* Sunday Night News *

I've had a really great weekend, and hope all of you have, too! (I have other topics I also wanted to write about tonight, but I'll save those for another time. One is about my daughters-in-law. One is about the lovely treasures I received from Linda at Ala Carte, and another is about the little gift I sent to Nancy of Nancy's Notes, for being my 100th Follower!)


Yesterday was another fun and interesting Saturday Writers meeting. Our speaker was Sylvia Forbes, who besides being an award winning freelance writer (of over 600 publications!), is also the publisher of Snowflake Press, which publishes the wonderful Bylines Calendar every year. If you're not familiar with it: Bylines Writer’s Desk Calendar includes essays on writing and a variety of helpful tools for writers, too many to mention!

(courtesy Bylines website. The 2010 cover is a replica of Will Rogers' desk.)

I know a couple of my blog writer friends have been highlighted in past issues! Check out the Bylines website, because Sylvia said she is now accepting essays for the 2012 calendar. She will be announcing sometime very soon, the writers who've been chosen for the 2011 calendar.....I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one! ☺
During her presentation, Sylvia gave great advice and tips on how to get into the various freelance markets. There are thousands of magazines, for one thing, that most of us would not even think of. I took a large page full of notes and hope to venture into that....someday!

I am SO happy and proud to announce that today I wrote almost 2000 words in my book!! And, the night is not over, so the number I end up with, will most likely be over 2000! I have to say that most of it has to do with everyone's supportive comments from today, and most especially from Sioux, who said "We're all cheering you on. Remember one of the most important pieces of writing advice: BIC (Butt in Chair). Park your rump at your desk and get writing!"  Well Sioux, I took your advice, and by golly it worked!

Thanks again to all of you. I couldn't do it without the support and camaraderie of my friends and family. Thank you Sylvia for your kindness and encouragement. Thank you Lou Turner, from High Hill Press, my publisher and awesome cheerleader. I'm going to make it, because of all of you!

And to borrow a quote by the late, great Mr. Will Rogers (taken directly from Bylines Calendar!).....I thought this was THE perfect quote to end this post:

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." -- Will Rogers

I'M READY TO MARKET MY BOOK....NOW I JUST NEED TO FINISH IT!

I'm so pumped up about marketing my book, and I'm not even finished writing it yet! I have all kinds of things "semi" lined up for when the books are stacked up and ready to sell. Of course, I've talked to various local places about book signings, and will be contacting out of town and out of state venues next. I also have other ideas up my sleeve that I'll share at a later date!

Recently I received an e-mail from Vista Prints stating they had numerous FREE products. A few months ago I ordered return address labels from them that are very nice, so I checked out their website again. I couldn't wait to share all these fantastic personalized items I bought for practically nothing!

Okay, this baseball cap was not free, but I just had to have it!

I ordered it personalized with my first & last name, the name of my book, and the image of a stack of books. I plan on wearing it at my book signings, and maybe even in my car as I drive cross country!

I also ordered these new business cards. They have one image on the front and a coordinating one on the back. They were FREE for 250 cards!

I also ordered the (72)  personalized round stickers which I'll put on the outside of any book I sign.

And lastly my order also included 140 return address labels with a similar book image.

I got all of the above: personalized baseball cap, address labels, business cards and autograph stickers, for $33.72. The business cards and shipping were FREE! Every item is very nice quality. I was really impressed with the baseball cap.

As I've mentioned before when I "promote" a website, or writer, or any product, I am not getting paid one cent for this. It's just my opinion and I want to share good things with all my blog buddies!

Also, they have hundreds of images to choose from or you can upload your own. Oh, one more thing. I ordered this online on August 25th. I received everything today, August 28th. How's that for service?

Okay, it's back to my book. Otherwise none of this stuff is going to do me any good, is it?!

"You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want." --Margaret Young

** Celebrations on Tuesday **

It's Tuesday and I have things to celebrate!

First of all: I owe Miss Cathy C. a huge apology. Cathy is one of my bestest blog buddies, and she bestowed a very sweet and special award upon me last Friday, the 20th. I thanked her in her comment section, but that's all I did. I forgot to post the adorable award on my blog or even mention it. So, better late then never, as the saying goes. Here is my award: The Circle of Friends Award! Isn't it cool? Thank you again, oh scathingly brilliant, Miss Cathy C.! I celebrate your friendship!

