Time for a Change of Scenery

My parents just bought this lovely home and have asked me, Dave, and the boys to move in with them.

I know, I know...it sounds a bit strange but we all feel like the Holy Spirit has said, YES.

You see, my parents owned a home with a huge yard on a very steep hill on a lake. It was getting very hard to keep it up. They also missed living in California a bit but they want to still live here, in North Carolina.

So, they are selling the big home and getting one off the lake...it is much less expensive and with the money they save, they will also be able to have a home in California. They can live half of the year here and the other half over there! Two of my sisters and their families live in California still while my sister Kim and I live in N.C. This way, my family will be able to watch after the house while my parents visit California. We will also take care of the landscape (I adore gardening) and we will be there for them as they grow older.

We won't be cramped here either...there are three floors. My family will have the top floor with three bedrooms and a study as well as the basement for our living room, dining room, kitchen, and laundry room. There is so much more space in this new house then where we are right now! Tons and tons of storage. And the yard is awesome...like living in a forest...lots of scope for the imagination here!

So, this weekend I'll be packing stuff...we will have all month to move (starting Monday!) I probably won't blog much...I will do a post on the latest book I read for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and I'll try not to be too much of a stranger to all your blogs...but if I'm not showing up as much, you now know why! We will continue posting on Seek and Ye Shall Find although there may be a few days when we cannot. My e-mail will stay the same, don't worry!

Well, pray that everything goes smoothly and we stay healthy for the move! Thank you and God Bless!

Oh! I almost forgot...for my birthday, we went out to the Olive Garden in Hickory...YUM! Then we went and saw the new Pink Panther Movie with Steve Martin. I'm a die-hard Peter Sellers fan but Steve Martin was awesome too! Egads but I laughed so hard and loud! Tears were pouring from my eyes. Kevin Kline and Jean Reno were excellent also.

The next day, the boys and Dave made me a cake. Ah, chocolate. Least I forget, they bought me the DVD and Soundtrack of Bride & Prejudice , a crockpot, and a cookbook!

Here is my review of Bride & Prejudice from January. I adore that movie!

A Self-centered Post :)

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear...uh...me me (get it? Mimi? Ha ha ho ho to the funny farm I go), happy birthday to meeeeeeeeeeee!

Oh yeah? You want to know how old I am? Well, as my mother would say, "I'm celebrating the tenth anniversary of my twenty-ninth birthday." Hmmmm, let's see...ten plus uh, twenty-nine is...thirty-nine! Yeah.



So, for my little ol' birthday post I thought I'd treat you to a bunch of self-portraits I've done over the years...well, most are from my college years (1986-1990) but I might put in one or two from recent times. Ya never know. Most of my self-portraits were assignments from teachers. I think it was the thing they thought would challenge students or something. (My major was Art, if you couldn't have guessed...I ended up with a BA in Art from San Jose State University in 1990.) Anyway, I had those same assignments from photography, drawing and paper-making.

Okay, this one was photography. I enjoyed the shadow effect on this one...made it rather sensual. Woowie.

Next is a series thing from 1988...I was really deep back then, you know, artsy-fartsy. Now that I have kids, I have to wait until after ten to become all surreal or impressionistic...heh, thought I'd throw out some big words and impress you ( I probably spelled them wrong, knowing me, and now you are laughing instead of feeling impressed). So, here is the deal about this series. In art school, the stranger or more creative you are, the better the grade. I'm not kidding...one time I hated the drawing I was doing, knew it would get a C or less...so, I took it, threw it on the floor and started to stomp on it with my shoes...it made a cool pattern. Next thing I know, the teacher is praising my creativity. So there ya go. Oh, back to the show...The first is a mask. Like the saying, "We all wear masks." Well, this mask you can see (gee, it is made out of foil...but let's just not think about that)...

So, the next picture shows me wearing the mask.

Now, I'm gonna rip it off...

After removing the mask, I feel vulnerable...revealed...scared. What will the world think of me without my mask?

Man, I was skinny back then...oh, hello, I was just thinking back. What's funny is that back then I thought I was fat. Sheesh. Okay, what's next. Oh, here is a charcoal drawing from a life drawing class...must have been around 1987...

It is pretty basic when it comes to creativity...I didn't use my feet or anything. So, ya want to know what I got for a grade? Here it is...It was taped to the back of the drawing. Not too bad for a first project...

Okay, here is a paper-making project that I mixed with photography and dark-room magic...I poured the developer on by hand to make it all strange looking. Don't know why my scanner scanned it so green...it should be cream colored paper and a black and white photo. Oh well.

Last is a drawing that I did for my F.A.I.R.I.E.S. book...I used myself in the mirror but made me look younger. The scene is underwater. I cannot really explain what is happening because you really have to read the book to understand...let's just say that she is getting the air out. No, it is not out of the nether-regions...it is out of her ears. I used charcoal and the computer to make it.

So, now everyone can recognize me if they pass me on the street...well, you'll have to add about 15 years onto them but, hey! You can do it! Hope you all enjoyed my tribute to myself. Heh. I had fun at least. ;-P

Free Audiobook!

