Sniffles

Just so you know, I’ve accomplished nothing (nothing!) from my list of things to do today. I can’t shake this nasty cold and thus here I sit, wrapped in my blankie, sniffling and coughing. Achoo!

I’ve spent a good portion of this day watching Horatio Hornblower on DVD. It stars Ioan Gruffudd (from Amazing Grace) as well as many other fine actors. I adore the realism of life on the British ships during the Napoleonic Wars, the cunning of young Hornblower and the attention to historic detail. There’s nothing like a British naval battle when you’re stuck on the sofa with the sniffles.




Don’t forget to enter the Clocky Contest which ends Friday, June 13, 2008.

Tagged

I’ve been tagged by Kiva. So here you go; random factoids about yours truly:

a) What was I doing 10 years ago?

The year was 1998 I was thirty and feeling pretty darn sorry for myself. We didn’t own a home, I hadn’t published the great American novel, and I hadn’t left my mark on the world. Little did I understand that by raising and homeschooling my two children, I was leaving a mark. Funny how ones perspective changes with time.

b) What are 5 things on my to-do list today?

Grocery Shopping
Attend friend’s graduation
Serve food at graduation
Get over this darn cold
Bake something for tomorrow’s play rehearsal


c) Snacks I enjoy:

Dark Chocolate
Popcorn


d) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Buy a house
College for the kiddies
Support various charities
Hand $100 bills to random people in random places
Take my bestest girlfriends on a girls only vacation


e) Places I have lived – don’t laugh

Oregon –sigh- I have tried to get out of this darn state for years. Only no one seems to want to go with me. Now I have a teenager who will “die” if we move away from friends. Not to mention, boy doesn’t live at home anymore and I cannot stand the thought of living further away from him than we already do. Guess I’m doomed to be buried in Oregon.



f) Who am I tagging?

Amber – mainly because she hates these things :P
Patti – because she has nothing better to do with her time
Heidi – because she’s lived in Europe for a year and I envy her

Win a Clocky from Spoon Sisters

As many of you know, I have a teenage daughter at home. She’s a brilliant, happy girl who brings sunshine into this house and fills her father and me with great joy.

Except when it comes to getting her out of bed in the morning

Waking that kid up is one of my least favorite things to do in the entire world. Worse than scooping the cat box, worse than laundry and far worse than a root canal. Over the years we’ve looked for various ways to wake her up. We bought her an alarm; she simply reaches over and turns it off. We’ve threatened her with earlier bed times, being splashed with water, and the loss of privileges. While it might work for a little while, it never holds for more than a couple of days. Then we are right back to square one.

Beloved has had stern words with her and she always promises to do better and she does… for a day or two. But Beloved isn’t here in the morning, I am. Apparently, even though I think I’m a BIG, BAD, MOM, I do not carry as much parental weight as the Daddy does. (Anyone else have this problem?)

Our typical morning runs something like this:

7:45 – Alarm blares/she turns it off/I holler, “Good morning Honey!”

7:50 – Standing in her doorway, “Your alarm went off, get up!”

8:00 – “I’m serious! Get out of bed!”

8:15 – “Get up right now! You have school, you have chores, get up!”

8:17 – “If I have to come in here again, I’m bringing water!”

She gets up, throws a crabby glance at me, and flops onto the sofa.

She’s always been hard to wake up and I have great fear that she’ll never survive in the outside world (which means she’ll be living with her father and I until the day I DIE!). It’s my fault, I’m sure it is, but I just can’t take it anymore. There must be a way to make the kid get out of bed on her own!

I had just about given up all hope when I came across this over at Spoon Sisters:



Clocky - The Alarm Clock that Runs Away and Hides

If you’re favorite song is “Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning,” then make room on your night table for Clocky. Clocky gives you ONE chance to get up. If you choose to snooze, believe it or not, Clocky will jump right off your night table (up to 3 feet) and wheel around your bedroom looking for a place -- far away from your bed -- to hide, beeping all the while, before sounding his alarm again. And, yes, you WILL have to get out of bed to silence his alarm. The snooze time can be set from 0-9 minutes, so if you set it at "0" Clocky immediately "runs" away. If you want Clocky to be just like every other alarm clock on the block, and stay put on your night table, simply disable his wheels. Moves on wood or carpet. Comes in Almond, Aqua, and Coco - a rich chocolate brown. Takes four AAA batteries; batteries not included. Measures 5-1/2" L x 3-1/2” W x 3-1/2” D. Click Select Style below to choose.

Price $50.00


Ha ha ha ha ha ha!


Isn’t this fabulous! I mean seriously! The aqua color even matches her room!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am in love!

And while you’re over at The Spoon Sisters: check out their other fun and fabulous items and don't forget that Father's Day is June 15.

Wanna WIN a Clocky of Your Own?

Bonnie Spoon (thanks Bonnie!!) has partnered with me to give away one Clocky (almond color only) to one lucky reader.

So, here’s the skinny on how to win:

1. Post a comment on this blog

2. Send me an email (amfriedrick@msn.com) describing an experience you’ve had trying to get one of your children out of bed. Make sure to include your name and a valid email address ! SORRY THIS CONTEST IS FOR US RESIDENTS ONLY

3. Contest ends at midnight, Friday, June 13, 2008.

4. Our panel of judges: Beloved, the sleepy Miss C and I, will chose one winner.

5. The winner’s story will be posted on my blog on Monday, June 16, 2008.

6. Winner will receive one almond colored Clocky (batteries NOT included) delivered by USPS.

Non-Bloggers are welcome to enter – simply email me. Sorry, no snail mail folks!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta get a kid outta bed!

Click here to go the The Spoon Sisters store.

DoBeDoBeDoBeDo

To do is to be. - Socrates
To be is to do. – Plato
To be or not to be, that is the question - Shakespeare
DoBeDoBeDo. – Sinatra

Yep, that’s kinda how I’m feeling today. It’s a dobedobedobe day, a funky day, a day when you should smile at strangers (it makes them wonder what you’re thinking). It’s a day for wondering about wondering. It’s even a day to ponder BIG thoughts about life, love, and yes, education.

Education you say? Why education?

Well, it all started with Kiva over at Eclectic Granny. She’s posted a video about creativity which of course is, in many ways, linked to education. It’s long, nearly twenty minutes, but it’s so thought provoking, so clearly stated, that it is well worth the time to listen to what the man has to say.

