Okay. Everyone knows that children mimick what they see. So tell me. WHY would I think my children would be immune to this? *Cough* Confession time here. I, sort of, well, sometimessmackmyhusbandonthebuttwhenhepassesbymeinaroom. There. I said it. AAAAAND... sometimes I happen to do that when my children are present in said room. Ahem. Yes. I know. BAAAAAD Mommy. So anyway, tonight we're coming out or church and my four year old runs after our pastor, catches up with him and...
Yeah.
Smacks him right on the caboose.
If there was ever a time when I wished the asphalt would open up and swallow me, that would be it. (Sondor', if you ever read this--you have no idea how embarrassed I was.)
So. Moral of the story? When you pat your honey's patootie...make sure the children are not gawking.
===========
KINGDOM CONCEPT
The Bible says "and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make (or set) you free.
The cool thing about this is...truth is a person.
Jesus is The Truth. He called Himself The Truth, The Way, The Life.
Pretty cool double meaning, huh?
==========
VERSES for your viewing pleasure:
Jn 8:32
Jn 14:6
I Ti 2:4
Jn 16:13
=========
Borrowed Prayers
Dear God, help us to cling to your Truth. . . in every sense of the word.
Love,
Squirrel
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Monday, April 25, 2005
ANNOUNCING APRIL CONTEST WINNER
Congratulations to M.R. for winning "Squirrel's Story Starters" for April!!!! She penned a delightful story.
Congratulations also goes out to K.M. for honorable mention.
Both of these stories ran neck and neck and I had to have outside help to decide a winner. Congratulations, girls!!!!!!!!!!!
BLUSH AND CRINGE
When I was at ACRW conference last year, Kathy Ide's parents drove us to a four story bookstore in Denver. The story I was working on at the time features a S.W.A.T. officer for the hero. I found a S.W.A.T. magazine there and bought it, not realizing it had a picture of a very intense individual aiming a machine gun on the front cover. That issue was all about weaponry. Also during the conference, they gave these floating hand things away. So I switch flights at St. Louis and of all the people in line, guess who they pull out to go through their suitcase in front of all the other people?
Yep. Me.
So the nice, tall, latex-gloved security officer places my suitcase on the table and proceeds to unzip it. What's the first thing he sees? That S.W.A.T. magazine and that floating body part. He just stops what he's doing, lifts the magazine with two fingers, and his left eyebrow as he's staring at me. I giggle when I get nervous. So I begin to giggle. And I can't stop. And he's holding this magazine up, his questioning gaze turning from me to it and back. Then he picks up the severed hand with his other gloved hand. I'm giggling uncontrollably now and have hives all over my neck, back and arms because everyone around us is staring, wondering what the hold up is. I finally figure out he's waiting for an explanation. I look at him, shrug, smile sweetly and blushingly, and say, "You don't want to know."
Brow lifts higher and brow number two joins it, he says, "Oh yes. I do. And you're going to tell me."
I realize he's serious. But I feel another wave of giggles erupting as I envision my husband having to come rescue me after I've been apprehended by security, and interrogated in some dark airport boardroom by the FBI and CIA. (You have to remember, I have a writer's imagination.)
I tell him, "Well, I bought it at the Tattered Cover."
He blinks exactly three times and I can tell this answer is not going to get me through security. This is St. Louis, MO. And the Tattered Cover was the bookstore in Denver.
"I'm a writer. I just came back from a writer's conference and I bought that for research."
"Hmm-Hmm," he says. Now there are three, count them, three security guards going through my stuff and a LOOOOONG line of irritated, yet curious onlookers behind me who are about to miss their flights because of the delay caused by this fake severed hand and this magazine.
He dug through my dirty clothes (How embarrassing) and lifts up my Bible. Shew. I see the grin erupt over his face and the sparkle glimmer in his eye.
"Am I going to find any other severed body parts in here?" he asks, a smile tugging one side of his mouth higher than the other.
Relieved, because I now realize he's kidding with me, in my nervous state, I blurt the first thing that comes to mind, "No, sir, you certainly won't. I hid the rest better."
He chuckled, closed the suitcase and waved me through while the stream of passengers behind me zoomed past in all their glaring glory. At some point on the flight home, I stopped trembling and began to chuckle about it.
VERSE
You, God, created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created. Revelation 4:11 NLT
BORROWED PRAYERS
Dear God, as you have delighted yourself in us, even when we had no thoughts of you, please help us to delight ourselves in you. Let nothing take your rightful place in our hearts. Be first. Help us love you laps ahead of everything and everyone else.
SQUIRREL'S STORY STARTER for MAY:
Set up:
Hero's background: His mother was controlling. He thinks a wife will control him, therefore he avoids commitments at all cost. Has always been tought that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you want something, go after it. Has to feel like he's in control at all times.
Heroine's background: Shy, sweet, tought never to make waves. Don't pursue things, let them come to you. Avoids situations of control at all costs.
She catches his eye and he determines to "Chase her" even though he's never had to chase a woman in his life. A mishap causes them to meet.
Write a 500 word or less scene. I'd like you to use at least the hero, or heroine above, preferrably both in your story.
This sentence, or variant of it, MUST be in the story somewhere, preferable the Hook.
"As the slow heat from the blush of mortification crawled up her chest and neck, Murial cringed at the mess she'd made, and prayed for the sidewalk to open up and gobble her this instant."
Blessings!
Squirrel
Congratulations also goes out to K.M. for honorable mention.
Both of these stories ran neck and neck and I had to have outside help to decide a winner. Congratulations, girls!!!!!!!!!!!
BLUSH AND CRINGE
When I was at ACRW conference last year, Kathy Ide's parents drove us to a four story bookstore in Denver. The story I was working on at the time features a S.W.A.T. officer for the hero. I found a S.W.A.T. magazine there and bought it, not realizing it had a picture of a very intense individual aiming a machine gun on the front cover. That issue was all about weaponry. Also during the conference, they gave these floating hand things away. So I switch flights at St. Louis and of all the people in line, guess who they pull out to go through their suitcase in front of all the other people?
Yep. Me.
So the nice, tall, latex-gloved security officer places my suitcase on the table and proceeds to unzip it. What's the first thing he sees? That S.W.A.T. magazine and that floating body part. He just stops what he's doing, lifts the magazine with two fingers, and his left eyebrow as he's staring at me. I giggle when I get nervous. So I begin to giggle. And I can't stop. And he's holding this magazine up, his questioning gaze turning from me to it and back. Then he picks up the severed hand with his other gloved hand. I'm giggling uncontrollably now and have hives all over my neck, back and arms because everyone around us is staring, wondering what the hold up is. I finally figure out he's waiting for an explanation. I look at him, shrug, smile sweetly and blushingly, and say, "You don't want to know."
Brow lifts higher and brow number two joins it, he says, "Oh yes. I do. And you're going to tell me."
I realize he's serious. But I feel another wave of giggles erupting as I envision my husband having to come rescue me after I've been apprehended by security, and interrogated in some dark airport boardroom by the FBI and CIA. (You have to remember, I have a writer's imagination.)
I tell him, "Well, I bought it at the Tattered Cover."
He blinks exactly three times and I can tell this answer is not going to get me through security. This is St. Louis, MO. And the Tattered Cover was the bookstore in Denver.
"I'm a writer. I just came back from a writer's conference and I bought that for research."
"Hmm-Hmm," he says. Now there are three, count them, three security guards going through my stuff and a LOOOOONG line of irritated, yet curious onlookers behind me who are about to miss their flights because of the delay caused by this fake severed hand and this magazine.
He dug through my dirty clothes (How embarrassing) and lifts up my Bible. Shew. I see the grin erupt over his face and the sparkle glimmer in his eye.
