Day 7- Favorite Music

Day 7 of my 30 day writing challenge…

Wow, this is a hard one too. And by the way, I apologize for “phoning it in” yesterday. No excuse, just, I apologize. 

So, todays prompt is a hard one for me; “lists 10 songs that you’re loving right now”, because I love to listen to so many types of music and music speaks to me in so many ways. If you could see my playlist you might think I have multiple personalities or something because it is very eclectic, or so it seems to me. Let me know if everyone has such diverse tastes as Janis Joplin, Casting Crowns, Hannah Montana, Rhett Walker Band, Hank Williams, and Beethoven (to mention just a few) all in a row. I know my best friend and her son, my son does too, but I’ve not met many outside my family who share our penchant for variety to the degree that we do. 

Still, there are some that rank for all time such as:

Amazing Grace (whether vocal or the bagpipes, it always makes me feel loved and grateful), How Great Thou Art, Handbags and Gladrags by Rod Stewart, Willie’s Always On My Mind, and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Pride and Joy. 

Some that I recently found and absolutely love are If You Can Use Anything by Ron Kenoly (amazing worship right there!) also, Jessica Reedy singing Better (or anything really) and CeCe Winan’s Alabaster Box. I love listening to Jimmy Needham, and the song that introduced me to him was one of his best; (although it is hard to choose) Clear the Stage. Gosh that song breaks it down to worship in its most basic and beautiful. There is one by a newcomer, Thomas Rhett, that most radio stations won’t play called Beer With Jesus. I think it is a great song and I see nothing wrong with it myself, but then, I don’t own a radio station so what do I know?

 The song by Brooks and Dunn, Believe, makes me cry almost every time, just like Dancing in the Sky by Dani and Lizzy, Justin Moore’s If Heaven Wasn’t so Far Away, and Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave. 

And the song Happy by Pharrell Williams makes me happy. And I dance! Yep, I dance around like a lunatic to that song and others such as Jesus Freak by Toby Mac, Rebel Yell by Billy Idol, Good Morning by Mandissa and Goody Two Shoes by Adam Ant. 

So, way more than 10 and those are just a few of my faves current and long time. I guess if I had to pick a hands down favorite it would be the cassette tape I have of my mom singing an assortment of original and other songs and the memories of my children singing along with me as I drove or sang them to sleep to theses;

Walking After Midnight, Patsy Cline

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland

Where Are You Going (Turn Around) , by Harry Belafonte

Delta Dawn, by Tanya Tucker

So there it is y'all, day 7. Talk to me y'all; I would love to see and hear your favorite music too.

Till next time, 

TheWritingMommy

Day 5 and 6- Sorry for missing yesterday folks.

Day 5 and 6 because I missed a day L

List 5 places you want to visit and 3 ways to win your heart.

5 places I would like to visit are The Holy Land of Israel, Greece, The Redwood Forest, New York, and The Smithsonian. All of these places are ones that I’ve always wanted to go since I was a young person. I’m not a history buff but the idea of walking where my Savior and Lord walked inspires me. The idea of seeing the Parthenon and the Coliseum makes me feel a connection to the past that helped form our world. Of course visiting the American landmarks has the same strength to me; to be in a place that people have walked for years and to see the amazing things that man has created makes me hopeful that we can and will become great again.

Three ways to win my heart, oh my, I’m not sure if my heart is winnable some days. Today, I feel very sad so this is a hard topic for me but I think to tell me the truth, to treat me with respect, and to be kind to others is the best way to win my heart. Today you wouldn’t want it; it feels broken.

Day 4 - Who Inspires You?

Day 4 – 30 Day Writing Challenge

Write about someone who inspires you.

Gosh, this is a hard one. I mean, really hard. There are so many people who inspire me in so many ways. 

My step-mom Marie Goodman inspires me with her ability to love so endlessly. She took me in, was patient for a very long time when I was just a hands down little brat and didn’t give up on me when I was doing crazy, self destructive things. She taught me how to be a wife and a strong woman. She has inspired me to put others first, do the hard work needed to care for a home, husband, and everything else expected of a woman. And I respected her and admired these things about her well before I grew to love her, which I did because she is some kind of lady. 

