Texas Tidbits and more

Exciting day for me as a writer!  Last year I submitted three pieces of my writing to a writers group to be part of their Anthology.  I was pleased to find out that all three pieces were accepted and have been waiting for the actual book to be published.  Today I held it in my hands!  It was an amazing feeling to know that others will now hold my words in their hands and hopefully want to read more.

I now need to focus and finish my manuscript for the book after which this blog was titled.  Save the Butter Tubs is in the works but needs to be wrapped up in the next month or so!  I look forward to sharing my grandmother with all of you through her words in the finished piece!

If you found this blog because you own a copy of Texas Tidbits and you are interested in "Saving the Postcards," please start by sending one to Save the Postcards, PO Box 1276, Chandler, TX 75758.  Let me know your thoughts on Texas Tidbits and how you acquired a copy.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Off to write....on purpose, Brenda

Time will tell

So a few exciting things have happened since my last post.  My son moved up to live with us after five years of living with his dad.  I am so blessed to have him back and enjoy watching him be who I always knew he was.  Today, I was watching him sing in church (from a distance...the youth sit in the front middle section).  My heart was so filled with gratitude to have him back in my daily life.  

I also found out recently that at least one of the three submissions I sent in for the Anthology the local writing group is doing was accepted.  The most important piece...called of course...Save the Postcards!  I can't wait to hold a copy in my hand and share it with my family and friends.  It really makes the other FIVE books I have stewing in my mind seem possible. So today, I write!  Another fun tidbit...I will be the 2012 president of the Texas Writers Network and we will be doing another Anthology in 2012. So for all you wanna-be published writers...check us out on FB and follow us as we get started on this next project...https://www.facebook.com/groups/314323298582028/.

Hope you can all find the value in today!

Blessings.

Time flies...this I know

Today was the Tyler Rose Marathon and in ONE year from now, I will be running that race!  It seems like a long way off but I know that time will fly!  So it begins...training, visualizing and planning!

I must admit I wasn't encouraged driving to church and seeing a walker at mile 9 right in front of our church. The small hill, which in a car goes seemingly unnoticed, looked like a mountain this morning.  I pray that next year it will only be a mole hill!!!  I can hear my friends cheering me on now as I cruise right up that hill like it never existed!

This isn't my first event like this but it will be my first FULL marathon.  26.2 miles!  My last event was over a year ago.  (time has flown by since then)  I can't believe it has been that long since I crossed the finish line in my first sprint triathlon, my third half marathon and another 10k all in one month!  March of 2010 was an exciting month for me. Breaking barriers in my mind and accomplishing goals!  So much fun.  I want to feel that excitement again!  Somehow, hurting physically from achieving such a goal makes me feel so alive.  The pain humbles me, reminding me that it is not by my strength but His that I even breathe!  I run because I can.  Because I am physically capable of moving my body in such a way.  I am thankful for that!  I run to prove to myself that anything is possible through Christ.

I am not really a runner at all. I am more of a wogger. It looks like I am walking but I am jogging! I use what I have and make it work for His glory not my own.  I love the look on people's faces when I share with them that I have run a half marathon. (three all together, the first two run/walking the last one running for the complete 13.1 miles) I don't look like the typical runner so I usually get a look of shock.  It isn't at all about me.  It is about what Christ can do through me.  I exist to point everyone I meet to Him.  I pray that through this new goal I use every opportunity to do just that!

Anybody want to join me????

40 things to do before I turn 40

I have found over the years that I work better when I have goals to work toward.  Specific, measurable goals. I will turn the big 4-0 January 26, 2013. So I have 15 months to get those things done that linger in the back of my mind.  Forty is a big year for me as my son will graduate from high school and my husband and I are going to Hawaii that summer for vacation.  I want to look and feel my best for both occasions. I also want to push myself to live my life outside of the everyday drill. My list isn't complete yet.  Forty is a big number!  If you have any suggestions, I am open to hearing them.  I may or may not do them but I am open to hearing them. Here is my list in no particular order of importance:

1. Run a FULL marathon

2. Lose 40 pounds

3. Organize all the papers in my house

4. Complete and publish Save the Butter Tubs

5. Complete and publish Lose on Purpose

6. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

7. Get a better memory!

8. Be a winner! http://www.nanowrimo.org

9.Create a space I love to write in!

10.Learn to crochet a flower.

11.Get more sleep!
12. See Yosemite!
13. Visit the Redwoods.
14. Spend Christmas in the mountains.
15.Simplify and organize my wardrobe
16. Break the 22 year habit of eating breakfast in the car on the way to work.
17.Clear out unused items from my home.
18. Display keepsakes
19. Sort the children's keepsakes
20.Finish scrapbooking all the pictures I have printed!
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27.
28.

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In case you need more than one...

These are fun little books filled with postcards.  

Thought this was interesting and wouldn't mind getting some of these....this was from an old blog I came across.  Someone sent a postcard that they found.  Have any interesting old postcards around?  Send them in!

Save the Postcards

Recently, I heard on the radio that postcards would "soon be gone entirely."  I was crushed!  I love postcards.  I love the pretty pictures. Most of all I love the history that is captured in a simple card. 

I am launching a project to Save the Postcards!  To participate start by sending me a postcard.(Then send one to a friend or two just to say hi!) 

September's theme: Your hometown (either where you live now or where you are from) and what is special about it! Check back here to see if yours is posted! 

 I will send out postcards (provided you include your return address) to the person who: 

-sends the first one

-best postcard

-most touching

-honorable mention

I just received these from my mom while she was in...well...read the card...

These are on their way to a friend, my grandma and my mom.

Send postcards to:

Save the Postcards

P.O. Box 1276

Chandler, Texas 75758

Please don't send anything obscene or inappropriate. By sending your postcard, you agree that it may be published on the web (not your address) or where otherwise used for this project.  Your address (if you choose to include it) will only be used to send you postcards in return and will not be sold or given to anyone else.