Maybe it’s because I’m one of those militant, color-outside the box, homeschooling, kinda girls, that I feel that our educational process here in the states really needs to be re-examined. And soon. Too many children are comatose by behavioral drugs, too many are graduating with a sub-standard education, and too many are steered away from who they really are inside.

I first heard about homeschooling fifteen years ago when two of my friends announced that they planned to home educate their children. Weird hippy chicks! They were the types that practiced co-sleeping (massive eye roll). One was a vegetarian; the other had very pointed views on child discipline. They were weird, weird hippy girls. So, of course they were going to homeschool, although I wondered if it was even legal.

Yet…

The idea grew on us. We decided to try it for a year; after all, how bad can you screw up kindergarten?

My children have never attended a public or private school. We kept them locked in their cages where they were only allowed to watch PBS and never eat sugar. They have no close friends and are unable to hold a conversation with a stranger. They are ill equipped for college and higher math is completely out of their range of expertise…but they do know how to use a calculator.

Snicker

Seriously, our kids have thrived. Our son graduated last year and has been serving as an intern with a Christian organization this past year. He studied New Testament Greek, Biblical Studies, Worship, and Preaching. He has also had hands on experience doing everything from landscaping and construction to office work and kitchen duties. He traveled to Europe, made new friends, and learned to do his own laundry. The only major problem with homeschooling him came when it was time for him to take the PSAT. He had to study up on how to use a calculator on the math portion…

Our daughter has two more years of high school left. This past year she took a college level writing class and continued to study piano. She volunteers every chance she gets and will be serving at a camp in Washington State during the summer. A few weeks ago she came in to my room before bed and said, “I’d like to continue schooling through the summer.”

My response was simple: “Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?”

She wants to continue learning Russian, a language she’s been studying in her spare time. She’d like to get a jump on math and see if she can get ahead of the game. Our daughter has developed an interest in drama and would like to pursue this as well.

My point is that education is not one size fits all. I have friends whose children attend public or private school. The key, since the NEA isn’t going to change their opinion any time soon, is to be involved in your child’s education. After all, you are the parent, not the teacher, not the school board, YOU!

End of rant…dobedobedobedbo

Escape Photos

Blue Heron French Cheese Company. Gourmet cheeses, wines, and goodies. The site features wine and cheese tasting, a deli, and lots of fun and interesting items for sale. This was our first stop before heading to the Inn.

And we couldn't pass up a photo of a London double decker bus that was parked in the Blue Heron's parking lot.





And speaking of odd picture opportunities, we found this one just outside our door at the Inn.





We spent some time at the shortest light house in Oregon: Cape Mears






Us on the trail to the lighthouse.



Beloved is a bit adventerous. This usually means I find myself in some interesting places from time to time. Note the tunnel he found. Note the TONS of rock weighing down upon said tunnel. Note that Annie went there and back again, really quickly. Indiana Jones I am not!





There is super easy beach access and the Pelican Pub and Brewery all in the same parking lot in Pacific City. It was a mild day and we enjoyed a short stroll on the beach. Later, we returned and ate dinner at the Pub. The clam chowder was divine and I was perfectly happy to eat it. Beloved ordered the Mahi Mahi, which was good, but pricey.

Side note: The India Pale Ale is a bitter, bitter brew. This being said by a NON-beer drinker. Be warned or you will sit with bitter beer face the entire meal...

Sandlake Country Inn

Beloved and I had a lovely, lovely time during our escape. I left ya’ll with some pictures, but no details. So, as promised, here’s the skinny on the Sandlake Country Inn

We chose the Sandlake Country Inn because it came very (very) highly recommended to us by our friend’s The Browns. Gas prices being what they are, we wanted a getaway that wasn’t too away, if you know what I mean. Located in Tillamook County, the Inn sits just ten minutes from Pacific City and the beautiful Oregon coast.

Our first reaction to seeing the Inn as we pulled up was, “Hmmm, looks like a house.” Which of course it is, but do not judge by the simple exterior, for what lies within will astonish you. We were greeted by Diane and after a quick check-in she walked us across the driveway to “the Cottage”.

Surrounded by lilacs, wild roses, and a babbling stream, the Cottage is a little slice of heaven here on earth. It’s separate from the main house and thus provides even more privacy. Diane showed us the fully equipped kitchen with breakfast nook, the living room area (complete with gas fireplace and TV DVD/VCR), the bedroom – with it’s own private patio, another TV, snowy white robes and yes, even comfy slippers, and finally the bathroom. The bathroom features a huge (HUGE) Jacuzzi tub, shower, and small toilet room. Seriously. It’s the smallest bathroom eveh. We had a lot of laughs over that tiny toilet room. But don’t be put off by it. It’s simply another quaint feature of this dreamy retreat.









After the tour, Diane handed us a tin of the Inn’s famous cookies, asked what time we’d like breakfast delivered to our door (what? No eating breakfast with complete strangers? Yeah!). She explained to us that coffee and juice would be served at 8:00am to the ledge outside our door. Diane assured us that if we weren’t up, not to worry, the coffee would still be there and hot when we got up. Diane also gave us a key to the main Inn and told us to help ourselves to any books or movies from the library. “If you need anything or have any questions, just call.” With that, she wished us a happy weekend and left.

The Sandlake Country Inn was so amazing; so peaceful, so romantic, so…perfect. It has earned numerous awards, including Most Romantic Hideaway and one of the Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest by Inn Traveler Magazine. The owners, Ron and Diane Emineth, have created such a beautiful and romantic place, that, frankly, I didn’t want to leave.

And I haven’t even told you about the food yet!

The cookies are incredible. In-cred-ible. I can’t begin to describe them other than to say that I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a softer, more delicate cookie in my life. They are melt-in-your-mouth wonderful and I challenge anyone to eat just one. And don’t worry if you eat them all that first night, all you have to do is ask and the tin will be happily refilled.

Breakfast arrived promptly at 9:30 with a discreet ring of the bell (yes, we chuckled to see the barer of our meal jog quickly back across the driveway so as not to intrude upon our privacy). Monday’s breakfast featured:

Black Raspberry Juice
Strawberries and Cream
Baked Apple Oatmeal with Milk
Sandlake Breakfast Pie (think quiche)
Marionberry Coffee Cake

Tuesday’s menu featured:

Orange, strawberry, and banana juice
Chocolate Lemon Fruit Cup
Granola with Milk (I believe the granola was made from scratch)
Sausage links
South of the Border Eggs
Mini Cinnamon Rolls




Every bite was delicious and there was plenty (plenty) of food. We so enjoyed our escape and the peace and quiet we found. The time we spent together was nothing short of amazing and we hope to return to the Sandlake Country Inn soon!