My sisters inspire me, each for a different reason.  Charlotte is the closest in age and she works two different jobs by choice as well as takes courses to further her education even more. She teaches a college level course, is the director for a state food program, and is an amazing mom. She still manages to go to the kids sporting events, spends time with them, attends church with the family and maintains a well run home. 

Christine, her twin was born next and she is an inspiring woman as well. She makes beautiful quilts, creates wonderful home décor, and crafts like no one’s business! And she cooks so well I’ve been tempted to think that she’d ordered the wonderful things she served from a professional chef. 

Aisha, my next sister has always had this “old soul” that seemed wise and strong in a way I couldn’t describe. She inspires me by her fearless search for knowledge and truth as well as her daring adventures with her family. 

Stacey inspires me by her tenacity and balance. It seems when the rest of the world, or at least our family world, is reeling from some news or circumstance, Stacey is calm and reflective making decisions based on fact and not emotion and handling things that would cause another lesser woman to fall. 

Susan and Cher inspires me in the same way; they are honest and frank. They say things that most of us are thinking but are too afraid or “proper” to say. I appreciate their quick delivery and even when I’ve been the recipient of their unfiltered words, I’ve been thankful because I never have to wonder where I stand with them. I often wish I were so clear and direct and they inspire me to take the risk and say what I mean. 

Spring actually came between Susan and Cher and this kid is and always has been a force to be reckoned with. She is so passionate about the things that she loves. She has grown so much in her faith and has stuck with it throughout so many obstacles. She keeps on trying, learning, growing. Besides inspiring me as a woman, and being my sister by blood, she is also my sister in Christ. She epitomizes the verse in the bible that mentions “iron sharpens iron.”

Bobbie is my youngest sister. She inspires me by her willingness to try new things. She follows her heart even when no one else agrees with her and that can be a dangerous and lonely thing. 

I don’t always agree with my sisters but I love each of them so much and they all inspire me in unique ways. 

My best friend Bonnie inspires me with her ability to remain loyal when the whole world bails and my friend Eve inspires me by her tenacity and dedication when she takes on a project. She will forego food, sleep, and countless lesser things when she is passionate about what she is working on or learning. 

My daughter’s Special Olympics team and the parents and coaches have inspired me over and again by having such great attitudes in the face of great difficulties, and my homeschooling community, both parents and children, have inspired me by standing by their decision to go against the status quo and live the life that requires so much but reveals so much as well. 

Clearly I could go on because I am inspired by the unique and wonderful things God created each of us with. I am blessed to have such amazing people in my life, and I’m blessed to have lived the sort of life that makes someone appreciate all they have.

Thus ends Day 4’s challenge, and for me, day 4 as I am achy and itchy (Fibromyalgia really really sucks!) and calling it a night. 

Peace y’all-

TheWritingMommy

Day 3- 30 Day Writing Challenge- Pet Peeves

Day 3- 30 Day Writing Challenge

What are your top 3 pet peeves?

What are my top three pet peeves? Sadly, I am easily annoyed. It is one of the besetting sins that I deal with and can’t seem to get completely free from.  Still, I can easily pick the three things that annoy me easier than anything else; being lied to, laziness, and blatant rudeness.

Everyone is guilty of the “little white lie”, like “I’m fine” when you feel like crap or “No, I didn’t want any more, you take the last piece” when you’re at a church picnic. We all occasionally tell people they look okay when what you really mean is “don’t you own a mirror?”   What I hate more than anything else is someone being deceitful, especially if it is someone I love or who claims to love me. When my children lied growing up, that and unbridled rebellion would get them in worse trouble than the thing they were lying about, and I always found out the truth.  In my opinion, a lie changes the relationship altogether because where there is no trust, there is no real intimacy.

Laziness is another thing that sets my teeth on edge. I have always been of the mind that if you have to do something, you may as well get it done. Perhaps this is because I am the oldest and always seemed to be responsible for the other children, the general housekeeping, and sometimes even the meals and I knew that if it wasn’t done there would be help to pay if it wasn’t done. It might also be because I have been so ill I couldn’t do anything other than lie in bed and I felt so useless. It irks me when I see someone who is able bodied refusing to get all they can out of life or at least do what they can in life.

