Monday, May 29, 2006

Obstacles are springboards

Sometimes obstacles appear to be just that - walls in your path. But they can actually provide you with a new course of direction, leading to bigger & better things, or be a test of your resolve. It all depends how you handle the obstacle!

If there were no problems there would be no opportunities.
- Willie Jolley

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Returning from BEA

Book Expo America was … wow! Unlike anything I could possibly describe. Thousands of booths – publishers, authors, agents, distributors, etc. – all handing out promotional items and books. My husband and I talked with so many nice people! We even ran into someone we knew – Deal & Shelia who own The Literary Book Post!

And for me … hundreds of people now have my business card or bookmark – and I moved every book at my book signing!!!!

People really are looking for hope & inspiration!!!

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Last Chance

Favorite songs come and go. Occasionally, one will stick for all time.

I first heard this song 25 years ago, and it instantly became my most favorite in the world. I have tried to keep the chorus in my mind and make every day memorable - as if it were my "last chance".

Today could be your last chance
To believe in yourself
Your last chance
To yell
Your last chance to be good to yourself
Your last chance to drink from life's well


- by Shooting Star

Monday, May 15, 2006

Finding a friendly person

How do you find friendly people?

First, you just need to find one - yourself!

Your actions & attitude towards other people will usually determine whether they are friendly or not. There's always someone having a bad day that you just can't help, but most people resond to friendliness.

Smile. Say hello. And be geniunely interested in others!

"Take a chance that the other fellow will be friendly. It is always a gamble, but you'll win 99 times for every time you lose, if you just bet on his being friendly. Refuse to take the chance, and you'll lose every time."
- Les Giblin, "How To Have Confidence And Power In Dealing With People"

Friday, May 12, 2006

Nerves of ... jello?

I always get SO nervous before an interview. The one this morning was no different! I was positively shaking by the time I finished. And it went great! I think a little nervousness help boost the adrenaline! Adds to the enthusiasm!

And enthusiasm makes the difference!

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

In God's Time

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!"
- Habakkuk 2:3

Monday, May 08, 2006

Persistence

I really liked this one:

"Perseverance is very important to success. How else would two snails have made it to the ark?"
- Zig Ziglar

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Lyrics

Song lyrics are not what they used to be.

After reading recent rock lyrics or play Karaoke Revolution, most today are either really dark & depressing ... or just really stupid! (Guess if you're not really listening, it doesn't matter, huh?)

Well, obviously as Spunk on a Stick, I'm not into the dark ones. I prefer a little hope! (Or at least an intelligent question!)

"Hold on to your dreams, and don't let go ... " - Shooting Star

"All the odds are against you, But somehow yo make it through, You can rationalize it away, But it all comes down to you." - Triumph

"Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy) down the road that I must travel, Kyrie eleison through the darkness of the night, Kyrie eleison where I've going will you follow." - Mr. Mister

"All I want is the same as everyone, Why am I here, and for how long?" - Queesnryche

"You made me feel like a superman, I could take on the whole world with just one hand." - Steelheart

Friday, May 05, 2006

Hitting the Jackpot

Some days, it feels like I've hit the jackpot.

And yet, that's a poor way to describe it. Because I've spent so much time & energy preparing for that moment. Some people look at other's fortune as a lucky break, but there's no such thing. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into getting to that point. And I am no different.

Success is when opportunity meets preparedness!

And I am so prepared!!!!!!!!

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Staying in Love

Was reading John Powell's "The Secret of Staying in Love" today. Thought there was some real truth in some of the statements, so I'm passing them along.

That which heals and promotes human change and growth is a one-on-one relationship of love.

Love is not a feeling.

Sharing my feelings will provide you with the opportunity to know me in a new way, to know yourself in a new way, and be changed.

Love is a decision-commitment.

Love works for those who work at it.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Left Field

Sometimes that's where news comes from. And despite my initial reaction of wanting to complain or wallow, I can't let myself. Every closed door is a new one opening somewhere else. Sometimes there's a big push involved, too!

I've come too far now and there are opportunities arising that I intend to take full advantage of - and since some came with the assistance of others, I must give 110%. I will not let my friends down.

Chris, I promise I will never give up!

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Hip Huggers

Well, I finally did it. I purchased my first pair of hip hugger jeans.

I've managed to avoid hip huggers for a long time. Watching young, pudgy girls walk around in tight hip huggers and half shirts really turned me off of wanting a pair of my own. Not that I wouldn't look better than 90% or more of the current population that wears them, but because they looked so darn uncomfortable. And anything with the potential of squeezing me to the point I look like an egg with legs is just right out!

But yesterday, I found the perfect pair. A size 2, loose in the leg and with breathing room in the middle. And since my size is next to impossible to find, I snatched those bad boys right up! And you know, they don't look half bad.

I don't look like an egg with legs, but I'm still not going to wear a half shirt with my new hip huggers!

It's not how you look as much as how you feel you look.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Another's Success

It's cool to watch another's success! You can either learn from it or look back at your own and smile in remembrance. Watching another author do her first signing jazzed me up and I'm ready to continue my quest!

May we all be successful!!!

15 Years

15 years?

Well, that's how long Craig and I have been married as of today!

And while time seems to of sped up over the past few years (guess that comes with getting older, huh?) it still seems like an eternity ago we got married. I won't ever forget that day - only because just about everything went wrong! And we just did the Justice of the Peace thing - if we'd had a real ceremony and all that, it would've been a mess! But it all got better after the day passed!

We met almost 18 years ago and Craig claims he can't remember his life before me. I don't remember much before the age of 21, so I guess I can say the same thing! We're just doing dinner tonight, but Craig wants to do a special fun vacation for us this summer. We've already done the cruise thing, so have no idea what's next. I'm sure we'll think of something unique!

And I bet the next 15 years will be a blast!

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices when the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7