tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55785192063977663732024-03-14T01:01:53.275-05:00A Simple Texas Girl Living Life on the Jesus WayTerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-61665560162631703082024-01-02T22:35:00.009-06:002024-01-02T22:37:07.526-06:00New Year's Post 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RbgEKj1e8PG2iZ6gOFpPo3zTKXqMzpzL9B9oLTf0RlSAlFpTmHHACqXggKFIAUfbwtn_nOq7lYwuQFTndMV8B6CCJrOxNZFvFcDWU-dDaBJ7T1Z4x3qoPizzeVRy0AdbPQI026QG5QIETUgTEorcHECOi7xdkGrBNPMft4vlP_o4J3GR0_-1htaiPI_j/s2048/pic%20of%20me%20with%20tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RbgEKj1e8PG2iZ6gOFpPo3zTKXqMzpzL9B9oLTf0RlSAlFpTmHHACqXggKFIAUfbwtn_nOq7lYwuQFTndMV8B6CCJrOxNZFvFcDWU-dDaBJ7T1Z4x3qoPizzeVRy0AdbPQI026QG5QIETUgTEorcHECOi7xdkGrBNPMft4vlP_o4J3GR0_-1htaiPI_j/w599-h599/pic%20of%20me%20with%20tag.jpg" width="599" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A NEW year usually means many things to people. The one thing that people USUALLY decide they want a fresh start on in January is their fitness! They decide to join a gym, start a new diet, start walking daily or even training for a marathon. </span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is NOTHING wrong with fresh starts and getting your focus back. My advice to you is to NOT make it a “resolution” because MOST people only last a week or two before they decide to forget it. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead, CHOOSE to make small changes each day that will add up to BIG results in the long run. I AM making some plans for a fresh start for the new year. I’m changing how I do certain things and continuing doing others just like I have been. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For those of you who are just learning my story or don't mind a refresher, here is a bit of my journey. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fitness has ALWAYS been a part of my life. My grandmother and I went to the gym together when I was a teen. When I got married (at age 17 and a half), I started doing an exercise program at home. No, there was no such thing as VHS or DVD and especially not online streaming! I worked out in a tiny room in our mobile home to a Jane Fonda fitness record on the record player! There were a few pictures on the inside cover to show some of the movements. But I would play it and follow along with what she said to do. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We moved Arlington in 1985 from a tiny city close to Corpus Christi and a couple of years later had my first baby. I joined a gym and started taking the aerobics classes and doing the machines. I didn't stick with it very long because it was hard getting to the gym and leaving my child in the nursery with a bunch of other kids and strangers. I found workouts on VHS tapes and eventually DVD’s. I joined gyms here and there but I have always been most consistent when I’ve done things at home. It took TIME to drive to and from a gym. Time I really didn't have. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back in 2014, my daughter introduced me to a company that would be pivotal in my health and wellness. I didn’t realize at the time that I HAD done one do their very first programs, Power 90 with Tony Horton in the early 2000's! Of course, by 2014 Tony had created many more programs off of that one. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the years, I’ve continued doing the workout programs that finally became a streaming service instead of selling physical copies. I still have many programs on dvd! A couple of years ago they started offering a stationary bike that includes a screen with access to their entire list of programs. I bought it for myself for my 56 birthday! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started working out in my living room with a small corner to store my weights and other equipment. Two and a half years ago I turned one of the spare bedrooms into my workout room and office. I purchased the bike and got a bench plus some mats to cover the carpet for a workout floor. You do NOT have to have an entire room to make it work. I worked out in my living room for decades! It was what I had and I made it work and never thought twice about it. The ONLY reason I could make over a bedroom is because we are now empty nesters. I didn't wait a minute changing up things. NOT because I was glad my last child was moving out. It was ONE way of dealing with her leaving home. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FOR the last decade, BODi has been my main fitness and nutrition resource. EVERY single part of my fitness journey is ON this platform. My cardio, lifting/strength training, running, bike rides, stretching and mobility, mindset, nutrition, motivation, tracking, accountability…it has it ALL! (Right now they are offering some amazing deals. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send you the info.)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All this to say, my workouts are NOT my struggle! My struggles are with an unhealthy relationship with food! I’ve got some serious habits to change and some challenging mindsets to break through. I’ve used foods for emotional reasons when things have been really hard. And let’s not forget how easy it is to purchase foods with unhealthy ingredients and how challenging it is to find and afford foods that are healthy and safe to consume. My “weakness” is chocolate and sugar in general. I am addicted to it and when I don’t have that under control, my weight is out of control. