Hold Fast--God Knows The Way

Hi Everyone!

I'm sorry I'm running late getting this post done. I'm on deadline with a book and am at the point where I'm bleary eyed and bumping into doors because of lack of sleep! BUT--His Cowgirl Bride is almost ready to be dropped in the mail on Wednesday and will meet its deadline. Praise God :)

However beware--the post below hasn't been edited!

I'm really enjoying the wonderful post on faith. I know for myself, walking by faith these last five years has been a must. When my husband died in 03 I learned trusting God's plan for my life was all I could do. I clearly was able to look back over the three years prior to Wayne's death and see the beautiful gifts of love that God had given me. He'd urged me to lay my writing aside and concentrate on my family for the four years before my son's graduated. At the time I knew I was very close to being published but I had been feeling that way for six years. God awakened me to the fact that at that time I needed to be obedient to what He was telling me and to concentrate on my family. The writing would still be there at the end of four years. I listened, and for the next three years didn't write a word. I went to ballgames, watched TV with my husband and sons. Went on a wonderful vacation in the Smokey mountains--and was completley in the moment with my family--not half in the moment with the other half of my brain plotting a book! I have to tell you that laying down the writing hadn't been and easy decision. I sort of laid it down kicking and screaming. Thankfully the next day God gave me peace about it and I was able to completely enjoy my family time without any sort of regret for the dream that I was delaying. I thought God had given me this nudge for the benefit of my son's but had no idea it was because God knew that He would be calling Wayne home to be with him during that time.

We serve an extraordinary God! He has our backs! He asked us to have faith in what we can not see--and to trust in what He can see and where He leads. For me, walking in faith since Wayne's death has been easy. Yes I've had my struggles with great grief. But I've also moved forward knowing that He loved me enough to give me a beautiful gift of speacial family time with Wayne and my boys before Wayne died.

I tell this story often as a reminder that God is faithful and His love for us is not measurable. We must trust in what we cannot see...but I can see what He has done for myself and others and so we do not blindly trust. So now, here, in this hard time that is happening all around me I will admit that I have moments of worry. For my friends and family and others who are struggling or fearing their futures. But when I start to worry, I back up, thank God for the way he has been faithful and then I put myself in His hands and go on.

He has never failed me even in the darkest of times...so if you are out there and this is a dark time for you I pray that you will hold fast to God and let Him lead you to the other side.

Blessings to all!
Debra Clopton

Feeling like a proud grandma.

I'm so Proud of my boys...and horses.

The U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard at Fort Riley, Kansas has been invited to participate in the inaugural parade in Washington D.C.

I feel just like a proud grandmother!! As some of you know, I based a series of stories on this unique cavalry unit. In fact, my first Mounted Color Guard story, "The Color of Courage" was about the unit's efforts to save one of their injured horses and rehabilitate him in time for the inaugural parade.

These soldiers were wonderful to interview and to watch. Now the whole world gets to see them. Yeah!! You can read about them and see a video clip from the Wichita Eagle at the following link.
http://www.kansas.com/news/breaking/story/657302.html

It's amazing where the Lord leads us to find inspiration for our stories. Truly amazing.

Lately, I've been feeling down because of some health issues and all of the sudden I'm getting e-mails from people thanking me for telling them about the CGMCG and how they never would have known such a unit existed if it hadn't been for those Love Inspired books and how much they are looking forward to seeing them on T.V. I'd spend a minute patting myself on the back, but I know where my talent really comes from.

I think I'll just Thank Him, instead.
Bless you all.

Pat Davids

Hero's Interview from A Family for Luke

Hero's interview from A Family for Luke by Arlene James:

1. Luke, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I don’t feel like I’m very interesting. I fix up houses. Sell them. Not much interesting about that.

