Life and reconnecting!

As my presence on the Internet grows, I’m amazed at how all the different aspects of my life overlap. People I haven’t heard from in years have contacted me via my website e-mail address and Facebook. Pictures from my college years have appeared, and I find comfort in knowing that many of my friends are happy, settled, and enjoying their own lives.

Now that I’m 100% freelance (writing and teaching), I’m home most of the time, so these social networks are wonderful to keep me linked to the world. I’ve made new friends, reconnected with Kappa Delta sisters from the University of Southern Mississippi, and found some of the designers I enjoyed when I wrote copy for the Home Shopping Network.

My heart melts as I remember the happy days of college. I’ve loved pouring over the pictures posted by Cherrie, Peggy, Priscilla, Ann, Edie, Rea, Carol, Beth, Kathie, Robin, Karen, and Sharon. There’s no doubt in my mind that if I were to see any of these beautiful, intelligent, accomplished women, we’d instantly start gabbing and giggling like we did way back when.

I'm excited to have reconnected with some of the designers whose work I've admired since I first met them. If you haven’t seen some of the gorgeous designs from my friends Antthony Mark Hankins and Carolyn Strauss, you need to check them out. These two incredible people design clothes that work on all figure types. Take a peek at their collections on their websites as well as their latest HSN offerings!

My friend Ro!

Back when I worked as a product information writer for the Home Shopping Network, I met a delightful woman named Ro Martinez. She was an on-air model filling in as a fit model, and since I often went to fit sessions to see how the apparel I wrote looked on actual people, I had a chance to get to know her. When she found out I was a book author, she mentioned that she’d written a book on modeling and needed advice. I invited her to bring me her manuscript.

What I saw was a wonderful product with valuable information for anyone interested in pursuing a modeling career. I offered a few suggestions, and she eagerly embraced them. It’s my pleasure to announce that her book, Modeling at Any Age, will be available this fall. If you have the desire to model or act, you’ll want to pick this up. Here’s a link to her website: Ro Martinez.

She spoke at the East Lake Library this evening, and she did a fabulous job. I've never had the desire to model, but if I did, she'd be the first person I'd talk to!

Be Still... devo blog

I just posted on the Be Still... devo blog early this morning. Take a minute and read my thoughts about chocolate. I'd love to know your thoughts about the subject. If you know more interesting facts about chocolate, please share. Here's a link: BeStillDevos.

Be Still...

This is my week to post on the Be Still...and Let Your Nail Polish Dry blog. Pop on over and leave a comment or two!

I'm taking some time off to enjoy my granddaughter Emma. She's such an angel! My daughter and son-in-law are doing a marvelous job with her.

What is really important?

I’ve been blessed with quite a few publishing contracts over the past decade, and I’m thankful. My husband has worked hard, and we’ve been frugal. So with the exception of a couple of years when I worked as a writer for a TV retailer, I’ve been able to stay home and pursue my dream of being a full-time novelist and writing instructor. It’s all working out quite nicely. Last summer, I got 5 contracts for fiction, and shortly afterward, I was fortunate to be included in Be Still…and Let Your Nail Polish Dry, a devotional for busy women with some other wonderful authors, Andrea Boeshaar, Sandra Bricker, and Loree Lough.

All that is very good, and I’m happy about it. But even more important than this lovely career are two other aspects of my life: my relationship with God and my family. I spend time in His word, which keeps me focused on what’s really important. He’s blessed me with a loving family that keeps me grounded with equal doses of love and responsibility.