Posts

Showing posts from July, 2016

I've Got Peace like a River

Image
I’ve Got Peace Like a River I’ve got peace like a river (2x) I’ve got peace like a river in my soul. I’ve got peace like a river (2x) I’ve got peace like a river in my soul. I’ve got love like the ocean (2x) I’ve got love like the ocean in my soul. I’ve got love like the ocean (2x) I’ve got love like the ocean in my soul. I’ve got joy like a fountain (2x) I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul. I’ve got joy like a fountain (2x) I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul. I’ve got peace like a river. I’ve got love like the ocean. I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul. I’ve got peace like a river. I’ve got love like the ocean. I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.

My week in Matt Damon memes

Image
Remember how a few months ago, I did "My Week in My Big Fat Greek Wedding Memes" ? It was pretty epic if I do say so myself. In an effort to figure out what to blog about, I decided to make it Matt Damon week in honor of the release of Jason Bourne. After all, I've already posted about him twice this week. I even dreamed I was on set when he shot a movie this week. That dream won't come true, but another odd dream I had this week sort of has come true. If I had my preferences... However, I was looking up memes to make a post and all the Matt Damon memes had language I don't want to post. While they might well be one way of describing my feelings they simply aren't appropriate. I'll see if I can make something work though. I have to say, I have felt mighty alone lately. Really alone. However, I am going to remind myself that I'm not the only human on Mars alone. I have relatively no food in my house. So much so that I put what I did have

It's the little things in life

Image
Summer tends to be a slower time for book releases, so I'm entering a period of time here on my blog where I don't have as many work-related posts to share. On one side, I know that's a plus because my blog needs variety. Sadly to say, I don't have anything personal to share here. I literally have no stories to tell. None. No good ones anyway. So, tonight I share Matt Damon play Box of Lies. I love this segment of The Tonight Show. I also love Matt Damon who is probably the only person I would fan girl over. Christine, my former co-worker, tagged me on a GIF from his appearance this week that I missed. In the course of watching that segment, I found this one which made my day.

Between Us Girls: Walks and Talks for Moms and Daughters

Image
Part 2 of an interview with Trish Donohue, Author of Between Us Girls: Walks and Talks for Moms and Daughters The relationship girls have with their mothers greatly impacts the women they become, and for busy moms in the thick of the parenting years that reality can seem overwhelming. Author Trish Donohue brings guidance for women who want to disciple their daughters but don’t know where to start in Between Us Girls: Walks and Talks for Moms and Daughters (New Growth Press/June 6, 2016) . As a mom to two girls, Donohue knows the kinds of questions women asks themselves when considering their influence on their daughters: Am I being a good example? What are the most critical life lessons and spiritual insights I should be imparting to them? Am I getting through to them? Balancing these concerns with the hectic nature of daily life can feel daunting, which is why Donohue wrote this guide filled with gospel-driven talks, or “walks” designed to be completed one-on-one, and

I think I need a date with Jason Bourne this weekend

Image
Have I mentioned my semi-obsession with Matt Damon lately? I think I need to go see Jason Bourne this weekend.  

Tonight's #TheBachelorette #MenTellAll gave me a headache

Image
I need a good laugh. I really hope tonight's Men Tell All is interesting, but I anticipate wanting to snooze while blogging, quite honestly. I'm going to want to punch Chad in the face. I know that. I also imagine that there will be a good bit of push for Bachelor in Paradise . Oh snap. Chad and Evan are both going to be there. Shirts are going to be destroyed. Ash Kardash after Jared. Nick is going to be there. The Taylor Swift twins. Jubilee. Why am I going to watch? I know I will, but... The men here tonight... James S., Grant, Ali, Brandon, Christian, Nick B., Derek, James F., Daniel, Jonathan, Vinny, Evan, Wells, James Taylor, Alex, Chase, and Luke. They don't let Chad join them yet. Honestly, I don't remember much about two of the James guys and Brandon. At least Evan cut his hair. Chris asks them about their first night and expectations. Luke said he was basically smitten from the start. A couple of guys answer, then a season overview video. The battl

There are good guys out there, but they are all in love with #thebachelorette

Image
Tonight, we pick up with a recap of JoJo being decided to tell Luke bye. At least her camera interview said that. But, Luke asked to talk to her before the roses were given out. He wanted to make sure he understood that not only did his heart belong to her, he "is in love with her." Because saying it exactly like that makes all the difference in the world. At least to JoJo it does. She breaks down into tears and wanders the runway in agony over her decision. Will she do the right thing? Here's the thing. If you don't like the first one you choose, you can actually decide on another one later on because chances are, you won't make it down the aisle. The whole season, there was just something about Luke. Maybe his intensity. HOWEVER, last week, in Burnet, Texas, he won me over. He just did. So, what's a girl like JoJo to do? That's where we pick-up tonight. The rest of the men wonder what is going on and comment on Luke's timing when he wa

