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December 6, 2006 @ 1:07 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

But the season for what?

I spent seven hours yesterday hanging stockings & wreaths, assembling & decorating the Christmas tree, pulling out holiday linens & tablecloths, and wrapping gifts. From the time I arrived home from my last class until I dropped into bed, exhausted, at eleven o’clock, I was immersed in all things holiday-ish.

But even as I delighted in the way my house was slowly, but surely, donning that special ‘look’ that it bears for thirty short days each calendar year, I couldn’t ignore a tiny, yet persistent, voice somewhere in the depths of my spirit. A voice that begged me to question my motives, to truly investigate why, in the midst of so much evergreen, jingle bells, and tangles of bows, ribbon, and paper…I felt a twinge of annoyance.

Is it okay to admit annoyance during this season? It doesn’t feel good to admit it and yet, once I allowed myself to slow down a bit and examine my thoughts and emotions, it was liberating to voice that, although I truly love this time of year and all the craziness that comes along with it, sometimes I just don’t feel equipped to handle craziness.

I can’t ignore the guilt that I feel just knowing that the real reason for the season is, year after year, continually lost on so many levels. While I’d love to say that I’m not guilty of contributing to this, that would be false. And what I want in this post is truth.

The stores are nuts this time of year, full of shoppers who empty their wallets and max out their credit cards in an effort to meet "the needs" of their long, seemingly endless, shopping lists. Behind each and every store counter stands a bone-weary salesperson who only wants to go home, kick off her shoes, and think about anything other than her deranged customers and the holiday that is causing the derangement.

We (and I mean ME) feel the pressure to pretty up our homes with the festive colors of the season when the reality is that our homes are made festive by the love that blooms there year round. We snatch hard-to-find toys from store shelves that have been picked bone-dry when the reality is that our kids and grandchildren need our love and attention more than they need the 2006 version of store-bought happiness. We spend so much time and effort in creating a picture-perfect moment in time when the reality is that, in mere minutes, our living room floors will be scattered with torn wrapping paper, scattered toys, and we will realize that we can’t even find the camera, let alone capture it all on film as planned.

I have to wonder if on Christmas night, when we are sitting quietly by the softly twinkling lights of the still-lit Christmas tree, and we are thinking back over the day’s activities, will we feel a void? In the midst of the spoils of the day, will we at last be able to slow the pace and consider the real reason for the season?

It’s enough for me to know that I know HIM, and He is the reason for the season, right? But do I offer Him to others all year long through my actions, through my words, and through my love for Him? Is there any reason why I should wait until December 1st before the magnitude of what this season represents and all that it means should register with me?

So, for the next few weeks, as I prepare for the big family dinner and the happy gathering of friends and loved ones, I will do my best to make sure that my words are cheerier than my wrapping paper. Make sure that my actions are more dependable than the batteries I’m stocking up on. Make sure that the love I radiate is more than just the J O Y stocking hangers that line my fireplace mantle.

Will I continue to buy into this madness we affectionately call ‘the holidays’? Sure I will. I will always love the evergreen wreaths, I will always carefully pick out the paper, and I will most likely always spend long hours putting up, setting out, and taking down – just as I did yesterday.

But hopefullyl I will take time out to recognize it’s the relationship with people that matter, not the gifts I buy for them. It’s the time I spend with them and not the amount of money I spend on them that binds us together. And it’s not the mess that’s left on my living room floor five minutes after gift-giving that matters, but it’s the love and joy that’s left in our hearts that will truly be worthy of a picture-perfect moment.

If I can only find the camera, that is…

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November 21, 2006 @ 5:53 am | Filed under: Uncategorized

that I still love to blog and – actually – have quite a lot to say.

It’s the time that’s running a bit short these days. Right now, I’m sprinting out the door at 6:45 a.m. to make the three-hour drive to Huntsville to pick Nate up for the Thanksgiving break.

(taking a brief moment to do a little happy dance…)

Tonight I’ll have both sons, at home, in their beds, under MY roof. Yay!

Until tomorrow, here is how I feel about all of you – MY FRIENDS…

I am only as strong as the coffee I drink, the hairspray I use and the friends I have.

I’m feeling strong today!

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October 31, 2006 @ 3:01 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

No man or woman is worth your tears.

The only one who is, will never make you cry.

If you love someone, put their name in a circle, instead of a heart.

Hearts can break, but circles go on forever.

Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say.

Best friends listen to what you don’t dare say.

If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn’t jump with them. I’d be at the bottom to catch them.

Don’t frown, because you never know who’s falling in love with your smile!

It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone—but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Cherish your friends today.

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October 17, 2006 @ 2:59 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

After enjoying certain perks that Typepad has provided, Glimpses is now moving back here. There’s just no place like home, you know?