"Am I going to find any other severed body parts in here?" he asks, a smile tugging one side of his mouth higher than the other.
Relieved, because I now realize he's kidding with me, in my nervous state, I blurt the first thing that comes to mind, "No, sir, you certainly won't. I hid the rest better."
He chuckled, closed the suitcase and waved me through while the stream of passengers behind me zoomed past in all their glaring glory. At some point on the flight home, I stopped trembling and began to chuckle about it.
VERSE
You, God, created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created. Revelation 4:11 NLT
BORROWED PRAYERS
Dear God, as you have delighted yourself in us, even when we had no thoughts of you, please help us to delight ourselves in you. Let nothing take your rightful place in our hearts. Be first. Help us love you laps ahead of everything and everyone else.
SQUIRREL'S STORY STARTER for MAY:
Set up:
Hero's background: His mother was controlling. He thinks a wife will control him, therefore he avoids commitments at all cost. Has always been tought that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you want something, go after it. Has to feel like he's in control at all times.
Heroine's background: Shy, sweet, tought never to make waves. Don't pursue things, let them come to you. Avoids situations of control at all costs.
She catches his eye and he determines to "Chase her" even though he's never had to chase a woman in his life. A mishap causes them to meet.
Write a 500 word or less scene. I'd like you to use at least the hero, or heroine above, preferrably both in your story.
This sentence, or variant of it, MUST be in the story somewhere, preferable the Hook.
"As the slow heat from the blush of mortification crawled up her chest and neck, Murial cringed at the mess she'd made, and prayed for the sidewalk to open up and gobble her this instant."
Blessings!
Squirrel
Thursday, April 21, 2005
One more thing...
This month's prompt contest has officially ended. Winner will be notified by 4/25 via Email, and their initials posted in my blog. There were an extraordinary number of entries this month and all of you sent in such great entries, this one is going to be HARD to judge. Thanks to all who entered. Nothing would bless me more in regards to this contest than to see some of you take the scene you crafted from the seed of a story, and turn it into a full-length salable manuscript.
Blessings!
Squirrel
Blessings!
Squirrel
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
SLACKIN'
Wow, it's been too long since I posted! BUT, I've actually been writing. I'm about twenty pages away from finishing my next wip-the first in my new Spec Op series. Wooooo Hoooo.
BLUSH AND CRINGE
We had a couple over for dinner who'd visited our church. The gentleman picked up the salt shaker and shook. Nothing happened. My husband tried to shake it. Nothing happened so he tapped the bottom and a few grains of salt broke free. Then he taps it again and here comes the salt. So he hands it to the man, who proceeds to salt his food. As a few of the clumps of salt (that had been blocking the last few holes) tumbled out onto his grilled chicken, I commented, "I guess steam from the water I boiled earlier must have clogged it." One of my preschoolers says, "No, mom, Eno licked it when we were setting the table and that's what clogged it." Our dinner guests chuckled. I was mortified. And you know, now that I think of it, that man didn't eat a bite of that chicken breast after that.......
BORROWED PRAYERS
God, when we are drowning in pain, whether it be emotional or physical, and there is no medication or balm to help or soothe us we are at Your mercy, which is the best place to be. We trust in You. You love us and hear our prayers. Thank You that the same compassion that compelled you, Jesus, to reach out to that hurting one in the crowd still flows with abundance from Your heart of love and mercy. You still heal today, and we are trusting you to do great things in our midst. Be magnified in our suffering, Lord. Be magnified.
VERSE:
He will not leave us orphaned. He will come to us.
Psalms.
BLUSH AND CRINGE
We had a couple over for dinner who'd visited our church. The gentleman picked up the salt shaker and shook. Nothing happened. My husband tried to shake it. Nothing happened so he tapped the bottom and a few grains of salt broke free. Then he taps it again and here comes the salt. So he hands it to the man, who proceeds to salt his food. As a few of the clumps of salt (that had been blocking the last few holes) tumbled out onto his grilled chicken, I commented, "I guess steam from the water I boiled earlier must have clogged it." One of my preschoolers says, "No, mom, Eno licked it when we were setting the table and that's what clogged it." Our dinner guests chuckled. I was mortified. And you know, now that I think of it, that man didn't eat a bite of that chicken breast after that.......
BORROWED PRAYERS
God, when we are drowning in pain, whether it be emotional or physical, and there is no medication or balm to help or soothe us we are at Your mercy, which is the best place to be. We trust in You. You love us and hear our prayers. Thank You that the same compassion that compelled you, Jesus, to reach out to that hurting one in the crowd still flows with abundance from Your heart of love and mercy. You still heal today, and we are trusting you to do great things in our midst. Be magnified in our suffering, Lord. Be magnified.
VERSE:
He will not leave us orphaned. He will come to us.
Psalms.
Friday, April 08, 2005
MORE OF A CRINGE
Instead of a blush and cringe: My daughters decided to unfurl an entire roll of toilet paper and stuff it in the toilet. Not so bad. I could have dealt with that. They've put worse in the toilet. (Remind me to tell you the day my favorite candle went missing) So I am doing my typical "why did you guys do this, it makes no sense" rant and I hear the toilet flush and daughter number two going, "Uh oh! Mom! It's overflowing!" So now I'm launching into my "why did you flush it? I told you not to flush it!" rant, and trying desperately to get the childproof lock thingy off the cabinet door so I can get the plunger. "I flushed it because I had to poop and you always tell us to flush after we poop," she says. So now I'm watching the one foot in diameter, water-logged mountain of toilet paper slowly rising to the top of the toilet rim, looking like a billowing mass of whipped cream, only those little brown pebbles are NOT cherries on top. I ask the four year old to help me get the childproof lock open. She's succesful within seconds. I grab Mr. Plunger, skid across bathroom floor and realize the water stopped about a hair's length from the top of the toilet. Good news, right? Wrong. If I put Mr. Plunger in the water, it's going to overflow. Then I hear a gurgle, and another gurgle and realize that somehow, the water is s-l-o-w-l-y moving down. I wait an eternal five minutes, then lift the plunger, ready to insert, only to realize it's inside out. That's what I get for buying it at the dollar store. I don't know about you, but I'm not touching that thing with my bare hands to turn it back the way it's supposed to go. So I dash to the other bathroom, grab another plunger and race back down the long hall to bathroom number one where I am now hearing the unmistakeable sound of splashing. And laughter. "Dear God, please let that be the sink they're playing in," I pray and round the bend to find my older daughters (ages 3 and 4) cheering the one year old on as she has both hands in the toilet, squeezing a pebble with one tiny hand and swirling the mass of toilet paper around like a whirlpool with her other hand.
It could have been worse I guess. Usually everything she gets her hands on goes directly in her mouth. I know, gross, and yes, I scrubbed her hands with antibacterial soap for a half an hour.
VERSE
Search me, O God and know my heart...lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
BORROWED PRAYERS
Help me to have an insatiable passion for your words. Let me devour them as if I knew I'd never get to read the Bible again. Help those in other countries to be able to have your Words without being caught and persecuted.
NEW WITH MY WRITING
I'm working on a new series, the special ops military ones. I'm two thirds of the way to finishing my first draft. I wrote a scene today that made me bawl my eyes out. My husband walks in, looks at me like I'm a loon, and walks past, shaking his head while I continue sniffing, blubbering, and tapping away at the keyboard. He's slightly worried about the fact that fictional people, whom I've created with my own mind, have the ability to send me into crybaby mode. So I either wrote an incredibly emotional scene today, or my pregnancy hormones are a bit out of control! LOL.
It could have been worse I guess. Usually everything she gets her hands on goes directly in her mouth. I know, gross, and yes, I scrubbed her hands with antibacterial soap for a half an hour.
