Robin Lee Hatcher's Write Thinking

Potpourri

I had the nicest thing happen to me this evening. One of the readers (a lurker) of my blog wrote to check on me since I hadn't posted since Tuesday. And since I usually post on the departing Idol contestant on Wednesday nights that increased her concern. I'm very serious when I say, it is nice to be missed.

After a day of writing on Wednesday, I had a Homeowner's Association board meeting to attend. I am the HOA's treasurer, and after a very hard winter with lots of snow removal, we had important budgeting issues to discuss. Thus, I didn't get to watch American Idol "live." (We don't actually get it live in Boise.)

Thursday was a running around day. I wasn't home much at all. Then it was off to speak to the newly formed chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. IdaHope Writers — cool name, huh? That was a lot of fun but I did Q&A for about an hour and a half so was very tired when I got home. No time to post.

My mom's hospital stay two weeks ago really put me behind on my book, and I've suddenly found myself needing to write many more words per day than is normal for me, so as soon as I was home from the chiropractor's this morning, I hit the writing hard.

TMI? Sorry. But it isn't as if I haven't thought of things I needed to post about. So I am going to do an "information dump" with a much more attractive name of Potpourri.

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Farewell to Chikezie.

On Tuesday, I said that Ramiele and Chikezie looked to be in danger. I also thought that Kristy Lee could have gone. I do feel that Chikezie has more talent than some who are still on board, but I never thought he would go the whole distance to Idol status. This kid has such a sweet heart, from all appearances, that it's impossible not to like him and wish him great success wherever life takes him.

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Let me tell you about a book that you simply must read!!!

Small Footprint, Big Handprint: How to Live Simply and Love Extravagantly
by Tri Robinson

This book — only 125 pages, not counting Notes and Discussion Guide — is amazing. Like the man who wrote it (pastor of the Boise Vineyard), it is simple yet profound. Here's the back cover blurb:

What would you sacrifice to change the world? Your job? Your lifestyle? Your money?

We need a smaller footprint. The pursuit of the American dream has left most of us empty, stretched in nine different directions and self-absorbed. Aside from the occasional natural disaster, we've all but forgotten about the people around the world and down the street who need us and need us to live differently. We need to live more simply.

We want to make a bigger handprint. In a world crying out for help, we struggle to believe we can make a difference. But reformation starts with people who have one idea they believe can change their world and the power of God's love changes everything. We need to love more extravagantly.

The world is changing whether we like it or not. The question that begs to be answered is this: Will you sit by idly and watch it change for the worse or will you allow God to put you on the forefront of changing it for the better? Small Footprint, Big Handprint is your invitation to embark on a journey for the latter.

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How much is too much?

In the midst of reading the above mentioned book, my latest People Magazine arrived, and in it was an article about the McCartney divorce. Poor Heather Mills only gets $33 million cash plus two homes, additional funds for security and vacations and $70,000 a month in child support for their four year old daughter. She complained because Paul can fly A Class while his daughter will be forced to fly B Class with this little bit of money (my wording, not the article's). In the same issue is a beautiful photo display for J Lo and Marc Anthony's twin babies, including pictures of the pair of $3,000 prams (one for each baby) and their gorgeous mansion and her Mercedes.

The contrast of the way these celebrities live compared to how the rest of the world lives (and too many barely survive if they survive at all) made my heart break. I have been working at rendering down my life, at simplifying, at owning less and being owned by less. And yet, Have I given enough, Lord, to those who have so much less? Have I loved extravagantly?

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Movie Time

I have watched some really good movies recently that I simply must recommend.

Enchanted

A truly charming, feel good film. Okay, this isn't food for your brain. This is a movie to watch when you want to smile for a couple of hours.

    Martian Child
 

I am not sure when I added Martian Child to my Netflix queue, but I'm so glad I did. This is a charming movie, one that gives you hope for mankind. A story of a heartbroken widower, a writer of Sci-Fi, who adopts an orphan who believes he is from Mars. It's about unconditional love and trust and acceptance and being an imperfect parent in an imperfect world but doing the best you can and a whole lot more. John Cusack is wonderful (he's such a talented actor), and the kid who plays his adopted son, Bobby Coleman, is a young actor with loads of talent. Do not miss this. And never, never, never, never, never give up. (You'll know why I said that after you watch the film.)

The Kite Runner

 

I've already told my blog readers how much I loved the novel on which this movie is based. Well, I must tell you that I loved this film too. I watched the movie sometimes while holding my breath, in one scene hiding and unhiding my eyes, but it was the last line of the film which made me cry. And I do mean cry. It didn't matter that I'd read it in the book. Seeing it play out on the screen made me weep, both sad and happy tears. A tale of redemption worth seeing.

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So there you have it. Several days' worth of posts all in one.  

-rlh- 

tax man cometh

About two and a half weeks ago, I prepared both my business and personal tax information and took it to my CPA. Yesterday around 4:00, they called to tell me my tax forms were ready for signing. I was pretty sure that I would owe money this year, so I didn't ask for the results. I just got in my car and drove over, hoping I wouldn't owe too much. When she told me I was getting money back, I felt like dancing a jig right there in the office. I wasn't aware how much my move last year would help me (points and charitable donations for all the stuff I gave away) when it came to my taxes. See Robin breathing a huge sigh of relief.

