* Give a Book for Christmas *

♪♫  Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!  ♪♫   

** NOTE: (added 11/19 pm) I forgot to say a little more about the Thin Threads book series. Since I've known about it and have been so close to it for over a year and a half, I think everyone must've heard of it and/or know about it! Here are some words, taken directly from their website:

Thin Threads: a moment, event, setback, crossroad, or encounter that connected you to a person, place or an opportunity that changed your life for the better.


Thin Thread stories are a collection of moments, events or decisions told in personal story form, each showing how the course of our lives can be redirected for the better. The stories encapsulate our human desire to tell our own stories and to read and relate to others through their stories.


So, you can see how it differs from other anthologies. Thin Threads is very unique!


 I am in such a happy mood right at this very moment! I was in my "usual" happy mood when I got up today at 4:00am. (Yep, went to sleep early last night and got a good night's rest.) But, now it is 3:20pm, CST, and I am ecstatic! I just spoke to Stacey Battat at Kiwi Publishing and the new Thin Threads books will be shipping to me tomorrow! This is the anthology that has my story about a woman and her family, and how Hurricane Katrina and Habititat for Humanity, St. Charles County Missouri, changed their lives. Woot!

$17.95 each

I am offering a personal promotion for this book. Whoever buys any directly from me, I will donate $5.00 per book, to Habitat in St. Charles, Mo. AND I will ship them at NO CHARGE, to anywhere in the US or Canada. (sorry, I will have to charge shipping out of the country.)

*These would make lovely Christmas gifts, PLUS you'd be helping a wonderful charity!* 

(courtesy: martha stewart.com)

Christmas again. But this year there was money for presents and lots of food in the icebox and the flat was always warm now. When Francie came in off the cold street she thought that the warmth was like a lover’s arms around her drawing her into the room. She wondered, incidentally, exactly what a lover’s arms felt like. — A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith (pen name of Elisabeth Wehner) (1943)

*I Think it's Thursday, So it Must Be Tuesday*

For quite a long time, my Mondays have been so busy that by evening, I'll look at The Ronald and ask, "Is it Tuesday night?" And he, as always, looks at me like I'm nuts, yet he has to stop and think for a moment before replying, "No. It's Monday. Remember, we're going to watch Monday Night Football in a little while." Oh yeah.

So, although I know I watched part of that wacky football game last night, I'm still feeling like tonight is Thursday night! What can I say? I'm just a mixed up, forgetful, mind-going-in-20-different-directions kind of gal.

But, I did jot myself a note to post about some really cool and unique Christmas cards. This is a perfect time to find out about these particular ones, too, since we just celebrated Veterans Day last week.

Earlier this year, I wrote about Ray "Bubba" Sorensen, the very talented artist in Greenfield, Iowa. He is getting to be more and more well known because of the Freedom Rock he began painting in 1999. He is the artist and creator of the Patriotic Snowman Christmas cards. They are really awesome. They are 5x5 and look suitable for framing. They are $3.00 each, or a pack of 25 for $43.75.

I just know that "Bubba" is going to be world famous someday. And besides being so talented, he and his wife are the sweetest, most down to earth people you will ever meet.

"A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle." -- George William Curtis

** And the Winner is.....**

Well, just as I promised, The Ronald pulled a folded piece of paper out of a large bowl this evening, and the winner of all the prizes is.......Becky of Mom Squad!! Congratulations Becky!! And wow, a brand new follower, too. See, sometimes it "pays" to become a follower! ☺

*NOTE*  After delving into it further, later last night, I realized that the Becky who won the contest is NOT THE NEW BECKY who just joined this month....but it STILL IS "BECKY OF MOM SQUAD"! If you're confused, imagine how I felt!! I have a full explanation for anyone who wants to know, but I won't take up all that room to explain it here. You can trust, though, that I've got it right, & the right Becky won!* (Monday 11/16/10 AM)

Becky, please e-mail me (address in My Profile) with your address, and also let me know which gift card you would like: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Home Goods, Big Lots, Hobby Lobby or Kirklands.

