After the Wedding

My sister's wedding was this past weekend (lots of good story inspiration there) and I had a blast! However, I did pick up a few good pieces of advice for any Maid of Honor. 1 - be sure that you break in your shoes for the wedding REALLY well. I have to admit that I didn't break them in as well as I should have and now I'm overcoming a rather large blister on the back of one heel.  (The downtime with it, however, gives me more time to write).  2 - This one is pretty important as well.  Be sure to practice your squats in the weeks leading up to the wedding.  Between the dancing and bending to straighten/fix/repin my sister's bustle on the dress, my legs hurt sooooo bad! they are finally getting better today, but until this morning it hurt to walk. Just keep those things in mind.

On the brighter side of life, I finished the sequel to my first novel ("Precious Jewel") and I'm moving on to other books :) . I am so glad that my job is something I love to do.


Quote of the Week:
A Door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of.
                                                                                        - Unknown

Fun Fact of the Week:
In a very early draft of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones carried brass knuckles instead of a bullwhip.

Story Starter of the Week:
Lori needed a new set of brakes for her car, so she went down the street to the service station.  However, instead of brakes, she found something completely different. What was it?

The Answers

Wow! I'm sooooo sorry I haven't written in forever! I got caught up in wedding and graduation planning.  Have you ever felt like your life is completely overwhelming you? Yeah, I know the feeling.

Thankfully, I also have the solution to the problem.  It's a five-letter word: J-E-S-U-S.  That's right, I said it.  Jesus is the answer to the craziness of life!  I've learned that whenever I feel like I need to lash out or explode, I need to turn to my Jesus and ask him to calm me down.  Guess what? It works! For example, my sister and I love each other immensely, but sometimes she gets really "snappy" when it comes to her wedding planning. (In our house, "snappy" usually means that they snap at you verbally).  So, what do I do? I take a deep breath and decide to forgive.  Then I go pray that Jesus will calm her down, too :)

So, the next time you feel SO overwhelmed by life, just lift it up in prayer to the Lord.  He knows what's bothering you and He knows how to fix it.  He did, after all, create you.  He understands everything.  I know that's hard to grasp, but you should try.  Jesus is the answer, and I will always stand by that.

Now, for our fun sections!

Quote of the Week:
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

                                                                                               -- Dr. Seuss

Fun Fact of the Week:

Those with a high school diploma statistically earn more money, have less health problems, commit fewer crimes and are less likely to be unemployed.

Story Starter of the Week:

Elisa's boyfriend proposes to her on the day of her High School Graduation.  How does he do it?

*Don't forget to post your ideas from the story starter in the comments!  Hope to see them there!

Busy Life and Government Sites

yes, I do realize that I haven't written in nearly a month.  I've been busy!  Our family is planning both a wedding and a graduation (for two separate people, for you smart-alecks out there) and I have senior pictures on Sunday. On top of that, I am the maid of honor in the wedding and therefore must write a speech! EEP!
My life is also always busy with my writing.  It is my passion, after all.  For those writers out there, I have been very busy researching for my newest novel.  Let me tell you, the Freedom of Information Act is my friend sometimes.  Also, the Border Patrol website and the CIA website.  They are all quite handy.  In case you're thinking that I'm crazy, I'm not.  I just write suspense novels.  This usually includes -- oh, I don't know -- something to do with government agencies and PIs.  Still think I'm crazy?  Try writing a suspense novel without doing research on government websites.  I'm telling you, they give you the most realistic look into the life of their agencies, agents, and protocols.  So, for all you who are even thinking of writing a mystery or suspense book.  Be prepared to go to the websites of the FBI, CIA, and Border Patrol AT LEAST!!!! 

Quote of the Week:
"Ten percent of marriages end in divorce, but 100% of ice cream sunday bars end in happiness."

-- Unknown                           

Fun Fact of the Week:

Popsicles were invented by an 11-year-old boy. He left his soda and juice outside all night.  It froze.  He decided to sell it.

Story Starter of the Week:

Imagine yourself as a foreigner in a brand new world.  You don't speak the language and you don't know how else to communicate with the "sophisticated" civilization there.  How would your first day pan out. (tip: write it in the first person)