I'm thinking that I will take that refund, plus the government's stimulus check that is supposed to come in May, and do a bit of remodeling to my back patio so we can enjoy it a little more come summer. After all, in an economic slowdown, the patriotic thing to do is to spend it. Right?

So tell me: Are you usually the first one to get your taxes filed each year or do you drag your feet until the last possible minute?

-rlh-

hair today, gone tomorrow

Bad hair days are the norm for me. Because of health issues and medications added to heredity, my hair became baby fine and began thinning in my forties. My first step was to dye it to try to thicken the hair shaft (I went red which was fun but not the best look for me). Finally I returned to being a blond and went short-short as I was told that's the best style for women with thinning hair. It was a good move. It works most of the time — but boy, does it ever take effort.

My mom has worn a wig since she was younger than I am now, but my claustrophobia kicks in when I try to wear a wig. And they itch! Doesn't the itch drive other people nuts the way it does me? I think I'll take up wearing hats instead. Maybe I'll get really crazy with them. I'm a writer, after all. I can be eccentric if I choose. People almost expect it, right?

My daughter sent me an email full of adorable baby photos, and when I came to this one (below on left), I burst out laughing. It's me! It's totally my hair! LOL! Okay. I give up. I am definitely entering my second childhood.

my swedish heritage

This past weekend, family gathered from as far away as Hawaii and New York to celebrate my aunt's 90th birthday. Of course, we also honored my mom for her 94th birthday, but she had her big bash four years ago. Maybe she will be around for her 100th. To the left is Mom with my brother (photo taken this past weekend — looks pretty good for 94, doesn't she?).

One of my cousins brought a group of photos to the Sunday brunch that his mother had had and asked me if I could name everyone. It was the first time I had seen that collection however, so I could only name a few. Anyway, I snapped a photo of the collection (seen at right below, click for larger image).

My Swedish great-grandparents married in Stockholm, Sweden on the 11th day of April 1868 and sailed for America. My great-grandmother gave birth to 13 children over the next 26 years, having her last at the age of 44 1/2. (Oh, my aching back!) Unlike many of her contemporaries, she didn't die in childbirth. She lived to be almost 69 (missing her birthday by just 20 days). Her husband lived to be 91.

Of their 13 children, one was stillborn, one died at 5 days, one died at 4 years, and another died at 7 years (after falling from a tree). The other nine children all lived well into adulthood, dying at ages 44 and 93 and points in-between. Longevity in my family for sure.

Some day I would love to get to know the Irish side of my family history as well as I know the Swedish side.

-rlh-

could spring be coming?

On Saturday, the Boise area was blessed with sunshine and 50 degree weather. The snow in my front yard is gone. Yea! The shadier backyard still has some, but its days are numbered, I think.

At the end of the year, a guy came through my subdivision with a truck bed full of moss-covered rocks. He offered me a good deal, and since I had just finished paying my credit card bills that included my Christmas charges (and discovered that I came in under budget), I bought some of them. He put the larger ones in place with a crane. It really dressed up my front garden area. Soon after, they were buried in snow. Now they are in view again.

Then last month, I ordered a couple of garden statues from Costco.com. One is of two children reading a book on a bench. The other is a fairy on her belly reading a book. The fairy will probably take up residence in my backyard (until the thaw, she was in front of my fireplace and now she is on the patio). The two kids, as of sunny yesterday, are in my front garden, near one of those moss-covered rocks. So I had to share some photos. Aren't they cute? (You can click on them for larger pictures.)

Hurry, spring. I'm so ready for you.

-rlh-

let it snow

Idaho, my home and the location for the majority of my books, has the most wilderness area of any state except Alaska. A great deal of the state is mountains and pine trees and rocky peaks. Southern Idaho is high desert country, and SW Idaho, where I live, gets far less snow than the rest of the state. But we have been getting a series of snowstorms blowing through the Boise area for the past couple of days. Today it has snowed without ceasing. Sometimes great big flakes and sometimes those flakes that are so small you have to take a second look to make sure it is still snowing.

I know. I know. You folks in the East that get several feet of snow dumped on you at once aren't particularly thrilled by the white stuff. But as I look out my windows today, I can't help thinking how beautiful it is and that it will be a blessing to our reservoirs come the spring (we have been suffering with drought for years so all moisture is welcome).

Still, it's getting a bit deep in my backyard for my little Poppet when she goes outside, not to mention that when she comes back inside, she has snow stuck to the hair between the pads of her paws and all the way up the hair on her haunches.

See what I mean? (Click image for a larger view)

It's perfect weather for me to stay home and write, write, write. I'm at work on another historical. And every time I pause and look out the window, I'm reminded how blessed I am to have a home office so I don't have to drive in that stuff (except I'll have to go to the grocery store soon).

Anyway, for now, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

-rlh-

Merry Christmas from Write Thinking to You

We had our Christmas family celebration on Saturday as Daughter #1 (the flight attendant) is currently working a flight to Hawaii and won't return until after Christmas. This was my first time to entertain in my new home, and all thirteen of us (including Daughter #2's MIL) fit in better than I thought possible. It was a perfect evening with plenty of good food, lots of laughter, fun with the gift exchange, and loads of love to go around. Color me happy.

In a few more hours, Mom and I will leave to attend the first of three Christmas Eve services at the Boise Vineyard. There, we will sing carols and take communion and acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of our lives, standing in the awe of a loving God who chose to come to earth to redeem us. Blessed be His name.