VERSE
Search me, O God and know my heart...lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
BORROWED PRAYERS
Help me to have an insatiable passion for your words. Let me devour them as if I knew I'd never get to read the Bible again. Help those in other countries to be able to have your Words without being caught and persecuted.
NEW WITH MY WRITING
I'm working on a new series, the special ops military ones. I'm two thirds of the way to finishing my first draft. I wrote a scene today that made me bawl my eyes out. My husband walks in, looks at me like I'm a loon, and walks past, shaking his head while I continue sniffing, blubbering, and tapping away at the keyboard. He's slightly worried about the fact that fictional people, whom I've created with my own mind, have the ability to send me into crybaby mode. So I either wrote an incredibly emotional scene today, or my pregnancy hormones are a bit out of control! LOL.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
MY NEIGHBOR'S CHICKEN ATE MY DOG
Not really, but since I have your attention, let's get started with all our bloggyness.
BLUSH AND CRINGE
This entire month's blush and cringe will be didicated to my husband. Tee-hee, or at lest written at his expense. (Shhhh! Don't tell him!)
My husband runs sound for a lot of bands. When MXPX first started out, my husband had never ran sound for a punk or ska band. He was used to running sound for Pantera-like bands. Anyway, after the first song, (MXPX tuned low) my husband stops the show, walks up to the guitarist and asks him if he needs to borrow a new string. The guy stares at him as if he's from another galaxy, looks at his guitar and says, "uh, no." So my ever helpful husband says, "well, you need to re tune your guitar or get a new string then because that sounds horrible." Dh (Dear hubby) then goes about looking to see which sound cable was causing the "terrible screeching." That's when the guitarist informs him that's how their music is SUPPOSED to sound.
VERSE
He covers the Heavens with clouds, sends down the showers, and makes the green grass grow... Psalm 147:8 TLB
BORROWED PRAYERS
God, thank you for providing for us. You are faithful. Help me know and believe it no matter how the circumstances look.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE INFLUENCED MY LIFE PROFOUNDLY:
Fellow friends and previous coworkers Patty Hall and Tammy Stubblefield. I got an email from Tammy and saw Patty at church and it reminded me of something both of them said to me right after I got married. Before I got married, I wasn't all keen on the idea of having children. BOTH of them spoke into my life, telling me what a joy motherhood is and what a wonderful mother I would be. Years later, as I look into the cherubic faces of my beautiful children, I remember those words and can hardly contain the tears, thinking how they've enriched my life. So thanks Patty and Tammy, for booting my caboose, and for being wonderful, Godly examples of how a mother should love their children. I aspire to be like you. Thanks for influincing that aspect of my life. I bet you didn't even realize the power your words of encouragement would have. You may not even remember speaking those words, but I remember for it was a pivotal moment in the span of my life with each of you. God used you to turn my heart towards the desire to be a wife and mom-something I wouldn't trade for anything.
CONTESTS
Dont forget about my Traffic Jam and my prompt contest. If you'd like a free book but aren't a writerly type, send me an email telling me exactly why you think you deserve a book. The story can be true or made up. The story that makes me laugh or cry the most, will win a free book. My email is Cheryl@CherylWyatt.com
Back to my website www.cherylwyatt.com
Thanks for stopping by.
Squirrel
BLUSH AND CRINGE
This entire month's blush and cringe will be didicated to my husband. Tee-hee, or at lest written at his expense. (Shhhh! Don't tell him!)
My husband runs sound for a lot of bands. When MXPX first started out, my husband had never ran sound for a punk or ska band. He was used to running sound for Pantera-like bands. Anyway, after the first song, (MXPX tuned low) my husband stops the show, walks up to the guitarist and asks him if he needs to borrow a new string. The guy stares at him as if he's from another galaxy, looks at his guitar and says, "uh, no." So my ever helpful husband says, "well, you need to re tune your guitar or get a new string then because that sounds horrible." Dh (Dear hubby) then goes about looking to see which sound cable was causing the "terrible screeching." That's when the guitarist informs him that's how their music is SUPPOSED to sound.
VERSE
He covers the Heavens with clouds, sends down the showers, and makes the green grass grow... Psalm 147:8 TLB
BORROWED PRAYERS
God, thank you for providing for us. You are faithful. Help me know and believe it no matter how the circumstances look.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE INFLUENCED MY LIFE PROFOUNDLY:
Fellow friends and previous coworkers Patty Hall and Tammy Stubblefield. I got an email from Tammy and saw Patty at church and it reminded me of something both of them said to me right after I got married. Before I got married, I wasn't all keen on the idea of having children. BOTH of them spoke into my life, telling me what a joy motherhood is and what a wonderful mother I would be. Years later, as I look into the cherubic faces of my beautiful children, I remember those words and can hardly contain the tears, thinking how they've enriched my life. So thanks Patty and Tammy, for booting my caboose, and for being wonderful, Godly examples of how a mother should love their children. I aspire to be like you. Thanks for influincing that aspect of my life. I bet you didn't even realize the power your words of encouragement would have. You may not even remember speaking those words, but I remember for it was a pivotal moment in the span of my life with each of you. God used you to turn my heart towards the desire to be a wife and mom-something I wouldn't trade for anything.
CONTESTS
Dont forget about my Traffic Jam and my prompt contest. If you'd like a free book but aren't a writerly type, send me an email telling me exactly why you think you deserve a book. The story can be true or made up. The story that makes me laugh or cry the most, will win a free book. My email is Cheryl@CherylWyatt.com
Back to my website www.cherylwyatt.com
Thanks for stopping by.
Squirrel
Sunday, April 03, 2005
TRAFFIC JAM IN MOTION!!!!
If you've received my newsletter, The Acorn Connection, you know the Traffic Jam has officially begun!!! So far, Pamela James is laps ahead of the rest of you, so what are you waiting for? Send people to sign my guestbook! Don't forget to tell them to mention who sent them so you get credit! These are some great prizes guys and you don't want to miss this opportunity.
Don't have any idea what I'm talking about? I'm running a six month long contest, from April to October, in order to increase traffic on my website. Grand prize is your choice of 1 of 5 things valued at $200.00. There is no catch other than in order to win, you have to send more people to sign my website guestbook than anyone else. For more details, go to www.CherylWyatt.com click the newsletter link and sign up for it, or simply send me an email at Cheryl@CherylWyatt.com telling me you wish to enter Squirrel's Traffic Jam.
Don't forget about my monthly prompt contest, called "Squirrel's Story Starters." Prize is a free book.
BLUSH AND CRINGE
Once while working night shift at the hospital, I needed to page housekeeping to come clean a birthing room so we could move my other actively laboring patient in there. The stupid phone system was messed up and somehow, no matter what numbers you pushed, it dialed speed call numbers randomly. It's 2:00 in the morning and *housekeeping* picks up. "Hello?" a groggy voice answered. I'm squishing my eyebrows at the phone, thinking the housekeeping dude fell asleep on his shift. Anyway, so I go, "Yes, I need for you to come mop birthing room three as soon as possible." There was a pause, then groggy voice says, "Excuse me?" I repeat myself, "I need for you to come mop a birthing room. We're swamped and we need that room pronto." Next thing I know, groggy voice says, "Cheryl? Is that you?" I realize with a start the voice belonging to groggy person is NOT the nightshift housekeeper. It's the physician of my patient who was NOT on call and whom I had just wakened IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. No longer groggy, very awake and slightly annoyed voice says, "Cheryl, you're calling me at two am to tell me to come back to the hospital to help you clean a birthing room?" "B-b-but, I didn't call you. The phone did!" I say. Likely story. He had a hard time believing the phone system was the one with microchips shorting out.
