My One Word: 2016 and 2017

Most who know me know I am a very goal-oriented person (in fact, I already shared my goal wrap-up for 2016 and my new ones for 2017 on this very blog). I work best with specific guidelines and benchmarks. I am good at details.

The problem, however, is I don't always see the big picture - how those little things connect into a single whole. And they do :) That, at least for me, is where One Word comes in.

For the past few years, I have chosen a single word to focus on for the year. It has helped me to take all those little pieces and discover how they connect - and how to keep my focus in all the little things on one big thing.

This past year, my word was Truth. I spent 2016 studying all the different references to this word in God's Word (217 of them to be exact!), and attempting to check each thing I saw, did, thought, and felt against what I learned. It was a good word for me - it kept me on the right path for the most part, and was a wonderful way to get myself BACK where I needed to be when I did stray.

So, when 2017 started approaching, I began to think about, and pray for, my 2017 word. And one thing that kept coming back to me was my struggle with entitlement and my desire for things to be my way. I don't like it - and I know my Heavenly Father dislikes it even more. And so, after prayer and contemplation, God gave me my word for this year.

And not just any servant. I want to be a giving, selfless, obedient, grateful servant (and to continue to teach my children the same). No more complaining about what I have to do. No more whining about my load. Make me a servant, Lord!

Each morning, I plan to read and meditate on three "servant verses" I have chosen (John 12:25-26, 1 Corinthians 9:19-20 and Luke 22:26-27), and have part of my quiet time with one of several servant-focused reading plans at YouVersion.

Because, you see, I have a way of kinda forgetting my focus if I don't put it in front of me every day. I get caught up in the day to day, and forget about the big picture. So hopefully, servanthood will permeate all of 2017.

Do you pick a word for the year? Make goals or resolutions? I'd love to hear about it!

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Yes - I still exist :) Looking Back and Looking Forward

In case you are curious, I AM in fact aware that is has been A YEAR since I posted anything on this blog. It has been a busy time, and I just haven't focused (at all) on this aspect of my writing or platform. But, being the goal-focused person I am, I couldn't resist sharing how 2016 went goals-wise, not to mention my plans for 2017.

So, how was 2016? Let's see what my plans were - from my last post here nearly 365 days ago:

2016 Life/General Goals 

• Eat healthier: drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer sweets
• Get house organized and sorted, concluding with a garage sale

Writing Goals 

• Writing or editing my children's writing a minimum of an hour each week 
• Read and take notes on at least 300 new to me, and published in 2011 or later, picture books
• Participate in: ReviMo, ReFoReMo(?), Kidlit Summer School, PiBoIdMo, Debut PB Study Group, at least one class or additional challenge, and my in-person critique group
• Use RateYourStory at least twice
• Have at least one picture book manuscript ready for submission

And my review? I definitely improved my "healthiness." Water and fruit and veggie consumption were definitely up (most weeks, anyway), and sweets are a bit less of a temptation. I organized and sorted a good majority of my house (though not all) and DID have a garage sale. The house doesn't look like I did a thing, but I did - and that's what matters. Right? ;)

As far as writing, I did picture book work at least an hour a week more weeks than not. By my calculations, I spent approximately 48 hours this year writing, researching, or editing picture book manuscripts. I also read and took notes on 373 picture books that met my criteria, and participated in each of the challenges listed (other than PiBoIdMo, which changed its name to StoryStorm and was rescheduled for this January), as well as National Picture Book Writing Week. As far as the last two, I only did Rate Your Story once, since they changed their system and don't have many free days anymore, and while I AM closer to being ready to submit, I don't think I am QUITE there yet.

And there you have it.

But enough looking back - it's time to go boldly into 2017. And my goals? Check 'em out!