Merry Christmas, everyone, and may you experience the peace of Christ in your life throughout the new year.

Photos (click to enlarge) in order, left to right:
Main table before family arrives; Robin with Grandson #2 and Granddaughter #1; Granddaughter #3 enjoys a roll; Granddaughter #2 (6 years old) plays Away in a Manger for her cousins; Poppet washes dishes, "cleaned but not sanitized"; Granddaughter #1 tries on the scarf and hand warmers I knitted for her while SIL #1 checks out one of the other kid's toys; Daughter #1, Grandson #3, Granddaughter #1, and SIL #1 observe new toy in action (out of view); Poppet checks out the new snow; last two photos are of the backyard today with more snow and sunshine. (Missing on my camera are photos of Grandson #1 and Daughter & SIL #2. Must get those from daughters' cameras, I guess.)

 

a little Christmas season cheer for you

Okay, I've done this in past years, but I'll just have to repeat because it makes me laugh.

Click here to see a little "elf" entertainment featuring me and Poppet. (Can we cut a rug or what?) LOL

Robin, who has probably had one cup too many of Peppermint flavored coffee this morning

the season

I've always been partial to the Christmas Season. I love celebrating the Lord's birth. For years I hosted a big party in my home for my local writers' group. Oh boy. The decorating I did. While I won't be giving huge parties in my new, smaller home, I took the time last weekend to bring out the decorations and put my "Christmas stamp" on the interior and exterior. (Photo is of my fireplace mantel.)

Yesterday was shopping day. This year my adult daughters made the decision that we stop buying gifts for all of the adults. As God's call to me this year was one of simplifying my life, this made huge sense to me; I don't want more things after just going through the purge where I gave away and gave away and gave away. None of us lack for things we truly need, and none of us want things we don't need. So we are going to do a "give one, get one" exchange. The younger generation (my grandkids), of course, is another matter. They still get gifts from their parents and me, and some of my grandkids are still young enough that they are easy and fun to shop for. One new experience for me yesterday was entering a Hollister Clothing store in the Boise mall on behalf of Granddaughter #1 (who is 15). Wow! Do they know how to sell to their target market or what? I can't explain other than to say it was unlike any clothing store I've been in before. (Poppet looks worn out and she didn't even go with me to the mall.)

Another "policy" I took on a number of years ago was to cease the practice of giving gifts of candy or whatever to the friends and professionals in my life. (How much chocolate does one editor need, anyway?) Instead, I give to charities in their names. Angel Tree and the Heifer Project International are my charities of choice and have been for some time. It feels so good to press that donate button and know that someone is being helped because of my Christmas giving.

Finally, I have been looking for something artistic but unrelated to writing to do for some time. Many, many years ago, I used to paint with acrylics and water colors. I was given paints one year for Christmas more than 15 years ago but never put them to much use. I played the piano as a teen. I have an upright piano, given to me by my aunt about four years ago, and I've owned a keyboard for more than ten years. A few years back, I took keyboard lessons but eventually dropped them because I didn't have the time to keep up the lessons and the practice due to a crazy schedule. I used to make lots of my own clothes. I'm not even tempted to go there again. I crocheted a baby blanket for a cousin back in the 1970's, so I gave that a try last summer. I was pathetic and obviously needed some lessons. Sigh...

Yesterday, on my way home, I stopped at the craft store and bought a knitting book, needles, and yarn. (Yes, I used to knit too.) Well, it may have been 25 or 30 years since I last had knitting needles in my hands, but it all came rushing back to me. Like any beginner, I'm starting with a scarf. So while I watched TV last night, I knitted away. I'm about a sixth done. I have a brown winter coat that I'll wear this with. (The brown tones of this yarn don't show up very good with the flash, but trust me. There is lots of brown.) Maybe a hat will be next.

Now it is back to revising my Christmas 2008 novel while Christmas music plays on iTunes and I sip my Holiday Peppermint coffee.

-rlh-

thankful . . . even for the deadline

Daughter #1's house is probably starting to smell good about now. Me, I'll pop my contribution into the oven in another hour. In the meantime, I'm working. This book is due on Monday, and it'll be by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin that I make it.

Our society has done a good job of taking Christ out of Christmas and it has done a similar number by taking the thanks out of thanksgiving. Today is often referred to as Turkey Day, and thus many who can afford to celebrate with a big turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes with turkey gravy and several kinds of pie for dessert fail to stop a moment to count their blessings.

I'm thankful for so much. I'm thankful for another year with my mom (approaching her 94th birthday). I'm thankful for my daughters and their families, for the love we share and for always being there, no matter what. I'm thankful for my dearest and closest of friends, who know me well and love me anyway. I'm thankful for the community of Christian novelists who encourage one another as we pursue our callings. I'm thankful for my publishers, my editors, my agent, and my readers. I'm thankful for Mac computers and iPods and Blackberries. I'm thankful for Poppet and other pets I've loved through the years. I'm thankful for a good reliable car and a warm snug house when it is only 30 degrees outside at noon. I'm thankful that I live in America, even as I pray for a nation at war, without and within. I'm thankful for the freedom I enjoy to read the Bible. I'm thankful for good books to read when I go to bed at night.

And for all of the above, I'm thankful to God who gave me life and a purpose. I'm thankful for the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Atheists can deny Him until the end of time, and it does not negate that He is God, that He is the Creator, and that He loves us.