Please drop by and visit. We’ve undergone an Extreme Makeover and Susie, over at Bluebird Blogs, is the amazing artist behind our new glam look.

So, while we’re at a different address, Glimpses is still the same ‘ol gal. Still giving you little, um…glimpses…into the windows of my life as a wife, mother, writer, and student.

See ya soon!

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October 13, 2006 @ 10:31 am | Filed under: Uncategorized

…but it’s just not happening.

Here’s what I’ve already done today that was NOT bright:

1. I drove right past the little place I was supposed to meet Mike for breakfast. He calls and says, "Hey, was that you that just drove by?" So I had to turn around and try it again.

2. I ironed a pair of slacks for Jordan to wear to a wedding tonight, hung them very neatly, and then went to retrieve a shirt that needed to be pressed. When I walked back into the room, the ironing board was nowhere in sight.

"Honey, did you put the ironing board away?" I call out to Mike.

"No, I haven’t touched it." He walks into the room and stares at me as I stand in the middle of the room, looking (I’m quite sure) dazed and confused, still clutching the to-be-ironed shirt.

Evidently I put it away and have no recollection whatsoever of doing so.

3. I lost my keys. Fortunately, I have spares and, fortunately, I later found them. Still…

You see my dilemma. My brain thinks it’s already five o’clock on Friday afternoon and not just noon. So I’m giving in to it and calling it a day. This blog post means absolutely nothing of importance but it’s expressly for those of you who would email me if I didn’t post something and want to know why!

If I had five minutes to myself today, I’d

1. Go to the mall, just to window shop and chill out for a bit. There’s nothing like a little alone time to clear a muddled mind.

2. Start reading a new book. On second thought, I don’t know that I have the concentration for it today. (Shhh…don’t tell anyone I said that.)

3. Crawl back in bed, pull the covers over my head, and take a nice, long nap.

4. Just sit in "my spot" on the couch, not talking to anyone, not having anyone talk to me. (Can you tell it’s been a tough week?)

5. No. 3 again.

If I were to spend $5 today, I’d

1. Well, duh…buy a Sonic Diet Coke!

2. Buy some stamps from my local Post Net guy and send off packages to my cousins that I’ve had ready to mail for a full week now.

3. Buy Jordan Chick-fil-A at the school today. (They get Chick-fil-A! Speaking of which, I could use a sandwich right now.)

4. Add $10 to the $5 to pay for our weekly cleaning.

5. Buy another Diet Coke.

Five Items I’d love to get rid of:

1. About 15 pounds.

2. All problems. I know it wouldn’t be permanent. But, please, just for a day.

3. My history book. Any takers? Anyone?

4. All the stuff piled in the garage that is in our "to be thrown out, given away, or just destroyed" stacks.

5. Jordan’s printer. It’s a three-in-one and has a very annoying habit of piping up in the middle of the night with all kinds of strange noises.

Five Items I wouldn’t part with:

1. My family. That goes without saying, I know. But it’s always good to remind yourself that in spite of very tiring weeks, you’re family still has top billing in your heart.

2. My computer. For a variety of reasons, but the proper answer would be because it’s my connection to work. (I think the real reason may be email and blogs though.)

3. My bathtub. Honestly, there have been times this week when all that has gotten me through is the thought of fifteen minutes in a hot bubble bath at the end of the day.

4. My work. I’d take a break from it now and then, but writing is in my blood, so…You do what you have to do…

5. My friends. They keep the laughter bubbling, the loads lighter, and the sharing real.

Five Words or Phrases I’d love to hear:

1. "Here’s your diet Coke, miss."

2. "Sweetheart, let’s go somewhere this weekend. ANYWHERE you want to go."

3. "We’d like to offer you a four-book contract with our publishing house. Will that work for you?"

4. "I love you."

5. "You’re the best mom in the world. Not because I have to say it, but because I truly mean it. Really."

9 comments

October 2, 2006 @ 1:36 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

Is this ME, or what?

Okay, maybe not, but a girl can dream, can’t she? Forget the fact that we’re in the process of purchasing Son #1 a college car, only to be followed in a few short months by the need to purchase Son #2 a college car.

So while I’m dreaming of the day when I can walk into a car dealership and pick out my very own very un-Momlike vehicle (meaning it won’t have to have unlimited stowing capacity, seven seats, or even four doors) I will just have fun "trying on" cars.

This was taken, courtesy of a really nice Chevy guy at the State Fair of Texas auto show. I climbed in while he got behind the camera. Just as I was breaking out my best Hollywood smile, Mike called out, "Put on your shades, sweetheart!" So I slid them on with only a split second to spare before the shutter clicked.

