Scribbles and Scrambles - A What Dog?

Lola is our watch dog. Amazing that a deep doberman-woof can come out of the wriggly, gangly puppy body.

Lily, well, she'll beat you up in an attempt to get a full body hug.

But today Lily revealed her inner "Thor."

Did the UPS man come to the door? No. That wasn't it.

An unfamiliar relative barged in and startled her?

No.

Not the mail carrier, or a strange dog, or a loud noise. Nope.

The sun.

Yes. I said the sun.

I always thought a sun dog was a quirk in a celestial body. How strange that I would have a quirk within my family.

So, Lola is our watch dog. Lily is our slobbering sun dog. That works. It also explains why Lily wakes and whines with the sunrise.

Yes, Janet, I do think they are cute...

Scribble and Scrambles - Oh My!

I filled my new bookshelves. I mean I filled them. I don't have a clue how many books I have, but the space for new books is limited at best.

It leaves me pondering where I used to keep them all.

The really scary thing is this picture was taken after I unloaded large bags at my local and church libraries.

The books pictured on my shelves are the ones I want to read, have started to read or have finished and will go back to revisit.

Ha. To think that I thought my hubby was going overboard. Nope. He just knows me pretty well.

I suppose there are worse collections to have. This way I can at least pretend to be intelligent. If I pose neer the theology and study helps section anyway.

Lily peeks from the steps. Kind of creepy if you ask me.

Scribble and Scrambles - Click, Click, Click, Pause

I think I've gone on record with my love of changing things up. Apparently God has been listening and is going to test my theory.

For starters, my husband is making big decisions about his business. Big decisions that are a little or a lot scary depending on my mood swing of the moment.

Secondly, I need to put my money where my mouth is. It's easy to talk about writing, and think about writing, and do it in the places where it has become comfortable. But I've been challenged to stretch a little. Or a lot. Depending on what my mood swing of the moment is dictating.

Am I up for the test? Am I up for the stretch? I don't know. I'm writing from the comfort of my home with loads of distraction and people needing my attention.Which is pretty much standard.

I do know that I like myself a whole lot better once I let God hack off the rough edges. Maybe my dry spiritual 2007 with all the challenges was preparing me for something bigger.

Even though the thought nauseates me, I do trust God to steer the roller coaster and keep me strapped in.

So, big, deep breathe in, exhale, eyes squinched, here I go.

Serials and Scenarios - Best of 2007 Part 2

I've compiled my list of favorites from the 111 books I read and reviewed in 2007. I just posted my list of favorites at Amazon. If you want to see my "Listmania List" just click.

I added a few more comments to my already posted reviews.

If you don't want to click, I'm going to give you my list in black and white.

Best Fantasy

2nd place - The Restorer
1st place - A Hideous Beauty

Best Chick-Lit

2nd place - All the Tea in China
1st place - Hazardous Duty

Best Women's Fiction

Doesn't She Look Natural?

General Fiction

Tie - In High Places
Tie - The Heir

Historical

They Betrayed

Suspense

3rd place - The Void
2nd place tie - Crimson Eve and Black Ice
1st place - Deadfall

Mystery

Deception

Parenting

Laugh Out-Loud - Guide to Pirate Parenting
Practical and Hopeful - Parenting by the Book

Outstanding Fiction

2nd place - Demon: A Memoir
1st place - A Bigger Life

If you've not read these, check into them. If you don't have book budget for 2008 yet by all means check with your public library.

Scribble and Scrambles - Tops from 2007 - Part One

Top ten favorite 2007 moments....drum roll if you will.


February Anniversary party wherein we celebrated 25 years of marriage three months past our anniversary.

The sweetest thing was this video so fabulously created by our son with the help of the girls.

Second 2007 favorites would have to be the furry creature influx. Three baby animals, two of which are someone else's responsibility....good times.

Thirdly, the visit with Minnesota Maniacs...a bobsledding team that does not eat enough... was a great way to end up the year. This is an inside joke but trust me when I say it involved loads of food and even more laughter.