I'm choosing to not pass it along to any particular blog friends, because all of you are very special and I wouldn't want to leave anyone out! So, if you are reading this and you'd like to be part of this wonderful circle of friends, please feel free to grab the award and post it on your blog, too! (By the way, Circle of Friends is one of my favorite Maeve Binchy books!!)

Second of all: I mercifully and thankfully was migraine-headache-free when I woke at 3:00 AM this morning. I had one of my worst ones in quite a long time, which lasted over 24 hours. I celebrate being pain free!

Third of all: although it's not 100% back to normal, at least my back is better! I celebrate that, too!

Fourth of all: Although my car has been parked in the garage for over a week because it needs yet more repairs after we just spent $$$ on it a month ago, I have wonderful friends who offer rides when they know I need them, plus a wonderful husband who will drive me just about anywhere, anytime....as long as it doesn't interfere with his JOB! I celebrate my friends and my hubby! (I think I'm going to start calling him The Mister, like June Freaking Cleaver refers to her husband, because I just like it!)

And finally:  I received an acceptance e-mail this evening about a story I wrote over a year ago for a newer anthology. I will share more information about that in the next day or so.

I celebrate my story acceptance!!

“Put yourself in a state of mind where you say to yourself, 'Here is an opportunity for you to celebrate like never before, my own power, my own ability to get myself to do whatever is necessary.'” -- Anthony Robbins

** SCHOOL DAYS **

When I went to school, back in the OLDEN days....we didn't start until after Labor Day. When our last day of school was, before summer vacation began, depended on how many, if any, snow days we had during the school year. So, when I see and hear about kids being back in school in the middle or end of August, it just doesn't seem right, ya know?

I have such fond memories of fall days and evenings....shuffling along in dried, fallen leaves, smelling that one-of-a-kind scent of burning leaves.....BUT, I'm not going to write about that tonight. That will have to wait for another time.....when it's not so blasted hot and humid. I am SO ready for this heat to subside.

However, I DO have something to post in honor of "School Days". This cute collage hangs in our upstairs hallway, next to a guest room and right outside my office door, so I see it often. It holds Mark's school pictures from his first grade photo through his high school senior photo.

When I bought this, complete with the school motif and ruler frame, I think Mark was in the 2nd or 3rd grade. I remember thinking how it would take soooo long to fill in every empty place, waiting for the correct year's photo. Also, I agonized over the price of it! It couldn't have been more than $10.00 or so, but money was so tight at that time. I finally decided I just HAD to have it and I would regret it forever, if I didn't buy it. I still love it to this day. There, in one frame, I can see how my little boy grew up so fast, right before my eyes. How could it have gone by so quickly? I was a stay-at-home mom. I was there. I didn't miss out on anything. I had the presence of mind to cherish every moment, and not wish he was older......yet, the years did fly by and now he's almost 23 years old. As I've said before, sometimes I really miss that cuddly little boy, while at the same time I'm so proud of the man he has become.

All you younger moms out there.....cherish your children, because one day, all too soon, you will be thinking or writing these very same words.


Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older. When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty?  When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday when they were small? -- Lyrics to "Sunrise Sunset"

** Tea Room? Did Someone Say Tea Room? **

There's a delightful little tea room near my home called Aggie's Closet & Tea Room. The owner's name really is Aggie and she's a wonderful woman.....and a friend of mine.

Aggie is looking for partner(s), with both time and finances.

      

                 There is a room for little girls' tea parties, which sometimes feature the American Doll style, or maybe a Fancy Nancy style!                                                                                                            

Plus the outside wine garden is open in the evenings, weather or season permitting. The tea room is doing very well, but has even more potential, and Aggie would love to have some help.

To find out all the details, contact Aggie at: Aggiestearoom@aol.com.

  9036 Veteran's Memorial Parkway, O'Fallon, Missouri 63366

636-379-6878

Oh, by the way....the food and atmosphere is fabulous, dahhhhling! Tell Aggie that Becky sent ya!

"Iced tea is too pure and natural a creation not to have been invented as soon as tea, ice, and hot weather crossed paths." -- John Egerton

** Saturday Centus Time **

It's another Saturday Centus, from Jenny Matlock.

I haven't participated in this for a few weeks, but thought it was time to get back into the groove. Every Saturday, Jenny posts an "assignment" for anyone who cares to join. You don't have to be "an official writer". Just follow the rules and have fun!

WEEK 16 ASSIGNMENT

Do you remember how during the first week back at school the teacher would make you write an essay about what you did over your summer vacation? Well, school has been in session almost two weeks here so I thought we'd try this for something different.

