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I just realized we have three musical nights ahead of us this weekend. Instead of our usual pizza fare somewhere on Friday night (either Flying Pizza, Dewey’s, or the Works), we’ll be heading up to the Courseview patio grille at the Golf Center. Hopefully it won’t be too hot out because we’re going there to listen to friend DJ Bernie B’s smokin’ sounds. Then Saturday evening instead of our standby date at the movies, we’ll be trading in Bruce Willis for another outdoor concert with headliner Bruce Hornsby. Our son invited us and we couldn’t say no to him or Mr. Hornsby. Come Sunday, I have to admit we won’t be in church for a change. We’ll be traveling to Wickliffe, Ohio, to go to the Fest – http://www.thefest.us/ – and will be listening to contemporary Christian bands all day. One of the acts, Blessid Union of Souls – http://www.blessidunionofsouls.net/ – is especially near and dear to our hearts for many reasons, and we can’t wait to join thousands of others to watch and hear them play.
Yes, my ears may be ringing when it’s time to get back to work on Monday. But music really does do a heart and soul good, doesn’t it? In Aldous Huxley’s words, “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. ”
Anything else in the works this weekend?
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I love and adore my family — of course!! And will my miss our new addition to the fam — Chaz (a boxer mix!), but I’m soooo excited to be heading to Amish country with my critique partners for a few days.
It’s been a year since our last “writers’ retreat” and we loved the place and the experience so much we couldn’t wait to try it again. Yes, four women in a room out in the middle of nowhere may sound a little crazy — and even claustrophobic or agoraphobic, however you want to look at it. But we truly got a lot of writing done the last time. And snacking. And napping. And yakking. But mostly writing and more writing — with no laundry, meal preps or to-do lists! YAY! See you when we return! Happy weekend!
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YAY to Jill W., Beth B., and Kelly J. for being the 3 winners of the Beaded Hope Christmas giveaway!
And thank you, everyone, for so many responses to the giveaway and your eagerness to participate!
The Beaded Hope story keeps growing and growing because of all of you ~ and I’ll be telling you more about that in the New Year. Plus, there will be more chances to win Beaded Hope product too.
Till then, have a safe New Year’s Eve and a blessed start to 2011!
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to meet some incredible women! and have some really good chats! and eat some really yummy desserts! 
Last weekend, Jennifer Davis and I were thrilled to speak about Beaded Hope to the Women of Faith (and their friends) at the First UCC in Sugarcreek, Ohio, about 3 1/2 hours from home. What a warm and welcoming group of ladies — and so caring too! Not only did we get to enjoy their company on Friday night, but also on Saturday at their “For Your Pleasure” shopping event. The entire weekend (which also included a booksigning at the Gospel Shop, a stay at the gorgeous all-decorated-for-Christmas Carlisle Inn, and some to-die-for french toast) was arranged by Pat Edgar and her friends who joined in to make our 2-day stay very special. By late Saturday afternoon, only 26 hrs or so since we’d arrived, we found it really hard to load up the car and leave Sugarcreek. Everyone made up feel so at home there!
Several days later — Tuesday, to be exact — Jennifer and I visited the Loveland Women’s Club. Who knew there was such a group of ladies right in our midst doing fundraising for so many causes while having some fun themselves!? Again, we got to share the story of Beaded Hope and the women were all so precious with their comments, thanking us for being there when it should’ve been us thanking them! It was so much fun talking to everyone too while they did a little Christmas shopping. I felt like one of Santa’s helpers, wrapping up beaded bracelets and necklaces and books too!
And then Friday, it was off to Kentucky for a writing retreat with two of my critique buddies, Heather Webber and Tonya Kappes! We didn’t get as much work done as planned — too much chatting and too much stopping for snacks! Not only that, Jane Porter was in Frankfort for a booksigning and Tonya invited her to stay with us. So we got to visit with her as well — and have dinner (and three layer chocolate cake) with a fabulous group of her reader friends too.
Nope, you don’t have to go too far to meet some very special women! Or to tip the scale once you come home again.
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FREE and open to the public, the 4th annual Books by the Banks: Cincinnati USA Book Festival will be held October 2, 2010 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Each year the Book Festival continues to build upon its success. Organized by the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, the University of Cincinnati Libraries, The Mercantile Library, and Joseph-Beth Booksellers, it is the joy of reading and books that brings these partners together.
This year I’ll be signing along with more than 100 regional and national authors. Meet some of your favorite authors, purchase books and have them signed by the authors throughout the day. They’d make perfect Christmas gifts!
Also enjoy author readings and panel discussions. Visit the K12 Kids’ Corner featuring costumed storybook characters, crafts, and other fun activities for families. There’s something for all ages.
Hope to see you there!
For more information, visit: www.booksbythebanks.org
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You could sense it coming in the air, just a wisp of a breeze every now and then. And see it in the different cloud formations. Even feel it in the chill of the evenings lately. And then the school buses weren’t just dotting the streets, but were everywhere on every street each morning. All signaling September is officially here.
Only thing is, I’m still not sure where August went. But it certainly was a special, unique month for me.