We are One in the Spirit

Image
We are One in the Spirit By Peter Scholtes Used by permission. CCLI # 1132191 We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord, We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord, And we pray that our unity Will one day be restored, Chorus: And they’ll know we are Christians By our love, by our love, Yes, they’ll know we are Christians, By our love. We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand, We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand, And together we’ll spread the news That God is in our land…  (chorus) We will work with each other, We will work side by side, We will work with each other, We will work side by side. And we’ll guard each man’s dignity And save each man’s pride…  (chorus) All praise to the Father From whom all things come, And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only son, And all praise to the Spirit Who makes us one…  (chorus)

Gotta be prepared

Image
My grandmother called one night this week and asked, "what are you doing?" "Watching TV and working on some craft stuff." "What kinds of crafts are you working on now?" "Christmas." I honestly cannot tell you how many times I have hit Hobby Lobby since Memorial Day trying to get certain supplies. I have to say, they are slower than usual this year, and yes, I do realize it is July. So, in addition to working on books this week, I finished up some of these light bulbs and worked on giant Christmas balls that can be personalized. I also have one side of four Christmas trees done out in the studio. I have to glue on the decorations for the backs tomorrow. I'm planning on making a lot. And planning so many events I'll be exhausted to sell them out. I have a trailer to pay for, and hopefully, a vacation in the spring. I've started our fall schedule. Check it out at www.thecraftydadanddaughter.com .

Why I was disgruntled on Monday

Image
I took the day off on Monday. I had to. I had too many hours for the month since I worked over a weekend while I was on a business trip a few weeks ago.  I saved the day knowing that Peyton would be playing in a softball tournament out of town. However, it was in the middle of nowhere (two hours away), and I didn't know if I would have reliable internet to work during the day if I were to stay down there after the first game. My parents just kept saying, "you shouldn't go." "You don't need to go because you can't go back and forth." They were pretty adamant. I don't know if they would have let me stay in the hotel with them if I had gone, they were so adamant. Since Angie and I had a shopping afternoon/night last week, I didn't have a plan.  For some people, just staying home on a day they don't have to work is glorious, especially if they come few and far between. I used to feel the same way. There have been times I have had s

If My Husband Would Change, I’d Be Happy... and Other Myths Wives Believe

Image
As the realities of life are settling in post-wedding, are you tempted to think, “It’s my husband’s job to make me happy”? Add Rhonda Stoppe’s new book,  If My Husband Would Change, I’d Be Happy , to your must-read list.  That myth is but one of many that Rhonda Stoppe dispels in her easy-to-read exploration of what it takes to experience a truly happy marriage. If you desire to rekindle the love and hope you felt on your wedding day, this book will go a long way toward making that dream come true. {MORE ABOUT  IF MY HUSBAND WOULD CHANGE, I’D BE HAPPY } If My Husband Would Change, I’d Be Happy: And Other Myths Wives Believe (Harvest House, August 2015) Like most brides on their wedding day, you no doubt were filled with love for your husband and the hope of a happy life together. But perhaps today, as the realities of life together have settled in, those happy expectations are going unfulfilled. And it’s tempting to think, “If only my husband would change, I’d be happ

A practical guide for fighting together for your marriage

Image
Part 1 of an interview with Deb and Ron DeArmond, Authors of Don’t Go to Bed Angry: Stay Up and Fight It’s a familiar scenario: He doesn’t understand what she’s really upset about, and she has trouble getting him to see her point of view. In every marriage, there is conflict. In their new book, Don’t Go to Bed Angry: Stay Up and Fight (Abingdon Press ) , Deb and Ron DeArmond give couples tools to fight fair when conflicts arise. “Conflict is not the real problem,” note the authors. “It’s how we deal with the conflict that determines where it takes us. Conflict can lead to discovery — greater insight and understanding of our partner’s thoughts, feelings, and perspective — or destruction of the relationship. It’s up to us to choose which direction we will go: discovery or destruction.” Q: How evenly matched were the two of you when you married to deal with the conflict you experienced? What influences played into that? During our three-year courtship there weren’t t

‘A Beauty Refined’ Blog Tour, Giveaway, and Facebook Party

Image
Little does Phoebe know that her father's plans—for the sapphires and his daughter—are not what they seem. If you love historical fiction, romance, and adventure, don't miss Tracie Peterson's  A Beauty Refined . When Phoebe meets Ian, everything changes. Yet the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that her family story is based on a lie—a lie she has no knowledge of. And Ian believes he knows the only path that will lead her to freedom. Join Tracie in celebrating the release of  A Beauty Refined  by entering to win her Precious Gems giveaway (details below) and by attending her  author chat party on August 9 !   One grand prize winner will receive: One copy of  A Beauty Refined A sapphire jewelry set Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/9.  The winner will be announced at  A Beauty Refined  Facebook party . RSVP for a chance to connect with Tracie and fellow fans of historical fiction, as well as for a chance to