Confessional Friday

 

 

I've been lax about my Confessional Friday posts. I had a fantastic Christmas break that included a great trip to New Mexico. Then, I went back to work and the first couple weeks back were horrible. I was so discouraged.

Things improved this week, and I'm hoping they continue.

 

 

 

So, I'm back.

 

I confess I really miss the cold. It was in the 80s a few days this week. It's like Houston forgot it's January.

 

 

 

 

I confess I've got nothing left.

Such a sad post.

Next week will be better. I hope.

 

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Confessional Friday

 

Linking up with Leslies over at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

I confess that I was super nervous about my first book signing, and I'm so glad I was just one of 5 authors because it was so slow. Bad weather swirled through Houston, and not many people came to Barnes and Noble. But, at least it's out of the way, right?

I confess that I've been to two Rockets games in the last two weeks, and I want to go every week. I'm spoiled. (Both times I went with the girl I babysit, who loves basketball even more than I do!)

I confess that I lack Pinterest talent. People kept sending me pictures of Book Christmas Trees, suggesting I do them for the library. I tried. I really did. I like it, and the kids like it. That's what matters.

 

 

 

I confess that I laughed as some of my students made a tree for me. I tried to talk to them about making things level, but they kept piling books half-hazardly. It looked great.

For 30 minutes. They left, and it completely fell. a volcano eruption.

Sometimes we just need to learn by doing and failing. And laughing.

 

 

I confess that I miss my dad more around the holidays, which is natural. He was a hunter, and after his death, my mom got rid of his mounted animals. The people I babysit for own a couple of restaurants in Houston (Spaghetti Western--great food!), and they took my dad's bear.

I get to see the bear fairly regularly, and I know my dad would be in a panic over his bear decorated, but I LOVE it!

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Confessional Friday

 

Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

 I confess that I just realized I'm my niece and nephew's crazy aunt. Every family has one...the weird, goofy aunt. I'm theirs. And I love it. Here we are ready to go play light-up football. It was cold. And I love those socks.

 

I confess I need a pedicure. I got one two weeks ago, but I put shoes on to run an errand right after and smudged the polish. I've been polish-less since and miserable because I'm having to wear close-toed shoes.

 

I confess that I spent an hour the other day on babynames.com and I'm not even expecting a child...or married....or dating anyone. I do have names for my next book characters though!

 

I confess I have been sitting on the cover of my next book for a week now (not literally), and it's so hard. I'm NOT good at keeping secrets! But, I'm waiting to reveal it. Going to think of some contest.

 

I confess I love my job. Where else can you make wild things puppets and King of the Wild Ones crowns? It's like I'm a kid again. I need to remind myself of that sometimes when I get annoyed at work.

 

 

 

What do you need to confess?

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Confessional Friday

Connecting with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

 

This last week was so busy--but fun.

 

I confess that it was super cool to see my book (Worth the Wait) on the shelf of a high school library.

 

 

I confess I don't always get art. Like this. Stuff glued together?

 

 

Or a book with rocks as the heads? Although I have to say I think it would be fun to read it to the kids and then make our own rockheads. In fact, I might do it soon.

 

 

 

 

BUT, I confess that I could have stayed at this exhibit for hours, just watching the trees. It was at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

 

Here are some of the pics and a video or two if I can get them to work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Confessional Friday

 

Connecting with Leslie over at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

 

 

I confess that I have a headache right now, and I'm wondering if it's because I didn't eat meat for dinner. I've been trying a kale/banana/sometimes strawberries smoothie for dinner some nights, and I'm wondering if it's not enough. I love meat (chicken).

 

I confess that I was really nervous about joining the mentoring program at my church. I'm

mentoring a few girls in high school, and I love that. But, I also joined the mentoring group as a mentee. I gave away my Florida Georgia Line ticket to go to the event tonight. I was so nervous about who I would be paired up.