Need an escape? Diane was kind enough to give me some postcards with a 10% discount to the Inn for your first stay of two or more nights. I’d be happy to send you one for the asking. I have only a couple so this will be on a first come, first serve basis. Simply leave me a comment requesting a postcard.

Coming up next: Photo's of our escape

The Escape

Beloved and I are off tomorrow for a couple of days of peace and quiet. We so need this break. I cannot tell you how many times we’ve planned it, then, due to circumstances beyond our control, we’ve had to cancel. We nearly had to cancel this time, but I phoned my fairy god-mother, did a lot of bawling (seriously, bawling) and she made it all better. I tell ya, those fairy god-mother’s are amazing!

Oh? Where are we heading?

It’s a world of peace and quiet. There’s good food (I hear the cookies are to die for). My cell phone won’t work. No computers. Just lovely views, a comfy bed, and no (NO!) distractions.

I leave you with these pictures and tell you more when we return on Tuesday.





Coming next week: A new contest for those who have troubling getting out of bed. Tell your friends. The prize, well, it's fab!!!!!!

Book Review: Sweet Caroline

A Novel by Rachel Hauck

I just finished this great novel about a woman who always tries to do right by everyone. She’s the kind of girl who never wants to let anyone down. Caroline has put her life on hold so many times; she’s not sure where to begin. But God has a plan.

I loved the character of Caroline; a girl with her heart in the right place, but not too certain about all the ‘God’ stuff. She’s got two handsome fellows in her life, but only one heart to give - and then there’s the Frogmore Café, what on earth is she going to do about that?

The Book


Caroline Sweeney has always done the right thing--the responsible, dependable thing--unlike her mother who abandoned her family. But when her best friend challenges her to accept an exciting job adventure in Barcelona, Spain, Caroline says "yes" to destiny.

Then, without warning, ownership of the run-down cafe where she's been waitressing falls right into Caroline's lap. While she's trying to determine the cafe's future, handsome Deputy Sherriff J.D. Rand captures Caroline's heart.

But when her first love, Mitch O'Neal, comes back to town, fresh from the heat of his newly-found fame as a country music singer in Nashville, Caroline must make some hard choices about love and the pursuit of the sweet life.

About Rachel




Rachel skated through the 70’s and 80’s with Farrah Fawcet hair (who didn’t?) and a three-speed orange Camero. She’s a graduate of Ohio State, a former software trainer, a world traveler, and a pastor’s wife. Most importantly she gave her heart to the One who loves her best many years ago. Rachel’s first book, Lambert’s Pride was published in 2004.

If you visit Rachel’s website HERE you can learn more about Rachel and enter to win a “scrumptious” basket giveaway. The basket contains a Super Cool Apron, a Low country cook book signed by PAT CONROY, rolling pin, and a pie plate! All you have to do to enter is sign up for Rachel's newsletter.

The Recipe

The Frogmore Café’s menu features some mighty fine sounding cookin’, but it is the description of the biscuits that made my mouth water. I love me a biscuit! So, for your munching pleasure, here is the recipe for Bubba's Buttery Biscuits:

3 cups self-rising flour
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled, plus 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted for brushing the tops
1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Place the flour and chilled butter in a medium mixing bowl. Work the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingertips until the butter pieces are a little larger than an English pea, but not larger than a lima bean. If you are using your fingers, work quickly so that the heat of your hands won't melt the butter.

Pour in all of the buttermilk and, using light pressure, fold the mixture a few times with a plastic spatula until it holds together. Do not over mix. In order to make light biscuits, it is important to work the dough as little as possible.

Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead it quickly and gently 6 to 10 times or until it begins to be almost homogenized. There will be large pieces of butter throughout. Sprinkle a little flour under the dough so that it won't stick to the board and lightly dust the top of the dough so that it won't stick to the board and lightly dust the top of the dough so that it won't stick to the rolling pin. Roll the dough out to about 1/2-inch thickness.

Cut the dough into 2-inch rounds, place on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes. I like the biscuits to be crispy and brown on the top and bottom, but not dry in the middle. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush the tops of the biscuits with the melted butter. Serve right away. (recipe from Louis Osteen)

Links

Rachel's website: www.rachelhauck.com

Buy the book at my sidebar or through Rachel’s website.

Are you a writer? Why not check out Rachel’s writer’s craft group at My Book Therapy

Maria Sue Chapman

I blathered on yesterday about missing those two tiny blondie girls. Sometimes I am ashamed at my blathering. God placed those two little babies with us for a period of time for a reason. I know this and even though there were times when I thought my head would explode, there were good times. I shouldn’t forget that. I miss them terribly and am concerned for their future, but I know (I know!) that God is in control. That is something none of us should forget.

For me, everything was put into perspective (again) today when I learned that Maria Sue Chapman was struck and killed by an SUV driven by her older brother. What a terrible, terrible tragedy for everyone. Please join me in praying for this family as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die… - John 11:25-26

Visit Steven Curtis Chapman

The Letter

I would like to thank you for providing foster care for Z-Monster and The Destroyer. As you are aware, the children were returned to the care of their mother on ______ and your foster home certification closed at that time. This letter is to notify you that we are closing the file.

The letter came. I knew it would. Why then does it hurt? We haven’t seen those two tiny tyrants for almost two months. We’ve been allowed to speak to them on the phone three times. Let me rephrase that, we’ve been allowed to listen to the chaos and fighting when we attempt to talk to them on the phone.

Sigh

I wish I wasn’t so emotional. I wish I had a cold, hard heart that could simply shut out any tiny blondie girl that tried to worm her way in.

I wish I had Alzheimer’s, so that I didn’t remember the sparkle of blue eyes and those mischievous smiles.

I wish I was deaf so that I had never heard, “I wuv you” or “I wish I could live with you forever”. I wish I’d never heard The Destroyers first belly laugh.

If only I were blind, I would never have watched two tiny lost girls run with glee into the arms of their Auntie Teri or their beloved Daddy Alan.

Word is, Bio-Mom is planning a big move at the end of summer. It’s a move that will take her far enough away that the possibility of our ever seeing the girls is slim at best.

And…Maybe that’s for the best.

Kickin' It

So, I kicked the hills butt. Yeah. Kicked it. I ran up it. I ran up it FOUR TIMES.

