Journal: Cleaning

Moving into a new house requires a lot of cleaning--especially if you renovate the floors, counters, and walls. Since we arrived at our new home Saturday night, we've been scrubbing, polishing, and disinfecting. It's a lot of work! However, it's worth it. Everything is starting to look more like home, probably because I'm getting to know all the nooks and crannies. My new home and I are getting very personal. We're getting to know each other.

Journal: Write about a location that has a personality. For example, a building, a mall, a classroom. Describe it. Use mood to establish a sense of place.

Journal: Painting

We bought a house. Even though it's fairly new, we wanted to change a few things: counter tops, floors, walls, tiles. Yep. Lots of dust and lots of renovation.

Everything was supposed to be finished by Christmas.

Yeah, right.

So, I was less than enthusiastic when my husband said, "The carpet isn't going in until Monday. Let's paint our bedroom."

The wood floors were in. The granite was in. Dust was everywhere. Max was thrown off from sleeping in a new place, so I had spent most nights dozing in a recliner with a baby who screamed every hour or so.

And he wanted to paint?

Long story short, we didn't kill each other. Sure, I'm still touching up the molding. If my brother and mom hadn't helped, Garrett and I might never have finished.

However, I am pleased with the colors. The room reminds me of antique Wedgwood Jasper China. I've loved that play of strong color on bright white molding ever since I went to the Monticello and Mount Vernon when I was twelve years old. So, I'm happy. Plus, I get to redecorate everything.

Journal: Think of a beautiful place or thing. Let it inspire you. How would you use it as a guide to redecorate your room?

Merry Christmas!

I hope your holidays are filled with magic!

I saw fairies!

How cute are my cousins? They're also very cool. They came to a Tulsa book signing to help me. Max loved hanging out with them when they weren't working. They handed out bookmarks and talked to customers. Thanks to them, we sold out within two hours. Actually, customers were lined up for books after we ran out due to their cracker jack salesmanship. Check out how few books are left in the picture below.These two wore fairy wings. They all wore t-shirts. Get one of your own by clicking here.These guys are one of the reasons I'm looking forward to moving back to Oklahoma.

Journal: Find a word

This time of year is always chaotic. No matter how much we plan, it seems like the best stuff and most fun comes from unexpected places. So, it's a great time to have a little fun with your journal.

Journal: Grab a dictionary, magazine, or book. Open it randomly. Without looking, place your finger on the page. Next, write down the word to which your finger points. Repeat this at least five times. Now, create a story or poem using all those words. Enjoy creating order from the chaos!

Tulsa Book Signing Tonight!

Come see me in Tulsa tonight at the Barnes and Noble on 41st. The signing begins at 7:00. It's a great opportunity to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Glamour makes a great gift for the teen or tween in your life--or the gal of any age who likes fairies, glamour, and glitz.

Max may or may not be there. I was up with him all night. He alternated between shrieking and collapsing into my arms. We think that either his tummy hurt or his ears are messed up from the flight. It's so frightening. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he doesn't complain unless there's something to cry about. He seems a bit improved this morning, so I hope it's all over.

So, please come by and see me...and you might even get to meet Max.

Journal: The suitcase

Lots of bags are packed this time of year as people travel to see family and friends. I always glance at the room of unclaimed suitcases at the airport and wonder what happened to prevent their owners from collecting them. I wonder how they're managing without the things they felt were important enough to take with them on a journey--things that were too important to leave behind even for a short time. You can tell a lot about a person by looking at what is in a suitcase.

Journal: You've found a suitcase that includes the following items: a framed photograph, a scarf, a pair of sneakers, a walkie talkie, a box of cards, granola bars, and 12 pairs of socks. Write a character sketch of the person to whom this bag belongs. Show this character using the items. Don't forget to give your sketch a sense of completion. Make sure it has a beginning, middle, and end.