I want to thank everyone who participated, whether you are a new follower, or one that has been with me for awhile. I truly appreciate each and every one of you, whether you have time to stop by, and leave a comment or not. I really believe that sharing my thoughts and ramblings with my blog friends has made me a better writer!
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AND, speaking of writing, this is straight out of Whispering Angel Books: "Our next anthology, Nurturing Paws, is currently accepting positive and uplifting short stories and poems that illustrate the healing power of animals in our lives. The deadline is March 15, 2011 and there is no submission fee."

They also have a manuscript contest, so be sure and check that out, too! Looks like a great opportunity to me!
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"A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked." -- Anais Nin

* Contest-Give-Away Almost Here *

There's still time to be eligible for my give-away! The Ronald will pick a name out of a hat at 6:00pm CST this evening. I'll take comments/entries right up to the last minute! See my post of Sunday, November 7th to find out all about it.

The prize is everything shown here, PLUS a $25.00 gift card!

Evelyn Ryan: “You know what the worst part of it is?”

 Mrs. Bidlack: “What?”


Evelyn Ryan: “A quart of milk got sucked up inside my girdle.” –from the movie, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. (2005)

* A Beautiful Day *

Today was such a wonderful day. The temperature fell to a brisk and windy mid-40s, which made it perfect for a day of fall craft fairs, and other holiday shopping. Gal pals Sherry and Crazy Rita and I met at 8:00am at our local Bread Co. By the time Sherry dropped us off, back at where Rita and I had parked our cars, it was almost 4:00pm! All three of us got a few bargains, either for our own decorations, or for Christmas gifts for others. We've known each other since we met at the same workplace in the mid 1980s and became instant friends. We can have serious discussions, but most of all we laugh and have the best of times, just being together.

Speaking of finding bargains today.....Look at my beautiful angel, HOLDING A BOOK! I didn't expect to find any "figures holding books" today, nor was I even looking for any, but this beautiful angel found me, in a huge warehouse of a store. Just about everything in the store was VERY expensive, to the point of being ridiculously expensive. But it was in an expensive neighborhood, and we were there just to browse and gawk, to be perfectly honest....and hoping to find a good sale....which didn't happen! I was the only one who found anything to buy, & I stood in line for a LONG time, to buy this beautiful little 4 inch statue for $9.00! The pictures don't do her justice. She is so lovely, and sparkly and I just love her!! So, I have 3 in my collection now! The angel, Santa and the duck!  Ahhhh, Simple Pleasures!

Welcome & thank you to my two newest followers, numbers 142 & 143: Mya and Faith Hope CherryTea! I really cannot believe that I am nearing 150 followers! It's amazing and I'm so appreciative of each and every one of you! Thank you, thank you!!

I also wanted to mention that two of my blog buddies have contests going on right now. Lisa Ricard Claro's contest ends on Monday, November 15th, so hurry on over! And Karen Lange's contest ends at noon on Wednesday, November 17th, so you need to hurry over there, as well. If anyone else is having a contest that I forgot to blog about, please let me know! I don't want to leave anyone out. And also, don't forget that MY contest ends on Monday, November 15th, too!

Tomorrow, I really must get back into my routine of writing every day, again!! I started out so well on November 1st and it lasted for about 3 whole days. Aacckkk! Hey Joe! I need another shout-out from you about Baby Steps!! Where ya been?

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances." -- Martha Washington

* This 'n That on a Saturday Morning *

Good morning! First of all, welcome to my two newest followers: The Quintessential Magpie & Rosemills! Thank you both for taking the time to stop and comment, and also become a follower. I truly appreciate it!

(courtesy: perfectlittlestiches.com)

Blog friend, TK Richardson over at My Writing Masquerade just listed 13 great links to various writer and publishing sites. She also has a contest that ends late Sunday, November 14th. Be sure and stop by!

Writing Contest: The Mona Schreiber Prize for Humorous Fiction and Non-Fiction. I wanted to enter this last year and just got busy and missed the deadline. Here's part of what Brad Schreiber says: "Humor is subjective. Uniqueness is suggested. Weirdness is encouraged." So, I know some of you out there definitely fit those categories! It's a "snail mail" entry and must be postmarked by December 1st.