VERSE:
Don't have any idea what I'm talking about? I'm running a six month long contest, from April to October, in order to increase traffic on my website. Grand prize is your choice of 1 of 5 things valued at $200.00. There is no catch other than in order to win, you have to send more people to sign my website guestbook than anyone else. For more details, go to www.CherylWyatt.com click the newsletter link and sign up for it, or simply send me an email at Cheryl@CherylWyatt.com telling me you wish to enter Squirrel's Traffic Jam.
Don't forget about my monthly prompt contest, called "Squirrel's Story Starters." Prize is a free book.
BLUSH AND CRINGE
Once while working night shift at the hospital, I needed to page housekeeping to come clean a birthing room so we could move my other actively laboring patient in there. The stupid phone system was messed up and somehow, no matter what numbers you pushed, it dialed speed call numbers randomly. It's 2:00 in the morning and *housekeeping* picks up. "Hello?" a groggy voice answered. I'm squishing my eyebrows at the phone, thinking the housekeeping dude fell asleep on his shift. Anyway, so I go, "Yes, I need for you to come mop birthing room three as soon as possible." There was a pause, then groggy voice says, "Excuse me?" I repeat myself, "I need for you to come mop a birthing room. We're swamped and we need that room pronto." Next thing I know, groggy voice says, "Cheryl? Is that you?" I realize with a start the voice belonging to groggy person is NOT the nightshift housekeeper. It's the physician of my patient who was NOT on call and whom I had just wakened IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. No longer groggy, very awake and slightly annoyed voice says, "Cheryl, you're calling me at two am to tell me to come back to the hospital to help you clean a birthing room?" "B-b-but, I didn't call you. The phone did!" I say. Likely story. He had a hard time believing the phone system was the one with microchips shorting out.
VERSE:
Thursday, March 31, 2005
BLUSH AND CRINGE
This will give you a good laugh: Dh went for a, um, well, let's just say he "got snipped" today and will now be shooting blanks. We found out three days ago we are two weeks too late with the *snippage.* If everything goes well, Squirrel # 4 will be making its entrance mid-December.
Squirl -yes, yes, the snipping doctor got a good chuckle out of it, too. All through the proceedure in fact. Okay, now, if I was a man lying on the gurney thingy with another man standing above me for an hour, pointing a scalpel and a cautery tool at my privates, GIGGLING THE ENTIRE TIME, I'd be a bit worried. I mean, when you giggle, it's not like your hands are real steady.
NEWSLETTER:
Scheduled to go out tomorrow! To sign up, go to www.CherylWyatt.com click the newsletter link. If you have trouble, do let me know. Don't forget to confirm that you signed up, it's that double opt in thingy.
VERSE:
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. Psalm 113:3
BORROWED PRAYERS:
Lord, thank you for everything you allow to come into our lives. Help us to run hard after you. As Margaret Becker says in one of her songs, "no matter what comes, don't let me run."
That's all for now.
Blessings,
Squirrel-over and out.
Squirl -yes, yes, the snipping doctor got a good chuckle out of it, too. All through the proceedure in fact. Okay, now, if I was a man lying on the gurney thingy with another man standing above me for an hour, pointing a scalpel and a cautery tool at my privates, GIGGLING THE ENTIRE TIME, I'd be a bit worried. I mean, when you giggle, it's not like your hands are real steady.
NEWSLETTER:
Scheduled to go out tomorrow! To sign up, go to www.CherylWyatt.com click the newsletter link. If you have trouble, do let me know. Don't forget to confirm that you signed up, it's that double opt in thingy.
VERSE:
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. Psalm 113:3
BORROWED PRAYERS:
Lord, thank you for everything you allow to come into our lives. Help us to run hard after you. As Margaret Becker says in one of her songs, "no matter what comes, don't let me run."
That's all for now.
Blessings,
Squirrel-over and out.
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
POP! PSZZZT!! PZZSST!
Okay, so that was lame. I was trying to make the sound that followed that squirrel (yes, a real one) when it chewed through our phone lines. We didn't have connection for a day or two. Anyway, my website newsletter is coming out by April 10th. If you want to sign up go to www.CherylWyatt.com and click the newsletter link on the home page.
BLUSH AND CRINGE:
I was teaching a youth group lesson to a group of about fifty teens a while back. I had been running behind and had yanked a pair of sweats out of the dryer practically on my way out the door. I'm in the middle of the group, about ten minutes into the lesson and notice EVERYONE is snickering, or at least, trying not to. I notice eyes darting to my right ankle. I look down to find the edge of my dh's undies sticking proudly out the bottom of myf gym pants. Par for the course of my life.
VERSE:
I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Psalm 119:10 NIV
BORROWED PRAYERS:
Just retell the above verse to God in your own words or repeat it word for word. There's one thing about praying scripture---you KNOW you're praying God's will, so you KNOW He's going to answer. Unless of course you're talking about someone who made you mad at work and you ask God to "Tear their teeth out, Oh God." Like David did. That would run along the same lines as "calling down fire from Heaven." Not that I've ever done that. (insert innocent-looking emoticon here.)
I've entered a slew of wips in contests. I figure the one that fares the best will be the one I enter in the Golden Heart at the end of the year. Sounds like a plan.
Have a blessed day.
Squirrel
BLUSH AND CRINGE:
I was teaching a youth group lesson to a group of about fifty teens a while back. I had been running behind and had yanked a pair of sweats out of the dryer practically on my way out the door. I'm in the middle of the group, about ten minutes into the lesson and notice EVERYONE is snickering, or at least, trying not to. I notice eyes darting to my right ankle. I look down to find the edge of my dh's undies sticking proudly out the bottom of myf gym pants. Par for the course of my life.
VERSE:
I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Psalm 119:10 NIV
BORROWED PRAYERS:
Just retell the above verse to God in your own words or repeat it word for word. There's one thing about praying scripture---you KNOW you're praying God's will, so you KNOW He's going to answer. Unless of course you're talking about someone who made you mad at work and you ask God to "Tear their teeth out, Oh God." Like David did. That would run along the same lines as "calling down fire from Heaven." Not that I've ever done that. (insert innocent-looking emoticon here.)
I've entered a slew of wips in contests. I figure the one that fares the best will be the one I enter in the Golden Heart at the end of the year. Sounds like a plan.
Have a blessed day.
Squirrel
Friday, March 25, 2005
PROMPT CONTEST WINNER!!!!
Congratulations to KM for winning Squirrel's Story Starter for March!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't have any idea what I'm chattering about? Listen up: I give you a prompt and you write a scene of any length up to 500 words. Submit it to Cheryl@CherylWyatt.com by the deadline (April 20th) and the winner will be announced between the 25th and 28th of April. Winner gets their choice of a new book, either a new fiction release, or a good book on the craft of writing.
Here's the prompt for the April contest:
Write a romantic comedy using each of these words. You'll notice some of them can be used as nouns or verbs. Plural versions of the words can be used. Happy Writing!!!
Thread
Bow
Run
Case
Hammer
Pantyhose
Subway
Trip
Bruise
Attraction
Court
Late
ALSO: To make it really challenging, the two main characters must be a female Attorney and a
Male construction worker.
============================
BORROWED PRAYERS:
Please help us to devour Your word as if we were starving, and to crave Your presence more than a drowning man craves breath. Help us to remember the sacrifice You made on that cross of pain, Lord Jesus. We do love you. Help us to love you more.
============================
VERSE:
Jesus said unto her,I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25
============================
BLUSH AND CRINGE:
Well, as I've read back over some of my posts in a momentary lapse of reason, cheeks are mighty pink when I see all the typos. EEEK. Sorry 'bout that guys.
