Monday Madness

On a deadline, so havta post quick here. Took this little quiz and decided to keep the results since this chick looks so much like me. NOT. Haha--I wish.

Anyway, for your quiz taking pleasure:

You Are 66% Grown Up, 34% Kid

Congratulations, you are definitely quite emotionally mature. Although you have your moments of moodiness, you're usually stable and level headed.

How Emotionally Mature Are You?

Sunday Sentiments

Ever since the Idol Gives Back show last week I've been thinking about the images of suffering people. Pretty sobering show, don't you think? I'm glad the powers that be decided to do something positive with all that mula the show (and cast, and sponsors) rake in. Most people I know can't compete with that and never will, so I wanted to tell you about the organization my fam has given through over the years.

Through Compassion International we've been sponsoring children for more than 16 years. There are five in my family so for the price of two lattes each per month, we can provide meals and schooling for a child. Can't beat it. They've been awarded 4 out of 4 stars for fiscal management by Charity Navigator.

So there's my 2cents. If you're looking for a way to make a difference in a suffering child's life, here's a great idea for you. Easy as a few coffee trips a month.

Friday Fotos!

Aren't these fabulous? These pics came from Julie over at Another Chance Ranch, and don't you just love the name of her blog? Check out these shots, then please go on over and say hey to Julie.

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Recap:
Well. Yesterday I wrote a long post filled with the many wonders of the sea that we experienced on our little jaunt out to Anacapa Island. I also told the story of how Elementary Girl and I got drenched when our dinghy (from the island to the main boat) nearly capsized--twice. All very exciting stuff BUT my computer froze up, and I lost my work--literary blog masterpiece included. HUGE sigh. (A similar thing happened today when I originally tried to post these photos--grrr.)

Anyway, I had lots of rewriting/editing to do so I moved on. Them's the breaks, I guess.

Before I bid adieu for the weekend, wanted to at least comment on the Idol Gives Back show and the "most shocking" Idol results show ever. You shoulda seen the teeth gnashing in this house when my girls thought Chris might go home. And when it looked like Jordin was on her way out? Let me just say, my Idol watching was just about over. Done! Whew--they had me going, and how about you?

Have a beachy weekend--and don't forget to stop by Another Chance Ranch. Tell Julie I sent ya!

Mussels and urchins and crabs, oh my!

For a college assignment, a few years back, I wrote a 20-page paper on the life of the sea anenome. See? I was destined to write about the beach stuff, don't ya think?

Anyway, this week I'll be taking an excursion out to Frenchy's Cove off Anacapa Island to frolick in the tidepools with elementary girl. Pray for me because I have the sniffles and I don't want to miss this!

Sea life has always fascinated me. Think about it. There's a world of life under the water, and what must that be like? I've been dragging my kids out to tidepools ever since they could walk, actually before they could. You just haven't lived until you've seen the face of a child whose fingers have just been grasped by an anemone's tentacles, or who's found a rough-skinned seastar molded to a rock. Do we have a creative God or what!

Lots of aquariums out there for those of you not living close enough to walk the tides yourselves. Nothing like coming face to face with a shark! (Actually, I avoid those exhibits ;-0 Thank God for thick glass, though, lol. Anyway, if you've been to a good one, drop me a line. And if you've found a tidepool somewhere just brimming with live creatures, let me know that too. Just might want to drag, um, take the family there sometime.

Seeing green

Happy Monday, all! Just got back from the Orange County Spring Writer's Day. Met sooo many new and enthusiastic writers! If you attended, good for you--now get crackin'! LOL

Sunday my fam and I spent the afternoon with Bethany House editors, Dave Long (Acquisitions) and Sarah Long (editing--she edited Chocolate Beach--woo-hoo!) We met up with them and author Kathryn Cushman, along with her lovely family just north of here. Despite drizzly weather, Katie's good-natured husband Lee took us out to sea in the family sailboat. Sweet!

But today I'm back to reality and the book I must edit before sending it to BHP on May 1. So, of course, I'm messing around with blog quizzes. This one caught my attention because of all the "green" buzz around here in California. The inconvenient truth is that green has taken on a whole new meaning, and I'm not convinced anyone really understands the entire scope of it. I'm not into the whole political scene, and I won't be coerced into certain habits just to look the part; however, I do believe in tending to the earth. God said we should, so there you go. Besides, he created it and it's BEAUTIFUL, can I get an Amen?

So here are my results. I especially enjoyed the last line, lol. How appropriate for those who know me. I just hope my editors agree that my "nice personality counteracts any strange habits" that I may have. LOL

You Are Teal Green

You are a one of a kind, original person. There's no one even close to being like you. Expressive and creative, you have a knack for making the impossible possible. While you are a bit offbeat, you don't scare people away with your quirks. Your warm personality nicely counteracts any strange habits you may have.

What Color Green Are You?