2017 Goals

General  

• Increased liquid consumption (aim is 80 ounces a day - 10 cups - mostly water)
• Organize/straighten the basement (which is quite big, ridiculously messy, and the one place I DIDN'T get to in my 2016 cleaning)

Writing

• Submit at least two picture book manuscripts to agents or publishers
• Read and take notes on 300 new to me, and published in 2012 or later, picture books
• Spend an average of an hour a week editing, writing, and/or researching a picture book
• Have a current, functioning website/blog by the end of the year

See that last one? Yup - planning to be here more often. Don't know what it will look like (and don't hold your breath), but the plan is to do SOMETHING around here on some sort of regular basis.

And the next thing? A post about my word for the year (both 2016 AND 2017). Watch for it in the next couple days.

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Welcome to a New Year: 2016 Word - and Goals

I am a goal person. Those of you who have followed this blog for a while (or know me) realize that. So, even though some folks like the idea of "just" picking a word for the year - it doesn't work for me.

This is my third year with a one word theme. I strongly recommend it. My 2015 word, "closer," definitely kept me moving this past year. And I am extremely excited to see what God does with my word for 2016. And what word would that be?

TRUTH 

There are 217 verses in God's Word with the word "truth" in them (NJV). In addition to trying to keep the word at the forefront, and keep my actions, thoughts, and emotions in line with God's many truths, I will spend 2016 reading, studying, and taking notes on each of those verses and attempting to apply them to my life. I can't wait to see what God does!

And now to goals for 2016. After reviewing my 2015 goals, I have come up with the following:

Life/General Goals 

• Eat Healthier: drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer sweets
• Get house organized and sorted, concluding with a garage sale

Writing Goals 

• Writing or editing my children's writing a minimum of an hour each week 
• Read and take notes on at least 300 new to me, and published in 2011 or later, picture books
• Participate in: ReviMo, ReFoReMo(?), Kidlit Summer School, PiBoIdMo, Debut PB Study Group, at least one class or additional challenge, and my in-person critique group
• Use RateYourStory at least twice
• Have at least one picture book manuscript ready for submission

So - there you have it! Happy New Year - and I'd LOVE to hear your plans for 2016!

DO YOU PICK A WORD FOR THE YEAR? WHAT IS IT? HOW ABOUT GOALS?

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

2015 - Looking Back

I know - I haven't blogged much this year. But it doesn't mean I haven't been pressing forward. And it's good to acknowledge progress, right? So - here I am, doing just that.

At the beginning of 2015, I set some goals - and picked a one word theme. And, as I generally do around this time of year, I am going to look at them and see how I did.

What were they, you ask? Well, here you go - straight from my first post of this year:

• Complete at least twelve picture book rough drafts
• Do substantial revisions on at least six picture book manuscripts
• Do at least one specific, relatively substantial, thing to improve my children's writing craft each month (e.g. take a class, read a craft book, participate in a picture book-related challenge, get a substantial critique, etc.).
•  Work on a picture book manuscript for five minutes or more at least five days a week the vast majority of weeks.

 And how did I do?

• I did NOT complete twelve rough drafts. I would say I managed five or six - but my focus changed a bit later, so I am fine with that.
• I definitely worked on revisions more this year - though I probably only did five substantial ones
• January was ReviMo, February was creating and submitting a PB pitch to a blog for feedback, March was ReFoReMo, April RhyPiBoMo, May working through a good portion of a craft book, June I think I skipped, July and August were Kidlit Summer School, September I skipped, October was a one-day children's writer's conference, November was PiBoIdMo, and December I skipped (unless something substantial comes up in the next 48 hours or so :::r:::). So - nine out of twelve months. Not bad :)
• I went through my little calendar just now (I put a "w" every time I wrote a PB, and a R when I revised) and I did one or the other five times a week 35 out of 52 weeks, with the VAST majority of the rest either four or five days. I am pleased, for the most part.

And - my one word last year was "Closer" - and I feel like it was "a success." It helped keep me focused on making progress in a lot of areas.

So - there it is :)

Watch for another post in the next few days on my word and goals for 2016.

How was YOUR 2015?