To be perfectly honest, I should probably admit that my running looks more like a jog. Okay, more like a water buffalo jog. Oh alright! It looks more like a wounded, water buffalo jog.

When I’m not in town making my walking buddy take the hills, I either walk my road which is gravel & hilly, or I torture myself with Winsor Pilates and/or Crunch aerobics. Yesterday was a road day and Beloved, since he was off work and doing nothing, decided to join me.

“I won’t go the entire 45-minutes. I don’t want to,” he smiled.

Whateveh…

My route is pretty simple: walk to the mail box, slap it, turn and walk to the driveway, run from driveway to barn, walk from barn up hill to first telephone pole, and return to mailbox. Repeat. Because it’s a country road it isn’t always very flat. I prefer to walk on the right side of the road because it doesn’t slant.

“Trade me sides,” Beloved says.

“I don’t like the left side. It’s slanty.” I reply

“I know…”replies my Beloved.

Beloved is in pretty good shape but he could afford to lose some weight (his words, not mine). His job is very physically demanding and I knew he could out walk, out run, out everything me. So when he complained about the slanty side of the road, I kinda chuckled. Okay, I laughed, but I switched sides with him.

We finished our second lap and were on our way to the driveway when Beloved said, “Let’s run from the barn to the telephone pole.”

Up hill?

He wants me to run up hill? Is he on crack?

Has he forgotten who he’s married to? I’m short and I’m overweight. I run like a water buffalo, an injured water buffalo.



Run up the hill…

I love a challenge.

So I kicked the hills butt. I ran up the hill Quasimodo style, but I did it. I did it three more times. We ended with a total time of 50 minutes (yeah me!).

This morning as Beloved left for work he said, “Ouch! My calves hurt.”

I just smiled. Poor Beloved. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that mine didn’t.

The Winner is...

The delightful Miss C pulled one name from the basket this morning for the $10.00 Starbucks card. Thanks to all of you who played along!

And the Winner is…

PATTI

You can visit Patti’s blog Here.

Congratulations Patti!

Compassion International

From time to time I whine on this here blog of mine. You know what I mean; it’s your run of the mill pity party for one. Only it’s different, cause I invite ya’ll to join the party. It’s silly, isn’t it? I mean really, what do I have to complain about? I’ve got a great husband, two amazing, healthy, kiddos, a posse of friends, a house, food, and a computer to toil away my time on. When one puts it into perspective, it’s all pretty trivial.

With that being said, I’d like to introduce you to something that isn’t trivial. It’s called Compassion International. As American’s we don’t always agree on things. Heck, most the time we cannot agree on the simplest things, such as which is better, dark or milk chocolate. But one thing rings true: we are a giving people.

Compassion International was started in 1952 by the Rev. Everett Swanson. Compassion provided Korean War orphans with the basic ingredients for life: food, shelter, education and health care. They also provided Christian education.

Today, Compassion International can be found in 24 countries, helping to feed, clothe, and educate over 1 million children.

In the past we as a family sponsored a child from South America. It was fun to write letters to our sponsor child but even more moving to receive one back. For just a few dollars per month, the cost of a pizza night, we made a difference in one child’s life.

And lest you think that America’s poor has fallen threw the crack, you should know that Compassion has a sister ministry called Youth Partner NET. This vibrant ministry launched on July 1, 2003 and serves children who suffer from physical and spiritual poverty. No, many children in this country do not suffer the same level of poverty as those children overseas, but there is suffering here just the same.

Becoming a foster parent changed me in many ways (we’ve been over what a nutcase I became). It made me more aware of some of the daily challenges children in poverty face. Yes, even in this country children go hungry. Ask the Z-Monster, she’ll tell you. When we consider the state of the world, the plight of the poor, the sorrow of the hurting, can we truly just sit by and watch?

Visit Compassion International at Compassion.com and Youth Partners at youthpartnersnet.org (or click the links above).

Introducing Scrapbook Blogger & Starbucks Card Giveaway

We mom bloggers spend a lot of time and effort blogging. We record everything from first steps to family squabbles. Within the confines of our little blog spheres we are queens and we weave a tapestry about our lives for others to rejoice with as well as to commiserate with. Pictures, recipes, crafts, stories are all carefully placed leaving an indent in history. Blogs are the diaries of our lives.

Imagine my glee at stumbling across a site that turns your blog into a scrapbook. Seriously folks, it’s too cool for words. With Scrapbook Blogger you can easily turn your blog, photos and text, into a beautiful coffee table size, scrapbook. Simply follow the directions at the site and download your blog. It’s so easy, even a child could do it.

Scrapbook Blogger- Turn Your Blog into a Printed Scrapbook

I invited Ashley Cuttino, creator of Scrapbook Blogger, to visit my blog and tell us about her awesome and very useful site.

AnnMarie: Ashley, thanks so much for joining us today!

Ashley:

Thanks, I am very glad to be here to talk about Scrapbook Blogger! I hope all of your readers, who are bloggers, will take a look at our product. It is a new and innovative way to turn your blog into a printed scrapbook to keep forever!

AnnMarie: Tell us a little bit about YOU:

Ashley:

Well, I am the mother of two little girls. Grayson is 2 ½ and Anna Parker is 3 months old. I began blogging about my life in late 2005. A college friend sent me a link to her blog when I was pregnant. She had a baby and I found myself hooked on her blog. I read it every day and used it as a guide to my pregnancy and a way to look forward to what was to come. I started blogging when I was eight months pregnant and loved it! I found it to be a great way to express both the joys and frustrations of being a new mom and it was a great way to connect with other friends who read my blog and commented when I needed help. Plus, our extended families live several hours away and loved getting daily updates on the grandkids by checking out my blog. Feel free to check us out at
Ashleynewmom


AnnMarie: I visited your blog, it’s adorable! And you’re right, many of us use our blogs to keep family members who live far away updated on our lives. When I came across Scrapbook Blogger I was thrilled. How did you come up with the idea?

Ashley:

Well, after Grayson was born I realized that despite my best intentions to create a traditional scrapbook of her growth and development, I simply did not have the time or creative mo-jo required to get it all started. I tried…I bought multiple traditional scrapbooks and printed tons of pictures. The books are in the closet and the pictures are still in the box they were shipped to me in! I honestly own one pair of scissors and they are kitchen scissors. There is no glue in my house. Scrapbooking was clearly not going to be my thing!