2. What do you do for fun?
Play with my dog, but that’s kind of recent. I haven’t had Cooper very long. I like to travel, but haven’t done much of that for awhile.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Getting in touch with my mom. I know I should, but I just don’t like going through the hassle of the chit chat and all that baloney. We’ve had our times, and I don’t feel like going there. Besides, if I do, I feel like I’m betraying the love and support I got from my foster father. He was great and helped me when my mom didn’t.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Not scared of much. I’m a guy, right? Except that woman next door kind of gives me the heebie jeebies. She’s cute, in her own way, but when she turns those laser eyes on me – I dunno.

5. What do you want out of life?
A family. A home. Kids. That kind of thing. I love the kids next door, but their mom, well, see above.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
Right now, settling down.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
I like reading. I have a stack of books on my bedside table in my trailer. I like thrillers, mysteries and, believe it or not, Robert Frost. His poem about neighbors and fences is especially apt for me right now.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I think I’d prefer to be a bit more settled. I like moving around a lot but I’m getting tired of that too.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
Cooper’s my dog. A golden lab. He’s great company and he makes me laugh.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’d probably go back to before my foster father died and tell him how much I appreciated what he did for me and the guidance he gave me and the heritage of faith I got from him. He was a great man and I don’t think I thanked him enough.

This Week's Featured Book: A Family for Luke by Carolyne Aarsen

Luke Harris grew up without family. Now, it's all he wants. More so when he and his friendly dog move next door to widowed mom Janie Corbett and her three kids. For the first time, he can imagine hearing the pitter-patter of little feet in his own home. Listening to their bedtime prayers. Having a wife and children to call his own. But once-burned/twice-shy Janie won't say yes—unless Luke acknowledges his troubled past. With the help of one stubborn woman, three smart kids and a cherished Labrador retriever, there might be a family for Luke, after all.

Speaking of rough times...

Good morning. I hope no one thinks I'm being irreverant but I tend to deal with problems and trials with humor, at least as much as possible. And, until I get to feeling better, you can consider this "person" as my personal image. Talk about a bad hair day! I've actually been having a "bad hair, bad head" week. Whatever that bug is that's been going around, I caught it. I'm so full of chicken soup I may cackle any minute!

Today, however, is better, which brings me to the theme of this blog. As long as we have tomorrows, we have hope. No matter how bad things may seem, there probably is another day in our future that will make the troubles of today seem unimportant. In I Peter:5-7, it says, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may raise you up in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

I think one of our biggest, most important tasks, as Christians, is to keep reminding each other that God cares for us, sick or well, rich or poor or anything in between. It's when we give up and take our eyes off the Lord that we suffer the most. I'm no saint (I know, I know, your image of me is shattered) but I do have a few hard miles on me. I know what it's like to be in need. Sometimes, no matter how hard we work, it's insufficient. That's where reliance on the Lord comes in. When our back's against the wall and we turn to Him, He will answer.

Years ago, I thought that my unwelcome hiatus from publishing was because of a lack on my part. Looking back, I can clearly see that God was preparing me for my current career with Love Inspired. I'd like to say that I had no doubts but that wouldn't be true. I did doubt His wisdom. And I did pray and weep and lament. But He was faithful. I'm here.

I get lots of letters from readers that tell me I'm on the right track but even without those, I can now see what God was doing in my life. Keep your eyes on the prize and trust him.

Even when your hair turns blue and you can't stop sneezing!!!!

Blessings,
Val

Praying in Rough Times

I was thinking about our theme verse for January, Romans 8:28. And when I went to look it up in my Bible, I was reminded which verses come right before that.

Romans 8:26-27:
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

I’ve always loved those verses. Have you ever been at a point where you were so scared or traumatized or grieving that you found you couldn’t even pray? I have. I’ve been there more than once, and it’s not a good place to be.

But I’m so thankful that part of this Bible passage was tucked away in my memory, and that God brought it to mind. It was a comfort to know that though all I could do was just groan in pain and grief, the Spirit was interceding for me. I felt as if God was holding me in His hands.

I love how The Message states it:
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.

What a comfort.

Have you been to the point where you didn’t know how or what to pray?