Friday Fotos!

Good morning! Vader's Mom sent me this pic of husband Jeff staring at the sea to share with y'all. I forgot to ask her where this was taken, so if you stop by today, VM, would you let us know?

We're having some rain today, but it's always nice to have the gunk cleaned out of the sky. Have a beachy weekend!

p.s. If you have a pic to share for next week, send me a note through my website. Tx.

What I have in common with the 7 Idol Finalists

...and it's not my singing voice. Buh-dum-bump. Actually, I too got the inside tour of Dreamworks studio once. (If you watched last night, you saw the finalists treated to a tour and a first-look at Shrek 3.)

It happened for me about 8.5 years ago when I was asked to review The Prince of Egypt for Aspire magazine out of Nashville (now-defunct. unfortunately.) Anyway, I was 8 months preggo at the time, so my mother naturally concerned for my well-being decides she should accompany on the two-day excursion to the Ritz Carlton in Pasadena. So I waddled around the fancy schmanzy hotel, ate far too much cheese in the hospitality suite, experienced a behind-the-scenes look at Dreamworks, pre-viewed the movie, noshed on a catered meal by candlelight at the studio with other members of The Press. (I dig saying that.) The next day I sat next to Jeffrey Katzenberg and other producers while we writers interviewed them about the movie making biz. All very high-brow and la-te-da and f-u-n. (And need I mention r-a-r-e?) Thank God Mom was there to make sure I was okay :), LOL (You know I'm kidding, Mom. Right?)

So anyway this weekend I'll be teaching some article-writing classes down south. I'll be telling my students that writing is work, that it takes discipline and the willingness to spend long, tedious hours alone on a hard chair (doesn't matter how good the chair is, the bum's unforgiving after a day of writing) in front of an eye-numbing computer screen, that there's very little glamour in it, if any. LOL Hopefully none of them read my blog...

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p.s. Bye Sanjaya...twas, uh, interesting...

happy tears

Remember the opening of the old movie Romancing the Stone? Novelist Joan Wilder has just written the final scene of her latest romance and we find her sobbing recklessly over her typewriter (it was the mid-80s, people). I've always remembered that scene. It's sentimental, quirky, even kind of funny. So anyway, I mention this because I just wrote the final scene of Truffles by the Sea, my book due out in early 2008, and let me just say Somebody pass the Kleenex!

Here's to happy endings (but don't ask me what happens 'cuz I'm not tellin'). We could all use some of that, am I right?

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American Idol update: If I were a betting gal--which I'm not--I'd say that Sanjaya's going home tonight. Nothing personal, but truly great talents are emerging on this show, so let's get serious here.

Yay for Grace

Ever had one of these mornings? Girls' first day back at school. Up late. Can't find sunglasses (either pair), nor hat (had morning hair). Rush off, shielding watery eyes from sunshine. Meeting friend for coffee, only she's late. So I sit and wait. She calls my cell because she's waiting at that other coffee place. Oops. Lots to do today, so...

Here's to starting over :-)

Sunday Chocolate

Only about two weeks left to sign up for my occasional newsletter, and possibly win yourself a ONE POUND box of decadent chocolates. Details on my website or just sign up on my sidebar. Easy as, well, I was going to say pie but seriously, is pie all that easy to make? Suffice to say, I wouldn't know, lol. Mi poor familia. (Okay, it's not that bad, I do buy pie occasionally :) Anyway, don't miss out on your chance at a free box of Trufflehound choco-lots. Ad over :)

Relax. Slow down. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, 'cuz God is good.

TGI Friday Fotos

Here's a peek a boo pic from a recent trip up the California coast. Come on back each Friday for a new Ahhh moment. Have a beach-themed pic you'd like me to feature? (You mid-west folks will have to get creative, but I know you can do it!) First post it on your site and then send me an email with the link. If there's room, I'll post it here and link back to you.

Have a beachy weekend, Friends :)

Those legs were made for walkin'...

So last night, we bid adieu to Haley Scarnato, who proved that hot pants are never out of style...

unless of course I'm wearing them ;-0

Thanks, Julie!

May I have a drumroll please? I've just received my very first blogger award (crowd cheers). I'm honored to announce that I've received the thinking blogger a w a r d complements of Julie at Another Chance Ranch. Considering I've got a deadline looming, two classes to teach next week, PMS in a bad way (would that be considered oversharing?), and I. can't. think. at. all. anymore, this is a tremendous honor! So thanks, Julie! If you've not been to her site, go on over and say, Hey.

Now, I believe this is the part where I pass along this honor to five just as thinking blogger friends. Thinking, thinking (I feel like Winnie the Pooh here). Hm. This is a toughie, but here goes. (And don't get all miffed if I don't pick you, sheesh):

Geekwif. One of my very first visitors ever she can discuss the meaning of "religion" and her visit to the laundromat in the snow, all on the same page.

