I'm Playing that Game Again....

You know the game I'm talking about. 

It's called "date the check, mail the check, beat the check." 

So far, so good!

The Death of a Dream

“Dreams are always crushing when they don't come true. But it's the simple dreams that are often the most painful because they seem so personal, so reasonable, so attainable. You're always close enough to touch, but never quite close enough to hold and it's enough to break your heart.”
― Nicholas Sparks, Three Weeks with My Brother

The Death of a Dream.....I have experienced a few of those in my life.....and am going through that process again right now. 

How are you supposed to grieve a death of this sort? 
What exactly is the protocol?
I should know it by now.
But somehow....I don't know.

I recognize the depression associated with the death of a dream.
And I know it isn't like mourning the death of a person....because I know I can find a new dream.

But it is a "death" of sorts.
And not many know what the dream even was....
....so I'm not sure if I'm supposed to talk about it
or if I do...if people will get it because it was so personal.

There aren't any sympathy cards out there for when a dream dies.
There isn't anybody offering up prayers
And cooking meals
And stopping by
While you are in mourning.....

...because I guess it is just something you have to "go" through.

hopefully I can "grow" through it.

uhg.

Homecoming Slideshow

Here are all of the pics....the ones that made the FB cut Plus the ones that I just really love. 

If you have to ask the difference, then you must not have a high schooler on your editing team.  

Homecoming 2011

So proud of this guy. 

 Reality Check:  The wildcat is taller than his mama:

Somehow the words that express the pride, joy and love that I feel for this kid just aren't coming.
The tears seem to flow easier right now!
Love you, Wildcat.
You make me proud.

Pep Rally slideshow

A Review of Kerrie McLoughlin's "Get Published in Regional Parenting Magazines"

I purchased a copy of the e-book Get Published in Regional Parenting Magazines by Kerrie McLoughlin a couple of years ago.  I already had a name for myself within my local market by way of a handful of years of writing for my local newspaper.  I felt ready to step out of the comfort zone of my own zip code, but the efforts I made in pitching to the national market were met with little and scattered success.

I ran into Kerrie’s name and publication through an online writing course.  There were a few Regional Parenting Publication market guides out there, but I admit that the cost was a factor when making my purchase.  I purchased Kerrie’s e-book for less than $10 and found that it is by far one of the most valuable resources on my bookshelf today.  It has been my “Writers’ Market Guide” for locating information on Parenting Publications around the country. 

My writing resume now includes bylines in magazines from L.A. to New York and several other publications across the country. 

My copy of Get Published in Regional Parenting Magazines is one of the older versions, but whenever there is an update, editor changes within magazines or new markets to tap into, Kerrie sends these updates to me by email.  Magazine editors appreciate writers who submit according to their writers’ guidelines, and I appreciate this resource as a quick and easy to use reference guide to keeping me up to date on what these guidelines are within the regional parenting publications market. 

Writers who are looking to add their byline in parenting publications across the nation will find Get Published in Regional Parenting Magazines an extremely valuable tool. 

Driving for a Cause

I'm all about promoting local events....especially ones that support a good cause. 

Remember Challenge Day last year? 

It was a life-changing experience for students, faculty and volunteers alike. 

At tonight's home football game you will have a chance to support future Challenge Day events. 

You don't want to miss this. 

Here is what you do:
Go to the school parking lot.
Test drive a Ford.
Ron Alpen Ford will donate $20 for every vehicle that is test driven. 
Done. 

Need more info on Challenge Day?  Check it out Here.
More info on This fundraiser?  Check it our Here.
An editorial that I wrote for the QC Times?  Check it out Here.

There you go.
I challenge you to go drive a car.
And Raise some money.
For a GREAT cause.

See you there!

What Should Bother Me More....

You tell me....

What should bother me in this scenario?

The fact that I spotted my daughters stealing apples from the neighbor's tree......

Or....

......
....the fact that I went to get my camera before I said anything?

Update...to the previous post

So. 
Guess what.

I got me one of those jay-ohhh-bee's.

And it is a good one. 

It is a job that I didn't really know that I wanted, but applied for a while back.  The pay seemed great and it is fairly local.  And part-time....

....which means I can keep up with the freelance work that I LOVE. 

I had a feeling when I first applied that the competition for a local, decent paying position would be fierce. 
It wasn't that bad.
I scored an interview.
And the interview was flawless. 
They even said they were hoping to find a qualified applicant who also had something else on the backburner....(like a freelance writer????) and was not worried about working 40 hours a week. 