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am starting a Super Block version of a nutrition program that is going to help me address these issues and break the cycle of yo-yo weight loss/gain. There are <b>NO pills, shots, diet foods, fake foods, counting calories or limiting the amount you eat</b> (as long as you are REALLY hungry. Sometimes we are thirsty and just THINK we are hungry!). It will help me recognize the triggers and prepare my mind to fight them. I’m so ready to be free from the old thoughts and habits. (Highly recommend!) There are NO magic pills or shots that will help you CHANGE your body and mind that will KEEP IT OFF after you stop doing whatever it is. You HAVE to change the way you do things and the way you think! THINK on that for a bit! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This past year I’ve grown so much in my walk on the Jesus Way! Spiritually I’ve grown and continue to seek ways to strengthen my walk even more. I fully believe that my body is supposed to be a temple and that I am supposed to be taking care of my body the best that I am able. I’ve not done that as well as I should. In 2024, I begin a new leg of this journey towards that goal. I don’t know exactly where it will take me but I had no idea what committing to a morning quiet time that included prayer journaling after my Bible reading would change me. I’ve been writing in a prayer journal for a year and a half. It’s grown into something so sweet and powerful for me. (I'll share more on that in a future post. One of my yearly goals is to blog more! I miss writing!)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’m so excited to see how God is going to walk with me through this journey of my nutrition and fitness as I invite HIM to guide me, to change my mindset and break the chains of food addictions. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Everything I do is centered around my love for Jesus. BUT I am so thankful for the resources He has given me. One of those resources is my daughter, Sami. Back then they were called “coaches”. Now they are called “partners” because they come along side you and partner with you on your journey. She has been a wonderful encouragement for me and given me much needed advice and sometimes a swift kick in the booty! IF you're looking for some amazing support AND great resources, I can point you in the right direction! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope you ALL have a very Merry Christmas and WILL have an amazing New Year!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As Always,</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">*Note to add this is an older collage of pictures. Can't wait to update my photos throughout 2024!</span></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-31119606304213864842023-09-23T09:41:00.005-05:002023-09-23T09:41:56.593-05:00My First Thirty Day Fasting Reset <p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquhfVjUqyJlzPlalFQNfh_VxI6Z_ogbjEMHs0TElQ7MR2ZKPLsDZoWxCiGJXSLnIGT-DkCB2ohfSA4fdqnnwFeLUQQ_Jn952nzFc7XdoqXqgmMs8Uy_rePWM08j0iI4fHfiE1wrLs2UByd0zN-1Ckk2ya5EFa0C0mlkQAcJkc0pOyVh4vOskcfjSmlv4x/s1632/fasting%20books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1383" height="653" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquhfVjUqyJlzPlalFQNfh_VxI6Z_ogbjEMHs0TElQ7MR2ZKPLsDZoWxCiGJXSLnIGT-DkCB2ohfSA4fdqnnwFeLUQQ_Jn952nzFc7XdoqXqgmMs8Uy_rePWM08j0iI4fHfiE1wrLs2UByd0zN-1Ckk2ya5EFa0C0mlkQAcJkc0pOyVh4vOskcfjSmlv4x/w553-h653/fasting%20books.jpg" width="553" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Many of you know that in May 2021, I did a 26 day Water ONLY Fast and felt AMAZING! My body did a total reset that month and I was able to keep the weight off and feel great for over a year. </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: justify;">What happened in the last year? Several things, actually. A very stressful and traumatic situation began, menopause, new responsibilities at work to figure out, continued financial and relational stresses and added to all of that; I allowed toxic food choices back into my diet on a pretty regular basis. Not in HUGE quantities but they were there nonetheless. </div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve NEVER stopped working out and putting in that effort to build muscle and lose weight. The scale kept creeping back up and my clothes got tighter and tighter. I didn’t know what to do. I WANTED to do another long water fast but let’s be honest; that is really hard! Especially if you have been eating lots of sugars and junk food. Your body works against your mind if you try to take it away and don’t give it something else in its place. </div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: justify;">My daughter found Dr. Mindy Pelz this week and we have both been devouring the information. <span style="font-family: verdana;">Finding these resources turned a lightbulb on in my head and my heart. Wow! I totally understand NOW about the different types of fasts and how they benefit you mind and body. There are 6 basic "fasting protocols" she lays out. She shared <a href="https://youtu.be/xWNsaa5UUqY?si=sjLB7fo3qQXY4KMe" target="_blank"><b>THIS video</b></a> explaining it and it is honestly mind blowing what each step "unlocks".</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In these videos and books I have found out WHY I can’t lose the weight despite working out every day (yes, I’ve taken a bit of a break the last few week because I just felt defeated.) and not eating overly bad. This really explains soooooo much!! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After reading some of her books and watching the videos, I've decided to do her 30 day fasting reset. It was really a no-brainer for me. I HAVE to change things up and get back to living a healthy life!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’m starting on October 1 and will more than likely do a round two for November as the days race towards my 58th birthday. I’d like to be on the right track to be the best ME I can be before another birthday! </div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The next 8 days, I will be preparing to start her 30 Day Fasting Reset. This is NOT a 30 day water only fast. It is a different lengths of fasting and being very specific of the foods you eat when you do eat. I will be finishing up these two books and making sure I understand how it works. </div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I will be doing LIIFT 4 starting that week and adding in long and short walks plus rides on my MYX Bike. I’m also looking at adding rebounding into my daily routine. That seems to be something that I have read in many places and recommended by several health leaders that I respect and follow. I am going to take a break from running until I can get my body back in the shape it needs to be. After that, I will limit the amount of runs I do and focus more on walking outside for the sunshine and the movement. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I get closer to 60, my focus is to be as healthy as I can so I can be here for my kids and grands. I want to be able to be the fun Grammie who gets out there on the trampoline with them or runs around at the park and plays ball with them. Not someone who sits around on my phone while looking up once in awhile and waves but doesn't engage. That isn't who I want to be. I plan to be here as long as the Lord allows and I want to be a productive person while I am here. I want to enjoy life!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Life is never filled with easy choices because things are hard. Living overweight and with a body that doesn't function properly is HARD. Being intentional about food choices and working out daily is HARD. You have to pick your hard. I'd rather feel better and live a life filled with joy than feel miserable and not live as long or as joyful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, follow along on my journey to better health! It has been an adventure thus far! I've been on this journey since my teenage years and it isn't something that ever ends until this life is over. It will be what you make it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As Always,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</div></span></span><p></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-39032693530318670722023-09-17T21:10:00.004-05:002023-09-17T21:11:23.359-05:00Over The Horizon By Penny Zeller<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMWx91DMqwXvwTBquRKRBoLvTOEJvrdnOrNb8eVsaHejv89GXx_foghTr_6xaOrRheK4UrVe8m4kZ27Iu4iKQBwR-KO3IF-z9tLjfdoWGOc7H6DkmG3fPXC2oX85gRBEVXT3y-E8WmNeBDtuWLRletBZW0_51ZWhNPOjx2D-j4Wsiw6CxcnhjSTQXHOyL/s1134/oth_both.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1134" height="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMWx91DMqwXvwTBquRKRBoLvTOEJvrdnOrNb8eVsaHejv89GXx_foghTr_6xaOrRheK4UrVe8m4kZ27Iu4iKQBwR-KO3IF-z9tLjfdoWGOc7H6DkmG3fPXC2oX85gRBEVXT3y-E8WmNeBDtuWLRletBZW0_51ZWhNPOjx2D-j4Wsiw6CxcnhjSTQXHOyL/w587-h463/oth_both.png" width="587" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Most Unusual Proposal...</span></i></div><p></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Alone in 1870s Idaho Territory, Paisley Abbott has nowhere to turn. With no other options, she finds herself consenting to an unconventional, but mutually beneficial agreement.</i></span></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>During an unplanned return to his family’s farm, prodigal Tyler Shepherdson inherits three children. When Tyler finds a woman hiding in the back of his wagon, an idea begins to form and he makes a rash decision that results in perhaps one of the most spontaneous marriages of convenience ever.</i></span></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Despite an unorthodox beginning to their marriage, will Paisley and Tyler trust God as they forge ahead to create a home for three orphans? Will love arise from a desperate situation?</i></span></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>In the first book in the Horizon Series, travel to the late 1800s to the town of Horizon in the Idaho Territory with a cast of unforgettable characters, journeys of faith, and abundant humor.