But, being a new mom I felt guilty about not making my first child a scrapbook. Then it dawned on me that I had already created an amazing account of Grayson’s first few months…it was my blog. I usually posted 2-3 times a week with pictures and updates on what we were doing. It was all there and then some. I hunted on the Internet but could not find anywhere that would print just one or two copies of my blog with both words and pictures. Somewhere along the way I decided that if I wanted a printed copy of my blog then other mom’s probably would too. As I kept thinking about it, my vision grew into not only a printed hard copy version of my blog, but one with a fun, scrapbook-style. So, I talked my husband into the idea and we decided to go for it! And that’s how Scrapbook Blogger was born!

AnnMarie: I think that really fills a need that many of us bloggers have. Especially those of us who are, ahem, creatively challenged!

Ashley:

I could not agree more!! Like I said before, that’s really how this whole thing got started. I created Scrapbook Blogger because I wanted a scrapbook made from my blog, so I’m sure others feel the same way. We have had a great response and lots of interest in our product. I am yet to meet a mommy blogger who does not want a copy of her blog! Think about the time you spend blogging, documenting and sharing your family with others. Why not keep a copy for yourself, or make a wonderful gift for the grandparents?

Once my girls were born it became very important to me to preserve my memories of them for the future. My mother passed away very suddenly at the age of 50 before I was married or had any children. I would give anything to be able to read about my mom’s thoughts on motherhood and see the memories of my childhood. Everyday I have questions about motherhood that I would love to ask her. To have a scrapbook that had her thoughts and memories that I could look back on now would be priceless! Now with Scrapbook Blogger, I am giving that legacy to my own children. They will have their scrapbooks to see what they were like as children, and what I was like as their mother. It is all there for them to read about and remember. I know other moms out there will agree that preserving these memories for years to come is a gift that is priceless and something we’d all like to do for our kids!

AnnMarie: How does someone get started turning their blog into a scrapbook?

Ashley:

It is simple!

Simply log into Scrapbook Blogger at www.scrapbookblogger.com and follow the easy steps. Our program is essentially designed in Four Stages. First enter your book Title and Blog address, then enter the date range of the portion of your blog you want to print into a book.

Step 2, pick a default background to run throughout your book. Step 3, enter the Post Manager section. This section allows you to make large scale edits to your book. For example you can delete posts that may have been blog-worthy but not print material, merge small posts, or rearrange posts if you so desire.

Then you enter Step 4. This is the Book Editor section where most of your creative energy is used! The Scrapbook Blogger program places each post onto a pre-selected layout based on the number of words and photos in each post, but you can always alter the pre-selected layout if you wish. For example, I often post 5 or six photos on my blog, but when I print my book I will pick my favorite 3 or 4 for the printed book. This will often allow me to get a post onto one page instead of two pages, which makes the book shorter (less expensive) and sometimes allows the book to flow better.

This step lets you make several different types of edits that let you personalize your scrapbook to your taste. You can do things like make the left page be all text and the right page can be an all photo layout, or you can change the background of each individual page of the book. For example, I tend to use pale pinks and greens in the Spring and orange and red based backgrounds in the Fall. You can also change the location of pictures if you do not like how it was automatically formatted, upload new photos, or even change your blog post text if you want to! Our goal is to give the Scrapbook Blogger enough options that each scrapbook created is personal and unique, but not too many choices that it becomes difficult to create.

I suggest Scrapbook Bloggers pick a date range, such as a year, and try to make a 100 -150 page book. You can always go back and make multiple books of your blog with different date ranges. This way the editing process does not become overwhelming, and you have a year’s worth of memories wrapped up in one great scrapbook! People are often amazed with how many posts they have made. For example, in the three years I have been blogging I have almost 1000 posts. That book would be at least 1500 pages long and way too much to edit down. But, when I make yearly books it becomes a much simpler process.



AnnMarie: I hadn’t thought about how many times I blog (just don’t tell anyone!) Okay, so the blogger finishes editing their pages, what happens next?

Ashley:

Once you complete the book editor page you simply hit “print my book” and follow the check out procedure. Then the book is sent to our printer and you receive it in 7-10 days – sometimes less!

AnnMarie: One of the first things I noticed, aside from how easy the site is to use, was how affordable it is! Scrapbooking is NOT cheap!

Ashley:

Yes! We wanted to make our service affordable to the moms out there who are blogging. We are all busy raising our families and have lots of expenses associated with having little ones. Preserving your memories should not be one of those expenses. Our books are priced based on the number of pages you decide to put in your scrapbook and have printed. A book can hold up to 250 pages. Our customers tend to be most satisfied with books that are 100-150 pages. Our prices range from $30 for a 30 page minimum to $76.00 for the 250 page maximum.

AnnMarie: Where do you see Scrapbook Blogger heading in the future?

Ashley:

We hope to continue to expand the options for our books. We are currently working on additional layouts and backgrounds. In the very near future we will be adding theme specific backgrounds for each holiday, trips to the zoo, bubble baths, etc. For example, there will be a birthday background for your post about your child’s birthday party. We are also currently expanding our product to other non-mommy bloggers. For example, my sister is getting married in January. She has started a blog about her engagement and upcoming wedding. We are designing backgrounds that will work for her to have an engagement/ bridal book of her wedding blog. In addition, we will be adding choices for the color of the book covers. Currently, all of our covers are black with a peak through hole for one photo. We hope to expand to offer pink, blue, green and yellow cover options soon!

AnnMarie: Anything else you’d like to share with us today?

Ashley:

I have enjoyed the opportunity to chat with you about Scrapbook Blogger. We hope your readers will come to www.scrapbookblogger.com and check out our product and see what we have to offer. We know you will love having your blog made into a scrapbook that you and your family can cherish forever. You can also check out our blog about Scrapbook Blogger for more company information and helpful hints about making your Scrapbook Blogger book. The Scrapbook Blogger Blog is located at www.scrapbookblogger.blogspot.com.

Thanks for joining us Ashley.

I am thrilled to point all you blogger moms in the direction of Scrapbook Blogger. Aside from being a fabulous way to create a keepsake of your life, it’s affordable and so easy to use.

Because you stopped by today we have a contest for you

Leave me a comment and your name will be entered to win a $10.00 Starbucks card (US residents only, sorry). One name will be drawn on Sunday, May 18,2008.

Burn Baby Burn

I’ve been working out for twenty-five days now and I’ve made an interesting observation. Being the non-exercise kinda girl I’ve been, my muscles were terribly surprised to find the sudden demand upon them. They howled. They cried. Why, they even begged me to quit. I told them to suck it up and stop being such babies. Geessh!