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

God Gave Us You: Perfect PIcture Book Friday

Just under two years old

Today, my oldest turns 14. In September, he starts high school. And really, neither of these facts has really sunk in yet. I am having a TOUGH time getting my mind around these facts.

And because of this, I though I would share one of my very, very

September 2014

favorite picture books with you today - one that my mother-in-law got me for a baby shower gift when my oldest was born, and that I often give to other new mothers as a shower gift.

And not just because I'm sentimental (but that IS probably 98% of the reason, if I'm honest) - but because I think this is a lovely book to add to Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Title: God Gave Us You

Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren

Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant

Publisher: WaterBrook Press, 2000, fiction

Age Range: 3-7

Theme/Topics:babies, mothers, God, love

First Page: "Good night, sweet child," Mama said as she tucked Little Cub in.

But Little Cub wasn't quite ready to go to sleep.

"Mama, where did I come from?" she asked.

Synopsis: When a charming polar bear cub climbs into bed one night, she asks her Mama a very important question--one that little "human cubs" often wonder about, too: "Where did I come from?"

As Mama bear tucks her youngest cub under the quilts, she gently, tenderly, and reassuringly communicates the message loving parents everywhere (bears and non-bears alike) want their little ones to hear: "We wanted you very, very much, and we are so very glad because—God gave us you."

Resources: This probably isn't a book for the classroom proper, but here are some "Sunday-school type" lessons you can use. God made families part 1 and 2. (Maybe this ISN'T a perfect fit for PPBF, but sorry - I'm sharing it anyway. Mama's prerogative!)

Why I LOVE it: Besides the reasons I listed above? Because it is so incredibly sweet. Because it STILL makes me choke up when I read it. Because it is the perfect bedtime story. Because, in this world where folks do NOT necessarily value children, it does. Because the illustrations are lovely. Because the language is beautiful. JUST BECAUSE!

(Just a note - this book is specifically about mothers who give birth to their children - as opposed to adoption, or any other way families come together)

Hope you'll not mind my sappy, sentimental pick this week and give this book a look - and check out the OTHER perfect picture books for today at Susanna's blog - and Susanna's ever-growing list of wonderful picture books. 

Oh - and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDREW!
 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Don't Call Me Sidney

I don't know about you, but I grew up with a strong dislike for my name (my first name to some extent, but ESPECIALLY my last - and those of you know the last name I was born with no doubt can understand why). My first name grew on me (and I got to exchange my surname when I met my wonderful husband), but I think this is something that almost every child goes through. For that reason, and several others, I have chosen this fun, silly, delightful book for my contribution to the lovely Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Title: Don't Call Me Sidney

Author: Jane Sutton

Illustrator: Renata Gallio

Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2010, fiction

Age Range: 3-5 years

Theme/Topics: names, humor, rhyme, appreciating what you have

First Page:It all started on Gabie's birthday. Sidney surprised his good friend with a poem:

"Happy birthday to Gabie,
I've known you since you were a baby.
I hope your day's fun
In the shade or the sun.
You're my best friend for sure, not maybe."

"Thank you, Sidney!" said Gabie, pleased that the forgetful Sidney had remember his birthday. "You have such a way with words."

Sidney grinned. He thought he had a way with words too. But he thought it might be showing off to say so.

Synopsis (from inside book jacket):Sidney love to write rhyming poems for his friends' birthdays, until he realizes his own name doesn't rhyme with anything except...well, kidney. What's a pig with a non-rhyming name to do? Aha! Sidney decides to change his name - with unexpectedly hilarious and poignant results. For any kid who's ever wished for a new name, Sidney's story offers plenty of laughs, and a reassuring dose of subtle and sound advice

Resources: Have the kids try to figure out words that rhyme with their own name - you can use Rhymezone, or a rhyming dictionary, to help. Have the kids find out why their parents picked their name and why it is special to them. If they could change their name, would they? What does their name mean? Most baby name websites have this information.