Remember my author friend, Robert Liparulo, who wrote that awesome thriller, Comes A Horseman? Well, I received an e-mail from him about getting his book in audio format for free. I know some of my blogging friends have said that they prefer audio because they can listen to it in their cars. So, here is your chance!

The book is really great. They are making it into a movie already... screenwriters have just been hired. I'm so happy for him!

Below is the e-mail he sent.


Hi, Mimi:

Hope you’re doing well. I wanted to let you know that for a limited time, WestBow Press is offering a free abridged audiobook of Comes a Horseman. It can be downloaded, along with desktop wallpaper of the cover art and a video, at www.ComesAHorsemanBook.com (the website itself is pretty cool—and if you look closely at the beginning, the cover’s eye actually opens). If you get a chance, check it out, and feel free to let your readers know.

Blessings to you,
Bob

Hilarious Tattoo

My sister-in-law, Dee Dee (Dave's little sis), sent me this picture. It cracked me up and I just had to share it with you all. And speaking of Dave, he finally has a new post on Stupid Human Tricks. It is about diapers...go check it out!

A Thankful Heart

Above is a picture I took for a black and white photography class back in the day...around 1989 or so. Below is a poem I keep on my refrigerator...not sure when I first was given it but I think it is not only a wonderful way to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day but something to be thought about every day of your lives.

So, to Helen Steiner Rice, I thank you for the lovely gift of words you have shared and to my blogger friends out there,

Happy Valentine's Day...

A Thankful Heart

Take nothing for granted,

for whenever you do

The "joy of enjoying"

is lessened for you~

For we rob our own lives

much more than we know

When we fail to respond

or in any way show

Our thanks for the blessings

that daily are ours...

The warmth of the sun,

the fragrance of flowers,

The beauty of twilight,

the freshness of dawn,

The coolness of dew

on a green velvet lawn,

The kind little deeds

so thoughtfully done,

The favors of friends

and the love that someone

Unselfishly gives us

in a myriad of ways,

Expecting no payment

and no words of praise~

Oh, great is our loss

when we no longer find

A thankful response

to things of this kind,

For the joy of enjoying

and the fullness of living

Are found in the heart

that is filled with thanksgiving.

~Helen Steiner Rice

On this day, February 9th...

On February 8th at 6:00a.m., five years ago, I went to the hospital to have a child. For five years it had been just Keegan, Dave and me. Our small but wonderful family. (Well, we did have 9 foster kids at the children’s home that we worked at…but our immediate family was three.)

We didn’t know if the baby would be a boy or a girl.

We also didn’t know if he/she would be healthy.

You see, during my pregnancy I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes as well as toxemia. You could probably guess what the gestational diabetes meant…I had ‘pregnancy’ diabetes. My first child (today ten years old, then five years old) had weighed 9.01 pounds at birth. I was/am hypo-glycemic (the opposite of diabetic where my sugar drops very low) and overweight. So, all those factors together helped form the pregnancy diabetes. Later in the pregnancy, we discovered I also had toxemia. A nice way of saying that I had pregnancy high blood pressure. It causes severe swelling and migraines. It also makes your body attack the infant like it is an intruder.

For these reasons, we had to schedule a slightly early delivery. I had to be hooked up to a blood pressure machine the entire time…very ‘un’-fun. Especially when they came to put in the epederal…having that machine tighten up my arm while I’m trying to lay on my side holding still as a needle the size of Phoenix is placed into my spine AND HAVING A SEVERE CONTRACTION ALL AT THE SAME TIME was not my idea of a picnic.

Evan was born at 1:08 p.m. on February 9, 2001. He was blue with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. The doctors and nurses were very quiet as they rushed him under the heat lamps to clean and warm him.

Thankfully, we heard his cry…it was a small sound at first but grew louder, much to the relief of all present. So, weighing in at 7 lbs. 4 oz., and measuring 20 ½ inches, our second boy was handed into my arms.

Later that day, Keegan got to come and welcome his baby brother. He was so excited to finally be a big brother!

Recovery was long for me. Toxemia lasted and lasted. The diabetes got better though, thank the Lord! I thought my blood pressure returned to normal, too. But I kept getting migraines. I thought it was just the normal female migraine thing. The doctor even prescribed migraine medicine…which you do NOT take if you have high blood pressure. Unfortunately, we all thought my high blood pressure was due to the migraine…but it really was the other way around. It took 3 years before realizing the mistake. After several days of a tight chest and pain when I lied down, I was finally diagnosed with high blood pressure. I haven’t had a migraine since.

Looking back through the last five years, I cannot imagine our family without Evan. I had lost one baby before conceiving Keegan and sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have had three children. He/she would have been about 13 years old now. Someday we will meet him/her. For now, I am so blessed with my two boys.

Keegan and Evan are a team. They play, fight, love, bug, tickle, shout, laugh, cry, and sing together. They truly are each other’s best friends.

So today, February 9, 2006, we are celebrating Evan’s 5th birthday. We’re going to one of those play centers with pizza, soft play, miniature golf, laser tag, and bumper cars.