===========================
GOD MOMENT
Remember a few posts back I was telling you about those flowers that bloomed outside? Well a couple days later I got a writer's publication in the mail and on the back was an advertizement with a picture of a yellow flower. I tromped out across the yard in my husband's size 101/2 shoes with a flashlight and pulled it. When I brought it back in and compared it to the picture (because I'd thought it looked strikingly similar, but I don't know anything about flowers and in fact kill every plant I've ever owned. Even the plastic one from Hobby Lobby dried up and turned yellow. Upon my honor it did.) Anyway, sorry for tangeanting on you like that. I compared the flowers and they were EXACTLY THE SAME! Guess who put out the ad?
The line and publisher I'm targeting. The one I felt like God has put on my heart.
Yeah, yeah, I may be reading into it, but if it does come to pass, I can look back and see that God snuck me a glimpse of the promise.
============================
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you've been encouraged and humored.
Squirrel
Don't have any idea what I'm chattering about? Listen up: I give you a prompt and you write a scene of any length up to 500 words. Submit it to Cheryl@CherylWyatt.com by the deadline (April 20th) and the winner will be announced between the 25th and 28th of April. Winner gets their choice of a new book, either a new fiction release, or a good book on the craft of writing.
Here's the prompt for the April contest:
Write a romantic comedy using each of these words. You'll notice some of them can be used as nouns or verbs. Plural versions of the words can be used. Happy Writing!!!
Thread
Bow
Run
Case
Hammer
Pantyhose
Subway
Trip
Bruise
Attraction
Court
Late
ALSO: To make it really challenging, the two main characters must be a female Attorney and a
Male construction worker.
============================
BORROWED PRAYERS:
Please help us to devour Your word as if we were starving, and to crave Your presence more than a drowning man craves breath. Help us to remember the sacrifice You made on that cross of pain, Lord Jesus. We do love you. Help us to love you more.
============================
VERSE:
Jesus said unto her,I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25
============================
BLUSH AND CRINGE:
Well, as I've read back over some of my posts in a momentary lapse of reason, cheeks are mighty pink when I see all the typos. EEEK. Sorry 'bout that guys.
===========================
GOD MOMENT
Remember a few posts back I was telling you about those flowers that bloomed outside? Well a couple days later I got a writer's publication in the mail and on the back was an advertizement with a picture of a yellow flower. I tromped out across the yard in my husband's size 101/2 shoes with a flashlight and pulled it. When I brought it back in and compared it to the picture (because I'd thought it looked strikingly similar, but I don't know anything about flowers and in fact kill every plant I've ever owned. Even the plastic one from Hobby Lobby dried up and turned yellow. Upon my honor it did.) Anyway, sorry for tangeanting on you like that. I compared the flowers and they were EXACTLY THE SAME! Guess who put out the ad?
The line and publisher I'm targeting. The one I felt like God has put on my heart.
Yeah, yeah, I may be reading into it, but if it does come to pass, I can look back and see that God snuck me a glimpse of the promise.
============================
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you've been encouraged and humored.
Squirrel
Thursday, March 24, 2005
A TRAFFIC JAM YOU'LL LOVE!!!!!
Run, don't walk over to www.CherylWyatt.com and sign up for my newsletter if you want to know what this Traffic Jam's all about! I'll post it in my newsletter. Hint: It involves a really, really great prize for simply passing the word around about my Website. That's why it's called a Traffic Jam. I'm trying to increase my Website Traffice since my site is new, and while you're there, I hope you'll have a Jammin' good time as you peruse my Website and blog.
BLUSH AND CRINGE
One morning after my charges were staying the night at gramma's, I came back from a physical therapy appointment to discover my husband was sleeping in. I realized my running shoes were in the bedroom where he was and I needed them. (Not because I'd planned to run, mind you. They were the only one of ten pair of tennis shoes I own that matched the new hot pink and black workout suit I wanted to wear to town. Joy over getting to go shopping without an army of children alternately fighting over and clinging to an innocent shopping cart made me giddy. Not wanting to wake him, but desperately needing those shoes, I tippy-toed in and crawled around the floor in the dark for ten minutes, nearly holding my breath the entire time. I crawled around the entire span of my bedroom carpet. I crawled around inside the closet, and finally crawled back out the bedroom door to get my book light. I went back in, on the shoe-finding mission. The lump in the bed had not moved so I thought I was good to go with the all important search. Carefully, I commando-crawled under his side of the bed and saw two lumps, suspicially resembling my shoes. I clicked the penlight off, grabbed the shoes and backwards crawled out the bedroom door, closed it quietly and carefully. Then I sat in the darkened hallway and put those shoes on in the dark. I get in my car, drive to town, and it wasn't until I was in the grocery store line that I realize people are staring at me. Correction: Not me. At my shoes. I look down and gasped. One was blue, silver and white. The other was black and red. I go back home and I'm pulling in when my husband pulled in behind me. He got out and I said, "Did you have a good sleeping in this morning?" He looks at me wierd, looks at my shoes but doesn't bat an eye (which tells me nothing I do surprises him anymore) and he says, "What sleeping in? I was awake at five AM and left the house before you ever woke up."
Yep. I'd crawled around in the dark for nothing. I ran in, hiked down the hall in my mismatched shoes, flipped on the light and.....there was a handsome body pillow, right there, still sleeping soundly on my husband's side of the bed.
VERSE
How great is the love the father has lavished on us... 1 John 3:1
BORROWED PRAYER
Dear God, give me grace to endure my blessings, even when the flu plague hits my house and everyone in it is grumpy. It doesn't feel good to be called a Grumpy Bug. Infuse me with kindness no matter how I feel or what kind of day I'm having.
BLUSH AND CRINGE
One morning after my charges were staying the night at gramma's, I came back from a physical therapy appointment to discover my husband was sleeping in. I realized my running shoes were in the bedroom where he was and I needed them. (Not because I'd planned to run, mind you. They were the only one of ten pair of tennis shoes I own that matched the new hot pink and black workout suit I wanted to wear to town. Joy over getting to go shopping without an army of children alternately fighting over and clinging to an innocent shopping cart made me giddy. Not wanting to wake him, but desperately needing those shoes, I tippy-toed in and crawled around the floor in the dark for ten minutes, nearly holding my breath the entire time. I crawled around the entire span of my bedroom carpet. I crawled around inside the closet, and finally crawled back out the bedroom door to get my book light. I went back in, on the shoe-finding mission. The lump in the bed had not moved so I thought I was good to go with the all important search. Carefully, I commando-crawled under his side of the bed and saw two lumps, suspicially resembling my shoes. I clicked the penlight off, grabbed the shoes and backwards crawled out the bedroom door, closed it quietly and carefully. Then I sat in the darkened hallway and put those shoes on in the dark. I get in my car, drive to town, and it wasn't until I was in the grocery store line that I realize people are staring at me. Correction: Not me. At my shoes. I look down and gasped. One was blue, silver and white. The other was black and red. I go back home and I'm pulling in when my husband pulled in behind me. He got out and I said, "Did you have a good sleeping in this morning?" He looks at me wierd, looks at my shoes but doesn't bat an eye (which tells me nothing I do surprises him anymore) and he says, "What sleeping in? I was awake at five AM and left the house before you ever woke up."
Yep. I'd crawled around in the dark for nothing. I ran in, hiked down the hall in my mismatched shoes, flipped on the light and.....there was a handsome body pillow, right there, still sleeping soundly on my husband's side of the bed.
VERSE
How great is the love the father has lavished on us... 1 John 3:1
BORROWED PRAYER
Dear God, give me grace to endure my blessings, even when the flu plague hits my house and everyone in it is grumpy. It doesn't feel good to be called a Grumpy Bug. Infuse me with kindness no matter how I feel or what kind of day I'm having.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
PRAISE GOD!!!!!!
I just heard word that they're putting her tube back in. Thank God for Preident Bush. Bless that man, Lord and every person fighting for her right to live and those praying for her.
