CFBA Book Tour - Rain Song

I love this book! Alice J. Wisler's writing style is great! This is the type of book that draws you in. You feel like you personally know the characters, which I really enjoy. This book was extra special because many of her characters made me think of my own wonderful family. This is truly a great read and I highly suggest it!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Rain Song
Bethany House (October 1, 2008)
by
Alice J. Wisler


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alice sold her first story to David C. Cook for a take-home Sunday School paper called Sprint. The year was 1988, this was her first submission to a paying market, and the check sent to her was for $125.00.

She was on her way!

Since then, Alice has sold articles and devotions to the Upper Room, Alive Now, Standard Publishing, ByLine magazine and others.

In 2006 she sent her novel Rain Songto Bethany House...and the rest is history! She signed a two -book deal and the second, How Sweet It Is will be out in 2009.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Nicole Michelin avoids airplanes, motorcycles, and most of all, Japan, where her parents once were missionaries. Something happened in Japan...something that sent Nicole and her father back to America alone...something of which Nicole knows only bits and pieces. But she is content with life in little Mount Olive, North Carolina, with her quirky relatives, tank of lively fish, and plenty of homemade pineapple chutney. Through her online column for the Pretty Fishy Web site, she meets Harrison Michaels, who, much to her dismay, lives in Japan. She attempts to avoid him, but his emails tug at her heart. Then Harrison reveals that he knew her as a child in Japan. In fact, he knows more about her childhood than she does.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Rain Song, go HERE

On Cloud Nine!

I'm beginning to think that an awesome cure for the blues is to do something nice for someone else! You know that feeling you get when you know you've found just the right gift for a special person? I have that feeling times 100 right now!

Let me explain. I stumbled across a link to voting for the American Music Awards over on ABC. I decided to go vote because some of my favorite artists were up for awards. While doing that, I discovered that The Eagles were up for several awards. Hubby has a serious thing for these guys. So, when I was done, I wandered on over to their website and checked their tour schedule. I say that they are coming to Dallas on 11/15, but thought nothing of it because, well this is The Eagles we're talking about and we have not won the lottery. But, I checked it out anyway. And on impulse bought tickets! Now we are talking $45, cheap seat, nose bleed tickets, but they are tickets just the same. during this time I was madly trying to reach hubby on the phone to clear this with him. I finally decided this was probably a once in a lifetime thing and to just do it. When I finally reached him I told him I'd spent a good chunk of money and not to be mad. His whole tone of voice changed. Seems he thought I'd bought a dog. Anyway, he was thrilled when I told him! In fact he's called me back twice to ask if I was kidding.

So, I've got this super pumped up feel good thing going on! I am really excited, mainly because he's so thrilled! nothing like making your hubby's dream come true!

BTW, you've got to see the Eagles themed pumpkin they've posted over at Latest Eagles News! It's amazing! And don't forget to go cast your ballot for the AMA! The voting ends on 11/2!

Halloween

photo by paparutzi

Our kids do not trick or treat. They have in the past, but only because we've been really pressured into letting them. Having recently moved to this town, it's not like we know very many people anyway, so our trick or treating options are pretty slim. I refuse to let my kids trick or treat at a strangers house. Some think this is silly, but bad people live in small towns too, they don't just stay in cities. My children's safety is more important than anything else. Some years we have done the full blown costume thing, but even then we'd only go to church fall festivals and such. I'm all for kids having fun, I just prefer it to be safe fun.

Anyway, this year we'd decided to do our normal family Halloween thing. We order pizza, have popcorn and a big bowl of candy, pile up on the couch and watch Halloween movies together. We all really enjoy it and look forward to it. We don't spend a lot of time together, so this is great for us. It's pretty much our Halloween tradition and the kids have always been happy with it.

Until this morning, when Tristen asked me why I thought they didn't deserve to go trick or treating. My reaction was "What?" Seems a friend had asked him yesterday why they didn't deserve to celebrate Halloween. This mad me upset. First off, we do celebrate Halloween, but I don't like people telling me it's something we have to do. I know plenty of people that consider it just another day. I would be happy doing the same. In my mind Halloween is just a reason to spend money. It's not a holiday. It's just an excuse to spend money on costumes and candy. An excuse for kids to behave badly and eat too much sugar. The reason we celebrate, if you can call it that, is because I hate for my kids to feel left out. We do special family time and they love it. They've celebrated and a good time has been had by all.

