Wahoo!!! I just saw the beginnings of the cover for book 2 in my series. So exciting!!!

Just a little bit of exciting news: our son, Jacob, turned in his mission papers on Easter Sunday. In about 2 weeks he will receive his mission call from church headquarters. We will be watching the mailbox very closely! So proud of him!!!!

Just thought I’d share a little poem that I wrote nearly 20 years ago.

Children say the funniest things,
They run and shout and laughter rings
Throughout the house and off the walls.
Don’t mind the mess, step over the balls.
Pick up a pencil and write it all down,
Just as they say it, just as it sounds.
Then you’ll always have it, good or bad,
To cheer you up when you’re feeling sad.

It was entered into a national contest and won Honorable Mention, and they published it in their book. 

Thank you!!!

Thank you so much! I am overwhelmed by the response of my sale for my kindle ebook this last weekend. It more than exceeded my expectations. If you could do me a favor and write me a review on Amazon when you are finished reading it, that would be awesome! Thank you again.

This is a test.

It is only a test.

🙂

Feeling Silly

Last summer I was looking for an exercise routine that I could do. There are so many options out there, but with my injured foot, they are actually quite limited. 14 years ago I shattered my heel and ankle, and so with a plate & 9 screws holding my foot together, I don’t have full mobility, and it is in constant pain. Therefore, even if my Dr. hadn’t told me to be careful, most exercise is off limits to me.

So my sister suggested Zumba, and I tried that for awhile, until it started agravating my foot. Even with me just standing, and shaking my bootie, it caused my ankle to swell and I couldn’t do my everyday activites that needed to be done. It was still straining my ankle.

So now, my son bought a dvd exercise system called Hip Hop Abs. The most it doesis step side to side. I think I can do that. So I did the first routine today. Hahaha!

I have been a dancer my entire life, well, until my injury, and I had fun! My feet felt solid on the ground, which is always a good thing. But you know that feeling when you’re trying your hardest to keep up, but you’re moving left when you’re supposed to be moving right, or arms up when they really should be out. Yeah, that was me. I’m just glad no one was watching. But you just wait until tomorrow. I’ll nail it!

Thanks Anthony, for getting this and telling me I should try it. I really had a good time!!!

One Thing I’ve Learned in Class

I am a strong believer in continuing our education. Whether it be college, community classes, workshops etc. Whatever works best for our individual situations.

One of the things that I do, for my writing, is I am a member of the League of Utah Writers. The chapter I belong to likes to focus on learning and improving our writing skills. So we have speakers, workshops and sometimes we critique each other’s work.

I loved one thing that a former member of our chapter, Clint Johnson, taught us and that was to write for 15 minutes each day. No matter what. This is something that I struggle with, and this year I am going to focus on achieving it. The reason it is so important to write for 15 minutes each day is something amazing happens subconsciously. Not only will it become a habit, but after 3 weeks, your subconscious will continue to work on your book. See, your mind thinks there’s a problem and it needs to solve it. Since it is always on your mind, it must be important. Even while you sleep, your brain is working on your book.

While I was following this guideline, I was just to the point of the “final battle” in my book. Before I was going to write I was walking my dog, and a whole new twist in my story just slammed into my brain! There was no way I could finish the book now!!! So I went with it. It opened up my book to become a trilogy instead of just one book. It was awesome!

Then I let life get in the way ~sigh~ and I started skipping days because my schedule became so horrendous. But I really need to get back into writing everyday because, not only do I enjoy it, but I am at that point again. I am just starting to write the final battle and I need as much help with it from my brain as I can. AND, I am already getting ideas for the trilogy that follows after this one, and a prequel trilogy. My brain is getting so full of ideas and story lines that I’m getting antsy to start on it. But first things first, I need to finish my book I’m doing now. I’m sooo close!

So, until next week. I’m now off to write for my 15 minutes.

Update on “The Gathering: Book 2 in the Ceramia Trilogy”

Our business, Keep It Marketing, is always crazy busy during the holidays with tons of orders for embroidery, so I don’t get much time to work on any writing. I know this, so I don’t get upset, after all, it’s nice to have food on the table. Then, in January, we are gone to two trade shows and so our time is busy getting ready to go, and then all the catch up after we get back home. It is finally at the end of January that I can start to breath again.

However, this year, I was able to get my second book to the editor the week before we left. I am very excited about this.

My editor rocks! Her name is Sarah Johnson and not only is she a good friend of mine, but she does good work. Always a bonus! She called me the other day to give an update and she is about halfway through the book. She just needed to tell me that my demon queen, Zaldron, is HORRIFIC!!!!!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! That totally made my day. I think I had a little too much fun writing about her.

But, back to business, she should have the book back to me, with her suggestions, by the second week of Feb. Yes!!! So then I have given myself the rest of Feb to work on the re-write to polish everything up. So until then, I will work on the back cover blurb and order the book cover so it will be ready to be up on Amazon mid to late March. Wahoo!!!

Until next time, have a fabulous day!

Eagle Scout

What does it take to become an an Eagle Scout? Years of hard work, for not only the scout, but for his family and scout leaders as well.

This last Saturday, my youngest son had his Eagle Court of Honor, and I couldn’t have been prouder. We had to change this date four times because of so many conflicts, and Saturday was no exception, but we went ahead and held it anyway. Very few extended family members could come, but our immediate family was all there. Very few of his friends could come, but we knew that about half of his scout leaders could come. He did not want to change it again, so we held it anyway. We weren’t expecting even 20 people to show up, but nearly 60 people did! They were all neighbors who have known him throughout the years. What a surprise! Most of them are all involved in scouting in one way or another, and they were there to support one of their own.

As I looked out upon the audience, I couldn’t help but think of what it means to be an Eagle Scout, and when all the Eagles moved to the Eagles Nest, my husband and oldest son included, tears welled up in my eyes. Everyone of these men and young men sitting there are all phenonmenal people and exemplify what it means to be an Eagle: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

I am so grateful for the scouting program, and wish that more young men would get involved into the scouting program. The examples of the great leaders and what the scouts learn, carry throughout their entire lives.

A neighbor of mine, while hiring for jobs where he worked, would always look for the title Eagle Scout on the application, and if he found it, would hire the man. Every time. You see, he knew what it means to be an Eagle Scout. And he knew the applicant would be an honest and hard worker.

Thank you Baden Powell for starting this great program!

October Reading List

Every October I like to read Halloweenish kind of books. This is year is no different. So I was going through my kindle and started one about a witch. Judging by the cover, it would be a fun, easy read. Since I had downloaded it awhile ago, I couldn’t remember what it would be about. Well, by the second page of chapter 1 I closed it up and deleted it from my devise. The language was so filthy, it made me sick! Why do some authors feel the need to drop the f-bomb and other disgusting words every few lines?

So, instead, I started re-reading The Shining by Stephen King. It has been MANY years since I’ve read that. Oh, what a treat it is to read something from a master!!! I have decided to read it so that Danny, the young boy, would be fresh in my mind because the great Stephen King has written another book with Danny as the main character, and I want to read that. Dr. Sleep.

The only problem is: I only want to read! It is so hard to put the book down and get to work myself!!! Hahaha! Oh well, back to work Sherry. See you later Danny. I’ll read again during lunch.