The funny thing is they can do more things now. For instance, they can climb this horrible, dreadful, high hill on our road. They can climb it over and over again. Sure they get tired, but they don’t burn and ache like they use to. This was clearly pointed out to me the other night when my walking buddy, who I’ll call Long and Lean, stated, “My legs are burning!”

“Mine aren’t,” I replied in my best snotty voice.

I wasn’t being a snotty girl for nothin’. Just moment before, as we ran (yeah, I run now too) from point A to point B, long and lean girl laughed at me. She laughed. I know I’m slow, I’ve never been much of a runner, but that girl with zero body fat laughed at the fat girl. Not nice. Not. Nice.At.All.

When she started to complain that her legs had started to burn climbing the hill, well, I laughed. I laughed until my side-ached. “Ha! Take that Long and Lean. You may be skinny, but my muscles climb the hill without pain. Ha ha ha!!!”

Yeah, I probably took it too far. I said too much. I laughed too loud.

But DANG that felt good.

Coming Tomorrow

Please join me tomorrow and meet Ashley Cuttino owner and creator of Scrapbook Blogger

Wordless Wednesday

Last week I posted a picture of Master C. This week, I present his brother, Mr. W. He is equally handsome and brilliant.

For more Wordless Wednesday visit 5 Minutes for Mom

It's My Blog and I'll Blog if I Want To!

I just finished reading a blog (surprise, surprise) that attempted to tackle the too much information situation that takes place in many blogs today. She asked the basic questions, “When is too much, too much?”

The World Wide Web is NOT a safe place. Most of us adults get that. There have been instances were pictures have been pirated and placed (ahem) elsewhere. In some cases, a blogger simply gives too much information, leading to harassment by mean spirited lurkers or injury to friends and family.

Why then do we blog?

Should we consider limiting what we have to say, in order to remain safer and secure?

Certainly we must be very, very careful about the type of information we give out. There are a lot (a lot!) of creepy creeps out there who would love to trash your world. Be safe: don’t publish your address or phone number, change names where you think it appropriate, and set up a separate email other than your personal one.

As far as content goes, that’s a bit of a sticky widget. I am guilty of sharing too much information about my extended family. I’ve blogged about the niece who got beat up by her meth addict boyfriend, my mother’s mental illness, and various and sundry pieces of dirty family laundry. Oh, alright, I whine and complain sometimes.

If you’ve read any of my previous blogs, you may have noticed that I tend to be transparent. It’s not all lilies and roses over here. What you see, is pretty much what you get and that to me is the beauty of the blog. Sometimes in life outside the blog sphere we have to wear masks. We need to be careful and cautious, lest others see too much of who we are and snicker in our general direction.

Blogging is different. Within the safety of the blog home world, I can complain about my mother, my foster kids, the idiot at the gas station and get away with it unscathed. No one in my family reads my blog and my previous foster babies couldn’t read. As to that guy at the gas station; he’s just another faceless stranger who I couldn’t nail face to face. Hey, it happens.

And lest someone should leave nasty or unkind comments on our blog…guess what, we delete them. Or, if we are feeling especially brave, we take them on. But let me caution you about attacking the unseen.

The world is filled with folks who are pretty computer savvy. They can find out things about you in just a couple of clicks of the keyboard. It’s true. I have a friend who commented on another person’s blog, defending another blogger’s right to live a very conservative lifestyle. My friend was harassed for months. Her email was hacked and personal information shared on unfriendly websites. Yikes.

In many ways I think we need to remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

I’m a blog hopper. I’ll hop from blog to blog, link to link, looking for interesting blogs. It’s how I found many of you. I like reading about your lives, your struggles, your triumphs. I’ve cried with you and prayed for you. When I read your blogs I feel a sense of kinship. Regardless of where we are in life, we’re all pretty much in the same boat (sometimes without paddles) and sometimes that’s just nice to know.

As far as my blog is concerned, well honey, it is what it is. Take it, leave it, or forget it.

This is my life and I’ll blog if I want to.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

Spreading Her Wings

Tonight I sat and listened to the likes of J. Rodrigo’s Sonatas de Castilla and F. Liszt’s Consolation S. 172.3. These and eleven others were beautifully rendered on the black Baby Grand that sat in the middle of the room. The pianist in her black gown, hair artfully curled, smile perfectly placed, performed in a manner far, far too mature for her age.

I have known the very lovely and gifted Miss R for many years. Always a bright child, she has truly grown into an amazing, gifted young woman. This was her farewell, if you will, before heading back east to college next year. I was honored, we all were, to be included in this small circle of family and close friends.

I couldn’t help but remember her as a little girl, straight brown hair, glasses, running and playing with the other children. The elegant black gown showed me a woman, but I still see the little girl in her bright eyes. The thought of her leaving her family and beginning a new adventure was troubling to me. She’s so…well; she’s so pretty that I worry for her.

Then I recalled the words my son said to me when we learned that Miss R had been accepted at the college of her choice, “R can handle herself, Mom.”

“I know, but, you know. It’s R!” I stammered.

“She can handle it. She’s strong. She’ll be okay.” He responded

I know he’s right. Miss R is a girl of high standards, deep faith, and incredible intelligence. She comes from a good family and will be attending a conservative school. The lovely Miss R will spread her wings and fly. Perhaps that is what is bothering me.

She’s old enough to fly. When did that happen?

Book Review: What Women Want

What Women Want: The Life You Crave and How God Satisfies
By Lisa T. Bergren and Rebecca Price


About the Book

The title of this book really, really intrigued me. Maybe it’s because I’m at a place in my life where I’m not sure what I want. I’m forty, my youngest child is 15-years-old, I’ve been married for just over twenty years and I’m not sure where to go from here. A book about what we as women want sounded pretty good to me.

And I wasn’t disappointed. Taken from a national survey, the authors, Lisa T. Bergren and Rebecca Price have delved into the hearts of women to find what’s important to us and better yet, how God completely satisfies our hearts.

I loved how the survey answers were interjected throughout each chapter; women sharing struggles as well as triumphs that were honest and heartfelt. Many times I found myself shaking my head in agreement, because I felt that way too. Transparent Christianity, you gotta love that! There are also exclusive interviews with Christian women from all walks of life. Women such as; Shaunti Feldhahn, Liz Curtis Higgs, Barbara Rainey and more!