Hmmm which family moments should I focus on? The Iowa State Fair held much fun and adventure as did the trip to LifeLight over Labor Day. I'll tie them for fourth.

Fifth? God's gift of words and thoughts when I felt overwhelmed when preparing for a speaker gig. He came through for me, big time. I was blessed. I hope the ladies were as well. This should be number one. Because not only did He come through for me with this. He comes through for me more often than I realize. He is beyond good to me. Snowflake revelations, blessings, blood, His Spirit, His heart and His mind. Wow. This entire post should be the top ten reasons I am grateful to God.

Snuggle times are interspersed within my top ten great moments. From wonderful back rubs to the sweet Mother's Day pedicure to just cuddling with those near and dear. I'll count them as number six.

Seventh. The Minnesota lake trip with Rob. Up one day, one night of rest, and back home again. Great conversation, a book shared, and time away from responsibility.

Eighth. This Christmas season was full of laughter, fun and sweetness, even sweeter than the fudge.

Meaningful gifts. From the Gopher II from Santa, to the fluffy pampering slippers, the amazing bookshelves, the roll of tape and the writers notebook for my purse. I can't even begin to share all of the gifts and details on why they meant so much. Definitely number nine.

Ten...the people who take valuable time to read my random thoughts and who keep coming back for more.

Thanks.

Happy New Year

I tried a little experiment over the New Year's break.




Whew!



I didn't touch a computer for FIVE days.


For many of you this feat wouldn't be huge.


But over the past two years computer access has become more and more important to me.


Beyond the Dregs I manage another blog, Novel Reviews, and post one day a week at Novel Journey. (I know. I can't believe they'd let me touch either blog. I think there was some sort of mix-up in the paperwork. Don't tell any one, K?)


Then, of course, is the endless correspondence with all of my fabulous visitors and writing comrades.


And would a day be complete without a little mindless drivel?


I think not.


Speaking of mindless drivel...well, maybe not yet. Let me ponder it further before sharing.

Scribble and Scrambles - More Than My Front Teeth

I didn't think to ask for front teeth this year since I am in possession of mine, but the goggles might be on my list for next year. Especially if they are magnifying.

I don't know this cute child, but Mr. Microsoft does. So I borrowed her since I thought she fit quite nicely with both my bent toward the twisted and the thought of the day. Great gifts.

My Christmas oozed blessings. I mentioned my bookshelves in passing the other day.

My husband delivered. Big time. I've snapped some pictures that I'll post in the very near future.

My daughter-in-law (and son) gifted me with a pan. Some wouldn't consider this a great gift. But, my daughter-in-law watched me do my burn avoidance dance when cooking in my favorite pan a few months ago. A favorite pan I can't toss. The handle is gone and has been for years, but if the hot pads are thick enough, it can still be used. And if it can still be used, it seems that the purchase of a replacement is extravagant. Her thoughtfulness birthed a guilt-free gift.

Now, the only thing that will get too warm when I cook is my heart.

She may have to wrestle the old one out of my hands and force me to part with it, though.

My oldest daughter gave me slippers with warming packs for tired, achy feet. My husband wrapped an assortment of lip balms and chocolates. Are you beginning to see why I feel especially loved?

We received two gifts of money that will move the remodeling to the next level.

My brother gave each of my children a journal and used the first few pages to pen his thoughts and memories of who they were as children and how he sees them as they have morphed into adults or near-adult.

So far I haven't mentioned the cleanliness of the house or the Martha Stewart-like food presentation. Oh, we had candles and goodies galore. But the good stuff, the keepers were the slivers of time and laughter and shared memories.

I played and lost five games of Settlers of Catan. The winners and losers laughed until fudge came out our noses. (Not really, but I do like the visual.) The scent of cinnamon rolls and coffee filled the air while we prayed together and read the Christmas story Christmas morning. Candlelight filled the church sanctuary on Christmas Eve while we sang Silent Night.

Now, I wait for the next celebration. Visitors are coming to stay. More laughing, more eating, more memories just waiting to be built.

I do love this time of year.

Hope the rest of 2007 is especially wonderful for you and yours.