Your story must be written in first person AND must be exactly 100 words long. It can be fact or fiction.

So...

Exactly 100 words, first person, fact or fiction...What I did over my Summer Vacation. AND What I did over my Summer Vacation is the title of your essay not to be included in the 100 words! Any questions? Go directly to Jenny's blog.

Okay....Here's my story for this week, coming in at exactly 100 words, not counting the title.

** Big Oops!! It appears as if I've made a blunder! I didn't realize everyone's title was supposed to be the same: "What I Did Over My Summer Vacation". Sorry! As you can see, I titled mine with the date.....

June 6, 1968

I sat alone in the dark living room, although it was hot and sunny outside. The drapes were kept closed in an attempt to keep the heat out, since we had no air conditioning. I watched the terrible events unfold on the television, as regularly scheduled programming was interrupted.

Robert F. Kennedy had been assassinated. I will never, ever forget those black and white images appearing on the screen. I will never, ever forget my fear, my dread, my sadness. I cried. I cried for the world.

A fifteen year old girl shouldn't start her summer vacation feeling so hopeless.

** Friday Night Tails....uh, Tales...**

Our wacky weather is at it again. Waves of fierce storms blowing through; three or more just today. The trees bending sideways, the rain raining sideways. An hour after the first one, bright sunshine and dry pavement. Tonight, we even had tornado sirens blasting. That is one sound I truly dislike! I'm the first one to head for the basement and Tiger usually follows along without any discussion. Husband is always Mr. Stay Cool (or in my opinion: Mr. Wrong)...but fortunately the latest storm blew over and it's now quiet again...for now.

Another fortunate incident: Last night, I got the bright idea to fix a little bed for Tiger in our bedroom. Duh! It seems like such a simple answer to her desire to be near us, or ME, in general. I really didn't think of it before, because she's never been a dog that slept in any of our bedrooms. She had her various places she liked.....on the landing at the top of the steps....or near the front door.....or in the hallway, etc.....but never in our bedrooms.

(image courtesy gottoast.com)

So, last night, I called her into our room, showed her the old comforter and pillow that I put on the floor in the corner for her bed. She circled it for a moment, layed down for a second or two, and then wandered back out into the hallway. BUT, she saw that she was Welcome and that we had begun our new Open Door Policy! I'm pretty sure that tonight will be a good night......because even if it does begin to storm again....no sleeping on the couch required!

(Tiger in the family room)

"We derive immeasurable good, uncounted pleasures, enormous security, and many critical lessons about life by owning dogs." --  Roger Caras, A Celebration of Dogs

** This 'n That Thursday **

Good Morning Everyone! In spite of the fact that:

I slept most of the night on the (saggy) couch...again, because of my beloved dog, Tiger....and my back hurts off and on....sometimes not so much, sometimes very much....ouch!....I am happy today! Why? You may ask? I have no solid answer.....I just AM!

Okay....here's the little bit of This 'n That:

1)  Did you notice I changed my Play List to just one song for today? It's a mix of two songs, really. The first part, I'm Yours, was a huge hit for Jason Mraz a few years ago. The second part, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, is the whimsical tune Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole, a Hawaiian singer/songwriter, sang a few years ago. (I just love the way it's done....not as "sad" as the original Judy Garland version.) AND, it all comes together beautifully when sung by the fabulous a cappella group: Straight No Chaser. I hope you enjoy it!   (If you don't know any of the history of Iz or the guys in Straight No Chaser, just click on the links I've provided.)

2)  Last Sunday on CBS Sunday Morning, I watched a fascinating segment about a man who has invented and engineered numerous stunning water fountain displays. I couldn't get the video thing to work here, but I do have the link to You Tube, for you to visit. This is the Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas, just one of many others. Be sure and have your volume turned on because it is water choreography at its best! (Oh, and you'll have to click on the little mute button on the Play List part of my blog, in order to not have "dueling music"!)

3)  I've been a litte busy and/or preoccupied since receiving my 100th Follower, Nancy!
     Thank you, Nancy! Because of this, I'll be mailing a little prize to her sometime in the next few days.

I've come to the conclusion as to why I'm happy today, or at least a partial conclusion.......
Just being able to see and hear the beauty that I witnessed while searching out songs and videos....How could I not be happy? I'm continually amazed as I follow by bliss........

“It's good to be just plain happy, it's a little better to know that you're happy; but to understand that you're happy and to know why and how and still be happy, be happy in the being and the knowing, well that is beyond happiness, that is bliss.” --  Henry Miller