Blatant rudeness is the least of my top three because rudeness is sometimes in the eye of the beholder.  My youngest child for example has a weird sense of humor and frankly many people just don’t get it. Often her wit is received as rudeness but I know she is trying to be funny and nothing more. I have cautioned her that she has to be careful but she thinks I’m just an old sour puss. Still, there are some people whose rudeness is unmistakable and pointed like a sword. For instance; young people who make fun of the elderly simply because they are older and slower or people who go out of their way to reveal someone else’s weakness or faults, especially publicly.

As I said, there are a great many things that annoy me and I have worked to bring this number down considerably over the years. I’m made progress, but I’m still so far from “chill” that I find that I’m often annoyed with myself. Hmmmm.

So, there is Day 3 my peeps. I hope you have been considering your own 30 day writing challenge, but if that is too big a bite to take, how about a 7 day writing challenge? How about an every Saturday writing challenge? Anything to get the juices flowing is a start. Happy writing y’all; I’d love to see what you write and love to hear what you think about mine. 

Till next time, Peace.

TheWritingMommy

Day 2 of my 30 Day Writing Challenge- "Words you never forgot."

30 Day Writing Challenge – Day 2

Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot.

In the interest of fairness, I will tell of two things I was told that I never forgot; one favorable, one hurtful. 

Actually, I think both were offhanded comments, not meant to hurt or help, but just part of passing conversations. It is interesting the things we hang on to, and all the things we forget.

In the summer of 1980 I was 14 years old. I lived with my dad and his family during the school year but was staying with mom and my sisters for the summer. My Aunt happened to be living with mom at the time so while it was cramped there I was thrilled nonetheless.  We had grown apart as we’d aged my aunt Neda and me.  As a child mom and I lived with her sometimes and I stayed with her a lot when mom was off chasing rainbows.

It happened that one day we were in the kitchen together; I was making lemonade and she, a margarita. The temperature that summer was over a hundred degrees every day that year and I was determined to get a tan even if I literally had to bake to do it, so I was wearing my bikini. My Aunt and I were making drinks as I mentioned and making small talk as we did so and she noticed a photo I was using as a bookmark. 

“Who’s that hunk?” she asked.

“That’s my boyfriend, Leif Garrett.” I smiled

Her look revealed her doubt as I began to giggle. “No really, who is he cause he couldn’t be your boyfriend.” she said as if she were telling me the sky was blue or the day was Monday. 

“He’s a singer Aunt Neda; wait, why couldn’t he be my boyfriend?” I asked sincerely

“Because he is way too cute to date you; you could never get a looker like that kiddo.”

I stood there not knowing quite what to say. See, I was raised in the south and you did not sass your elders, or we didn’t anyway. I wanted to cry but I was too embarrassed even for that. I began to wonder if she was right; was I not worthy of a handsome boyfriend? Was I not good enough for someone like him?  She never knew how her words hurt me and I still feel the sting of that statement some days but then I look at my most handsome husband and I know that she was wrong.

Years later, about 25 years later in fact, I was to have another innocent comment affect me as deeply, but in a more positive way.

I was giving a friend a ride to work. I don't remember if her car had broken down or her husband needed it that day, but for whatever reason we were in the car together that morning. We were having the normal co-worker sort of conversation; what was going on that day, what we might expect later and what had happened the day before when she suddenly got sort of serious. 

“Ann, I need to thank you.”  Of course, I assumed she was thanking me for the ride again so I began to tell her it really was alright and not a big deal. She stopped me mid sentence.

“No, let me say this. I want to thank you for what you said a couple of months ago.” I couldn’t remember what I’d said last night since we’d adopted another daughter and this one had sleep issues as well so I asked her what I said that could have been so profound that she remembered it for that long. 

“We were talking about church service that night. It was a Wednesday, and we were both beat from the day. I told you that I couldn’t believe you had the energy to go to church after the day we’d had and you simply said, “I don’t have the energy to go, but I’m going anyway. It isn’t always about what we want though, is it? It’s about fellowship, and community, and doing the right thing even when it’s the hard thing.” Then you moved on to another topic as if that were something that anyone might say, or think, or feel. But it wasn’t. And that statement made me rethink a lot of things in my life and I want to thank you.”

