birthday week

This is just a quick update b/c I'm a little pressed for time but have so many stories to tell. I will definitely have pictures and more details for you later.

My birthday week began on Friday night when I went to Shogun and Starbucks with my dad. I had a great time just hanging out with my dad and chatting.

Saturday, my friends planned a surprise party for me at Don Pablos. I wasn't completely surprised, but I was so completely overwhelmed with happiness. It took me two trips around all the tables talking to each person before I had calmed down enough to sit. It was so great to so many of my old and new friends. This has definitely been the best birthday I have ever had.

The celebration isn't quite over. I officially turn 30 on Wednesday and will be spending the day with my mom and then going out with my best friend and longest time friend. I can't wait!

one week from now people will take me seriously

One week....

The Lord has put some very encouraging friends in my path the past couple of months. They have been telling me how great their 30s have been in comparison to their 20s. I can already see the evidence in my own life as I have been headed towards that time myself.

I'm much more confident in who I am. I still have my moments where I totally hold back, but I'm more assured in the forgiveness and love of others to be me--meanness, nerdiness, niceness, quirkiness included.

I've had one friend for years telling me that people will take me more seriously when I'm in my 30s. I'm still not quite sure of that one since I still look like I'm in my early 20s.

bomb diggity, please come back

According to my customized counter right before I started typing this, I have this much time until I turn 30...

8 days
200 hours
12054 minutes
723295 seconds

I'm embracing it like I'm embracing the madness that is my life! Sometimes I wish I could carry you around in my pocket and talk to you all day. Even better than that...I would open up a little spot in my brain where you could reside and take in all the craziness; it would be so much easier (or not) to explain.

I have had continual issues with sewing my shirt. [Here's the pattern. Here's the fabric.] I didn't have enough fabric, so I had to buy a little extra yellow. I encountered sewing machine issues (I have a used one that's over 10 years old, so it has developed it's own personality). I had issues reading the pattern (what else is new) and sewed up the sides instead of the center (major issue) which took me over an hour to remove. Since I bought yellow fabric to be able to make the shirt, I also need a different color zipper than I originally bought AND bright yellow thread. I'm sure the drama will only build from here.

coming and going

I'm all about recycling when it comes to Halloween. Some friends had a party, so I reused a costume from my last costume party in college. I was Generation Phare (pronounced fairy - making fun of Generation Girl Barbie) in 1999. In 2009, I was the tooth fairy. I had much better shoes this time. And those are teeth on my shirt if you can't tell.


While I'm putting up pics of me in a costume, I thought I'd include the sort of thing I like to do in antique stores.


Now I'm getting ready for Christmas. Oh, but I must turn 30 first...just two weeks away.

thesaurus makes me laught

I'm quite amused by words. And I purposely misspelled laugh because every time I type it, I have to delete the "t". I've gotten into the crazy habit of always typing the "t". I like laught better anyway.

I like saying words as much as I like reading them. I finished two books this week. I'm not reviewing them at my other blog even though they are Christian books. It's because I hate doing book reviews. I had to do so many of them during seminary that I dread the thought of them. My questionnaire makes this process bearable.

Lessons Learned in the Wilderness by Kenneth A. Winter

How did I come about reading this book? Several years ago when I was contemplating a different direction for my life, the couple I was seeking godly wisdom from told me about this book. The man had previously worked with Ken Winter and told me part of his own story when God was leading him in an unexpected direction. I finally purchased the book earlier this year when a friend was telling me about her husband reading it.
What did I learn about the author? Ken Winter is now vice president of church and partner services at the IMB.
Is the book science fiction? No. It's a devotional.
Is the book illustrated? No. And it doesn't have a great cover either, but my opinion is that Ken Winter just didn't know the right person like I did.
Do I like the characters? Yes. The book isn't really about characters, but Moses definitely has a prominent role.
Does the book remind me of anyone I know? Yes. Whilst reading the book, I often reflected on my own journey and the journies of my friends.
Is there an identifiable central conflict? Yes. Following God through difficulty; having faith; being obedient.
Did any part of the book inspire me in any way? Yes. I did so much underlining and then journaling because of the scripture and thoughts. I could write about it for a long time.
Will I read any other books by this author? I would like to get the second book that KW has written. Perhaps I will get it one day.
How long did it take me to read the book? Quite awhile. I wasn't in a hurry. I wanted to take my time reflecting on everything I was reading.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. I'm usually not one for reading devotionals because I hate it when people use a random verse from the Bible and then write something that has nothing to do with it. It's extremely irritating. Ken Winter does the opposite. He uses the Exodus journey to point out the truth from the scripture and then give correlation to the New Testament and to living out your faith in the present day. One drawback is that you have to purchase the book directly from Ken Winter, but I assure you that it's completely worth it, and he's really nice to deal with. You just send him an email and he emails you back and you send him a check and he sends you a book.

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney

How did I come about reading this book? This book was chosen for my care group (my small group at church). I decided that I wouldn't rebel like I usually do, and I would actually buy the book and read it.
What did I learn about the author? He's a professor at Southern Seminary in Louisville. I also attended one of his seminars at the worship conference.
Is the book science fiction? No.
Is the book illustrated? No.
Do I like the characters? There aren't any characters.
Does the book remind me of anyone I know? No.
Is there an identifiable central conflict? Yes. Pursuing godliness.
Did any part of the book inspire me in any way? Yes. While I didn't implement every single suggestion, I did find a few things that I could add to my daily/weekly/monthly life to aid my spiritual journey.
Will I read any other books by this author? Maybe. I think Donald Whitney is a little dry, but I would read other books by him if I did so with a friend.
How long did it take me to read the book? Whenever we started it...maybe September.