Amanda. We're passing the compliments these days, she and I. But how can I not mention a gal who actually sent me a card by snail mail? A lost art, I tell you.

Robin. Oh, how I miss her old template, but her posts rock. And she's older than me, hee-hee.

Sarakastic. "Sara" and I share a similar passion for (obsession with?) Gilmore Girls. And really, great friends are born over series TV, am I right?

Virginia. She makes me laugh! (And she criticizes because she cares.)

Congratulations one and all!

Feel that Conga!

C'mon everybody! Okay so the performances were less than stellar last night on American Idol, but the music! Arriba! The contestants, coached by JLo, were given Latin music as the genre of the night, a style that's fast and fun and sparked dance fever in my household. So I was the only one dancing? I am a Navarro after all. Yeah baby, the Latin blood in me just took over (much to the chagrin of my children, who have a mere 1/4 of said South American blood in their veins.)

Of course, they'll tell you it wasn't the manifestation of Latin moves that brought shame on the household, but my interpretation of the genre. Whatever.

Never been much of a JLo fan but found her cute and even pretty astute. After all, she said that Simon might even enjoy Sanjaya's performance this week--and she was right! Yeah, that pretty much surprised us all, didn't it?

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It's my birthday today, so have an extra truffle today. I know I will :)

Mental vacation

Okay, so today the sun's shining but I've got to work. What's up with that? Sigh. On the upside, my publisher sent me a couple of newer reviews of Chocolate Beach, the kind that make my heart do the happy dance. If you're interested you kind read them at cwahm.com and ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

On another note, little brother Mikey and his new bride Rita just returned from their honeymoon to Bora Bora, and I'm incredibly jealous. They entertained us with tales of crystal clear waters, swimming with harmless stingrays, private tours of motus, and fab food. Who wouldn't be envious of that? So, in honor of their exotic taste in travel, I took this little quiz--and you can too :)

Your Travel Personality is: Spoiled

You're not spoiled in your everyday life, so you sure like to be spoiled when your on vacation.You prefer to splurge on nice hotels, fancy meals, and luxury transportation.Even if it means you're only able to get away every few years!

What's" Your Travel Personality?

The Son's Out

Okay, so I had another post all ready for you, but the video I'd linked just won't work, so movin' on. Taking the rest of the weekend off from blogging, but wanted to say Happy Easter! It's hazy here in SoCal, but it doesn't really matter does it? The thought of the Savior dying and rising again for me (and You!) kinda makes the sun shine no matter what, don't you think?

Have a good one. And if you're into videos, I just ran across this fun site. Hopefully you'll find it easier to link to...

When in doubt...

eat chocolate :)

Got up in the dark this a.m. and was interviewed on the radio, Kansas time. Had fun, only I can't remember exactly what I said. Anyone who really knows me, knows that I'm a night owl. This has been the problem when my pal Deb and I travel together. She's one of those It's-morning-and-the-birdies-are-singing kinds of gals, whereas I prefer to welcome midnight with an engrossing book, then sleep right on through till noon. Not like I can do it very often, but I'd prefer it.

Anyway, I'm nearly finished with Truffles by the Sea, and my heroine Gaby's a morning girl too. So you'd have thought that writing her would have prepped me better for my early morning radio stint. Sadly, no. If anyone out there happened to hear me and my groggy-I've-had-too-much-coffee voice, well, sorry, lol.

One thing I've discovered, though, about this getting up at 5-ish thing: by 8, it's practically mid-day, so you can eat chocolate with no regrets.

Nosh on...

Announcements, announcements

It's 10 am and I've had a good night's sleep and a latte. So much to digest after such a busy week, and I'm determined not to turn my back on all I learned at the writer's conference. Easy to do, ya know? How many times have you attended some sort of class, come back fired up, only to fall back into the same old pattern?

Yeah, me too.

My kids are on break this week, and Easter day needs some planning, but I do plan to get into my notes TODAY and incorporate some of the great stuff I learned about writing and faith into my next novel, which just so happens to be re-titled....are you ready for this?....

Truffles by the Sea

What do you think?

On a separate note, for those of you in the SC/KS/OC areas, I'll be interviewed by Kelly Long tomorrow morning LIVE on radio station KREJ. Keep in mind my friends that it'll be 6:15 AM my time. Listen with caution :)

Writer of the Year...

went to my good (end cap) buddy, Sharon Hinck! Tonight was awards and autographs at Mt. H and Sharon won the top prize--how cool is that? Congrats, my friend! You deserve it.

After the final night's session, we headed over to the dining hall for a booksigning and brownies, the perfect atmosphere for buying Chocolate Beach, lol. A few actually did too :)

Tomorrow: closing workshops and session followed by lunch. Then home again, home again (jiggity jig!) Just in time for this week's Idol performances...

Until then--peace!