Missy

Finding God in the Hard Times

I’ve wobbled back and forth on what to post here today. I’m not a great spiritual leader nor am I a preacher. But I truly believe God has instructions for us during times of distress. And let’s face it, we all know that the world, including our country, is facing some serious challenges. Oklahoma has been listed by CNN and Forbes as the number one ‘recession proof’ state in America so we’ve not seen any real pinch. But my daughter lives in NYC. She tells me of businesses closing, of friends losing jobs, and a general feeling of anxiety. People ARE hurting, whether I am or not.

Interestingly, the NY Times reports that church attendance has increased of late, just as it did after 9-11. People know Who has the answers. They know where to go when times are tough. As committed Christians, we know too, but sometimes when the news is so bleak, we get sucked into the negativism and worry. So how about if come up with ways to de-stress and to remain positive in a negative world? I love Romans 8:28. It’s a favorite of mine as is Psalm 91--all of it really, but especially verses 14-15:

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him….”

Do you have a tip or a favorite Bible verse that encourages you when life is shaky?

God Knows Best

Janet's image yesterday is a great one--the kitten and the lion. Indeed we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord. And he can bless us in circumstances that could lead us to despair.

I want to share with you the story of how God worked for my husband's and my good through a serious time of testing just five years ago. Last year in 2008, over 2 million people lost their jobs. Maybe one of them was you or a loved one or neighbor. I don't know about you but I have been poor in my life and it's not fun.

In 2002, about a year after the 9/11 tragedy, my husband who worked in an aviation-related industry, was laid off. This had never happened to us before. And it hit when we had two children in college and two mortgages. My husband of course began looking for a new job. Well, no one was hiring electrical engineers especially if they were over 45. (Just try to prove age-discrimination.)

Since he had worked for his corporation for nearly 18 years, he got a generous severance package. But that ran out and then we started unemployment. Steve began taking home improvement and handy man jobs to bring in $$. Still, corporations weren't hiring.

We were nearing the end of unemployment and we had to make a decision. We could no longer pay two mortgages. My husband's lifelong dream had been to live on a certain lake in the northwoods of WI. We had been able to purchase a piece of property for half price through an old family friend. We had built our modest cottage on it for our future retirement.

Good sense dictated that we stay in IA where Steve was known and didn't have to advertise to get home improvement jobs. Good sense dictated that we sell the more expensive WI property
and pay off the IA mortage and stay in our IA home.

But I knew that selling my dh's dream was not a good idea. So in the face of good sense, we put the IA house on the market and moved to our cottage on the lake. (Leaving our two college-aged children behind too.)

It was easy to find work in IA where we had lived for 18 years, but finding it in an area where we were newcomers was very hard. At the same time, I had decided that I wanted to write historicals again when of course the market wanted contemporary novels.

Fortunately, our house in IA sold quickly and we had that money to live on. But our move north still didn't make sense.

Throughout this whole process, we kept asking God --what do you want us to do? And we got no real answers.

Then I received the best contract of my life for an historical series (my Women of Ivy Manor series). And finally a year after our move north, Steve found work as an insurance surveyor.

Now we are living my husband's dream a decade before we would have retired here. And my decision to begin writing historical romance has been blest with more contracts.

Now the point is that God used my husband's layoff to give us the life we had only dreamed of. And a decade early.

We live in an area of incredible natural beauty.

I'm writing what I love.

Steve is doing a job he enjoys, driving through the lakeland area and taking pictures of houses for insurance underwriters. He works his own schedule and never has to go to an office.

So God used the layoff to move us to where He wanted us to be (where we really wanted to be). There were a lot of tense moments and frustration over the lack of direction from God. But in the end, we are in a better place.

I don't know what trials you may suffering at this moment. You may say, "That's fine for her, but what about my situation?" Instead, I encourage you to stop and pray, "God, help me to have faith that You are using this for my good."

And keep praying that. God has a plan for us and it's always better than the one we could come up with. If you're having rough times, I encourage you to hang in there and see where the present hard times take you. God is always working for our good even when we can't see it.