So here is to Thanksgiving Day instead of turkey day. Here is to remembering to be thankful.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

Lady Tiko MacTavish

I got a call this week from Daughter #2 about Tiko (pronounced Tee-koe). Tiko is my 11 year old Shetland Sheepdog who went to live with my youngest when I downsized house and yard this last spring. (Misty MacTavish, the border collie, went to live with Daughter #1.) Tiko is the sweetest natured dog, so very mellow and well-behaved, and she's been happier than ever since going to live with my daughter and her family. Loves the kids and the spoiling she gets.

When she was being groomed last week, the groomer saw that she was bleeding a little and told my daughter that she probably had a urinary infection. But no. It turns out she has cancer. A rather large tumor. She could live quite a while longer, and the treatment will simply be anti-inflammatory meds. Until, of course, the day comes when her pain is such that we must make the tough decision.

So I am sad. Even though I haven't seen her frequently in the past six months, I still love her. I remember when she chose me to take her home. My granddaughter and I had gone to look at the litter of pups, and she just pushed her way into my arms and that was it. (Her birthday is June 10, which she shares with Queen Elizabeth.) She grew extra large for a sheltie. Most people think she is a small collie. She was never formally trained, just picked everything up by observing Misty and listening to her owners.

Sure, I know that for a large dog (50+ pounds) who has a thyroid condition, eleven-plus years isn't really young. But it isn't really old either. So I hope she will surprise us all and do well in the months to come.

I think God gives us pets to love and to love us just because it gives both Him and us pleasure. There are so many wonderful things on this earth, even in its fallen condition, that shows His joy in creating things of beauty. Tiko is one of those beautiful things, and I'm thankful she lived with me for 11 years and hope she can live with my daughter and family more years than we expect.

-rlh-

mom always did like you best

Long before the Smothers Brothers, I used to accuse my mom of liking my brother more. But even as a kid, I knew that wasn't true. It was just my ploy to get my way. (Rarely worked but I kept using it throughout grade school.)

Anyway, my big brother sent me this photo and I burst out laughing. It is just too funny and such a great reminder of those infamous words Tommy Smothers and I used to say to our respective siblings (Tommy being more famous for it than I am).

*****

HOW TO TELL YOU'RE NOT MOM'S FAVORITE (click on photo to enlarge):

need a laugh?

Oh, goodness!! This You Tube video is hysterical. If you were ever a kid and/or ever been a mom, this one is for you. Sit back and prepare to laugh.

[Sorry. You Tube removed the video due to copyright issues.]

Don't make me come up there! Watch it!

-rlh-

patience is learned the hard way

It all began so innocently. I thought I would try digital phone service from my cable provider. It cost less that my regular phone service, and I've had good reports from people who use it. However, at the end of completing the order (including taking my phone number with me) and setting an install date for last Friday, I learned that the cable company's digital phone service wouldn't work with my alarm system. So I cancelled the order. I was assured that the cancellation was handled.

Fast forward a little over a week. I'm driving home from church, and Daughter #1 calls me on my cell. "Mom, did you cancel your land line?" I answer, "No. Why?" She says, "Because I tried to call you and I got a message that says it isn't a working number."

I knew immediately. The cancellation didn't happen, and since I didn't have the digital modem for the phone service, the number wouldn't work. I called the phone company. Only repair service is open on Sunday, and since I no longer showed as a client of theirs, they couldn't help.

Monday morning, I call the phone company. I get the order made and am told they can get my service up with my old number by the 11th. The 11th?!? I'm getting ready to leave for Atlanta for the booksellers convention. I can't leave this unsettled. (My mom does have her phone but still...) So I'm told that if I call the cable company and get them to release the phone number, it's possible it could be ported back to me as early as tomorrow. So I call the cable company. Twenty minutes on hold, go through the explanation, and I'm told I have to talk to the local office rather than the corporate office. (I dialed the local number.) Sigh. I call the local number, press 0 to get directly to the operator, go through the explanation again, get transferred again. Fortunately, I get the same woman I originally talked to back over a week ago. She is horrified that the cancellation didn't go through. Promises to call me back on my cell phone once she talks to her supervisors.

Afternoon, the call comes (after Daughter #2 and her three young ones have been here following swim lessons). The cable company doesn't have control of my original phone number anymore. That part of the cancellation went through and the number is now in the possession of the third party company that handles the transfers when a phone number changes providers. So neither my phone company nor my cable company can get back the number I've had for over 11 years. Moreover, because that number now belongs to the third party company instead of my phone company, people who had my number won't ever get a message that my number has changed. It just says it doesn't work.

I call back the phone company. I'm told it is possible that they can get the number back from the third party folks and have the phone active again by the 11th. But it will be up faster if I go with a new number. Possibly I could have service again today. Okay, I decide, let's do that. So the order is placed and ready to go, and I chance to mention that my mother has a line in the home. Oh, guess what? If there is a second line, it will take a technician rather than just flipping a switch. Which means he has to be scheduled. First available appointment is Friday. Fortunately no one has to be at home for that.

I've begun sending the emails with my new phone number out to everyone I wish to know it. But what about the 250 business cards I just received last week? Grr. My blood pressure is definitely up. Lord, give me patience! Oh, right. That's what I'm learning as I go through this. At least I can honestly say that I didn't lose my temper, didn't yell at anyone, or forget to say thank you.

But did I mention I got NO writing done today? Argh!