Why I LOVE it: For one, I can totally relate (and I think a lot of other folks can too). I also love the voice/tone, the humor, and the relationships Sidney has with Gabie - and his mother. Some of the jokes are funny even the 10th time around (to me, anyway - disclaimer: my hubby thought this one was kind of stupid). A fun book all around.

Hope you'll give this book a look - and check out the OTHER perfect picture books for today at Susanna's blog - and Susanna's ever-growing list of wonderful picture books.


 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Some FREE Christmas Treasures - Including My Own!!

I know - not quite Thanksgiving yet - but have I got a Christmas present for you :)

I know I've mentioned it here earlier this month, but I have three stories in a wonderful Christmas anthology that is available on Amazon right now called Christmas Treasures: A Collection of Christmas Short Stories. There's a little something for everyone - romance, humor, tears, you name it - all about this wonderful time of year.

The anthology features 14 different authors, including some of my dearest friends (and maybe some of yours too!): Patty Wysong, Linda S. Glaz, Christina Rich, Karen Wingate, Karen Campbell Prough, Karla Atkins, Donna Hubbard Scofield, Elaine Stock, Karlene Jacobsen, Kathy Rouser, April Strauch, Anne Garbozci Evans, Susan F. Craft, and yours truly :D

Get it here!

And the best part? Today through Saturday, the book is FREE for the Kindle! Hope you'll stop by and pick it up - and tell your friends! (It's also available in the print version for only $5 - also a great deal, don't you think??)

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

What's your favorite Christmas memory?  

Joanne: A Writer Blog Hop

I'm guessing several of you folks have seen this blog hop around here and there. I know I have. And my dear friend and accountability partner Zoe McCarthy invited me to join (be sure to check out HER blog, Creative in Everything, which is full of inspiration and wisdom!), and I agreed.

And this is how it works - each person who participates in the blog hop answers four specific questions about their writing, then mentions three other writers who have agreed to participate, along with a link to their blog. A week or two after the post goes live, the other writers do exactly the same thing.

And so, here I go, answering the four questions:

What am I working on?
In addition to my posts twice a week at the FaithWriters blog (I'm the official blogger there) and other posts monthly at a couple other sites, I am working on two picture books at the moment. One I wrote as my "March picture book" for Julie Hedlund's 12 x 12 and I am currently editing, critiquing, and polishing it up so it's nice and shiny for review at the website RateYourStory. I plan to submit it for a critique rating on their next "free submission day," which is June 1.

The second picture book I'm plugging away at is still in the brainstorm/barely-starting-a-rough-draft stage - it will, God willing, be my June picture book. Not giving too much information, but it involves an elephant and his favorite band. Will see where it goes from there!

How does my work differ from others in its genre?
If I weren't a generally optimistic person, I might say that mine is different because it isn't as good. ;) I have only been focusing on picture books for six months or so, so I'm still learning. But I AM an optimistic person, so I can give you a better answer than that, I think.

My stories all have hope in them - whether they are funny, serious, or whatever else they might be. And it's not just any hope - it's hope in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It may not be stated explicitly, but it is always there in the background - just as it is in my life. And, of course, I bring my unique history/love of children/voice to whatever I write.

Why do I write what I do?
Because I love it, and feel called. As I said above, I've only been on this particular writing path for a short time - and it was my time at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference last year that eventually sparked me to change from inspirational historical fiction to picture books at the beginning of this year - though I DEFINITELY got my feet wet last November with the wildly fun Tara Lazar and her PiBoIdMo (that's Picture Book Idea Month, in case you didn't know).

I love kids, and writing for them is a challenge, and lots of fun for me. I still have A LOT to learn (i.e. I am most definitely not ready for prime time), but I am enjoying every step of it (well, ALMOST every step LOL).

How does my writing process work?