 

I confess I should have trusted Jesus more. Just this week, I complained about women who got married early in life giving advice to single women about how to be content, wait on the Lord, etc. It's so frustrating, and I sometimes feel so discouraged lately. Well, I was matched up with a woman who didn't get married until she was 38. Total God thing--encouragement and hope exactly when I needed it. Why do I doubt?

 

I confess I haven't written anything since I got back from an amazing writing retreat in the middle of nowhere. I have NO idea how I survived no internet and very limited cell service (like one bar randomly), but it was amazing. I want to go back.

My writing view for the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total sidenote: Here's a chance to win a copy of BOTH of my books--Worth the Wait and Worth the Time if you like Christian YA. Enter To Win Here

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Confessional Friday

 

 

Connecting with Leslie over at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/ for Confessional Friday.

I confess that I'm a curse at my nephew's soccer games. They've only won one game--the one I missed. I'm going to be out of town this weekend, so if they win Saturday, my curse will be confirmed.

 

 

I confess that a I'm so relieved that a health issue I thought may be a big enough problem to go to the doctor solved itself. Yay! I try to only go to the doctor once a year.

 

I confess that I'm two months behind on my Read Through the Bible Chronologically in a year plan, but I'm not giving up!

 

I confess that I'm excited about going to a writer's retreat this weekend. It will in a house in the woods near Dallas, TX. No internet. No cell service. Just writers focused on getting a lot done.

 

I confess I'm super anxious about not being in communication via my phone. I'm too attached to it, so I hope it will be good for me.

 

But if you see a girl running through the woods with her phone in the air, looking for cell service, it's just me.

 

 

 

 

 

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Confessional Friday

 

 

 

I confess that this was a rough week. Nothing terrible happened--just not feeling great, some things at work, some things with my novel, etc.

Then Wednesday night came. At my church, during midweek worship, we break into small groups to pray. Our pastor shared that a guy in the church had lost his wife Thursday night. He asked us to pray and then spoke about the man's unwavering faith.

Well, the guy was there, and he ended up being in my prayer group. I'd never met him before, but it's not uncommon to not know everyone in your group.

I can't tell you the words he prayed, but his gratitude and love for Jesus poured out of his heart to the whole group.

He just lost his wife less than a week before, but he was thanking God for being in control of all things and for all of his blessings.

Wow.

So, I confess that I was stressed and annoyed and full of ingratitude. But I don't want to be. I want to give it all to the One who controls all things.

And I'm so thankful for a church that prays together. That man's prayer touched me, and I'm sure it touched the heart of God.

 

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Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

I confess that I've found that when you add plenty of bananas and strawberries to your kale smoothie, you don't really taste the leaves.

It's actually pretty good.

 

I confess that I ate the BEST chocolate cake I have ever eaten at Benjy's in Rice Village Thursday night. (It's a beautiful part of Houston around Rice University.) It's got a great atmosphere with an upstairs lounge/patio.

It definitely canceled out any benefits of that smoothie.

 

 

I confess that I have been using an Olay eye cream at night, but I'm looking for a new one. I bought an Aveda one and L'Oreal one. But, I'm not sure how to really tell which one is better. Any other recommendations?

 

I confess that I am a little embarrassed by how little I explore Houston. It's a great city, and I have no clue what's in it. I'm going to change that. Drove around downtown tonight and had fun just seeing little communities and sections/styles.

 

 

 

 

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Confessional Friday

 

 

 

Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

I  confess that I'm addicted to these. I eat one every day for breakfast and then want to eat another one at night. I guess there could be worse food cravings.

 

 

 I confess I haven't worked out in a month.

 

 

I confess I hope it rains every day at around 3:00 so that I don't have to go on cross walk duty in the heat. When is winter? I will run out to duty and stay late when it's cold. :)

 

 

I confess that I love Sandra Bullock. I watched While You Were Sleeping the other day and loved it as much as I did the first time I saw it. Sweet (and clean) movie!

 

 

I confess that watching Jose Altuve tie (and break) the Astros' single-season hit record Tuesday night inspired me to continue working hard to achieve my dreams. It's always inspiring to see someone achieve something great.