TYPO: UM, did u happen to notice there wasn't supposed to be an apostrophy in writers in my last post? I tell you time and time again how much I miss proofing by computer. Sorry 'bout that all you grammar gurus.
Squirrel
TYPO: UM, did u happen to notice there wasn't supposed to be an apostrophy in writers in my last post? I tell you time and time again how much I miss proofing by computer. Sorry 'bout that all you grammar gurus.
Squirrel
GOOD NEWS!!!!
I found out today one of my wips (CY) finaled in Colorado Romance Writer's Heart of the Rockies contest. Pretty cool, huh? Winner's will be announced mid-May.
==================================
BLUSH AND CRINGE
I sent an email and forgot to put a period after an abbreviation. Bad part about it was I proofread the stupid thing like EIGHT times because it was going to an editor. Doesn't matter that he's my instructor for a writing course...he's still an editor. Anyway, my advice? If you're going to mention anything, ANYTHING at all about an assignment, spell the word out. My subject line said, "Extremely hard a**"
and the stupid email thing cut the rest of the word off!!!!!!!!!!!
==================================
BORROWED PRAYERS
There is sadness in the news Lord, with Terry's feeding tube and the little Florida girl. Oh Lord, please help us as humans to love one another instead of hate and kill and act with selfish ambition and evil intent. Dear God, be with those families as they go through their struggle. LEt justice rule, Lord. You preside over congress. Over the doctors. Over the hearts of men. Please Lord, have your way.
===================================
VERSE:
Let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18
====================================
That's all for now.
Blessings,
Squirrel
==================================
BLUSH AND CRINGE
I sent an email and forgot to put a period after an abbreviation. Bad part about it was I proofread the stupid thing like EIGHT times because it was going to an editor. Doesn't matter that he's my instructor for a writing course...he's still an editor. Anyway, my advice? If you're going to mention anything, ANYTHING at all about an assignment, spell the word out. My subject line said, "Extremely hard a**"
and the stupid email thing cut the rest of the word off!!!!!!!!!!!
==================================
BORROWED PRAYERS
There is sadness in the news Lord, with Terry's feeding tube and the little Florida girl. Oh Lord, please help us as humans to love one another instead of hate and kill and act with selfish ambition and evil intent. Dear God, be with those families as they go through their struggle. LEt justice rule, Lord. You preside over congress. Over the doctors. Over the hearts of men. Please Lord, have your way.
===================================
VERSE:
Let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18
====================================
That's all for now.
Blessings,
Squirrel
Friday, March 18, 2005
TWO DAYS!
Two days left to enter my contest to win a new, free book valued between 10-25 dollars. Just post your entries in the body of an email to cheryl@cherylwyatt.com
Scroll down to find the latest prompt. Most of all, have fun!
BLUSH AND CRINGE
When I worked as a labor and delivery nurse at a hospital, my first week there, the charge nurse informed me one of the doctors was sending a patient over by ambulance because the baby had a heartrate dip in the office. They forgot to tell me during orientation that lamaze patients sometimes came in unnannounced for room tours. Well, a pregnant woman (whom I thought was the one from the doctor's office) walked up, I bristled in my mind over the fact that the ER didn't send her up in a wheelchair since the doctor had ordered her on bedrest and fetal monitoring. So I show her to a room, help her get undressed, put her in bed, hook her up to the fetal monitor, tell her the baby looks and sounds good, pull an ultrasound machine in the room for when the doctor made his entrance. I also had her fill out paperwork, took her vital signs and asked the million and one questions for admission. I take my information out to give report to the charge nurse and she's looking at me like I have three heads. After I go through my entire report, she asks, "Who are you talking about?" I say, "The woman from Dr. (so and so's) office. She blinks exactly four times, points to the phone and says, "But they just called from ER and said she's on her way up."
Yeah. I begged her to go back in to the room and tell the woman (who only wanted a tour of the birthing rooms) that I'd made a big boo-boo. Thankfully her husband and her got a big kick out of it. I thought I'd die of embarrassment but I survived. :-) Although, now that I think about it, I don't remember seeing them return to have the baby. Hmmm.
============================================
VERSE:
Have an emergency in your spiritual life? Call on 911.
That's Psalms 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
=============================================
No news on my submissions yet and I'm totally cool with that. I figure the longer it takes, the better my chances are of catching the eye of an editor or agent.
I should be getting word in the next week whether my story finaled in the first contest I entered this year. Even if I don't final or win, the judge feedback is worth the entrance fee. If you are an inspirational writer, I recommend entering Touched By Love contest for pre-published writers sponsored by RWA's inpspirational chapter Faith, Hope, and Love.
=============================================
Newsletter:
I'm going to be sending one out about three times a year. It will be short and sweet since I know how bombarded everyone is with emails. I'm also going to have a really, really nice prize offered with each one. If you're interested, go to www.cherylwyatt.com and sign up under email or newsletter link.
==============================================
That's all for today. Be blessed.
Scroll down to find the latest prompt. Most of all, have fun!
BLUSH AND CRINGE
When I worked as a labor and delivery nurse at a hospital, my first week there, the charge nurse informed me one of the doctors was sending a patient over by ambulance because the baby had a heartrate dip in the office. They forgot to tell me during orientation that lamaze patients sometimes came in unnannounced for room tours. Well, a pregnant woman (whom I thought was the one from the doctor's office) walked up, I bristled in my mind over the fact that the ER didn't send her up in a wheelchair since the doctor had ordered her on bedrest and fetal monitoring. So I show her to a room, help her get undressed, put her in bed, hook her up to the fetal monitor, tell her the baby looks and sounds good, pull an ultrasound machine in the room for when the doctor made his entrance. I also had her fill out paperwork, took her vital signs and asked the million and one questions for admission. I take my information out to give report to the charge nurse and she's looking at me like I have three heads. After I go through my entire report, she asks, "Who are you talking about?" I say, "The woman from Dr. (so and so's) office. She blinks exactly four times, points to the phone and says, "But they just called from ER and said she's on her way up."
Yeah. I begged her to go back in to the room and tell the woman (who only wanted a tour of the birthing rooms) that I'd made a big boo-boo. Thankfully her husband and her got a big kick out of it. I thought I'd die of embarrassment but I survived. :-) Although, now that I think about it, I don't remember seeing them return to have the baby. Hmmm.
============================================
VERSE:
Have an emergency in your spiritual life? Call on 911.
That's Psalms 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
=============================================
No news on my submissions yet and I'm totally cool with that. I figure the longer it takes, the better my chances are of catching the eye of an editor or agent.
I should be getting word in the next week whether my story finaled in the first contest I entered this year. Even if I don't final or win, the judge feedback is worth the entrance fee. If you are an inspirational writer, I recommend entering Touched By Love contest for pre-published writers sponsored by RWA's inpspirational chapter Faith, Hope, and Love.
=============================================
Newsletter:
I'm going to be sending one out about three times a year. It will be short and sweet since I know how bombarded everyone is with emails. I'm also going to have a really, really nice prize offered with each one. If you're interested, go to www.cherylwyatt.com and sign up under email or newsletter link.
==============================================
That's all for today. Be blessed.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Sheeeeeesh!!!!!!!!
I thought I'd never get back here! Sorry for the delay in my bloggyness but we've been dealing with the plague at my house. Yeah. The flu. Ick.
CONTEST
Only 10 more days to get those entries in! It can be any length up to 500 words. The prize is nice so go for it!