Hope in Hard Times

We've decided to focus on Romans 8:28 in this blog for January and I'm glad. I don't know about you, but the news of late has made me nervous about the future. How can the banks be in such trouble? And the car manufacturers? And the stock market? These are days when I really need to know that God is in control. So, I found a picture to remind me of that fact.

I'm the kitten, but God is within me and so I'm doing just fine.

How about you? What pictures do you have in your mind that help you remember that God is in control?

Featured this week: Lois Richer's Rocky Mountain Legacy

How better to stop his sister from eloping than to arrange the wedding? That way, Cade Porter's only family member will stay put on his Colorado ranch. He hires the best wedding planner in Denver, but Samantha Woodward, of the famed "Weddings by Woodwards" empire, thinks Cade is mighty arrogant. Shouldn't the bride have a say in the most important day of her life? As they work together, Cade assures the lovely and independent Sam that she can plan their wedding right down to the day.

Interview with the heroine from Rocky Mountain Legacy by Lois Richer:

1. I’m Sara Woodward—the most interesting thing about me?
Well, there’s so much to choose from! I’ve just come home to Denver from Hollywood where I do makeup for the stars. That’s interesting, isn’t it? I really want to get into special effects, though, and I will—I’m just not sure how—yet.

2. What do you do for fun?
Right now I’m learning to play the guitar. None of the family or their dog really appreciates my efforts—though they like my singing.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I’ve put off talking to the family about my future plans to get into special effects because they don’t approve and they’d try to talk me out of it. I dread their bossy, overbearing pushiness. It makes me feel like some kind of failure, just because I don’t want to be part of the family’s wedding planning business. They all think that just because I came home to help out while Grandmother’s ill, that I’ll stay if they can talk me into it. No way! I want my own life.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
I’m afraid the family will persuade me to stay on at Weddings by Woodwards (that’s the family store), and I’ll never achieve my dream as a special effects artist.

5. What do you want out of life?
Most of all I want to be accepted for what I am—a woman who is talented at taking a face and altering it so completely that no one would recognize that person.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
The most important thing to me is to find someone who will accept who and what I am without trying to change me because for my whole life my family has been trying to change me.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
I read everything! My favorite type of story is always a love story and it has to have a hero who supports and cherishes the heroine in whatever she does.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
If I could change one thing, I think I’d change my size. I’m the runt of the family, the baby. That makes everyone in my family think I’m incapable of running my own life, so they try to do it for me. It’s so frustrating, you know?

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
I don’t have a pet. But if I did, I’d choose a parrot. I love their coloring and the fact that they can mimic voices. I’d choose a male and I’d call him Enigma. I’d teach him to speak like my grandmother Winifred. Wouldn’t that be a hoot?

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’d travel back to the Wild West when men were chivalrous. You know, that whole throwing the coat over the mud puddle thing? Or maybe back to the time when a man fought for the girl he loved. I’d just love for a man to think I was so special he’d be willing to duel with another man in order to win my affection. A man who is willing to put himself out there for me—that’s my kind of true love.

The Times...They Be A-Changing

We had such fun with the 12 Days of Christmas! With January looming, the Craftie Ladies got busy typing and came up with various ideas as a theme for this first month of a blessed new year. Lyn Cote's idea, to focus on faith, got the most response. The scripture she chose from Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" isn't one that I turn to often. I should. And maybe after this month, I will. When Lyn posted the scripture, she had a caption above it - I assume from her Bible's version - that read: More Than Conquerors. Hmmm, when I looked up the verse in my own Bible, I missed that little caption because, see, I like to consider Christians More Than Conquerors.

I am a conqueror. Being a Christian is hard. I didn't realize that until my parents let go of the reins (they never really let go but there's something about going off to college) and I realized that, yes, because I want to, I'm going to attend church every Sunday (and Wednesday), I'm going to read the Bible, I'm going to choose not to cuss, watch certain TV shows, and etc.