-rlh-

Technorati Tags: phone service, cable service, Robin Lee Hatcher

In honor of dads

CJ Darlington at TitleTrakk.com has collected a number of responses from authors on the best advice they got from their dads. I loved reading them, especially since I grew up without a dad.

-rlh-

the move: entering the final stage

The past week is a blur in my mind. I've put about 600 miles on my car, driving back and forth between old house and new house a gazillion times. Not only that, but my life is in boxes and I have no idea how to find what I need. The worst part is my office. While I was at the new house awaiting cable, phone, blinds, and water softener installation, my daughter had to quickly box up my office because the workman arrived to disassemble my office modulars (which will eventually be reinstalled in my garage). The rest of this week, I will attempt to get my office into working order. It won't be easy.

I am covered with bruises on my arms, legs, and hips. And I've kicked my bare toes into things about two dozen times at least. I never would have made it through this move without my #1 daughter's help (#2 daughter was out of town). Daughter #1 used her week of vacation to get me moved, and all I can say is, "She's Super Woman!!!"

The world continued without me. Let's see. I heard that Rosie left The View in a tiff. I never watch The View so it doesn't impact me. Jordin won American Idol. No surprise there. LOST ended its third season with some answers and more questions (although surely there isn't anyone who thinks they will actually get off the island). Daughter #1 was one of the flight attendants on Ellen DeGeneres's show that was filmed on a Delta flight and aired on Tuesday, May 22. She says she could be seen at the very end, but if so, I missed her, despite my DVR replays; she enjoyed the experience and said Allison Janney is a real hoot.

Oh, on Wednesday, not long after the professional movers left the house -- and with my garage filled with boxes as well as every room in my house -- the UPS driver pulled up and delivered three more boxes. These were filled with hot off the presses copies of Return to Me. My daughter and I looked at each other and said in unison: "Not more boxes!!" But really, I was glad they made it to my new address.

Well, I'd best tackle a few more of those infamous boxes before the day is over.

-rlh-

Technorati Tags: moving

the move: final stretch

I'm about to have a new address. Ten days and counting.

So much has happened in such a short period of time. It was March 9th when I posted that I'd made the decision to put my house on the market. And here I am, nine weeks and two days later, my house sold, a new home purchased. The next ten days are going to pass in a blur as I get ready for the movers. Before then, I hope to move as much stuff as possible with lots of trips back and forth between houses. If I'm absent from the blog, that's why.

I've got to say that my mom and I are so excited about our new home. It may be a bit of a challenge paring down to fit into a smaller area, but we'll get there. We had fun on Friday shopping for furniture. Some things are on back order, so we won't have our patio chairs or our dining room table until June. That's okay. We'll still be unpacking!

If you're of a mind to, please pray that I'll stay healthy and strong through the rest of this process. I'd be so thankful. Oh, and pray for some volunteers to help me unload the POD. I haven't managed to rustle up any guys for that yet.

-rlh-

Technorati Tags: moving

day by day

This morning's sermon at the Vineyard was really awesome. I'm so thankful the Lord planted me in this wonderful body of believers where we are encouraged to join with God in His work on earth. Anyway, the message this morning was on the difference between belief and faith. By the time the service was over, I was feeling supercharged. Here are a few of the notes I jotted down:

• The word "faith" is only used 15 times in the Old Testament (NIV) and most of those are in reference to "breaking faith." The word is used over 150 times in the New Testament, and these are mostly related to Jesus.
• Faith goes beyond belief. Everyone has a belief system, even atheists. They believe there is no God but it is a belief system. In the dictionary, faith is defined this way: "(1) Complete trust or confidence in someone or something; (2) Strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof; • a system of religious belief; • a strongly held belief or theory."
• The church isn't fragmented on matters of faith but on matters of belief.
• Faith is cultivated in crisis. When we let go, Christ picks up.
• There are many mysteries in the Bible. If you don't have mystery, you don't need faith.
• Faith gives us the confidence to respond to God's call to service, the call to adventure.
• We must be deliberate in living beyond our comfort zones.

I'm going to be pondering this sermon quite a bit in the days to come.

 

---

Last week was a busy one. Wednesday, the inspector and the appraiser came to the house. During the three hours they were here, I ran errands. Thursday I reserved the day for the movers to come (household movers and the piano movers). Friday Shred It came to my home and destroyed 18 boxes of old files and checks and other records. That was also the day my new home was being inspected. I took my mom over with me to see the house for the first time, but let me fall back a ways before I tell you about that.

About a month or so ago, I took Mom to see a patio home. I took her to the closest one to where we live now. It was a couple hundred square feet smaller than the one I am buying. As soon as we were in it, I saw that we wouldn't be buying that one. The layout would have been very inconvenient for Mom getting to and from the bathroom, plus the bedroom was smaller than the one she has now. What I haven't known is that she got it in her head that she would have to be content with a very small bedroom. She's been promising God that she wouldn't complain and being very brave.

Now back to last Friday: When we walked into our new home and she saw her bedroom (bigger than what she has now) with it's big window and window seat and the built in bookcase, she was almost giddy with joy. She loves the whole house and walked through it twice. The only problem we have is that there is no place for her swing on the patio because it would back up to the great room window and obscure the view. I've got to find her a gliding patio chair but so far haven't seen one at RC Willey or Lowes.