I read a similar book like this during seminary. (This is the text some professors choose for a particular class that's required on spiritual formation.) My professor used notes from this book, but I liked his text selection better. It was more circular than linear, and I have been trying to transition my mind to think more in this pattern.

it comes with instructions

It's amazing anything I ever do works out because I cannot read instructions. Last week it took two hours to bake flan that should have taken 25 minutes...I put in water--not hot water. Tonight I'm baking chocolate chip pumpkin bread...no baking soda. I don't know what the results will be yet.

Oh, and I bought a pattern for my fabric. I bought a pattern for a girl sized 3-6...not 8-14.

This is pretty much how I've lived my whole life thus far.

grandma's bible study bag

Every grandma needs a bag to put her Bible study supplies in. She needs to keep her hands free to balance.

This is leftover fabric from my purse and piano bench cover. My mom had asked me to make this at mother's day, but I was a little busy finishing my book. It's ready just in time for Christmas.

Next project: I bought a pattern to make a shirt out of my Alexander Henry fabric I bought in NYC. As you may remember, I am pattern challenged. I also have to put in a zipper and button holes. I've yet to do either.

so quick!

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

How did I come about reading this book? When I went to my friend's book club in June, there was a book exchange at the end. I ended up with this book because I knew that it was a movie, and I like reading books that are turned into movies.
What did I learn about the author? She is a well-known short story writer.
Is the book science fiction? No. It's just plain fiction.
Is the book illustrated? That's a negative.
Do I like the characters? Yes. All of the characters have points of interest and relatability.
Does the book remind me of anyone I know? Yes. No juicy gossip to insert here.
Is there an identifiable central conflict? Yes. You should read the synopsis for the book because I'm not going to type it out here.
Did any part of the book inspire me in any way? I don't feel incredibly inspired, but I was encouraged by the determination of Caroline. I'm looking forward to watching the movie.
Will I read any other books by this author? Maybe. The book was easy to read and interesting.
How long did it take me to read the book? Less than two weeks. That's how good this book is.

30 til 30

Back when I first started the series on turning 30, I thought I would make some kind of list of 30 when there were 30 days left until I turned 30. However, I'm a bit overwhelmed by things I need to get done. When I received this email, I thought it would be a highly appropriate post to mark the 30 day mark til I turn 30. This also happens to fit under my series on the reality of being a writer. I like killing multiple birds.

I have come to the point where I am ready to face rejection with my book, so I have been spending a lot of time finding about specific guidelines for each publisher. In the process, I have been encouraged and discouraged. I email a friend each week giving details about my work week. I hit a tiny snare this week and sent an extra email to get things off my chest. The following is in response (partially edited) to my tame rant. I happen to think my friend is a genius.

You should just make those iron-on ads and put them on every piece of clothing you own. Problem solved. You won't even have to open your mouth to advertise. And when you unwrap presents for your birthday, you can be like a celebrity who's just won an award and say, I am so honored to have received this gift, but I am even more pumped that my book was released in June 2009 and my new book is due out summer 2010. Holla!

music & murder

Music Through the Eyes of Faith by Harold Best

How did I come about reading this book? I bought it at the worship conference.
What did I learn about the author? He's a professor.
Is the book science fiction? No.
Is the book illustrated? Nope, but I like the cover because it's an old piece of music.
Do I like the characters? Non-fiction. No characters. Sorry to disappoint.
Does the book remind me of anyone I know? Me. I like that Harold Best encourages people to listen and try to appreciate all kinds of music.
Is there an identifiable central conflict? Yes. Music has many different angles...and saying that reminds me of the movie "White Christmas"
Did any part of the book inspire me in any way? Nothing very strikingly but I did take a lot of good notes for future reference.
Will I read any other books by this author? Maybe. One of my friends recommended a book by him at the beginning of the summer.
How long did it take me to read the book? About a month and a half.

A more thorough review will eventually be posted at my website. If I tell you this now, perhaps I will get to it before the end of next week.


The English Breakfast Murder by Laura Childs
How did I come about reading this book? I think this was number 3 or 4 in the tea shop series. I can't stop in the middle. I think there are 10 right now.
What did I learn about the author? I didn't look up anything new.
Is the book science fiction? No. However, it is definitely fiction. It's crazy all the things that Theodosia can amazingly do that so conveniently fits into the carrying out of the plot.
Is the book illustrated? No. I wish there were pictures to go along with the recipes at the end.
Do I like the characters? I really liked Delaine's sister in this book...mostly because of what she does (which I will not tell you) because it made me laugh.
Does the book remind me of anyone I know? Not this time.
Is there an identifiable central conflict? Yes. A man is murdered. Theodosia and Drayton try to figure out who did it.
Did any part of the book inspire me in any way? I subliminally wanted tea a lot while reading this book. I even spent a few hours at Starbucks reading it.
Will I read any other books by this author? Yes. Several more to go.
How long did it take me to read the book? A few weeks.