Photo source

It varies some, but in general my ideas come to me either when I least expect it, or when I am purposely trying to find something to write about (such as during PiBoIdMo). I'll often flesh it out on paper a bit until I have something I can build a story on. Then I'll start writing. Often, I will start longhand (I do quite a bit of writing while waiting for carpool), and type in what I write out later, making some preliminary changes as I go. I'll then print out what I have so I can write more longhand on the same sheet of paper if my next opportunity to write is away from my keyboard.

I do some editing as I go along, but also give my story MANY, MANY look overs (and have others do the same) before I consider it truly done. In general, I save over old drafts - but I'm trying to be better about saving into new files so I can see "where I've come from." The PB I'll be submitting to RYS currently has seven drafts.
 
And now, for passing it on:
I have to be honest - I had QUITE a lot of trouble finding folks who hadn't done this already or felt they had the time to do a post like this. But I DID find a couple.

Suzy Leopold is a wife, mother, grandmother, educator, and writer whose passion is sharing the importance of the love of learning with children and their families. You can visit her blog to learn more about her.


Karlene Jacobsen is a mother, wife, home health worker, nursing student, and writer who writes romance and contemporary fiction. You can check out her blog, Undaunted Devotion, for inspiration and more about her.

Be sure to stop by their blogs - now, and in a week or two! And if you haven't been tagged in this blog hop and would like to be - consider yourself my third person :)


My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

God and my Writing Journey

I love to write - it's most definitely a passion of mine. My current focus, as you may or may not know, is children's books. But it isn't my only one :)

How could I NOT love this shirt?

Today, I am over at Kristena Tunstall's blog, sharing my answer to a question she asks a different writer every Friday: How have you seen God work in your writing journey? I hope you will find my response inspiring, informative - and even a little fun. Hope you will stop by!

How have you seen God work in your writing (or other)journey?

 

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

My Spiritual Birthday

Fifteen years ago today, as I sat on my living room couch reading from the book of Isaiah, I accepted Christ's free gift of salvation.

So, when my dear writer friend Mary Hamilton mentioned she was looking for folks to share their salvation testimonies on her blog in February, I couldn't say no.

And she even let me post on my rebirthday! Hope you'll stop by her blog and check it out (as well as the other wonderful posts there!)
 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Our Family Reading List

This post is part of Patty Wysong's 

 A to Z meme. This week's letter is "R."

I love to read. Pretty much always have, and almost positive I always will. And in the Sher household, that's pretty much the norm (though not COMPLETELY). Both my husband and daughter love reading - maybe as much as I do. My son? Not so much - but he still does it (mostly because it's required for school - but at least he DOES it! And maybe he'll find some books that really grab his interest, and that will change. Maybe).

And here we are!

So I thought, because this week's letter is "R," I'd share a bit about what my family is currently reading.

I'll start with my lovely daughter (who turns 10 this coming Wednesday, by the way. WHERE did the time go!??). At bedtime, we are reading The War of The Ember, which is the fifteenth and final book in the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series by Kathryn Lasky. This is my second time through the series (read it with my son a few years ago - though I must admit that my daughter read the majority of these herself, without my help), and there's some fine storytelling in there.

She is also reading two books on her own: a novelization of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (she read the first two in the series already), and Newberry Honor book Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm. She's enjoying them both very much.

My handsome son (who is three months shy of being a teenager!) has developed a liking for a book series that his father read when he was younger called Alfred Hichcock and the Three Investigators (in fact, the books are the ones my husband read himself when he was Andrew's age). His required reading for school (he needs to read two hours a week outside of class) is the fourth book in this series - The Mystery of the Green Ghost. At bed (yes, I still read to him - though he reads to me too on occasion), we are working on the third book - The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy. Delightful and interesting stories - and if he's enjoying them, I'm all for it!

And then there's my loving, wonderful husband. He's been reading Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (that's a staple for him - guess he has always liked mysteries!) on his Kindle, as well as Idiots at Work - Chronicles of Workplace Stupidity (humor is another big one for him!) and The 17-Day Diet (which I finished reading myself not too long ago).