You know, I think one of the times God really had to work for the good of me was early during my writing career. When I first put fingers to computer, Christian fiction meant nothing to me. I didn't really know it existed, and when I found out about it, I was like, "Huh?". Now I kick myself and try to imagine how much further along I'd be if I only listened to His nudge. Okay, it wasn't a nudge. He pretty much had to knock me out of my computer chair!

God still nudges me today. You should see the floor around my computer chair. I make sure it's clear of rubble (think envelopes, books, bookmarks magazines, pencils) so I don't squash anything.

Thank You, God, for nudges. Has he nudged you lately?

Happy New Year Everyone

Romans 8:28 (New International Version)
"More Than Conquerors
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose."

During the month of January we're decided to talk about faith.

I know, I know. It's an odd topic for inspirational romance authors and readers.

As we face the coming year we'll all have challenges in our lives. It's a given. Maybe we're facing them already. Work, finances, health, family issues, sometimes we get hit with all of them at once. Yet we know that God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

What challenges are you facing or have you faced? How has your faith affected how you deal with those issues? We're here to share our journey to faith and to help each other along the road.

May He Bless and Keep You in the Palm of His Hand.
Pat

NEW YEAR'S EVE - Resolutions, anyone?

December 31, the last day of 2008, and time to drag out our list of New Year’s Resolutions. I saw on the news that the top three are always the same – lose weight, exercise more, and quit smoking. I don’t smoke but I sure would like to accomplish the other two! However, I made both those resolutions last year and gained eight pounds. Sigh. So this year, I’m making only one major resolution—I’m going to make an effort to find the positive in everything and everyone. If I can keep that one even half the time, I’ll have gained so much--hopefully not in weight, though.

So how about you? What’s on your list? If you could change anything this coming year, what would it be?

While you’re thinking, let me leave you with some funny (at least to me) New Year's Resolution photos.




Resolved: Never to cram my size twelve body into size ten pants ever again.





Resolved: To always do a 'paper check' before leaving the bathroom.




Resolved: To use spellcheck on EVERYTHING!




Resolved: That firefighters have a strange sense of humor so I will never again park by a fire hydrant!

Cabin Fever

I am one of those people who like winter. Which is good since I live in the northwoods of Wisconsin, just an hour or so from the southern shore of Lake Superior.

But this year, I'm dealing with an unusual situation. I had surgery three days before Christmas. Everything is going well. But I am going out less. And doing less around the home.

Today the dust has gotten to me so I'm going to enlist my husband to vacuum. I will try to do a little dusting and putting away. I think that alone will make me feel better.

One of the main things I like about winter is watching snow fall. And it is snowing today. But it is a very fine snow against a "snow" sky that flat kind of white sky that often foretells snow.

So it's not good "snow" viewing. Bummer.

And yesterday I sent my husband to pick up some prescriptions and asked him to pick me up some ice cream.

I love ice cream. I usually don't keep it around the house for obvious reasons. GRIN

I asked him to get me something with fruit in it like strawberry or cherry or whatever they had that looked interesting.

So! What did he bring me?? Butter Pecan.

Now I looked at him and was speechless for a few minutes. If I thought he'd done this on purpose, I would have been mad. But we've been married over 30 years. I know that he just forgot what I said.

He's going out to work at the local food pantry now and I said that he could stop at the local Culver's on the way home and see if they had a good flavor of the day. (Culver's is a Wisconsin based fast-food franchise which has food that tastes almost home-cooked and it also has custard, not soft serve. It's delicious!)

So we'll see if he remembers my custard or not. GRIN

I think you can tell from the aimlessness of this post that I INDEED have cabin fever. I would enjoy going out to lunch with a friend. Do some after Christmas bargain shopping. But keeping inside to recover prohibits that kind of thing for a while.

Therefore, you get the fruit of my rambling. Do you know a good joke? A surprising little known fact? A good compliment would help me. Read any of my books and enjoyed them? Please help cheer up Lyn. Please.

Now, I'm going to go over to my blog http://www.strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com
I'm going to ramble there about Christmases that my late mother made special.

But please give me something to smile about. And banish my cabin fever!

