5 things...about ACFW writing conference

Allison, myself, & Raquel...amazing writing pals!
ACFW Conf 2011 Roomies! 

I'm headed to the ACFW writing conference this week! Here are 5 things that I'm really looking forward to.

5-It's in Dallas! That means it shouldn't be very cold yet. I'm a northern girl in my heart but I've been living in warm climates for a long time...I just hope the AC ain't cranked up too high in the conference rooms!

4-Meeting authors I read! It's so fun to meet other writers in general...but especially when you've read their books and they are your FB friends...which practically makes you blood relations.

3-Having the opportunity to pitch your work! Wow. This is a huge opportunity...though it can be daunting and even scary. I pray that I represent my writing and new book for what it is. I know that God provides divine appointments that are invaluable. I want to rest in His plan no matter what.

2-Classes, lectures, and workshops. I am just a geek. I love to learn. I love to get my brain dirty with something new that I can't figure out right away and have to discuss and re-discuss it. I can't wait for my mind to just sponge in everything I need and hopefully incorporate it in my writing going forward.

1-MY WRITING PALS!!!! The best thing about conference in my heart of hearts is getting to see some of my dearest friends! Because I'm a military wife I move around a lot and there are several writers who have been with me for several years of my more serious writing journey that I get to see at this conference. I haven't seen them for a whole year and my heart is ready to be in their presence and just enjoy them!

If you're a writer, are you heading to the ACFW conference? What are you looking forward to? If you're not a writer, do you have an event that you save your pennies for annually? Tell me all about it! I'd love to learn more about YOU!

Cheers,
Elizabeth

5 things...I will blog about...

So, I'm a list-maker. I don't know why but while The Major was deployed I didn't write 1 measly list...except for a grocery list. I have no idea what came over me but I didn't have a to-do list anything like I usually do.

I have been so list-deprived that I am just in the mood to write lists about everything! So, with that, I am starting a series of lists for my blog. I will probably only be blogging every Monday. I know, I should do it more than that, but I am going to do what I can.

Here are the 5 things I will probably blog about...

Here's one of my little DIY projects.
Crayola Air Dry clay of my sweet, little family.

5-Random things I am learning about whatever. Okay, don't laugh. What might some of these topics be? Health. DIYing. Baking. Cooking. Mothering. Marriage. Military life. Goal setting. Random tips!

4-Homeschooling! Yes, I am a homeschooler. I love it and I'll post occasionally about it, I'm sure. My oldest is doing K5 right now and I'm excited to say her reading skills improve daily! I am amazed! I love watching her learn.

3-Books and Authors I love! To include, but not limited to: Allison Pittman, Lynn Austin, Nicholas Sparks, Tricia Goyer, Siri Mitchell, Susan Meissner, Ted Dekker...etc. There are many more!

2-My writing career and the direction I am heading...to include my spiritual journey as well! I finished a book these past few months and I'm very excited about it! I hope to share more with you soon.

1-Writing and publishing in general. The world of writing is constantly evolving. From ebooks to publishing houses shifting and merging. I am pretty new to this world but I hope to take you along for the ride!

I really don't know if these are in order of importance or frequency of what I'll post about...but listing them backwards gives so much more suspense and mystery...I am such a mystery, aren't I! Ha!

Do you have a blog? If so, tell me about it in the comments and what you like to blog about!

Cheers,
Elizabeth

Since my last blog...

This one didn't make the top 5 but
it is a REALLY good lesson.

Okay, so I am seriously behind on blogging. I really didn't take into account the enormity of the deployment and how it would affect real life. Wowzers! I don't know how Military Wives do it who have husbands gone for a year or more and numerous deployments! You are heroes in my book! 

I did learn a lot about myself and I was able to accomplish and experience some things since my last blog...

Here's my list...

5 Things I learned about myself since my last blog...

5-I'm an emotional eater! Yep...what's my poison? Tortialla chips with cheese melted all over...I'm not kidding when I say that my stomach audibly growled just now typing that. I'm totally eating some after this blog is written.

4-I still need my mama! Okay, so I already knew that, but it was more obvious to me when I made my 6 week trip "back home" into 4 1/2 months!   

3-I really love rural living! I thought I gave this up when I married into the military and have lived in subdivision after subdivision. Nope...for 4 1/2 months I returned to my country-girl roots. I miss it! My girls THRIVED in this environment and I hope someday we can have that rural life for our family.

2-I realized that while I am a SAHM (who writes-at-home, too) and I do about 95% of the cooking, laundry, schooling, diapering, bathing...etc...that my husband still does A LOT for me! I've always known that he's an amazing husband and father...but being away from him for 6 months...good grief. I just love that man! 

1-I need to depend on God way more than I do! Period! Exclamation Point!

And...how does this better me? 

I've always been a self-reflective person. I am always trying to figuring something out and learn something new about myself and my world. So for me this was like therapy...except I wasn't on a couch talking to anyone but myself...maybe I do need therapy? Well, I God taught me that without my whole heart dependent on Him...it's just barely surviving. When I leaned on Him to get me through my emotional eating, lonesomeness, and so many other things...He made me thrive! 

What have you been up to in the last few months!? Have you learned anything exciting about yourself?

Cheers,
Elizabeth

Life in Limericks: Week 10

Week 10:

This week we were so sick it hurt
And my husband's still far away in a yurt
We miss him something fierce
Poor Felicity cried buckets of tears
One/third down, sigh, I need more dessert.

Cheers,
Elizabeth

Life in Limericks: Week 9

Week 9


I'm lost for rhymes for this limerick
Have to say my Felicity is euphoric
Babushka the kitten is here
And she is cute and oh so dear
But as started to I this my Mercy is getting sick

...yes, as in vomit.

Cheers,
Elizabeth

Life in Limericks: Week 8

Week 8:

It's rare that I sleep through the night
Since Mercy's eye teeth are putting up quite a fight,
Felicity's learning to read
And she had a bike injury bleed,
Oh boy, we're missing our Major with all our might.

Cheers,
Elizabeth

PS: My Tuesday & Thursday postings will likely be postponed until my life slows down a little. I will keep posting my Friday limericks and I really hope you continue to tune in! ...and share them!

PPS: I just finished "Reinventing Leona" by Lynne Gentry. I loved it! You can read my Amazon review here.

My Favorite Skype Picture

Good Morning...Good Night...Living 11 hours and 7,000 miles apart.

Cheers,
Elizabeth

Life in Limericks: Week 7

Week 7:

My dad came to help drive on Sunday
All packed & ready to go by Monday
12 plus hours go by
Our new apartment in FLY
Mom & Dad are getting lots of grandgirlie play

Cheers,
Elizabeth

PS: I just finished listening to audiobook A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell...SOOOOOOO very good! I am reading Reinventing Leona by Lynne Gentry & REALLY enjoying it!

Life in Limericks: Week 6

Week 6:

This week we lost a Monkee named Davy.
The weather is making my hair pathetically wavy.
Felicity's ear ached without remorse,
Mercy's eating like a horse,
Thank goodness for biscuits and gravy.

Cheers,
Elizabeth

Encouragement from the Trenches

I've been reading through Ephesians with an online Bible study from a great site called Good Morning Girls. You should google it.

This week I was struck by a message I needed to hear in chapter 4.

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Get it?

Let's follow our calling...not someone else's. Let's not compare our calling to anyone else's calling. Our focus should be on our calling and on our ONE God...another repetitive message in this passage.

Okay...ready...set...go! Your calling is waiting.

Cheers,
Elizabeth