What Women Want includes chapters about friendships, contentment, purpose, your relationship with God and others (as well as many other topics). I admit that two chapters shouted to me: Your Relationship with God and Body by God. Maybe it’s because of my own soul searching and new way of eating, but these two chapters made me think about what I am doing (or not doing) and why. The Bible study portion helped me to dig deeper and really (as it says at the end of each study) live it out!.

This book is perfect for a small group or woman’s Bible study. I adore the idea of a group of women, meeting, sharing, praying and really helping each other to grow in Christ. In our too busy world this book is an anchor to help women see what it is they really desire and how God Satisfies.


About the Authors



Lisa T. Bergren is the best-selling author of more than twenty-five books, including The Busy Mom’s Devotional and the best-selling children’s book God Gave Us You. Lisa lives with her family in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Rebecca Price has more than twenty-five years of experience in publishing and has helped start-up several book houses. She works as a consultant for a variety of publishers. Rebecca lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she is active in women’s ministry.

Contest Anyone?

Interested in a contest? Send Lisa Bergren and Rebecca Price an email telling them about your Sister of the Heart. You know who she is! She’s that woman who laughs with you, cries with you, babysits your kids so you can get away for a few hours. Your heart sister is the woman who really knows you and loves you anyway! Each entry will be posted on the authors site, www.satisfiedheart.com, and the one with the most comments will win a copy of What Woman Want and the sound track which includes music from Chris Tomlin, Margret Becker, and others. Plus your Heart Sister wins a copy of each too!

Send your email to amy@litfusegroup.com telling the authors who your best friend is and why!

As if that wasn’t enough, by posting a comment here on their blog you will be entered to win a $15.00 Starbucks card!

Want More?

Take the 5 minute survey




Read Chapter One: You, Fabulous You: A Phenomenal Creation by God




Visit the Satisfied Heart website

Wordless Wednesday

My nephew, Master C, who spent the weekend with us.
He's brilliant and handsome!

For more Wordless Wednesday check out 5 Minutes for Mom

Shards of a Broken Friendship

Beloved phoned yesterday on his way home from work. He was hungry! “I didn’t get to finish my lunch, we were too busy,” he said. I had already put steak out, but decided to cook it myself instead of waiting for Beloved to come home to BBQ. I sliced zucchini for a sauté and threw some rice into my trusty old casserole and placed it in the microwave.

I don’t usually cook with the microwave. It’s used for warming this or that and popping pop corn, but I was in a hurry. Everything was going really smoothly. In fact I even thought to myself as I tossed the zucchini that, “I’m really good at this multitasking thing!” I nearly broke my arm patting myself on the back.

BOOM!




The Carnage

After prying my fingernails out of the ceiling I looked at the microwave. Through the door I could see the platter still turning, but instead of my trusty glass casserole, I saw pieces of glass covered in rice!

The casserole dish had exploded!

I was given this dish many years ago, perhaps fourteen years ago, and it has been my most trusted dish. It’s held everything from Shepherds Pie to Green Bean Bake. I love this dish, it was one of a kind, and I thought it was my friend. Sniffle.




Yet, all good things come to an end. In this case a very loud, shard shaped end. Uggh! I’m just thankful it didn’t burst in the oven! That would have a terrible mess.

So, for Mother’s Day, I’d like a new casserole, but no glass please.

Oh and we had au graten potatos. I'd lost my appetite for rice.

In Search of REAL Christian Sisters

Saturday night proved to be something all together different than I expected. I don’t attend “Ladies Events” at church. Been there, done that. I have NO desire to spend ANY time with a group (and it’s a LLAARRGGEE group) of phony women.

If that last sentence offended you, I suggest you stop reading right now, cause sister, it’s gonna get worse before it gets better!

When I first became a Christian I was under the delusion that all Christians were your family; your brothers and sisters. I mistakenly supposed that we’d be a cozy little group whose goal was to build up, not tear down. Imagine my surprise to find just the opposite to be true.

Now, I’m an emotional girl, I can’t help myself. I’m what Patsy Clairmont calls “A Soggy Saint”. I cry over everything, coffee commercials, greeting cards, sappy made-for-TV movies, etc. In fact if YOU cry, it won’t be long and I’ll be crying right along with ya! It ain’t pretty, but it’s true (and that’s what you get here; truth).

I’ve always known that women can be catty, snotty, down right rude, (I am one after all, snicker) but I was surprised to find that even within the church, women have sharp claws. After being burned a few times, I retreated into my own little circle and decide, in a self preservation sort of way, to keep under the radar. If you don’t step out you can’t be stepped on. I hate being emotional in public. If I find myself starting to get teary-eyed I will chew my tongue, my cheek, I’ll count something and block out what ever it is that is making me choke up. I try my very hardest to keep it under wraps. After all, no one likes to see an idiot cry.

I also learned from the behavior of others that I really didn’t want to behave like them. I made it my goal to look for those who looked as pathetic as I did and be friendly. It was a good lesson in stepping outside my comfort zone and I found that there actually are a lot of very nice Christian woman who are looking for authentic people. As a speaker at homeschool conventions, my business partner and I spent a great deal of time talking with woman and encouraging them. We tried to be transparent.

While this all sounds very lovely (and it was) I also began to harden my heart towards those in the church who moved in the “inner circle”. Holy guacamole, it’s like high school all over again. The clicks! Why on earth are there clicks in church? Because I’d been hurt on several occasions, I was less receptive to any gesture by a woman in or around ministry. Shame on me.

I have friends who move in that circle now. They are the beautiful ones. Those ones who have talent, grace, and style (exactly what they are doing with this idiot girl is beyond me). Of course, because they are involved it means that I receive invitations to “Ladies Events”. Gaahh!

Usually, I politely turn them down. I don’t want to hurt my friend, but I loath those events. I know that one of two things will happen; I will either get emotional over something I’ve heard or I’ll sit there alone feeling like a leper. In all honesty, if both of these things happen at once, I’ll refuse to leave the house for days!

However, Saturday night would prove me wrong. Very, very wrong.

My dear, dear friend (The Giver) invited me to a ladies dinner at her church. Now, her church is not your run of the mill hymn singing, sedate church. Nope. It’s loud. It’s tattooed. It’s real, baby. I’ve visited it before but had managed to avoid the clutches of the women’s group. So, I owed her one.