</i></span></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I LOVE a good historical romance filled with characters on a journey of faith with a bit of fun added in. Penny is GREAT at writing characters with such depth while also adding lighthearted sections so it is not such a heavy read. Sometimes we just need stories that aren't so HARD on our emotions, although I still get a good cry out off them. </span></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I absolutely LOVE Paisley and Tyler's story! I read it in less than three days because once I picked it up, I only put it down when I HAD to. The story line with the orphans was a neat twist because those kids had a history that neither of them knew about or really understood. This is a story about change and how quick and uncertain life and death can be. Learning from our life choices and moving forward instead of living IN the regret. Trusting God to work it out even if you have to make big life changes. </span></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This series looks to be another one of my "must have in my home library" and that I recommend to anyone, including teens. </span></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</i></span></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Coming soon, the newest series by the author of the Wyoming Sunrise, Love Letters from Ellis Creek, and Montana Skies Christian Historical Romance Series.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Horizon Series:</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Over the Horizon (Now Available)</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Dreams on the Horizon (Available for Preorder)</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Beyond the Horizon (Early 2025)</span></span></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-81842571825619129142023-05-21T15:09:00.002-05:002023-05-21T15:16:35.999-05:00Love In The Headlines by Penny Zeller<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2NW6UlFMP2lHnim0f7Pkv1MrW1c4lDq-_fAO-4fGN3frohsq6J_udqhuG5pJlrEenlzhUjwMY7vRsSuVvDS9uGaDUGoyfa4AlTRpQaSzKAF1e3pyOOpGy4ye0lAV7a86vsJy6kjJpbGDo_S9amW7QaBRXKX4TTnniUX9n_kEyk2eG-qZP2nNyI2noA/s1080/LITH%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="583" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2NW6UlFMP2lHnim0f7Pkv1MrW1c4lDq-_fAO-4fGN3frohsq6J_udqhuG5pJlrEenlzhUjwMY7vRsSuVvDS9uGaDUGoyfa4AlTRpQaSzKAF1e3pyOOpGy4ye0lAV7a86vsJy6kjJpbGDo_S9amW7QaBRXKX4TTnniUX9n_kEyk2eG-qZP2nNyI2noA/w583-h583/LITH%202.jpg" width="583" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">All Carleigh Adams wants is a relaxing evening. But Sullivan Theodore IV, her wayward Shih Tzu, has other plans. After escaping from home, Sullivan Theodore unlawfully enters what Carleigh assumes is a stranger’s house via a doggy door. Much to Carleigh’s horror, it is actually the home of her coworker and nemesis, Trey “The Irritating” Montgomery.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Trey Montgomery has had to work with “Quirky Carleigh,” his top competitor for the best articles at The Oakville Daily, for the past two years. It’s safe to say that she and her criminally-minded pet are his adversaries. Trey’s attempts to keep his distance from her are demolished when their boss thrusts them together as The Oakville Daily Duo, forcing them to work as a team on every. Single. Article.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Petty crimes and crazy shenanigans in Oakville soon draw Carleigh and Trey into doubling as detectives. When dogs, including their own pets, begin to mysteriously disappear, Carleigh and Trey join forces to uncover the culprit. As they work to report the daily news and solve the crimes in Oakville, can these two stubborn reporters find love in the headlines?</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">What a FUN read!!!! I don't know about YOU, but I NEEDED something a bit more lighthearted and fun to read. This was perfect! These two main characters don't like each other because they are always competing for the stories in this small town paper. There isn't THAT much happening so there aren't an abundance of things to write about. They aren't MEAN to each other, yet sometimes they can be a little snarky. That is part of the charm, they feed off each others smart remarks and seem to enjoy it, though they tend deny it. Right from the beginning, you get a very good look at their personalities and likes and dislikes. The other characters in the book are very well done, too. It felt like I was sitting right there in the newspaper office with them discussing the days assignments.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">The town is an "everybody knows everybody" place where secrets don't stay secret for long. I enjoyed the bit of mystery that was woven into the book. There were actually TWO mysteries to solve. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">And if you have a love for animals, specifically dogs, this will be a fun adventure for you. We get to see all sorts of dogs and their owners, the main two are Carliegh's and Trey's dogs. Penny's character development is so wonderful, as always, that the dog's characters even draw you in. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">It is not a small book, but it is a faster read than I would expect from a book this big. The words just flowed in a way that you could read a bit faster and not lose any of the important details. My time is limited so I was glad that there were plenty of stopping points so I could pick it up and read a few pages and put it back down without being in the middle of something I felt drawn to keep reading past the time I could spare at the moment. I did end up reading in huge chunks over the weekend and finished quickly once I had a stretch of time to read. I didn't want to put it down.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I love Penny's historicals but her contemporaries are so fun to read! I am passing this one down to my daughter, who is 21 because I know she will love it! She loves dogs (and cats). My oldest daughter will love it, too, but right now she doesn't have time to read! This book is great any age, even early teens would enjoy this fun book! Highly recommend!