I’ve never been one for public speaking (and will be happy to hear any suggestions from anyone who is!) but August brought along some opportunities to speak to a couple of ladies’ groups. And I’m so glad my fear didn’t lead me to say ‘no’ — which is what I usually do — no to Kings Island rides, no to motorcycles, no to lots and lots of things. Because if I would’ve said ‘no’ it would’ve been my loss for sure. I would’ve missed out on meeting some really wonderful women!
On August 15th, I was invited to speak with Jennifer Davis to the women at iMPACT Church. Each quarter, the ladies get together for a special night of worship. That evening, in between songs of praise Jennifer and I shared our story of how Beaded Hope — the organization and the book — came to be. The desserts were yummy and the women couldn’t have been any sweeter. I thought I was going to be so nervous, but I instantly felt at home there. So thank you again, ladies of iMPACT Church! No pun intended — but you certainly made an impact on us!
Then on a Saturday morning a week later, I got to speak to another group of ladies right here in my hometown of Loveland at the Prince of Peace Church. I didn’t sleep so well the night before, very anxious knowing I’d be flying solo — speaking by myself. But again, there was no reason to put myself through all that! It was a lovely couple of hours with about 20 or so women who couldn’t have been more encouraging and engaging as we talked about God, the ladies of South Africa and Beaded Hope. It was a very special, memorable morning for me. Plus, the cinnamon rolls made by my friend Shelley were incredible! I’m thinking I could get put on some major l-b’s if I visit too many more groups!
After these great experience though, I’m making a note to self to say ‘yes’ way more often. Only, being the weenie I am, there’s still no need to ask about rollercoasters or fast-moving vehicles. Cause this girl is going to say ‘no’ every time!
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You won’t want to miss it! The WORLD VISION EXPERIENCE: AIDS will be on exhibition at the Vineyard Community Church, near Tri-County Mall, June 20th ~ June 27th!
The WORLD VISION EXPERIENCE: AIDS – Step Into Africa is a unique, multimedia, interactive exhibit that allows visitors to step into the lives of actual children affected by HIV and AIDS in the hardest-hit region of the world: Sub-Saharan Africa.
It’s for all ages, days and evenings, and we’re so fortunate to be one of only several places in the U.S. where the exhibition will be touring this summer. There are two short — but compelling — video clips on the BEADED HOPE blog http://www.beadedhope.com/blog/ telling more about the exhibition.
We’re also humbled that BEADED HOPE has been invited to participate in this event. So please stop by the BEADED HOPE booth and say hello once you’ve had the opportunity to explore Africa through the eyes of its children.
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For the BEADED HOPE-YOU’RE-A-WINNER GIVEAWAY, the Week 5 Winner is Amie from right here in Loveland! I really do want to thank EVERYONE, however, who participated these past weeks. It sure has been fun hearing from you!
ALSO, to the AUTHOR BUZZ CONTEST ENTRANTS ~ It’s been such a delight to see your names come from all over the country. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your interest! You’ve made this Ohio girl smile. The 5 winners of that contest are:
Marie from Pennsylvania
Elizabeth from Georgia
Barbara from Texas
Penny (like Mama Penny in the book, I just realized!) from Oregon
Wendy from Ontario
CONGRATULATIONS to all! And again, much thanks to all who participated!
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IN JENNIFER’S WORDS…
Lana (like banana) is a wife, a mother (of 5 kids!), home educator, voracious reader and prolific blogger. I met Lana recently after she wrote a review of Beaded Hope by Cathy Liggett. She loved the book. Actually, that’s putting it too mildly. She L.O.V.E.D the book (check out her full review here) and after she wrote her review she started tweeting about it. She tweeted so much that I had to send her a note and thank her for all the kudos that she was lavishing on Beaded Hope.
Then a few days later Lana decided to enter her blog in a contest for mom bloggers. Little Remedies is giving away a top prize of $1000 to the mom blogger who receives the most votes between now and April 26th.
But, here’s the thing, Lana has challenged all of her readers to vote for her blog to win the prize and, if she wins, she will donate half of the prize to Beaded Hope. Lana has decided to get involved in a way that makes perfect sense for her….how cool is that!
So, I think you ought to run on over to http://tinyurl.com/ye9r5ay and place a vote for ILoveMy5Kids. Seriously, get moving. And don’t forget that you can vote once a day between now and April 26th.
Then check out Lana’s blog at ILoveMy5Kids or follow her on twitter.
Thanks, Lana, for having such a big heart and for getting passionate!
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Just a quick update!
First off, congratulations to Diana W. from New York who is the Week 4 winner in the Beaded Hope-You’re-A-Winner Giveaway! Diana, I hope you enjoy the goodies that are coming your way!
AND secondly, a special note to AUTHOR BUZZ Contest Entrants ~ All 5 Winners will be announced the week after Easter. In the meantime, thank you all so much for participating. It’s been great fun to see entries coming from all over the U.S.
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Congratulations to our Week 3 Winner in the Beaded-Hope-You’re-A-Winner Giveaway. I’ll be shipping out all three of our third time’s a charm winnings to Angel S. Way to go, Angel.
DON’T forget ~ there are two more weeks to go! Two more big chances to win!
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Thank you, Kim, for being our WEEK 2 WINNER! We’ll get your winnings to you directly!
Hope many others are signing up for Week 3 – with 3 items to win! The BEADED HOPE book, beaded bracelet and a cute beaded key chain too!
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