After we left the house, we stopped at the furniture store so she could see the items I've picked out. They had wheelchairs just inside the store, so I was able to push her all over that big building. We had fun, and she found a petite recliner (electronic) that fits her better than the one she has now so she is going to buy it.

Yesterday, I was back to sorting, tossing, and boxing. Have done more of the same since getting home from church. I imagine that will be the pattern for the next couple of weeks. It's just a bit more than that until the movers come. Wow! I have a feeling those two weeks will rush past. If you're in the mind to pray, please pray that I'll stay healthy and have lots of physical strength throughout the move. I'd appreciate it.

-rlh-

Technorati Tags: Boise Vineyard

on the move

Well, mercy, mercy. I didn't think I would be posting this so soon, but I am cranking into moving high gear. This weekend I got an offer on my house and I accepted. Then I went out and made an offer on another house and it's been accepted. The buyers of my current home hope to close in two weeks but will allow me a bit longer to move out. Nonetheless, it's going to be a killer to be ready to move so soon. Deadlines and such don't like to make room for life, so here I am, rejoicing the sale/purchase/move on one hand and feeling panicked on the other for the lack of writing and lack of creativity.

Up next are home inspections, followed by appraisals, and all the necessary paperwork that goes with selling and buying. Last thing I need is more paperwork. I'm boxing up things for the shredder daily. Why do I still have receipts from more than a decade ago? Isn't it amazing what we hold on to? As I've worked my way toward this move, I've come across far too many things that I moved into this house almost 11 years ago and haven't been touched since. I don't want to fall into that trap again. I want to truly simplify by owning less and having less own me.

Off to sort some more papers.

-rlh-

Technorati Tags: moving, home buying

grandma works okay for me

Susan Felt in THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC had a piece about grandparents. I don't know the original date or title of her article, but the article made it into the Idaho Statesman this morning with the title "Don't Call Me Grandpa: Boomers adopt new monikers." A large photo of a rocking Mick Jagger accompanied it.  I googled to see if I could find the original and discovered this piece has been reprinted all over the net.

Naturally, I find it interesting because I am a young grandmother of six (ages 1 to 14). I became a first time grandma at the age of 41. My only surviving grandparent was 70 when I was born and just shy of 82 when she died. The person I remember as Grandma was an elderly, mostly inactive, very wrinkled woman who told amazing stories. Me, I'm riding roller coasters with my grandkids.

But unlike some of the boomers in this story, I don't mind being called Grandma or Grandma Robin. Although I admit that I rather like it when I'm out with my oldest granddaughter and people think I'm her mom. My 93-year-old mother Lucille chose to be called GG Cille by her great-grandkids to minimize the confusion of more than one grandma in the house.

So, after you read the article, tell me how you other Boomer Grandparents out there feel about this. What do you like to be called? And if you aren't a grandparent yet but that reality is zipping toward you in the foreseeable future, what do you want to be called when the time comes?

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Baby boomers may be besotted with being grandparents, but they're not embossing "Grandma" or "Grandpa" on their T-shirts. The generation that redefined parenthood is looking for a cooler title than "Granny."

The image of grandma and grandpa has moved from actor Will Geer, who played Grandpa on "The Waltons," to rocker Mick Jagger and actress Goldie Hawn, who anointed herself "Glamma" when her grandson was born.

This is the generation that says middle age begins at 48 and old age doesn't start until 75 or later, according to Matt Thornhill, founder and president of The Boomer Project, a marketing, consulting and research firm in Richmond, Va.

on the moving front

Since my last post about "the move," I have been boxing and sorting and throwing out and giving away. The storage container from PODS has been here eleven days, and little by little by little, it is being filled up. Sometime today some guys from church are coming over to help move some of the bigger furniture pieces that will go in the pod. I would love to have the pod ready to be carted away early this coming week. We'll see.

Even though I am trying hard to eliminate a lot of "stuff," I'm sure I will move too much with me and have to do some more purging wherever I wind up.

Why is it we hang on to things? My neighbor and his family just moved to Salt Lake. Before leaving, he came over to say goodbye, and we were talking about all the stuff. He mentioned a friend who discovered an unopened box from when they moved into their home ten years ago. I laughed and said, "He shouldn't open it. If he's done without it this long, just give it away." I speak with some authority on this. I'm discovering things that I moved into this house 10 1/2 years ago that I haven't touched since.

I hope to put into practice something my pastor spoke about when he preached his "Simplicity" series last year. When you buy a new _____, an old one has to go. And if you haven't used it in one or two years, get rid of it. (I would make an exception for my elegant awards banquet dresses.)

Little by little, we cross an ocean. (Another pastor of mine used to say that, except he said it in Spanish.)

-rlh-

Technorati Tags: moving

Moving: First Steps

Hey there, faithful blog readers. I have been very busy since my last post.

I met with the Realtor on Saturday and got lots of tips on preparing my house for the sale. First step is to declutter the rooms. Funny how I am so comfortable with my own stuff, but when I start thinking like a prospective buyer, I can tell I need to clear out a lot to make the home show at its best. New carpet is a must. The carpet I had put in when the house was built is getting old and the color is too bold for most buyers.

My granddaughter and I went with the Realtor to look at four patio homes, just so I can get an idea of what my options are. I was actually quite pleased and can see Mom and I living comfortably in them. Of course, I'm not ready to make an offer yet since my house isn't even listed, but at least I have an idea of what we'll be able to buy. They are about half the size of my current home, so that tells you how much I've got to get rid of.