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">As Always,</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-68628241045746019762023-04-29T00:58:00.184-05:002023-04-30T20:54:39.856-05:00Thirty Day Reset<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHy8Fww_Y3lYPZrmm9MOJ3S0US4HsNcrCnoIkRK1fDu4Eisrhrix3s03EOPWdtZ0PrsCYMCcK3rqgPkOFjSKgAedywxj1j5rguRAQDvHHB-pdVdSvOEo-HxM7Qi9qrJb0jnwCl_lki9BkecFCByDyrDs1CtyMPd_G6IVd2Qqn7NVEpHAtv5dG56q-eg/s940/30%20day%20reset.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHy8Fww_Y3lYPZrmm9MOJ3S0US4HsNcrCnoIkRK1fDu4Eisrhrix3s03EOPWdtZ0PrsCYMCcK3rqgPkOFjSKgAedywxj1j5rguRAQDvHHB-pdVdSvOEo-HxM7Qi9qrJb0jnwCl_lki9BkecFCByDyrDs1CtyMPd_G6IVd2Qqn7NVEpHAtv5dG56q-eg/w557-h467/30%20day%20reset.png" width="557" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I don't know about you but for me, when May comes around, I tend to evaluate my health, my home, my work, pretty much my life in general. Maybe it is because I'm a teacher and "May" means the end of one school year and the beginning of summer. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Summer for me doesn't mean a break. It means I've already started planning for the next school year while I am doing my best to make the summer fun for the children who spend it with me.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nine years ago during the month of May, I did my first 28 Day Super Juice Me juice "fast". That was a change in my health and how I look at food. I did a second one three years ago. I love to do short juices because it is a LOT of work to juice for 28 days straight. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two years ago, I did a water fast during the month of May. It was an amazing month for me in terms of my health and my spiritual growth. I spend a lot of time in prayer during that time. I was only able to progress through it for 26 days because of the time I spent in prayer and by allowing the Lord to "feed" me spiritually. That might sound a bit corny, but it is the absolute truth. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last May, our family was going through a challenging time. My thoughts weren't on me. There was zero self-evaluation going on. I slowly reverted back to some toxic food habits that I had let go over for over a year. I tried to find all sorts of mental relief in food and buying things to make life "better". Those are some OLD habits I have been fighting to overcome most of my life. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the past couple of months, I've been moving OUT of the cloud and working my way back into the life I should be living. I've been praying for wisdom and direction on how to proceed. He has shown me a few areas that I need to work on and ways to make it happen. I wanted to share the "big picture", if you will and then I'll do my best to write some posts on the breakdown as I go through the process over the month. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG33VdGzFVe9_IEWiX68M4JuaIu7Lnxzym-TAj0I4L9yM32ul6QAa9iH2InGRJrm089RwMvJLOWtE9B_rUPAM0o0kREB67NZeBeUpCujk_yh2mJe_Al2MABrQvVW5wbcFnya1C1tlumQa5Y5bWgrXbjYNoNqEWSZ090h_NmG4GcPc8vTnmG-bXo30JRg/s940/Digital%20DETOX.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG33VdGzFVe9_IEWiX68M4JuaIu7Lnxzym-TAj0I4L9yM32ul6QAa9iH2InGRJrm089RwMvJLOWtE9B_rUPAM0o0kREB67NZeBeUpCujk_yh2mJe_Al2MABrQvVW5wbcFnya1C1tlumQa5Y5bWgrXbjYNoNqEWSZ090h_NmG4GcPc8vTnmG-bXo30JRg/w423-h354/Digital%20DETOX.png" width="423" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been seeing a few things on a Digital Detox or a fasting from technology. I watched a couple of sermons on it, a third one is going to be this coming Sunday. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/EYWEbChVb7I?feature=share&t=2578" target="_blank">ONE HERE</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/E2TdC6O1-Jc?feature=share&t=3118" target="_blank">TWO HERE</a>. I'll link THREE HERE after they get it posted. There is such great information. I never really thought I had a BIG problem with it. Sure, I depend on my phone too much and I spend too much time scrolling. But I'm NOT LIKE ... fill in the blank with whatever name you can think of that is on their phone too much. I came to the realization that yes, I do have a BIG problem, like most people do that own smart phones. I will be doing a version of detox, one that allows me to still run my business BUT that removes MOST of the digital elements from my day to day life. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I wanted to share some definitions on those words with you, just so you can get a better idea of what I'm talking about. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><u>Detox:</u></i> a process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><i>Digital Detox:</i></u> a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><u>Fast:</u></i> abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance. You can actually <i>FAST</i> from just about anything. It doesn't have to be food. But we generally think of a fast as no eating, which is accurate. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy-7OsM2zV3M522kBLRbZcFU0M8evMwGKUuDKXw4IqvYx2McuUZjlZ0llKmJNK0xWSdSE7JU9i4o578GzQh0T3deulP8GXFhzgEomG5K2dOn_W_u4TcV-38xGBlfshHdMCTmaEivBrBmIEXXmDaZeGFHCCLfAelosBuJ2AegG83f-0MYYz9mzerXRYA/s940/Prayer%20&%20Fasting.