The New Year is Coming!!!

The new year is coming and I have to say that I'm looking forward to it. My excitement has nothing to do with anything that has happened this year good or bad it is simply the idea of a new year that I love. It's a little bit like when I begin a new book. I love the book I've just spent months working on and finally finished (there is nothing more satisfying than the feeling of finishing a book but by the time I finish I'm usually worn out and some of the excitement comes from relief that God's enabled me to reach a hopeful, happy conclusion once again). But a new blank page...wow, that excitement brings with it a new energy that has nothing to do with relief, but more to do with anticipation of what will come. It is a wonderful feeling. Since I'm what is called a seat of the pants writer or an organic writer (which means I start with an idea but not a firm plot) the book is as much an adventure for me as it will be for the reader. So the blank page has a similar feeling for me as a reader would feel upon beginning the to read a new book.

I look at a new year with the same hopeful anticipation. I wonder what God has in store for me. Yes, I wonder if there will be sadness and I pray there won't be, but I know that God is in control and that He can make all things work together for my good and I know that He has wonderful things in store for me. They may be small beautiful events that I must watch for carefully or I might miss them and their blessing. Or they might be big, blindingly blatant things--like my son's wedding this last year to a wonderful young woman whom I love like a daughter--this was the highlight of my year.

Either way the idea of a whole new year is exciting and I can't help but look at this new year with that excitement and hope. I wonder what does God have in store for me? Already I know I have 4 books coming out in 2009, a blessing a dream come true, so I have a bit of a sneak peek at what the year holds. But also and more important with the new year I'm wondering what can I do for God this year? I'm looking forward to watching for opportunities to be a light for Him.

Yes everyone the new year is coming and I pray for each of you that it is a blessed and wonderful year!

What has been the highlight of your year? Or what is your hope for this new year?

Happy New Year everyone!!!
Debra Clopton

More Than A Cowboy by Susan Hornick

The identity of her daughter's father is a secret, one that single mother Haley Clayton must keep forever—for a very good reason. But when a tragedy takes the man's life—a tragedy Haley fears was her fault—the truth comes out. And now the man's stepbrother, handsome rancher Jared Sinclair, wants answers. Why has Haley kept the child from his family? What is she hiding? Haley can't tell him—ever. But then Jared insists Haley and young Sarah spend time at the family ranch, where she discovers he's not just a proud cowboy; he's her—and her daughter's—deepest wish.

Whew! I survived!!!

Well, here I am and since you're reading this, I take it you survived the Christmas rush and visitors and all those cookies, too. The fudge nearly did me in until I managed to give it all away!

It's been cold here. This is the view from my front porch. We have had more icy precipitation thad real snow. Give me flakes any time.

As you can tell, I'm starting to get the hang of doing this, although with me, anything is possible - and likely - as we continue with this blog.

Those of you who follow Love Inspired authors may know I live in the Arkansas Ozarks. If you didn't already, you do now! I was trying to put the picture of my old farm house here, in the text, and it wound up at the top. Oh, well. At least you get to see it that way. The one on the left is the old, old house that was the original log cabin on this land. The white house on the right is the "new" house that's only about 90 years old. Makes me feel like a real kid.

If I knew how to do it, I'd also post a picture here, of me. Since it would undoubtedly end up at the top, again, I'll wait till next time when I have more time to fiddle with it.

Happy New Year and please keep checking back with us. Remember, there is a contest for a gift card running right now so leave comments and enter.

Blessings,

Val

Val rides again!

Okey-dokey, I wrote my post for today ahead of time, set it to load, and it didn't, so I clicked on "publish" this morning and I guess it went to that big blog in the sky because I sure can't find it.

Therefore, I'm going to try again and if you happen to see the other post eventually you'll have a double dose of me. And the day after Christmas, at that. Wow!

I had three photos on the previous, lost post. They were the oldest house on our property, the one that's "only" about 90 years old in which we live, and the snow on the front porch. Many days I like to sit out there and swing but not lately, although the weather is warming up and won't be bad for the next few days.