Writing Contest: Fine Lines 55 Word Writing Contest. Fiction only. E-mail or snail-mail. Deadline December 31st. I don't know anything about this one, but it sure looks like a fun challenge! Come on, you microfiction writers out there!

Writing Contest: Windmill Women Writers. Fiction, 1000 word limit, Deadline December 3rd. Here's the kicker....you story must have the word "Christmas" in it. It doesn't have to be ABOUT Christmas, though! Hmmm, interesting! Also, it doesn't mention that little bit of very important information on the Contest Guidelines page...only on the Home Page! Again, I don't know anything about this, other than it looked interesting and challenging!

I'm curious as to how many of you have entered any of the contests I've mentioned in the last few months. Please let me know, and obviously, I certainly want to hear the fantastic news of any winners or honorable mentions, etc.!! It's just for my own curiousity. I don't get paid anything for mentioning any of the contests or calls for submissions I post. I just like to share whatever information I come across that looks like it's worth sharing!

Have a beautiful, blissful Saturday!

"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship." Louisa May Alcott  (Little Women)

* Beautiful Moments Need Not Be Expensive *

This kind of says it all, doesn't it?

I just realized this morning that I missed my 2 Year Blog Anniversary by two days! I began blogging on November 10, 2008, after much persuading and urging by writer-blog-friend, Karrie Mcallister. She helped me realize that I did indeed need a blog. Karrie even helped me get started on blogspot...all the way from Ohio. Yay for e-mail! I'm sure other writer friends told me about blogging, too, but Karrie was the catalyst.

Thanks again, Karrie! I owe ya!

Remember when I posted a picture of this old tree recently? I mentioned that's where we see an owl or two from time to time. Well.....I know it's very hard to see, but at the top of the tree, a little left of the center, is one of those beautiful birds! I actually took this picture from my office window this morning, holding my camera between the slats in the blinds. I zoomed as close as I could (not the best camera for long shots!) and used the "no flash" feature. If you click on this, though, you'll see a huge view.

What prompted me to look out the window was I heard the familar hoot-hoot that I hear so often! The last time that happened, by the time I went and grabbed my camera, he had flown away.

More Simple Pleasures!

Tiger-Gal's view when she lays by the front storm door.

She LOVES to lay there and keep a watchful eye, and/or snooze and I LOVE to watch her, too.

More Simple Pleasures!

Two Guys With Books!

I bought the little duck for a couple of dollars earlier this year at a place called Apple Wagon. It's located in Williamsburg, Missouri, which we pass when we drive to Osage Beach, Mo. He was just so cute, standing there holding his book...and me being a book person...I just had to have him! I didn't think any more about it....as in maybe having a "collection of book holding animals and/or people"...until I saw old Santa there, at Dollar Tree! Well, you know I had to buy him, too. So, I guess since I have TWO of them, I've officially begun a collection!

More Simple Pleasures!

"The simplest things give me ideas." - Joan Miro

* Veterans Day 2010 *

It's Veterans Day, 2010. How many of our WWII veterans are still alive? Not very many I'm sure. The same could be said about veterans of the Korean War. I know the WWII men & women were welcomed home with cheers by the citizens of our country. I really don't know if the same is true about our Korean vets.

I do know, however, that the Vietnam vets were treated miserably when they came home. I don't really know how the veterans of current and recent "wars" are thought of when they get back, but I'm pretty sure it's better than the ones from Vietnam.

I have friends and relatives who served our country in both war times and peaceful times. Yesterday, I wrote about being grateful for my life, and it didn't occur to me then, to add them to my list. Thank you all.

This isn't going to be a rant about how veterans of war are treated. I don't write a political blog, but I will say this...If you've never been to Washington, DC and seen Arlington Cemetery and/or the Vietnam Wall, you've missed out on a couple of powerful sights. You will surely have chills......

I just want to remind us all of the following:

"Why do we kill people who are killing people to show that killing people is wrong?" ~ Holly Near

"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?' " ~ Eve Merriam

"Nations have recently been led to borrow billions for war; no nation has ever borrowed largely for education. Probably, no nation is rich enough to pay for both war and civilization. We must make our choice; we cannot have both." ~ Abraham Flexner