The room was beautifully decorated. I am always amazed at women who have such creative minds and the way they can make a bare room bloom to life with candles and cloth. There were 400 (yeah, easy to get lost in the crowd, that’s what I was thinking too) women at this event. The music was LOUD. The food was good (I ate only three bites of dessert then handed my plate to The Giver). The woman who spoke was funny and transparent about her brain tumor and that fact that she has two to five years to live. She was real. She was joyful. She was really funny. Wow.

Her story puts all my blathering here to shame. It really does.

Then came the part I was dreading. It was the announcement that we were going to sit at our tables and share. I despise sharing with strangers and knew in my hard little heart that it would be another phony, gossip session that would leave me empty. I decide to be aloof, silent, simply a body taking up space. (Of course I was kicking myself in the hind end for not driving my own car! Gah! Idiot girls rises again!!)

I listened as first one then another shared some very real, very personal struggles. I was amazed as one woman started to cry while she shared. What? Real tears, real problems, real sin, being shared with total strangers. I sat amazed, my eyes getting teary, while my mind shouted, “Keep your big mouth shut! No one wants to hear what you have to say!!!!” Of course, I didn’t listen, I had to say something. And I did.

I told them how much I appreciated their transparency. They had removed their Christian masks and stood, hearts exposed, for every stranger at that table to see. I explained that I don’t “do women’s events” and why. They smiled, shaking their heads in agreement.

I learned Saturday night that authentic Christian womanhood is alive and well. I guess you just have to know where to find it. It gives me hope, it really does.

Sunday Update

Bio-mom and I spoke. I’m sorry, but I can’t help but get the feeling that she is dangling the girls like a carrot in front of me. I don’t like being teased and I certainly don’t like being manipulated. Frankly, I don’t know where it will go from here. We’ll just have to wait and see.

I haven’t spoken to my mother since the day before Easter. Which leaves me in an interesting dilemma: Do I send her a Mother’s Day card? Feel free to weigh in on this one, but understand, I have spent my entire life being emotional abused by this woman.

In case you are interested in winning a free copy of Read My Lips you can check out Teri’s blog for details.

The top fifteen photos for the $1000 Mother's Day Photo contest have been chosen. Hop on over and vote for your favorite here. Simple click on "contest" from the home page and look for the contest. (No, mine did not make the cut, sniffle, sniffle, sniffle).

Make sure and check back on Thursday when I post my first book review for litFUSE!

Friday Adventures with Idiot Girl

I’ve been bitterly disappointed a few times in my life. Much the same as you have, I imagine. It’s a ghastly feeling; the knot in your stomach, those painful facts leaping around your brain, the powerlessness of it all. I hate that feeling, I really do.

Because I hate to be disappointed, I try really hard not to disappoint others. “Why, this is a good thing, you’re thinking,” but it’s not. Not really. The problem is, because I don’t want to disappoint I go over board. I take on too much, then, of course, I complain about it. I worry and fret about what someone might think if I don’t do what’s right. Trust me, it makes my Beloved nuts (and probably my kids, my friends, God too).

Since I turned 40 this year, I’ve noticed a subtle change. It’s easier to say no. For some reason, I can now say, “enough is enough.” FIL bugging me with some mundane chore that he could do himself? Oops, he’s outta luck. Mother feigning mental illness to get a rise out of me? Sorry, no time for that just now. Need a babysitter, I’ll think about it, maybe.

The problem is I’m not sure this is a good thing. Am I losing who I am? Do I like who I’m becoming? Is it selfish? Mean-spirited? Or have a finally grown a spine?

Gahh!

So what brought on this little soul search that I’m doing? Well, I’ll tell ya.

I got up with heady anticipation. It was Wee Girl Day which translates: FUN! FUN! FUN! I was to pick up those wee blondie tyrants at 10. The drive is just over 40-minutes from my house, but that’s okay. It’s so worth it to see my foster daughters. The plans I had! The things we were going to do! I admit, I was probably going to go over board on the fun, but for eleven months I was the bad guy, the heavy, the MOM. Today, I would be Fun Auntie Ann.

Except…

We pulled up to the dilapidated apartment complex. I’d tried to reach Bio-Mom on her cell a couple of times this morning, but she didn’t answer. She doesn’t have voice mail, so the only thing I could do was drive over as we’d planned.

She wasn’t there.

The woman (who the heck was she? ) told me that Bio-Mom had gone to the coast.

Huh?

She took the kids and went to the coast and didn’t bother to let me know. Now, I realize that this is really not a big deal (except for the gas!). We’ll probably see them another time. But you know, you know I just don’t understand.

The woman calls practically begging me to take the girls so she can have a break and I was thrilled to help her out. I know what those two little munchkins can do to a person and I was happy, really happy to be asked. The only thing she had to do was to have them dressed when I got there. Well, that and actually BE THERE.

So…My day is wide open. Anyone want to grab a cup of tea (no coffee, grumble, grumble, grumble) and listen to me whine about how I didn’t get to see my girls today?

What an idiot I am. Sigh.

Read My Lips

Continued from yesterday: The Book

My BFF, Teri J. Brown, has been writing her entire life, but only for fame and fortune the last eight years. Her first book has become legend among a certain group of Christian homeschoolers, while her second book, Day Tripping gave parents new and innovative ideas about getting their children out of the house for some family adventure.

I am so very proud to announce that Teri’s first work of fiction will be hitting the bookshelves at the local book stores (of course you can pre-order online) on June 3rd. This young adult novel has all the great elements of teen lit: popularity, cute guys, gossip, and just a wee bit o’ mystery.

Meet Serena:

Serena just wants to fly under the radar at her new school. But Serena is deaf, and she can read lips really well-even across the busy cafeteria. So when the popular girls discover her talent, there’s no turning back.

What I liked about Read My Lips was how real the characters were. Serena has a real desire to fit in, just like we all did back in high school and sometimes that longing to be part of the crowd makes good choices kind of fuzzy. The mean girls did mean girl things, but they weren’t horrific. They were just kids, doing kid things. Then there was the description of Serena’s mom who does one thing that drives her crazy; the mother hover.

Helicopter parenting to the max!

Frankly, that sounds a little too much like me and I think I’ll have to have a word or two with Ms. Brown!

The book is a fun, light read. I’m excited for Teri and all the authors over at Class of 2K8. Why not check them out?

And of course you can pre-order Read My Lips from Teri's web page, teribrownwrites.com (click link above) or from my book store on the right hand side of this page. Don't forget you can also purchase it on June 3 at a bookstore near you!