And we can't forget yours truly. :) In addition to the December issue of The Writer (to be followed quickly thereafter with January's issue of Writer's Digest), I'm reading Shelly Beach's Ambushed by Grace (lovely and helpful book on caregiving) and Randy and Nanci Alcorn's Help for Women Under Stress (for a FRIEND. Stress? Me? Nah ;)). NEXT on my list will definitely be fiction - probably something historical that screams at me from my Kindle Fire.

So, what's on YOUR reading list?

 
Scripture Stories: Timeless Truths
Check out more "r" posts below, and/or share your own! 

 

October is Over...

This post is part of Patty Wysong's 

 A to Z meme. This week's letter is "O."
 

Don't know about you, but here in the Sher house, the past couple months seem to have flown by. Yesterday was the last day of the first quarter of my kids' school year - which means we're already 25% of the way through!

October (and September before it) was full of soccer, it seemed. And school. And running here, there, and everywhere. And researching/learning more about what seems to be my new writing focus - children's stories.

The kids are NOW almost 10 and on the cusp of 13!

Getting used to the routine of a new school year generally takes until some time in October to happen, and this year was no different. I think I can say with some certainty that, now the October is over, we've gotten ourselves into a nice pattern (that is apt to change - at the last minute - with no notice. But still :D).

And today is the first day of November. My kids have the day off (teacher inservice training) - a nice treat the day after Halloween, you think? We're getting a family portrait taken today (has been seven years since our last one - you can see it right there). It's about time in my opinion (though some in the family aren't QUITE as agreeable ;)).

AND, today starts PiBoIdMo - picture book idea month! Very excited about it (click here for last week's post for more details). Got my ring of index cards to carry with me so I can jot down any picture-book related ideas that pop into my head throughout the month, and plenty of places to go for inspiration.

The official site

Other highlights of this month will likely include my daughter's birthday (she goes double digits at the end of the month!), a couple field trips I'm driving for (one for each child - a pipe organ "investigation" and a Mexican supermarket), Thanksgiving, and who-knows-what else.

I don't know about you - but I'm READY for November, and glad that October is over!

How was your October?

 
Scripture Stories: Timeless Truths
Check out these other "o" posts, and/or share your own! 

 

Munchkins

This post is part of Patty Wysong's 
 A to Z meme. This week's letter is "L."

As a child (and even now!), one of my very favorite movies was The Wizard of Oz. Now, I have heard of folks who were petrified of the flying monkeys, or some other scene in it, and refuse to watch it (or allow their children to). But, well, folks - that's not me.

Wax Wizard of Oz: Josh Berglund

I watched it every year when it came on TV (you know - in the olden days before TiVo and even VCRs - gasp!!). I could sing just about every song by heart (I'm sure I had the record, or cassette tape, or something). And even though I knew exactly what was coming just about every minute of this classic film, I was dazzled by it each time I watched it. Along with The Sound of Music (which very well may be another post in the future!), this was "must-see-TV" (I'm dating myself, aren't I?).

Follow the yellow brick road! Sam Howzit

I loved The Wizard of Oz so much, in fact, that despite the fact that I was one of the tallest kids in my class from the day I was old enough to be IN a class (up to now - I am 5'10", after all!), I developed the nickname "Munchy" - short for Munchkin (loved those little dudes and dudettes!). It was mostly only family who used it - and one dear family friend. Whenever I see the movie, think about it, or get one of the song stuck in my head (like right now), I think of Stacee Ullman - who I haven't seen in decades. (May have to do a Facebook search - haven't in a bit)

Of course, I now own this movie (and my other favorite of course! :D), so I can watch it any time I want. And even if I don't have time, the songs never fail to run through my head (at the most opportune OR inopportune times!)

What movies can you never watch enough?

 
Scripture Stories: Timeless Truths
Read more M posts and/or share your own here!