All I could say was, “you’re welcome.” because honestly, I didn’t remember saying it. I believed her because that was how I saw the matter, but it really didn’t seem like a big deal to me, doing what you commit to I mean.

Her thanks that day made me more aware of what I said for a very long time. Sadly, I don’t always pay as close attention before it leaves my mouth, but I do try. 

Anyway, those are two things that were said to me that have stayed for all these years. They remind me how very important our words are to those who receive them and remind me to use them wisely and well. 

And that is my Day 2 writing assignment. Nothing really earth shattering but I did show up, and that is really the most important part of writing most days. Isn't it? 

As always, I'd love to hear your comments or your own Day 2 writing. Peace to you all-

TheWritingMommy

30 Day Writing Challenge Accepted! Day 1

Hey everyone, I have been so "blocked" lately that I am committing to this 30 Day Writing Challenge that I found on Pinterest as a way to sort of rev up my writing engine. (Plus, I can't seem to get a clear thought about what to write)

So, join me in writing here if you like by your comments or links; I would love to read your words. Or, just read mine if you choose and feel free to add helpful critique. I have no real idea what to expect as I am really rusty right now.

Peace to you all my peeps. TheWritingMommy

Day 1
List 10 Things that make you really happy.

1. God The Father, Jesus his Son, and The Holy Spirit. It might appear that this is three, but The Trinity is one. Such a hard thing to explain, but by faith, I know it is true. I was asked by my niece, who is Muslim, to explain The Trinity and I found how really hard it is to explain this to someone who doesn't share my faith.  I likened God, in all His aspects, to a mom. She was 12  at the time so I felt using a "mom" would be a tangible idea that she could grab hold of. It went something like this:

" Your mom is a mom, right?"

 Of course I got a "well, duh" response and moved on.

"She is also a daughter and sister, correct?" I thought i could see a seed of understanding forming so I continued.

"Besides these two different persons, your mom is also a woman, complete independent from those roles. She is all three of these persons but in each role she is singular to that identity. Well, God made us in His image and while we are nowhere near the complex being that our Creator is, the way that we can be one person and serve so many roles is a bit like Him, only He does it way better."

That is a simplistic explanation I know but I'm no theologian and she was at the time simply a child trying to learn of the world around her and how differently we all believe. She is still a Muslim, and I am still a Christian and I love God above all else. I love His Word, I love His creation, I love the relationship I have with Christ and the certainty I feel about salvation through grace by faith.

2. My husband. My husband Tommy is my favorite person to be around. We have been married 22 years in July 2016 and in all those years we have experienced so much life, death, sickness, health, even financial reversals both good and bad. We have raised a son, daughters, animals and food. We have made messes and had to clean them up and we have been so angry we acted like fools, but through it all we have learned and grown and I truly enjoy him more than any other person. Being his wife truly makes me happy.

3. My best friend Bonnie. My friend Bonnie and I have been friends for 26 years or so. We have been best friends for probably 24 of those years and just like with my Tommy, we have been through a lot in those years. We held each other as we cried when we each lost our mom to cancer, we laughed, cheered, and cried again as we watched our boys grow into men. She allows me to be the essence of "me" and doesn't judge, isn't fake with me, and is comfortable being herself around me and that makes me very happy.