I thought they were going to offer me the position during the interview.

But they didn't.  There is a process to these things, I guess.

Two days later I get a phone call and the conversation goes like this:

Potential Employer:  I wanted to thank you for interviewing with us...
Me:  (thinking this is the kiss-off call)
Potential Employer:  You were our selection for the position.
Me:  Really?  Great....for a second there, I thought you were telling me I didn't get the job.
Potential Employer:  Well....that part is coming.
And then he tells me how they had someone call in who was interested in transferring from a different office...meaning they already had the experience and the training.  (so basically this is the kiss off part)

I understood.  Totally.  But I was super bummed.  Because this particular job seemed like the answer to some of my prayers.  I was looking for a part time job that was preferably local that paid me enough so that I could count on a regular pay check...but still be able to take on writing assignments AS WELL AS have the time to launch this thing...this project/ministry that has been on my heart for...too long. 

But this job was not meant to be. 

So I spent all last weekend pouting and crying and wondering What now? 

I started trying to make plans for applying for other jobs.  Or vamping up the online writing and transcription that I do so I can add some more to the pocketbook.  This is fine, I concede; but doesn't leave me much time for other things. 

And the whole last weekend and week-long....I still felt God sort of whisper "JUST WAIT FOR Me." 

And I am all like....um....wait for what?  What. EXACTLY?  Because if I go tell my landlady that God is telling me to "wait" and that means she has to wait for the rent check...um...well, I'm not exactly sure she is going to understand that.  I mean, I can see the rubber-truck people coming to take me away even as I ask the questions. 

And before you start to think that I am all crazy in the head...having these conversations/arguements with God that could suspicioulsy look like a bit of "crazy" to the casual observer.  And my kids.  And boyfriend.  And I'm not sure...but my  mom might have suspected a dash of "crazy" going on as well.

...but before YOU start thinking that....read this. 

One week after I got the kiss-off call....I got another one.  From the Potential Employer.  Who asked if I was still interested in the position.  Because if I was...then the job is mine. 

So this weekend...I am thanking God for the job...and the fact that I am probably a little border-line in the "crazy" department. 

Crazy enough to wait for the job that is indeed an answer to prayer!

And that "other work" that is on my heart to do?  I can hardly wait to tell you about it!  But...I have to listen to the voice in my head...telling me to wait....for now.

I know...kind of crazy, huh? 

Red Light, Green Light.....yellow?

uhg.  it's safe to say that i am experiencing some doubt and confusion right now.  i thought i had a job opportunity that was what i would have called a huge answer to prayers.  all signs seemed to point to it being that way....but it didn't happen. 
now i am wondering...."now what?" 
don't have that answer yet. 


i found this little devotional i wrote a while back. 
thought i would share.

Stop, Go, Yield

Green lights and red lights—there is never any question as to what I need to do.  It’s those yellow lights that cause me to question.  Do I speed up?  Or do I wait for the next green?

I have the same questions when dealing with God’s traffic signs.  Sometimes God gives me clear paths to go down.  Sometimes my prayers are answered with a closed door, making it clear that I need to stop or move in a different direction. 

But when my prayers are answered with a quiet whisper to “wait,” that’s when I wonder.  Should I look for a new sign?  Does waiting mean “yes, but not yet?”  Could it mean “no, there is something better?”  And what about the times when I hear God telling me to wait, but the world around me is saying “go for it?” 

Enter in confusion and doubt. 

Here is what I have learned so far when God tells me to wait:

Sometimes I speed up and race through the yellow light, only to get stopped at the next intersection.

Sometimes I race through a bunch of proverbial yellows and, while I make it to my destination, it wasn’t necessarily the time, place and process that God wanted me to experience. 

And sometimes when I’m hit with a sign to “wait,” I just quit all together, never moving forward when He does give me the green light. 

I’ve also seen the bright side of things when God tells me to wait. 

I’ve been on the right path, doing my thing, and heard the sign to wait.  While I may have stomped my foot and pouted a bit, questioned whether or not I was doing the right thing, I sat back and waited.  It was hard to give up whatever sense of control I felt I had over the situation.  But looking back I can see how God’s “wait” sign was really an opportunity for me to watch Him perform miracles I never could have accomplished on my own. 

And when it was time for me to “go” again, I did.  I ended up in a better place and in perfect time. 

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Psalm130:5