What fun!

I love having boys.

Shhhh! Don’t tell, but we got him a Dragon’s egg (with dragon inside), a Lego knight, a ‘new’ Herbie car (green) with opening doors, and a huge pillow (just like Keegan’s…but with a different pillowcase).

Happy 5th Birthday Evan!

You are a sweet blessing to us.

We love you, stinker!

Addendum to Seek and Ye Shall Find!

One of my bestest best blogging, writing, and critiquing buddies, Bonnie Calhoun of Bonnie Writes, has joined our family Bible study blog: Seek and Ye Shall Find. She will do weekend posts on key words or special lessons. She also is my resident map expert and helps us with lots of the historic data. She may even do an occasional weekday post (when I can talk her into it!)...Her first weekend post will be next weekend but she has already added some fine maps and has cool comments about them in the comment section! Give it up for BONNIE! Wahoo!

Also, when you post a comment, I'll add you to the blog-roll, Fellow Seekers. We are loving the discussion and fellowship so far and pray this can be a blessing for many.

A special thanks to those who have already visited. The first week has been a blast! Mmmmwwwhhhaaaa!

Seek and Ye Shall Find

My family and I have decided to start a Bible Study blog named Seek and Ye Shall Find.

It should be fun because Dave, Keegan (10) and I will take different days (weekends off) and we may have guest bloggers at times to do posts. (Evan (4--almost 5!) may say a few words but I'll have to type them for him.)

We are going through the New Testament this year.

You are welcome to join in the study and comment!

Pink (Shades of Style) by Marilynn Griffith

Ahhh, Romance is in the air!!!

This month's book for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is Pink (Shades of Style) which is perfect for Valentine's Day! It was written by Marilynn Griffith, fellow bloggerette and Christian writer. (She also wrote Made of Honor.)

Again, I am eagerly awaiting my copy (which Marilynn just told me she would express over to me since I haven't received mine) so I have not yet read it. I plan to do so as soon as I get my paws on it though! I did Read an Excerpt from PINK just a few moments ago and am very excited about it. It looks like it'll be a fun read. Marilynn is hilarious but not afraid to express real emotions. Her character is hurting but still has laughter.

Here is a short summary:

High fashion meets romance in the Big Apple for a fresh, funky designer Raya Joseph wants to break free from the beige world around her and celebrate the color of the city. With a sassy pink style and a radical change of hair, she's off to conquer the design world. But it doesn't take long for Raya to meet her match--in style and flair. Flex Dunham, a personal trainer and one of Raya's clients, has got it going on.

As much as Raya would like to pursue a relationship with Flex, she has other matters on her mind--and on her heart. Then a blast from the past comes back to haunt her, and Raya can't help but wonder if she made the right decision in keeping her past a secret. Flex seems to be hiding something too. But what?

Woven with humor, heartache, and hip friendships, Raya's new life has a lot of colorful threads. But will the end result be a beautiful design? Or will it fall apart at the seams? Join Raya and her friends Lily Chau, Jean Guerra, and Chenille Rizzo as they untangle the threads in the Shades of Style series.

About the author:

Marilynn Griffith is a freelance writer and conference speaker whose online columns reach over 20,000 women each month. Her recent writing credits include Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul, Proverbs for the People, and For Better or for Worse. Marilynn lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with her husband and children.

Endorsements:

"Marilynn Griffith is a fresh voice in Christian fiction. Her funny, breezy style is sure to take the market by storm!"--Tracey Bateman, author, Reasonable Doubt

"From beginning to end, you can't help but see the hand of God ministering through Marilynn Griffith's work."--Vanessa Davis Griggs, author, Wings of Grace

"Marilynn Griffith digs deep inside to write a novel about everyday people who love the Lord."--LaShaunda C. Hoffman, editor, Shades of Romance Magazine

"With poetic description and compelling storytelling, Marilynn Griffith delights readers with every sentence."--Stephanie Perry Moore, author, A Lova' Like No Otha'

"Looking for a sassy, engaging read that keeps you turning pages and recalling your faith? Look no further. Marilynn Griffith won't disappoint."--Stacy Hawkins Adams, author, Speak to My Heart

"Marilynn Griffith's writing makes the five senses come alive. Her writing makes you taste color, smell love, hear hearts, see purpose, and touch God's truth in every word and phrase. She a master storyteller!"--Gail M. Hayes, Ph.D., author, Daughters of the King

Review: “Griffith's debut Shades of Style series features four women in the fashion industry: Raya, Chenille, Lily, and Jean. The women fight to save their struggling business and learn some important lessons about people, life, and faith.--Library Journal

"...Pink exposes a basic truth: when we hide our true selves from others because we don't want to get hurt, we get hurt anyway--and others do too..."--Neta Jackson, author, The Yada Yada Prayer Group

Buy this book from Amazon.com, ChristianBook.com, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookstore.

Pink is featured in Charisma Magazine as one of its Fiction Picks 2/06 issue.

Pink is also a Black Expressions Alternate for 3/06.

As soon as I read it for myself, I'll let you know a bit more...