MY WRITING
I'm starting on some Special Ops romances. I'm sooo excited about them. I really think they're going to be fun to write. I should be hearing any time (EEEK!) from the agent I queried. I don't get in a hurry with these things. I mean, the worst thing I think you can do is BUG an agent or edtior into NOT wanting to buy your stuff or representing you. So my advice for the week is: Ignore the turnaround times and BE PATIENT! Moving on----
BLUSH AND CRINGE
My husband does parking lot maintenance. Well he had some (not some-ALOT!) of business cards printed out, only problem? The word "Striper" was spelled wrong and only after he'd handed some out did I notice. My husband is a Professional Line Stripper! (whatever that is.) He gives special discounts if churches let him do this in their parking lots. Well, all I have to say is, "that's one way to heat up the asphalt!" 8)
BORROWED PRAYERS
Dear God, Please send a special touch to those stricken with sickness this week. Especially be with the little children who do not have medicine available to ease their suffering, Lord. Have mercy on them, be moved with the same compassion that moved You in the Bible and heal them, Lord and help them to know You.
VERSE
. . .the Lord blesses His people with peace. Psalms 29:11 NIV
Something really neet happened to me this week: Last week I had been complaining about how hard it is to be published, how painful the greuling process. Well, I was having a Baditude that day (My term for a Bad Attitude) and I spouted something off about, "I feel like those flowers out there, they're NEVER going to bloom." (I had planted some sort of flower my mother in law had given me with explicit instructions not to plant them too shallow. So guess what I did? Planted them too deep and for the second or third year in a row, the green stalk just comes up, but no flower.) So I said to my husband, "You might as well just mow over them, they're NEVER going to bloom." In my head, I was thinking the same thing about my stories-getting happy with the DELETE key, shredding them all, releiving myself of the trauma. (LOL). In that instant, I felt like God whispers, "When those flowers bloom, you'll be published."
So what did I do? I laughed out loud, thinking, those dumb flowers are never going to bloom. They have not bloomed for three years. Not that God couldn't make them bloom, I just thought my radar was jammed and the whisper was my thoughts.
Guess what I saw the very next morning when I looked out the kitchen window?
A beautiful yellow flower sitting atop one of those barren green stems!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, I sat in the floor and cried.
God has a sense of humor. And a very tender heart for those of you who have been waiting for what seems like forever for your dreams to come true. Have faith. Don't give up. Trust God to fulfill His promises. If He said it, He will bring it to pass.
So of course I spent the majority of the day going, "Okay, He said when the flowers bloomed, I'd be published. So does that mean ALL of the flowers? Does that mean it's going to take two or three years for me to get published from the time I started writing since it took that long for the flowers to bloom? Etc, etc. You get the picture! LOL. So anyway, no matter how long it takes, He is in control, and you know what? I wouldn't want it any other way. And neither would you.
Until next time,
Squirrel
CONTEST
Only 10 more days to get those entries in! It can be any length up to 500 words. The prize is nice so go for it!
MY WRITING
I'm starting on some Special Ops romances. I'm sooo excited about them. I really think they're going to be fun to write. I should be hearing any time (EEEK!) from the agent I queried. I don't get in a hurry with these things. I mean, the worst thing I think you can do is BUG an agent or edtior into NOT wanting to buy your stuff or representing you. So my advice for the week is: Ignore the turnaround times and BE PATIENT! Moving on----
BLUSH AND CRINGE
My husband does parking lot maintenance. Well he had some (not some-ALOT!) of business cards printed out, only problem? The word "Striper" was spelled wrong and only after he'd handed some out did I notice. My husband is a Professional Line Stripper! (whatever that is.) He gives special discounts if churches let him do this in their parking lots. Well, all I have to say is, "that's one way to heat up the asphalt!" 8)
BORROWED PRAYERS
Dear God, Please send a special touch to those stricken with sickness this week. Especially be with the little children who do not have medicine available to ease their suffering, Lord. Have mercy on them, be moved with the same compassion that moved You in the Bible and heal them, Lord and help them to know You.
VERSE
. . .the Lord blesses His people with peace. Psalms 29:11 NIV
Something really neet happened to me this week: Last week I had been complaining about how hard it is to be published, how painful the greuling process. Well, I was having a Baditude that day (My term for a Bad Attitude) and I spouted something off about, "I feel like those flowers out there, they're NEVER going to bloom." (I had planted some sort of flower my mother in law had given me with explicit instructions not to plant them too shallow. So guess what I did? Planted them too deep and for the second or third year in a row, the green stalk just comes up, but no flower.) So I said to my husband, "You might as well just mow over them, they're NEVER going to bloom." In my head, I was thinking the same thing about my stories-getting happy with the DELETE key, shredding them all, releiving myself of the trauma. (LOL). In that instant, I felt like God whispers, "When those flowers bloom, you'll be published."
So what did I do? I laughed out loud, thinking, those dumb flowers are never going to bloom. They have not bloomed for three years. Not that God couldn't make them bloom, I just thought my radar was jammed and the whisper was my thoughts.
Guess what I saw the very next morning when I looked out the kitchen window?
A beautiful yellow flower sitting atop one of those barren green stems!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, I sat in the floor and cried.
God has a sense of humor. And a very tender heart for those of you who have been waiting for what seems like forever for your dreams to come true. Have faith. Don't give up. Trust God to fulfill His promises. If He said it, He will bring it to pass.
So of course I spent the majority of the day going, "Okay, He said when the flowers bloomed, I'd be published. So does that mean ALL of the flowers? Does that mean it's going to take two or three years for me to get published from the time I started writing since it took that long for the flowers to bloom? Etc, etc. You get the picture! LOL. So anyway, no matter how long it takes, He is in control, and you know what? I wouldn't want it any other way. And neither would you.
Until next time,
Squirrel
Thursday, March 03, 2005
17 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only 17 more days left for my Prompt Contest Deadline. Get those entries in to me at Cheryl@cherylwyatt.com by Mar. 20th.
=========================
VERSE:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in Heaven. Matther 5:16
=========================
BORROWED PRAYERS: (Squirrel's prayers that she'd love for you to "borrow" as your own.)
Dear God, I don't think I know You very well, but I really want to. Help me to know that I don't have to fix myself up, clean myself up, or improve myself in any way before I come to You. You love me, and want me to come just as I am. Thank you for changing what we can't change in ourselves, and for seeing us as we shall be even though we aren't there yet.
===========================
BLUSH AND CRINGE:
At a grocery store, a checker called over the public in-store intercom for a "price check on a box of 36 count Tampax(tm)." A male grocery clerk misunderstood her, thinking she'd said "Thumbtacks," and replied over the intercom, "Is that the ones you push in with your thumb, or hit in with a hammer?" The entire store heard this exchange.
==========================
BOOK REVIEWS:
I now have a new format. Until further notice, I will no longer be doing a point system because doing them in that format was making me feel yucky.
=============
Title: Eyes of Elisha
Author: Brandilyn Collins
ISBN: 0-310-23968-0
Pub: Zondervan
Blurb: Chelsea Adams has visions of a murder victim's last moments, but no one believes her-except the killer. Will Chelsea be next?
Review: Be prepared for your pulse to soar. If you read this when it's dark and you're alone--it will have you glancing over your shoulder. Brilliant plot twists and intriguing characters grab you from the start and don't let go. Excellent, engaging, nibble-your- fingernails read. One for the keeper shelves, Collins will render you breathless with this one.
=============
Title: The Winter Pearl
Author: Molly Noble Bull
ISBN: 0-373-78529-1
Pub: Steeple Hill
Blurb: Honor McCall is on the run. The danger that stalks her carries a family face. Will a young minister, intent on rescuing Honor, find her before her cruel uncle does?
Review: An historical set in Colorado, late 1800's, Winter Pearl is a charming story that paints a beautiful portrait of redemption and forgiveness. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a family member struggling with alcoholism. Hope will wash over you with every page you turn. Sweet read.
==============
Bye for now!
Squirrel
=========================
VERSE:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in Heaven. Matther 5:16
=========================
BORROWED PRAYERS: (Squirrel's prayers that she'd love for you to "borrow" as your own.)