I am now going to attach the pics, which, if things go as usual, will end up at the top of the blog instead of down here where I want them. Yes, I am a computer doofus. And proud of it. Well, sort of. I figure, with my track record, just attempting this is a monumental step forward!

Blessings for a wonderful new year and may your computer love you more than mine does me!

Val

Merry Christmas!!

Merry

Christmas!!!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Twelve horns a blaring,

Eleven dancers a rocking,

Ten hunks a strutting,

Nine gals a shopping,

Eight women a-laughing,

Seven flags a waving,

Six teens a-texting,

Five loaded iPods,

Four kissing frogs,

Three chocolate bars,
Two sparkling gems,
And a flamingo in a tutu!


Twelve horns are blaring, announcing the birth of the Christ child. Although, there weren't really any trumpets blowing on that day when Mary lay Him in the manger. But today, I like to think of the celebration with horns making a grand announcement. Like I usually do on Christmas morning when I put in Handel's Messiah CD and blast the Hallelujah Chorus.

I hate to see our Twelve Days of Christmas has come to an end. I hope you've had as much fun as I have.



Today, I'd like to wish you a merry Christmas! I hope you're having a wonderful day with family and friends as you celebrate the birthday of the baby Jesus.



And if you have a moment, I hope you'll share with us your favorite gift you GAVE this year. :)

Blessings,


Missy

Dancing ladies

On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eleven ladies a-rocking,
Ten hunks a-strutting,
Nine gals a-shopping,
Eight women a-laughing,
Seven flags a-waving,
Six teens a-texting,
Five loaded iPods,
Four kissing frogs,
Three chocolate bars,
Two sparkling gems,
And a flamingo in a tutu.

For the longest time I couldn’t come up with what I wanted to do with eleven ladies a-rocking. Of course, I immediately thought of dancing, which led me to several more thoughts. One was this season on the Dancing with the Stars. I really enjoy the show because it’s something I would have a hard time doing. First, I would never dance in public on television like the contestants have to. I’m afraid I would be worse than Cloris Leachman who was full of such laughter and had me in stitches—but she couldn’t dance. Second, I’m not a star. That’s a relief. The producers won’t be at my door begging me to be on the next season’s show.

Another was the Harlequin party for its authors at the Romance Writers of America’s annual conference. They always have good music to dance to, and I’m out on the floor with probably close to sixty or seventy other people, mostly women, dancing—actually crammed on a small dancing floor where if you swing your arms you’ll punch someone’s lights out next to you. That’s about the only time in the year I dance for almost three or four hours. Talk about being exhausted when I get back to the hotel. The next day I hurt in places that I didn’t know could hurt that much.

But actually that thought led me to what my post is about. Losing weight. Now how did I come up with that thinking about eleven ladies a-rocking? You can rock (of course you can in a rocking chair, too) when you dance and dancing is great exercise, which leads to losing weight. See my thinking on that one. Anyway, I hate to mention this, but after the holidays, you might be one of the thousands and thousands and thousands (you get the picture--A LOT OF PEOPLE!) who will need to go on a diet and lose weight because you indulged maybe just a tad too much with all the sweets and goodies that abound during this time of year. So how should you lose weight?

Sorry, my post won’t be able to give you the magic (and quick—like the ads say 10 pounds a week) cure for putting on too many pounds from Thanksgiving to the New Year. It will take watching what you eat, how much you eat and doing those exercises. It will require discipline and hard work. It’s as simple as that. No grapefruit only diets. No gadget that melts the fat away. But this all gets me back to the object of the post. Dancing is a great form of exercise. Put on some good music and dance your heart out. No one has to see, but you can have fun and the pounds will melt away—that is if you watch what you eat and how much.

Oh, and I have a picture of a flamingo in a tutu (ballet dancers wear tutus)—thanks to a friend who sent me a link. So see I even connected this post with my first one about the flamingo in a tutu.

What are some ways you know to lose weight? What has worked for you?

Have a Merry Christmas and if you are traveling be safe.