 

Liquid Loves

This post is part of Patty Wysong's

   A to Z meme. This week's letter is "L."

 
I had a bunch of WONDERFUL words I was considering for my L post.

Love
Laughter
Light
Los Angeles (where I was born and raised!)

But the ideas for them just weren't coming. So, my topic for today is a bit less inspiring and earth-shattering. But still fun (I hope!).

Photo source

I don't drink as much as I should. MANY have told me this. I don't ever recall being completely dehydrated, but I know more liquid consumption would be VERY good for me (and now I think I'll take a quick break to go fill a cup with water. I MIGHT have it empty in a few hours. If I remember).

Okay - I'm back. Took my first sip of water of the day (not counting the one I took with my multivitamin before it got light).

Photo source

I'm not much of a pop/soda/coke drinker. I'm not terribly fond of the taste of several of these beverages, and, well, the carbonation affects me more than most (I've been called a gaseous anomaly in the past :::blush::: ). There are a few (root beer, ginger ale - that's all that's coming to mind) that I'll drink in a pinch, but generally, it's not on my list. Not a fan of coffee either.

Photo source

My favorite liquid is milk (or leche, for my Spanish-speaking and "L"-conscious friends). Skim. Low fat is okay too - just don't give me whole. I would gladly drink it for just about every meal. Yummy! (In fact, I have a glass of milk with my Bible reading each morning - that picture on my blog header is NOT a mistake!).

But, if I'm eating out, milk is, in general, expensive - and you don't get free refills on it! So, as far as ordering drinks, my go-to liquid is lemonade. Regular, Pink. Raspberry. Strawberry. You name it, I enjoy it. Love me my lemonade. Not as much as milk - but still.

And if they don't have lemonade (or I'm just not in the mood)? Ice water.

Do You Drink Enough? What's Your Favorite Liquid?

 
Scripture Stories: Timeless Truths
 Read more L posts and/or share your own here!

 

A Jumble of J Junk

This post is part of Patty Wysong's
   A to Z meme. This week's letter is "J."

You'd think this would be an easy letter for me. It starts my name. HELLO???

But I have so many things in my head, that I don't think I could do a post and do any of them justice. So I'll give you the Reader's Digest Condensed Version of each one. How's that?
Joanne: My first name. It means "God is gracious." I was named after my great grandfather on my mother's side - Joseph. (It's a common tradition for Jews - see below LOL - to name their children after relatives who have passed away) Joseph would have been my name if I'd been a boy. My Hebrew name is Yosepha.
Judaism: The religion I was raised in. My grandfather was a cantor. My father kept kosher for his childhood and much of his young adult life. I went to Hebrew school as a child and was Bat Mitzvahed at 13. I can read (kinda - or at least COULD read) Hebrew (posted about this a couple weeks ago). Because being Jewish is more about heritage than a belief system ("they" say if your mother is Jewish, you're automatically a Jew), I am, in fact, STILL Jewish, even though I accepted Christ almost 15 years ago (has it REALLY been that long??)
Joke: Here's a favorite one in our house (answer at the bottom of the post). A man rides into town on Friday, stays three days, and leaves Sunday morning. How is this possible?
Jo: My online nickname. I'm not 100% positive, but I think it started, for the most part, at FaithWriters (though my brothers called me Jo as a kid some - which got a bit tricky when I dated a boy named Joe for several years LOL). But it has TOTALLY spread to just about everywhere I am online. And I LOVE it. To me, it is absolutely, positively a term of endearment. (Unlike my middle school nickname - JoJo. One girl called me that because it was her dog's name. Lovely, eh? But enough of that :::roll::)

JJ: Another of my dearly-loved nicknames. But there is only one special young lady who uses - who is ALLOWED to use - this one! So don't even TRY it - unless you're her ;)
JoMama: One more of my fun nicknames- especially for some of my jewely sisters (see below!) when I start getting "all maternal" on them ;). Can't help it!!
Jello: Yum. Refreshing. Fun. Don't have it nearly enough. Maybe I'll make some later today...
Jewelers: Now, this one has a story to it...Several years ago, I made it a personal goal to be sure that every FaithWriters Writing Challenge entry had at least one comment on it. So, I singlehandedly attempted to look at every piece and comment. But it got to be WAY too much for me. I needed help. So, in February of 2008, I called on a few friends to help me (If I recall, the group started out as me, Patty Wysong, Yvonne Blake, LauraLee Shaw, and Laury Hubrich,).