Dear God, I don't think I know You very well, but I really want to. Help me to know that I don't have to fix myself up, clean myself up, or improve myself in any way before I come to You. You love me, and want me to come just as I am. Thank you for changing what we can't change in ourselves, and for seeing us as we shall be even though we aren't there yet.
===========================
BLUSH AND CRINGE:
At a grocery store, a checker called over the public in-store intercom for a "price check on a box of 36 count Tampax(tm)." A male grocery clerk misunderstood her, thinking she'd said "Thumbtacks," and replied over the intercom, "Is that the ones you push in with your thumb, or hit in with a hammer?" The entire store heard this exchange.
==========================
BOOK REVIEWS:
I now have a new format. Until further notice, I will no longer be doing a point system because doing them in that format was making me feel yucky.
=============
Title: Eyes of Elisha
Author: Brandilyn Collins
ISBN: 0-310-23968-0
Pub: Zondervan
Blurb: Chelsea Adams has visions of a murder victim's last moments, but no one believes her-except the killer. Will Chelsea be next?
Review: Be prepared for your pulse to soar. If you read this when it's dark and you're alone--it will have you glancing over your shoulder. Brilliant plot twists and intriguing characters grab you from the start and don't let go. Excellent, engaging, nibble-your- fingernails read. One for the keeper shelves, Collins will render you breathless with this one.
=============
Title: The Winter Pearl
Author: Molly Noble Bull
ISBN: 0-373-78529-1
Pub: Steeple Hill
Blurb: Honor McCall is on the run. The danger that stalks her carries a family face. Will a young minister, intent on rescuing Honor, find her before her cruel uncle does?
Review: An historical set in Colorado, late 1800's, Winter Pearl is a charming story that paints a beautiful portrait of redemption and forgiveness. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a family member struggling with alcoholism. Hope will wash over you with every page you turn. Sweet read.
==============
Bye for now!
Squirrel
Saturday, February 26, 2005
No Attachments
Please send your entries for my prompt contest in the body of an email. Thanks and enjoy the prompt.
Squirrel
Squirrel
ONE MORE DETAIL:
How to submit:
Send entry (Up to but not exceeding 500 words) to cheryl@cherylwyatt.com for judging.
Squirrel
Send entry (Up to but not exceeding 500 words) to cheryl@cherylwyatt.com for judging.
Squirrel
THIS MONTH'S PROMPT CONTEST
In case you can't find it scrolling, I'll post it again:
NEW CONTEST:
The winner will recieve their choice between one of the new releases from the Steeple Hill Women's Fiction books. Brand new.
Deadline for entry is Mar. 20th, 2005. Winner announced by March 28th, 2005.
Here's the prompt:
Write a 500 word or less scene involving these things:
A lost puppy.
A mysterious business owner who lives in a mansion at the end of a secluded road just off the interstate.
A frantic single mother whose six year old son is heartbroken.
That's it....Happy writing!!!!!!!!!
NEW CONTEST:
The winner will recieve their choice between one of the new releases from the Steeple Hill Women's Fiction books. Brand new.
Deadline for entry is Mar. 20th, 2005. Winner announced by March 28th, 2005.
Here's the prompt:
Write a 500 word or less scene involving these things:
A lost puppy.
A mysterious business owner who lives in a mansion at the end of a secluded road just off the interstate.
A frantic single mother whose six year old son is heartbroken.
That's it....Happy writing!!!!!!!!!
TWO SCENES!!!
WHAT"S NEW WITH MY WRITING:
I'm two scenes away from finishing the story I'm currently working on. Woohoo! Then I'm going to dive in to another series that's been floating around my head for awhile.
=========
BOOK REVIEWS:
I've changed my format for book reviews. Instead of typing the roses out, I'm just going to say how many roses it gets. Thw way I was doing it before strikes me as cheezy. No comments from the peanut gallery. Or, I guess that would be "Acorn Gallery" here.
=========
BLUSH AND CRINGE:
The other day one of my kids came in with a toy iron and started running it over my face as if it were a car. I'm like, "What ARE you doing?" Looking intent, with tongue hanging out in concentration and vaguely annoyed at being interrupted with her task, she replies, "Don't interrrupt me. You have lines around your eyes and mouth and I'm trying to help you out here." I ran to the mirror and sure enough, WRINKLES. Bleck.
=========
VERSE: God shall suppy all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19
Even someone to help you iron out all your wrinkles :-)
=========
BORROWED PRAYER:
Help us trust You at all times. When things get tough, and when they are fine. Help us exude the kind of childlike faith that points others to You. You are always faithful. Always. You never fail. In every circumstance, help us to believe that.
=========
TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS:
Capitalize the first letter of the first, last, and each important word in the title of a book, play, article, etc.
"The Mystery of the Green Ghost"
A Night at the Opera
(Source: Webster's New World Pocket Style Guide by MacMillan.)
When submitting a manuscript, most authors capitalize each letter of the title of their book on the cover page and sometimes the header.
JADED HEART by Cheryl Wyatt.
==========
DONT FORGET ABOUT MY MONTHLY WRITING PROMPT CONTEST!!! I HOLD ONE PER MONTH. SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILS, or email me at cheryl@cherylwyatt.com
Prize is usually your choice of a new book valued between $5.00-$25.00 and entry is fun and free!!!
===========
I'm going to be putting out a newsletter a few times a year. I don't believe in spamming, so if you want to recieve it, send me an email letting me know that.
Visit my website:
www.cherylwyatt.com
Bookmark it if you enjoy my blog: there's a link to my Treehouse there.
Thanks for stopping by!
Your friendly neighborhood Squirrel
I'm two scenes away from finishing the story I'm currently working on. Woohoo! Then I'm going to dive in to another series that's been floating around my head for awhile.
=========
BOOK REVIEWS:
I've changed my format for book reviews. Instead of typing the roses out, I'm just going to say how many roses it gets. Thw way I was doing it before strikes me as cheezy. No comments from the peanut gallery. Or, I guess that would be "Acorn Gallery" here.
=========
BLUSH AND CRINGE:
The other day one of my kids came in with a toy iron and started running it over my face as if it were a car. I'm like, "What ARE you doing?" Looking intent, with tongue hanging out in concentration and vaguely annoyed at being interrupted with her task, she replies, "Don't interrrupt me. You have lines around your eyes and mouth and I'm trying to help you out here." I ran to the mirror and sure enough, WRINKLES. Bleck.
=========
VERSE: God shall suppy all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19
Even someone to help you iron out all your wrinkles :-)
=========
BORROWED PRAYER:
Help us trust You at all times. When things get tough, and when they are fine. Help us exude the kind of childlike faith that points others to You. You are always faithful. Always. You never fail. In every circumstance, help us to believe that.
=========
TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS:
Capitalize the first letter of the first, last, and each important word in the title of a book, play, article, etc.
"The Mystery of the Green Ghost"
A Night at the Opera
(Source: Webster's New World Pocket Style Guide by MacMillan.)
When submitting a manuscript, most authors capitalize each letter of the title of their book on the cover page and sometimes the header.
JADED HEART by Cheryl Wyatt.
==========
DONT FORGET ABOUT MY MONTHLY WRITING PROMPT CONTEST!!! I HOLD ONE PER MONTH. SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILS, or email me at cheryl@cherylwyatt.com
Prize is usually your choice of a new book valued between $5.00-$25.00 and entry is fun and free!!!
===========
I'm going to be putting out a newsletter a few times a year. I don't believe in spamming, so if you want to recieve it, send me an email letting me know that.
Visit my website:
www.cherylwyatt.com
Bookmark it if you enjoy my blog: there's a link to my Treehouse there.
Thanks for stopping by!
Your friendly neighborhood Squirrel
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