I've ordered a POD to be delivered today. Once it is here, I can start moving boxes into it a little at a time. Thursday, some furniture goes to a consignment store. Friday, some other furniture gets picked up by the Idaho Youth Ranch.

Have I mentioned I hate moving?

The best thing to happen so far: Each of my daughters has offered to take one of my 60-pound, older, primarily outdoor dogs. I was so worried about what I would do with them. I love them dearly but finding homes for senior dogs isn't easy. However, I can't take them with me to a postage stamp sized yard, and I needed their dog houses and kennel removed so the house will show better.

Worst thing I'm facing: Getting rid of so many books. I have more than 20 years worth of research books in my library. Some of these are real gems. But many will have to go. And the truth is, I can get by without most of them. The Internet has changed the way I am able to research most things.

Pray for me, will you? For physical strength and endurance since the bulk of this will fall on me. My daughters will help as they can, but both have husbands, children, jobs, and homes of their own so their time is limited.

-rlh-

Technorati Tags: moving

big decisions

I did it. I made the decision. Tomorrow I'm listing my house for sale.

My words for this year are "Peace and Simplicity." In order to achieve both, I know I've got to downsize. I need less house to clean and less yard to mow. I need less junk in the garage. I've been dancing around this decision for a year and a half. I kept waiting for the "right time." I kept waiting until I got rid of more stuff.

Yesterday, epiphany. There will never be a right time, and I will never get rid of enough stuff to make it any easier to move. It's spring, and people will be looking for houses again. The time is right.

A week ago, there was an article in the Idaho Statesman about downsizing and the reasons why people my age (and older) decide to do it. The article included tips on what to get rid of and when. I tossed that section of the paper onto my "to be read" pile of papers in my office, and today I read it. Good information that I'm going to begin applying at once.

I love my home. I've been in it almost 11 years. It's familiar. It's decorated to my taste. But both house and yard are too much for me to keep up while also caring for my mother and writing my books. I went onto the Internet yesterday and perused some of the town homes and patio homes available in the area. It looks like I can get what I want in the price range I want. (What I want most is NO yard work!)

I'm not sure how all of this fits in with my deadline. I'm pretty sure it's going to be ugly. But I'm just trusting God to bring about everything in the right time.

I'll let you know when Peace and Simplicity show up.

-rlh-

no movie today

Sigh. The best laid plans of mice and men.

Today was supposed to be movie day. I was getting ready to go, putting on a sweatshirt so I'd be warm in the theater (I usually freeze). All of a sudden, there was a terrible crash downstairs. I raced from the bedroom and down the stairs, calling, "Mom! Mom!"

I expected to find her on the floor. But instead, she was in the bathroom with water running everywhere. She had lost her balance and fallen back against the toilet and broken the porcelain. Don't know what the back of a toilet is called, but this one was shattered. I tried to turn off the water and couldn't. The curse of weak wrists, not to mention the position of the knob and a fair share of "what do I do?" panic. So I raced to the neighbor's and their son rushed over and turned it off for me. Next came his dad, who made sure everything was tight and secure. Then he helped by cleaning up the pieces of shattered porcelain while I placed towels everywhere to mop up about an inch worth of water. Of course the water was out into the hall carpet so lots of mopping there, and now a fan is running full time to help dry it out.

Enter the plumber, and $540 later we have an ADA elongated toilet. Tomorrow, I'll head over to Norco to buy some safety rails to help balance Mom. There were rails on the raised seat we had, but it wasn't very secure. I'm looking for something with stability.

One good thing, it allowed me to catch up on news with my neighbor. He's got a new job in Utah and is only home on the weekends. The family will be moving next month. I'm going to miss them. They have been such good friends to me and so helpful to our family. Just like today. I hate to lose them.

I guess you could say this day was in the toilet.

-rlh-

the 1040 blues

Look out. I'm going to say a dirty word -- Taxes.

This past week was my time to sit down and prepare all my personal and corporation tax info to take to my CPA. It was relatively painless but, as always, time consuming. My WIP was screaming, "You need to write! You need to write!" but my appointment with the CPA was staring me in the face too. By Thursday, I was done. I dropped everything off at the accountant's in the afternoon, feeling quite proud of myself for having it out of the way.

Yesterday, after a morning of taking my mother to the doctor's and then stopping at three different banks (two for filing business paperwork and one for my mom to make a deposit), I got home, ate a quick lunch, and then was ready to get to writing. That's when the phone rang. It was my accountant. She had a question, and it soon became obvious that I'd goofed on something in QuickBooks. I had to go fix it, and in the process discovered I'd made another error. It amounted to only $28 and change, but I'm one of those "reconcile to the penny" types. Three hours later, I'd fixed the error and reconciled the books again. Then I burned a new CD for the CPA and took it to her.

And how about you? Are you a file early or file at the last minute type?

I'm going to go write now.

-rlh-

Technorati Tags: 1040, taxes

Merry Christmas

In a few hours, my daughters and their families will arrive for Christmas Eve brunch. I've bought a Heavenly Ham and a hash browns casserole from the Cracker Barrel (still to be picked up). A scrambled egg casserole is waiting to be put into the oven as are the cinnamon rolls. Spiced cider is warming in the Crockpot, and coffee is soon to be made. We will eat, we will laugh, and the grandchildren will open a few gifts. Tonight there is the Christmas Eve communion service at church, and in the morning, we'll be at my cousin's home for another brunch.