At that time, our goal was to be sure every entry had an encouraging comment on it, and to pick a few faves. We called ourselves the jewelers, and our faves "the Jewel Chest." That group has changed quite a bit since then - people came, others went, others came AND went ;) - and the goals have changed too - but we are STILL dear, dear friends/writers/sisters in Christ. (Love you, Peejers, DeeQ, Vonnie, La, Hally, Beffy, VernaJ, Sawa, and Sunny!)

Closest we ever got to all of us together in person - 2009 FW conference

And it didn't stop there. About two and a half years ago, Patty Wysong (the lady who shares my brain and one of the original jewelers) started up a group devotional blog called Jewels of Encouragement - what I will always consider an offshoot of the Jewelers (and I know she does too!). We knew we weren't the only encouragers out there. Over a dozen women post encouraging devotionals on the site every month (and we're certainly looking for more contributors! - drop me a note if you're interested :D), and I know it is a blessing to many.

(and now, of course, I realize I could have done an entire post on jewelers. LOL Oh well!)

So, there's my J list. Hope you enjoyed it. (Oh - and the joke? The name of the horse is Friday.)

 
Scripture Stories: Timeless Truths
Read more "J" posts here, and/or add your own!  

 

If I Were...

This post is part of Patty Wysong's
   A to Z meme. This week's letter is "I."

I had a hard time coming up with a topic for "I" (you can ask Peejers). But then, I had a vague memory of a post I did a while back that was pretty fun that might fit. So I went digging - and I was right.

But I wasn't just going to recycle the post. Oh, no...I copied all the statements, but deleted my answers - then waited a day and filled them in again. No peeking at my old post allowed. I'm curious how many will be the same...

Guess I'll check - when I'm done! (and you, of course, can check if and whenever you want)

If I Were...

If I were a month, I’d be March.

Photo Credit

If I were a day of the week, I’d be Tuesday.  
If I were a time of day, I’d be early morning.
If I were a planet, I’d be Venus.    
If I were a sea animal, I’d be a seahorse.
If I were a direction, I’d be northwest.  
If I were a piece of furniture, I'd be a recliner.
If I were a liquid, I'd be lemonade.
If I were a gemstone, I'd be aquamarine.
If I were a tree, I’d be a willow.
If I were a tool, I'd be an allen wrench.
If I were a flower, I'd be a stargazer lily (bet THAT one's the same! LOL)
If I were a kind of weather, I’d be fog.
If I were a musical instrument, I'd be a banjo.
If I were a color, I'd be purple.
If I were an emotion, I’d be contentment.
If I were a fruit, I’d be a peach.
If I were a sound, I’d be crickets chirping.
If I were an element, I’d be mercury.

Photo Credit

If I were a car, I'd be Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang.
If I were a food, I’d be chocolate-covered strawberries.
If I were a place, I’d be the library.
If I were a fabric, I'd be cotton.
If I were a taste, I’d be delicious.
If I were a scent, I’d be vanilla.
If I were an animal, I’d be a kitten.
If I were an object, I'd be a pillow.
If I were a body part, I’d be a thumb.
If I were a facial expression, I’d be a smile.
If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be fuzzy slippers.

How about you?

Feel free to do this too - SO fun, and out-of-the-box. If you do it anywhere besides in the comments, please add a link here so I can go see!

 
Scripture Stories: Timeless Truths 
Read more "I" posts here, and/or add your own!