I was really upset by the whole "deserve" aspect of the question, because to me it implies we don't do trick or treating because my children have misbehaved or have not earned the privilege. Poor Tris thought he'd caused us not to let them go. So, I explained that it is no one's fault, we just choose to spend Halloween differently than others. As long as we all have fun, who's to say we are doing it wrong?

It just aggravates me that when you deviate from the norm, you and your motives are questioned. What everyone does on October 31 is their personal choice, just like any other day. You do your thing and I'll do mine. Okay, off my soap box now.

Y'all have a safe and happy Halloween!

Depression, Life, & A Road Trip

**This photo is titled Sadness and is by Eric Perrone**

Yesterday afternoon, I called hubby at work and suggested we go on a road trip this weekend. It seems he'd been thinking the exact same thing, so we began to plan. You'd think I'd be happy, but less than 24 hours later life is getting in the way and I'm doubting myself.

I have 15,000 loads of laundry to do and with hang drying, it is not a speedy process.

Then I need to pack. And get the house in tip top shape, as coming home to a messy house is so depressing.

And the kids are not thrilled because they can't trick or treat if they are stuck in the car for 4+ hours. The funny thing is, we weren't going trick or treating anyway, kids!

But, by mid morning, I was getting stuff done and thinking it won't be so bad. Then it happened. Ya know, the thing at the end of this sentence. Cramps that had me doubling over came on full force. Well, at least we know why I've been having crazy mood swings, lol. So, I pop a couple of Midol and hope it helps. I have too much to do to deal with this right now.

I think my main problem is my depression messing with me. Hubby thinks it will be good for me to get away and unwind a little. But, I'm already thinking how many gallons of paint the gas money would buy and what we could get done this weekend working on the house. Honestly, the house is big time stressing me out lately. I feel like we are making no progress at all with updating it. And it's a wreck. All the time. And worse yet, lately I don't care. I'd rather crawl in bed and sleep and hope it all goes away. As I realize what I'm typing this voice in my head is screaming "Hello! You have depression you big dope! That is what makes you think that way!" But knowing it and overcoming it are two different things. I normally manage my depression pretty well, but every now and then I get really blue. With all that's going on around here, I suppose a non depressed person would get a little stressed.

So, maybe hubby is right, it might be good to go on a mini vacation. Seeing our friends and family sounds great! I miss them so! Plus, maybe we'll get to do something fun. Maybe we'll stumble across the stove we've been looking for. Or splurge and go out to eat at one of those yummy places we miss. I'm sure it will be fun.

I just gotta snap out of this funk I'm in. To all you other moms with depression, are there certain times when you get really down? What do you do to snap out of it?

Hurray for Giveaways!

This week seems to be full of awesome giveaways. Here are a few of the ones I've found so far. I'll probably be updating this several times, so keep checking back!

Confetti by: Kateedyd is a blog I found via Entrecard and it looks like a great one. She's giving away a $25 Amazon gift card. Rush on over and check it out!

Tara's View of the World has a bunch of giveaways going on!

• She is giving away credits to make your very own Blurb book! She posted about her book recently, so I went and explored Blurb. All I can say is I want one!
• She is giving away a beautiful pair of earrings by jaC Jewelry. They are Pine Forest Earrings made with Hemi Jasper and Sterling Silver, just beautiful!
• A great pair of earrings by Canadian Rockies Art. These are pretty little silver studs. Classic and elegant!
• A lovely Mini Art Tranquility Pendant by Bee Dazzles Pendants. This is a pretty and unique pendant. I rarely wear jewelry, but would love to have this and think i'd wear it a lot.
• Great glass marble magnets by Daisy Mae Designs! Really cute and fun magnets! They'd make a great addition to any fridge door.

Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls has some great giveaways as well!

• An adorable rag doll by K-Plus Krafts! This little lady will surely delight the little lady in your life!
• An awesome print from allPopart.com! This iste could get me in trouble. I want so many of the orints! The choice of styles is mind boggling! I really want one of these!