 

 

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Confessional Friday

 

 

 

Connecting with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

1. I confess that I am EXHAUSTED. The first week of school is always tiring. I've had a busy week after work, so it's been a long week. So glad for a long weekend.

 

2. I confess that I was nervous about my eye doctor's appointment Wednesday. She found a spot on my eye back in April, so we were checking it to see if it changed. Thankfully, it looks the exact same, so I just have to get it checked again at my early eye exam in April. Praise God.

 

3. I confess that I'm enjoying my new schedule at work. The last two years, I had just first and second for rotation (where the teachers drop off the kids for an hour). Now, I have 1-5 for an hour each day. It's BUSY but FUN! My day flies by.

 

4. I confess that I haven't taken my fish oil in like three weeks. UGH! I can't remember to take medicine/vitamins to save my life. Any suggestions for remembering?

 

5. I confess this Texas shirt is my favorite right now. I love how soft it is. I also love the slightly  longer sleeves. I got it online from Riffraff.    

(My uncle gets the best seats to the Astros games. Here we are Wednesday night in the suite behind home plate.)

 

6. I confess I'm loving a crossbody bag (in picture too). I'm usually a satchel girl, but it's nice having your hands free but still having a big enough purse to hold all the junk I feel I must lug around.

 

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

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Confessional Friday

 

Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

1. I confess that at the time this post goes live, I'll officially be back at work. I'm excited because I love a routine.

 

2. I confess that although I feel that way now, I'll start counting down the days till the next holiday at about 9:30 Friday morning.

 

3. I confess that this is the picture I sent it for work. We had to take a picture and capture what we did this summer.

 It's going to be hard to give those up.

 

4. I confess that I ate a whole carton of Bluebell Cookies and Cream ice cream this week...a little each night adds up. I need someone to slap my hand next time I go to HEB!

 

5. I confess that I'm super nervous about my second book, Worth the Time. What if it was just a fluke that I could write a book? I'm waiting for the edits, and I keep expecting an email that says, "This sucks. Delete it all and start over."

 

 

6. Finally, I confess that I am sad about the world. ISIS, Gaza, Ferguson. The world's gone mad, and I feel like I don't even know how or what to pray. My prayers have been a lot of "please help, Jesus" over and over. He is the prince of peace, and we desperately need Him. I know I do.

 

 

 

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Confessional Friday

 

 

Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

1. I confess that I've never made paper mache before, yet I attempted it with 12 4th and 5th graders.

Lessons learned: glue and water are easier to work with than flour and water; for the last layer, use computer paper or something without writing, which makes it easier to paint.

2. I confess I bought the 42 ounce bag of peanut M&Ms because HEB had a 1.50 off coupon attached to it.

3. I confess that I don't know why I can't upload from my Dropbox into this blog. Any suggestions?

 

4. I confess that I had so much fun melting crayons on a poster with a hair dryer with my book camp kids.

 

5. I confess that I just bought new bulletin board materials from Amazon for my library. I see a future where I never go to a store again.

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Confessional Friday

 

 

1. I confess I don't enjoy fantasy books/movies. I'm watching the first Chronicles of Narnia movie with my nephew today, and I hope I like it--mainly because he does and I want something to talk to him about.

 

2. I confess that I LOVE this song. Dierks Bentley is my favorite country music artist, and I just love this song, especially when his daughter joins in.

 

3. I confess that my daily naps has interfered with my nightly sleep...and not just by keeping me up later. I now wake up throughout the night. I've turned into an infant sleeping in three-hour spurts.

 

4. I confess I've never made paper mache before. Next week, I'm hosting this book camp at my school. Kids will come for two hours in the morning to read a book and participate in activities. One of those activities involves paper mache. Guess I know what I'm doing this weekend! Gotta learn fast.

 

5. I confess that I'm leaving my Goodwill donation bags open in the middle of my room, hoping that if I leave them there, I'll keep adding to them. It's working so far.

 

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