As un-Momlike cars go, this one fits, don’t you think?

What else did we do at the fair, you ask? Let me see if I can sum it all up for you:

Fletcher’s corn dogs, Chinese acrobat show, sausage-on-a-stick (see pic of Mike, mid-bite), antique car show, tornado fries, Birds of Prey show, cotton candy (just Cheryl), turkey leg (just Bon), fried-green tomatoes (this was my first time to have these and they totally rock), and lots and lots of water.

For those of you who are wondering, no, I did not have any deep-fried Coke.

However…

I did walk up to that particular stand and watch them prepare a few. I wrestled with it, let me tell you. Being the die-hard (though newly reformed) Diet Coke fan that I am, how could I merely walk away without at least giving it careful consideration?

They didn’t have any Diet Coke.

Bottom line. Decision made.

I walked away guilt-free, with the five bucks still tucked securely in my Mike’s wallet.

4 comments

September 25, 2006 @ 4:14 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

I’m back from ACFW, tired yet energized about writing. That’s what a good conference will do for you, isn’t it? This conference is such an amazing blend of teaching technique and promoting worship. God is truly at the center of the entire four days, and it shows. Once again I was reminded that I write for an audience of One first and foremost. What may or may not come in terms of publishing contracts will be icing on the proverbial cake.

This is me with Wendy, my agent, at the banquet.

Of course, this is also the conference where talking to your characters is encouraged and, like Brandilyn mentioned the first night, if you must have a pow-wow with your character in the hallway, no one will look at you as though you’ve just shipped to Earth straight from somewhere in the far northwest Milky Way. They’ll understand. And they just might let their character help YOUR character out a bit.

Mama Ruth (who will turn 90 in days!) and Brandilyn Collins

Since writers spend so much of their time holed up in their offices, furiously creating characters, plots, and scenarios, it’s very validating and refreshing to spend time with others who can empathize.

This is the "Bookies" – the clients of Books & Such. Can you find me?

On Friday night, the Bookies met at Addison Cafe and shared dinner and lots of great conversation and deep laughter. I feel so blessed to be a part of such a terrific agency. This part of the business is new to me, but I’m lovin’ it!

I’m home now and ready for some serious BOC (bottom-on-chair). Oh, but wait…I have to write two papers and study for a MAJOR history unit exam first…

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September 22, 2006 @ 12:41 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

This is Mary DeMuth, the instructor for the Continuing Advanced Track that I’m taking here at ACFW. Mary is the author of several books, including two non-fiction (Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God) and two fiction (the Maranatha Series).

But probably the most exciting thing for me is that Mary is from my town – in fact, she used to live mere miles from me. She, her husband, and their three children are now a part of a church-planting effort in France.

As always, this conference is doing so much for my soul. Sure, we’re here to network, to fellowship, and to hone our craft. But God always shows up at this conference and it goes deeper; healing, restoring, and recharging writers who are all in various stages of this publishing journey.

Tonight is the Books & Such dinner and I can’t wait! This will be my first dinner to attend as a CLIENT of this amazing company! When I checked into my room yesterday the man behind the counter handed me this beautiful gift basket, along with my room key.

It was full of chocolates and candles. The card read: Have a wonderful conference. Chocolate Hugs & Kisses from your favorite agent.

Have I mentioned how excited I am to have teamed up with Books & Such? I’ll post pictures of the dinner tonight as soon as I can.

3 comments

September 16, 2006 @ 3:24 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

My friend, Susie, over at Bluebird Blogs is in the process of creating a great new look for my blog here.

Immensely talented, Susie takes a lot of time to get "to know" her clients and then strives to provide them with a look that embodies the essence of their blog.

Look for a brand-new outfit for Glimpses over the next couple of months, but in the meantime…

Susie is running an awesome contest and YOU can get in on it! Here’s what Susie has to say about it all:

"Autumn is my favorite time of the year, and it’s just right around the corner. To celebrate the beginning of the season, I’m having a contest for 2 lucky people to win a totally free, completely customized blog design from Bluebird Blogs."

Sounds great, huh?

Here’s how you can participate:

Information on how to enter:
- Send an email with your name and blog address to bluebirdblogs@gmail.com. (Tell Susie that Staci sent ya!)

-Your name will be entered into the drawing.

- Entries will be accepted from 7:00pm EST on Thursday 9/15/06 until 11:59pm EST on Friday 9/22/06.

For some examples of Susie’s great work you may want to visit here or here or maybe here. (As always, you can visit Susie’s site for a complete gallery.

The winner will be announced on http://bluebirdblogs.blogspot.com on the morning of Saturday, September 23rd, 2006 . Good luck to everyone!

Happy blogging!

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