Ah, Christmas.

May God grant you peace and joy, dear readers, as we celebrate the first advent of Christ. And may you know peace and joy as we eagerly await Christ's Second Advent.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

braving the mall

I've said here before that I am not a "shopper" by nature, but today I am marching forth to do my Christmas shopping. I'm meeting Daughter #1, and we are risking life and limb at Toys R Us, Home Depot, CompUSA, and various stores in the mall. As a reward, we are then eating at Boise's brand new Cheesecake Factory. Not sure what I will eat for lunch, but Banana Creme Cheesecake is on my list for dessert.

Tonight I'm off to watch Granddaughter #1 perform in a Christmas choir program. I missed Grandson #2's school program because ... nobody told me when it was. (Boy, did they get a talking to!) Tomorrow morning, it's Daughter #2's preschoolers' turn to perform. Those Christmas programs are always fun.

Of course, I am supposed to be writing today and tomorrow (something that is moving more slowly than I would like), but kids are little such a short time. We don't dare blink or we'll miss them growing up. I'll just have to write more on Saturday to make up for the time spent doing life's more important things.

Well, the mall beckons.

-rlh-

of snow and spam and one good movie

December 1st? How did that happen? Didn't summer end just the other day?

Boise got its first real snowfall yesterday. (The mountains have been white for more than a week.) I was getting a massage when it started to fall. Went into the spa with dry roads and came out to snowy roads with already snarling traffic. It was worse when I got up this morning to go to the chiropractor's. The snow had turned to ice. Lots of fender benders around town. I am a cautious driver, leaving lots and lots of room between me and the car in front of me. Good thing, because when I gently applied the brakes to prepare to turn into my chiropractor's parking lot, I wasn't stopping. Ice had apparently built up on the pads (the temp was about 14 degrees F). I did the tap and release a few times, and then the old brakes started to work. But by that time, I was passed the parking lot. Had to turn into another lot, go back, and try again.

The snow did put me in the mood to get the Christmas decorations down from the shelf in the garage. I don't go all out the way I used to, but I do like to get some lights in the window and put up my little artificial tree. Most of my decorations are atop my upright piano.

Good thing I'm ready to get into the holiday spirit because it just so happens that the book I'm working on is another Christmas story, this time a romance for Steeple Hill to be published a year from now. To make this blog entry, I left my heroine skiing down a mountain, and I already know it isn't going to end well for her. She should have stuck to the bunny slopes. (The things we authors do to our poor, unsuspecting protagonists!)

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I bemoaned my email woes earlier this week. It really was a nightmare. The problem started when I canceled a special anti-spam program because it wasn't making any difference in the amount of spam getting through to me, so I figured why spend the additional money for a service that wasn't helping. Well, apparently when they turned off that filter they did something wrong because suddenly my email started bouncing back to senders. Despite three calls to Tech Support on Tuesday, it wasn't until my fourth call (made on Wednesday), that one of the guys figured out the problem. By Wednesday night, emails were starting to get through to me again. Then the server went down early on Thursday (meaning I couldn't get email and no one could view my web site). It was finally up and running by early afternoon.

Needless to say, I felt like I lost an entire week to technology snafus.

And speaking of spam, it really is awful right now. I must be getting about 100 to 150 of those "Michael wrote:" "Kathy wrote:" "Somebody wrote:" spam messages a day. And so is everybody else. My web hosting company says that they are being swamped by these messages. It is slowing down everything on the 'Net.

So here is the question (actually several questions): Who are these spammers and what do they think they are gaining? Do people really end up buying that stock they are trying to sell? Or is the stock bogus and they are just doing this to create havoc on the Internet?

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A friend emailed me this afternoon, wanting to know if I knew if the movie The Nativity is biblically accurate because she and her boyfriend didn't want to take their kids to see a biblical movie that wasn't ... biblical. Just in case any of my Write Thinking readers are wondering the same thing, here's what I told her:

The movie makes it very clear that Jesus is the Messiah and God made flesh. You can take the girls to this without a worry.

One place you can always check for Christian reviews is the Movie Guide. It gave The Nativity a 4 star (exemplary) rating. Here's the "in brief" portion of the review:

In Brief:
THE NATIVITY STORY is one of those very rare movies that brings the Gospel alive in a compelling, captivating, entertaining, and inspirational way that shatters expectations. The movie references and quotes Scripture throughout. King Herod sends out the troops to kill all the innocents in Bethlehem and stop the prophecy that there will be born a King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The movie then flashes back to a year earlier in the town of Nazareth, introducing the audience to the life of Joseph and Mary. Soon, an angel of God comes to Mary to tell her that she is with God's child, born by the Holy Spirit. Joseph and Mary have to journey to Bethlehem to register for the Roman census. In the fullness of time, the prophecies of God are fulfilled.

THE NATIVITY STORY is a nearly perfect movie. It has one of the best scripts ever for a biblical story. A sense of jeopardy is present throughout. The dialogue, the plot development, the turning points are refreshingly dramatic. Best of all, THE NATIVITY STORY testifies in every way to Jesus the Messiah and is clearly evangelistic without being preachy.

My edition of Christianity Today arrived this week, and they raved about the way Joseph is portrayed in the movie.

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Well, I'd best get back to my heroine who is surely just about frozen by now. Hero to the rescue.

-rlh-