What more could a gal ask for?!

2) Have I mentioned I was interviewed on a local radio station? It was last Wednesday, Nov 27th, the day before Thanksgiving. It was lots of fun and I wasn't a bit nervous. It can be heard here. Just click on Lets Talk Shop for 11/27/2013. Then move the cursor to about 0:55:20. That's where my part begins. 

3) For the very first time, I'm attending the Erma Bombeck Writing Workshop! It's in April of 2014. Yesterday at noon was the opening to sign up and it was sold out within hours! I would've been so disappointed if I hadn't gotten in. I'm still going to submit something to the humor contest though, hoping to maybe win a free workshop like my friend, Donna Volkenannt did last year!

That's it for tonight. Wishing you all a very warm and comfy home if you're in the frigid areas of the world. And to those of you who may be too hot.....as in Australia....I wish you coolness!


"Can I help it if I was born with crabby genes?!" -- Lucy Van Pelt

"Watching your graceful movements on the pitcher's mound lulled me to sleep." -- Lucy Van Pelt

"The sun'll come out Tomorrow, so you gotta hang on till tomorrow. Come what may. Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya Tomorrow. You're only a day away. -- Little Orphan Annie

"See here, little girl, we might just as well settle this thing right now, once and for all," he began testily. "I've got something besides the weather to think of. I don't know whether the sun shines or not."
Pollyanna beamed joyously, "No sir; I thought you didn't. That's why I told you."

* SO MUCH GOING ON - SO MUCH TO SAY *

Happy Monday, December 2nd, 2013!

I have lots of news but can't work on my blog until this evening. 

Please stop by *tomorrow* if you have the time. 

But, for now ~ How about ~ "Give a book for Christmas" as in..the book being my memoir! ☺

And have it gift-wrapped for free when purchased from my website.

Would you believe this is wrapping paper?? It's heavy duty paper, and looks like a pile of books all stacked on top of each other. I took this photo this afternoon! Just let me know when you order my book whether you'd like it wrapped or not, and if you want it signed, who it's for. 

Bye for now. I'll be back later.......Oops.....How about tomorrow? 

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...."

Small Business Saturday

Shop Small ~ Shop Local

I just realized that tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, by reading Roots Antiques newest post, located in my Other Favorite Blogs list. Ever since I "discovered" this darling little shop, (by seeing a sign on the side of a business van on Hwy 40 near the St. Louis Zoo!) I've been wanting to actually see it in person. I've only read the blog posts, and e-mailed back and forth with the fantastic women who own it. And, so... I just made the decision that tomorrow is the day to make the trip: It's in a part of southwest St. Louis that I just love: Maplewood - Webster Groves - Kirkwood. 

I hope to find some goodies to bring home, but if not, I'm sure I'll find a great place to stop and have lunch! ☺

"Christmas gift suggestions: 
To your enemy, forgiveness. 
To an opponent, tolerance. 
To a friend, your heart. 
To a customer, service. 
To all, charity. 
To every child, a good example. 
To yourself, respect." - Oren Arnold, author 

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time Again for Another Nostalgic Sunday

My mind has been racing around in figure-eights and zig-zags, and miles way up high, and then swirling, floating down below with thoughts as many and as unique as the miracle of snowflakes. 

And because of all that, it's been almost impossible to choose which memories I want to include in today's Nostalgic Sunday post. So, I've decided to post random snippets of my memoir.

.....Some of my best memories are the times Dad and I watched TV together. It was more than just sitting, side by side, on our scratchy couch.(What was that material?)

I loved watching him as he watched TV. It was a show all by itself, an interactive one, and I was mesmerized every time...........

Dad would be so busy trying to watch TV while peering over his newspaper and holding his cigarette that he’d be lost to the world. It was as if he were daydreaming. Trying to get his attention during those times was next to impossible. I would watch the long ash of his cigarette hanging on for dear life, slowly bending down farther and farther, until it was the size of a gray wooly worm. Not being able to stand it a second longer, I’d finally yell, “Dad! Your ashes are falling!” I’d usually grab the ashtray and catch them just in the nick of time. He’d nonchalantly glance my way, as if he’d forgotten I was even there. He’d let out a chuckle and thank me for being so watchful. Afterwards, he’d go back to doing it all over again.

~~~

.......“Do you know what this note says?” she asked.

I already knew it wasn’t something good from her face and her tone. “No, ma’am.”

“Miss Mary Ann says you cheated during the times table test today! Rebecca Anne, is that right? Did you cheat?”

 Oh my gosh. I know I’m in big trouble when I’m called Rebecca!

“Uh…well, I uh—”

“I can’t believe this! You know better than to do something like this. You know it’s wrong to cheat. And it’s a sin!”

There it was—the dreaded guilt of sin being laid on me. I’d never seen my mother so upset, about anyone or anything, and here she was angry with me. I guess I was going to go to Hell. Attending a Catholic school Monday through Friday and Mass every Sunday, I knew all about Heaven and Hell and sins. But what I did should only be a venial sin, shouldn’t it? Not the horrible, mortal kind.I started to explain about the paper hanging out of someone’s desk, and how I thought I could do something like that.......

~~~

I hope y'all enjoyed reading those little tidbits of my young life! What else might have happened when I watched TV? What punishment did I receive for my gosh, I'm gullible sin?

*Welcome to my newest follower, Living a Dream. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much! *

"Back on its golden hinges, the gate of memory swings. And my heart goes into the garden and walks with the olden things." --  Ella Wheeler Wilcox

* Live from Missouri...It's Saturday Night *

Hello All ~  I had another busy, exhausting day, but all in a good way. Tomorrow, I will be posting a new Nostalgic Sunday, so please stop back sometime on or after November 24th.

P.S. I just found out today from a fellow writer that my memoir is also on the Barnes & Noble website! (Thank you, C.R.) I was shocked because I thought that by self-publishing, and especially with an Amazon company, they would not accept my book. Things have definitely changed over the past couple of years.

This is part of a vintage-looking, 3-D wall plaque from my office. I've had it for quite a few years and I just love it. I don't remember where I purchased it.....but probably Home Goods or Hobby Lobby. I'm thinking about having it as part of the header on my website. It did have a photo of a wooden desktop and cup of coffee, but I removed it, with the intention of having something unique to me. 

"A room without books is like a body without a soul." -- Gilbert K. Chesterton