4. My kids. You might be wondering right about here why the husband, or at least the best friend are above the children. Well, here's the thing. I love my kiddos, all three of them, plus the daughter in law and the honorary children who started out as my children's friends and came to be "my kids" by their own choice, but kids are work! My children are all, 100% a blessing from The Lord. I was told when I was 21 years old that due to the repeated sexual abuse I endured and the scarring that had developed I would never be able to get pregnant and even if I did, I would never be able to carry a baby to term. I didn't know The Lord then, not in any real way, but I know it was by His grace that I conceived my son on New Years day 1987. I went into early labor at three months gestation but thanks again to God, the doctors at Baylor Hospital, and bed rest for the next 5 months, I gave birth to the greatest miracle in my world and my first real love; Jacob Dillon.  When he was not yet three I was found to have cervical cancer and needed a hysterectomy. I was so sad at the news. I wanted to have at least one more child and told the doctor so. He, whose bedside manner was likely learned from Sesame Street's Oscar the Grouch, told me, "If you want to live to see this one grow up you'll have the surgery!" I left the office crying and praying and of course, I had the surgery; exploratory laparotomy with removal of the cervix, uterus, and the left ovary. Two year later I would have the other ovary removed as it proved to have a fast growing cyst the size of a baby's head on it. Thankfully, that growth was benign. One divorce, one marriage, and ten years later God answered my simple prayer that I prayed as I left the doctor's office; My husband and I were asked to adopt a baby. My husband and I agreed to adopt the baby and were blessed with a girl; our sweet Shelby. Then, three years later, we were asked to adopt another girl under different circumstances and did so again adding our baby daughter Haley to the family. God always gives abundantly, doesn't He? Still, while they are blessings, miracles, and all that ooey gooey stuff, they are work. We decided when we chose to adopt that I would become a "stay at home mom",( a term that was coined by someone who'd never held the position since staying home was rarely part of the job description). My husband was and is very supportive though and we tag teamed through the sleepless nights that seemed to never end for one reason or another, through the inevitable feelings of overwhelm and isolation, through the lean times when I was sure that my efforts would be best served bringing in more money rather than shaping our kids' futures. I love them all, and they do make me happy, but they have also been my career, which I have taken very seriously, sometimes too seriously, thereby missing some of the "happy".

4. Creating. I love to create things with words, paper, sounds, clay, paint, anything I can use to create with really. I just love the feeling of creating something. It is only amplified by seeing someone's appreciation of the thing I've created. Making stuff just makes me happy.

5. Music. I love music. All kinds, genres, and aspects of music. Well, almost ALL kinds. I have to admit, I am not a fan of opera or the "screaming so loud you can't understand the words" kind.

6. Art. I love to go to art museums, I love to watch people creating art whether it is a painter, a sculptor, quilter, or crafter. I truly enjoy the feelings it evokes and the inspiration something created with heart and soul gives.

7. Reading. Oh I love to read. Reading may well be in the top five but it is hard to tell since it is usually based on "what am I in the mood for?" And, as a writer, reading often falls into the category of "work".

8. Visiting my family. I have 8 younger sisters and 2 younger brothers. One brother, our sweet and silly Robin, died from complications of Kidney Disease in 1996. I love visiting my family members and don't do it nearly as often as I would like. My sisters have not always been my closest friends because I was older and often the care giver, but as adults we have developed more balanced and open relationships and I find them to be amazing women. I love my brother too but he's a "guy's guy" and I don't know a lot about hunting or fishing or the music he listens to (Death Metal). So, while we talk about our kids or how things are going in general, he is a man of few words and we don't just "hang out" like I can with my sisters. We see each other at Daddy's house mostly and that works pretty well. I love my dad and step mom and visiting their house and it makes me smile when we all get together whether at my house or for family reunions or holiday celebrations.

9. Food. Oh my gosh, I almost forgot food. I really enjoy food. Whenever I get the chance, I like to try new things, although texture has been an issue over taste many times. Food makes me happy. So happy though, sometimes I have to will myself to move away from the cookie!

10. Working out. I actually really enjoy going to the gym. I'm thankful that I can move my body and work up a sweat because there was a time I couldn't. I have had Fibromyalgia for years and there have been periods of time when the pain was so debilitating that I was in bed for days, only walking to the bathroom and when possible, to cook for my family. Those were the worst days. I'm grateful that I can walk and move and I really enjoy the "me time" working out affords. It allows me to distance myself from all mental and emotional stress, which actually makes it easier for me to work on those things that are stressful.


So, there you have it: My Day 1 writing. Sort of long I think. It has been a while since I have written anything so I will have to work on brevity again apparently. This is a first draft too by the way. No editing, just off the cuff words from my head and heart and hands to the keyboard.

Again, I'd love to see your "Day 1" if you would care to share. Peace and love to you all-

TheWritingMommy