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy-7OsM2zV3M522kBLRbZcFU0M8evMwGKUuDKXw4IqvYx2McuUZjlZ0llKmJNK0xWSdSE7JU9i4o578GzQh0T3deulP8GXFhzgEomG5K2dOn_W_u4TcV-38xGBlfshHdMCTmaEivBrBmIEXXmDaZeGFHCCLfAelosBuJ2AegG83f-0MYYz9mzerXRYA/w418-h350/Prayer%20&%20Fasting.png" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I pull away from technology that is "stealing" my time (honestly, I am willingly giving it away) I have decided to once again spend the month of May in deep prayer and study while fasting so I can cleanse my body of the toxins that I am once again put INTO my body over the last year and a half and deepen my walk with the Lord. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are many types of fasting. Intermittent is probably one of the easiest to do. There are different types of that fast, it's all about the windows that you eat and don't eat. There are juice fasts. There are fasts where you take things OUT of your diet, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">like the Daniel Fast. There is also a water fast, which is the most challenging to do and one that I don't recommend unless you have done extensive research and consulted your doctor. I started with a juice fast and I've done 18/6 and 16/8 intermittent fasts.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I will be taking a month off of lifting and cardio. I will take walks as many times a week as possible and doing some stretching and mobility exercises. This will be a month of going to bed early and sleeping in just a bit each day. Getting as much rest as I can, allowing my body and mind to heal. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to focus on some personal habits that tend to fall by the wayside. Washing my face daily, having a bath with Epson salts and essential oils weekly, soaking my feet every day that I don't have a bath, putting lotion on my arms and legs daily, doing my nails regularly, getting sunshine and doing deep breathing exercises to get more oxygen in my lungs. Those are just a few things that I want to make sure I am doing more of. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUkaMSdCIRpZXNJTjc-nVumM3Rj3-84i3AQCp3vQ2Ca1oWLOtAA2EtZqQkBygizIULnMJWFy0MAdPApqQPOEBKFeF2aFAsr0v6DliMhxeerheKHaSLs3QcTjijDhZPZmWV7seMmQIdzYzE8JgnPlDLsx7KH2z4HMvqFO7WCt-T8-zJQJp20ZjzR2MYQ/s940/no%20spend%20month.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUkaMSdCIRpZXNJTjc-nVumM3Rj3-84i3AQCp3vQ2Ca1oWLOtAA2EtZqQkBygizIULnMJWFy0MAdPApqQPOEBKFeF2aFAsr0v6DliMhxeerheKHaSLs3QcTjijDhZPZmWV7seMmQIdzYzE8JgnPlDLsx7KH2z4HMvqFO7WCt-T8-zJQJp20ZjzR2MYQ/w414-h347/no%20spend%20month.png" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When evaluating things, I realized this would be a perfect time to do a <i>No Spend Month</i>! I am taking care of everything this weekend, stocking the fridge for the month so my husband has food to eat and making sure there is nothing that I NEED to purchase in May. Since I will be OFF social media and I will NOT be getting on any shopping apps, it will be somewhat easier to have a painless no spend month. If I think of something I want to get, I will add it to a written list, not go on the actually app! If after a month I still think I need it, I'll see if I have the funds and purchase it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just think, what if I did that all the time? What if I wrote it down and waited until the following month to even consider purchasing things that pop into my head?! It has gotten so easy to just jump online and order whatever little thing that I think I need. And yet, I have a <i>HOUSE FULL OF STUFF I DON'T USE BUT I HAD TO HAVE IT</i> things. Which leads me to the final element of May's Thirty Day Reset. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJtY_av-vkJaKPGDkB0Uk-L4drDqUFwAVsx9QBggTvh_CoSJ3NPjTj4jJKpeW0BidzVQQhe2oKYZiFBG4UqtbrqfK7S96XPz_FEI9fHI2lhYpfVUAZslvS9WywGwWrJbHm1Vx6_QccmvYTtePsVgbxa81ckOOJWZXao4Cw6zs0ppnG7vx3hmh9qj4dQ/s940/home%20management%20declutter%20.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJtY_av-vkJaKPGDkB0Uk-L4drDqUFwAVsx9QBggTvh_CoSJ3NPjTj4jJKpeW0BidzVQQhe2oKYZiFBG4UqtbrqfK7S96XPz_FEI9fHI2lhYpfVUAZslvS9WywGwWrJbHm1Vx6_QccmvYTtePsVgbxa81ckOOJWZXao4Cw6zs0ppnG7vx3hmh9qj4dQ/w427-h358/home%20management%20declutter%20.png" width="427" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My daughter shared a podcast that had Dana K. White (aka. A Slob Comes Clean) as the guest. I looked up HER podcast and her books. She sounded JUST LIKE ME. Many of the things she said were mind blowing, to say the least. It made perfect sense why it never worked for me to organize. I got all the containers, different containers, just like in the pictures. Only most of the time, it didn't look like that for me. Come to find out organizing is NOT the same thing as decluttering. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I realize I will NOT get my entire home decluttered during the month of May. My goal will be to get her list of daily habits built into my day where they are non-negotiable AND make some progress on the decluttering. I got a couple of her books, "<i>How To Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind</i>" and "<i>Decluttering at the Speed of Life</i>". I plan to at least speed read both by Monday morning and then go back through and use some Post-It tabs for pages I need to go back to. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The place I donate EVERYTHING is Mission Arlington. If you live in the DFW area in Texas, it really is a great place to take things. They have SO MANY people come there every day needing things. I love that they share Jesus' love with everyone that stops by. I don't do well with trying to sell my stuff or having garage sales. I'd rather spend my time doing something else besides sitting in my driveway all day! I'd rather GIVE it to someone needs it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you have read this far, THANK YOU! I am so glad you are here! I will be taking each one of these steps as slowly as I need to. This is going to be a month of growth and change. I will be forming habits and routines slowly, so they will last. It is going to be VERY strange not to be on social media so much all throughout the day. I know after the first week or two, I will feel so FREE. I will be deciding the boundaries for when I come back on June 1. Boundaries for many things in my life. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have the next two days to get everything in order. I'm excited! I will be blogging throughout the month as I am able. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As always,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</i></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-90543412146577281872023-03-16T00:52:00.000-05:002023-03-16T00:52:53.330-05:00Love's New Beginnings by Penny Zeller<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuHs_eU4075YTlC6516kSl8NzKkUA068pk2H1DfLyHcZHERrTjdbxyKWIdQb1-KyUHFZVaSnQhanQcVEHFrEiZl-doAb2pPXxLKTIDp5D13w5nL9L8dMtxTh_aSvZZFqBuedKcbNqJnOyjh-gFVkMovbLDasHZ-rfdv64NMIDtN7pU3qhJlyh_fDDrg/s500/loves%20new%20beginning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="711" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuHs_eU4075YTlC6516kSl8NzKkUA068pk2H1DfLyHcZHERrTjdbxyKWIdQb1-KyUHFZVaSnQhanQcVEHFrEiZl-doAb2pPXxLKTIDp5D13w5nL9L8dMtxTh_aSvZZFqBuedKcbNqJnOyjh-gFVkMovbLDasHZ-rfdv64NMIDtN7pU3qhJlyh_fDDrg/w444-h711/loves%20new%20beginning.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>WHERE IT ALL BEGAN...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Lydie Beauchamp recently moved with her aunts—sisters Myrtle and Fern—to the untamed Wyoming Territory. When a teaching position in nearby Willow Falls captures her attention, can she leave her aunts, one of whom just suffered a broken heart, and embark on this new adventure? Will she find the courage to persevere in the midst of challenges, one being a handsome challenge named Solomon Eliason?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Reverend Solomon Eliason has the goal of making a difference. Hired as the pastor of Willow Falls, he must convince the congregation that he is able to undertake the role of a reverend. When he’s nominated to be the adult in charge of the annual prank tradition at the school, he embraces the idea, thinking the new teacher will be an elderly crotchety woman like his former teacher. What he doesn’t realize until it’s too late is that the teacher is far from crotchety and elderly.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>When Lydie's and Solomon’s paths cross in an unexpected way during the prank tradition at the Willow Falls school, can Solomon redeem himself in the eyes of the lovely new teacher?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Take a glimpse into where it all began with Lydie and Solomon's story in this tender tale that reminds us that God can and does use willing hearts for His purposes.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I LOVED getting to read the love story of Solomon and Lydie! I fell in love with their characters in Forgotten Memories when they were just the parents of one the main characters. I read Dreams of the Heart BEFORE I read this one even though this one was published first, so I got to see them again, as parents. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm one of those people who reads series because I fall in love with the characters in a well-written book and want to know more about their story, plus the other characters that came to life in the book. THAT is the art of writing, making the reader want MORE. When an author gifts readers with short stories, or novellas as they are called, either as a prequel or stories in between the books in a series to give us MORE details and MORE of the story, just WOW! Let me say that it is honey to a reader's soul! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another thing I enjoy is when author's give us some of the information they found while researching for the book. It shows the author cares about getting things as close as they can to the time period and keeping in line with history. After reading a book that is set in a different time period, I make sure to read the author's notes when I'm done. This one has a page of notes and she shares the facts she found AND tells us where she took liberties in the story. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even though this is a smaller book, 188 pages, it was a great read. Don't skip it! I would suggest reading it AFTER book one, but obviously, you can read it in whatever order you wish. There is no wrong way! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Prequel: Love's New Beginnings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book One: Forgotten Memories</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book Two: Dreams of the Heart (March 2023)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book Three: When Love Comes (Late 2023)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As Always,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</div></div><p><br /></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-55120516571282902002023-03-12T23:28:00.289-05:002023-03-13T01:28:24.925-05:00Finding Terri <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityao4u-HDJWt79ESt0CYDpMPjzHBgwDDV2H7NUwRJBDTO8gv78RGg8CagILcFieVCL0LmaVKVZLzZE_CS8aoVaZOq-hgV0NEBeq-6l1-4XLK5q0vsEuGLRSIXk-5EtpVNyjR17Uut5_mY7dxPRrzLwl2DyXq0Rv0e1YRlLRAwlG4Gh8BHonRqv_gvMQ/s2048/collage%20of%20me%203%2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityao4u-HDJWt79ESt0CYDpMPjzHBgwDDV2H7NUwRJBDTO8gv78RGg8CagILcFieVCL0LmaVKVZLzZE_CS8aoVaZOq-hgV0NEBeq-6l1-4XLK5q0vsEuGLRSIXk-5EtpVNyjR17Uut5_mY7dxPRrzLwl2DyXq0Rv0e1YRlLRAwlG4Gh8BHonRqv_gvMQ/w557-h557/collage%20of%20me%203%2023.jpg" width="557" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We all go through different season in life where we have to look back at the lessons we learned and figure out how to use them to live into the season we are in. If we are honest, that happens more times than we care to even think about. Change is never easy, often hard, but always inevitable. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Somewhere along the way, as I was preparing myself to become a parent to all grown children, there was a season where we had two of our grands in our care the majority of the time. Suddenly, without warning, that changed almost a year ago. It took me several months to come to grips with that reality. Through MUCH prayer and study, crying and pain, God has grown me in ways I never dreamed I could grow. I'm still growing and changing. I know that will continue until my life here is over. I won't be done this side of Heaven. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am NOW in the season of learning what it means to be an "empty-nester" and all that goes with it. I spent over thirty-five years with children in my home. That is a really LONG time. Suddenly, my evenings were quiet and I didn't know what to do with the quiet or the time to myself. Want to know the truth? I just sat here. In silence. No TV. No books. Often in the dark. No one to talk to but God. I did a LOT of that. I prayed more than I did anything else for about seven months. I dug deep in the Word and I searched for answers to all of my questions. I was able to realize from the very first night that HE is the ONLY One who has the answers I am seeking in EVERY situation. He always has been and always will be. My grandma taught me that from the time I was a little girl and walked in that herself as my example to follow. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Slowly but surely, I have begun to accept the season of life I am in. I began to embrace it and live into it. My evenings became more intentional, not just to shut down. That was an important first step. It didn't happen quickly, maybe an hour at first before deciding to just go lay down despite the fact that I didn't go to sleep. I had to become intentional throughout the day in order to get my mind right BEFORE I was alone. I've come to realize a few things as I walk into this new season. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I realized my body needs me to treat it better in every way. Despite the fact that fitness and nutrition have been key elements my entire life, I am far from perfect and life just happens. The first few months, since it was summer, I kept running almost daily. I ran as I prayed and cried out for direction. I kept working out, mostly. I went through periods of time where I did neither. Slowly, I gave into my sweet cravings as well as the other junk food cravings and it altered my hormone balance, AGAIN. I started eating out of boredom and depression. Of course, the more I gave in the more depressed I felt. The foods we put into our bodies controls so many things, including our moods, energy levels and so much more. I also started having different aches and pains that I never had before. I took certain foods out of my diet and noticed changes when I didn't have them for awhile. I'm making some changes to how I stock my kitchen and what products I use. My goal is to support small businesses who produce healthier products. One day, I'm hoping to get myself in the right frame of mind to have a healthy garden that isn't filled with wilted, bug eaten plants but producing wonderful foods for us to pick and eat fresh daily. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I realized I had to find a way to keep my kitchen clean so that in the evenings that wasn't something I had to feel guilt for NOT doing. Moment of truth, if it is NOT done before 6 then I am NOT going to do it that day. My house has been staying MOSTLY clean, except the kitchen. I started doing the dishes each afternoon while the kids had snack time. As soon as they got their snacks, I started getting the dishes from the previous twenty-four hours done. The sink is right next to the table so I can see and hear them while I get it done quickly and can walk out of that room when they finish, knowing I can check that off my list of to-dos. I can unload that guilt of clutter from my shoulders. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. It also makes me feel good that my husband can see I am making an effort to keep things looking clean and tidy. I've noticed he does more to pick up after himself or does more thoughtful things for me when he sees that I care, not always, but more often.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I realized that getting up super early just didn't bring me joy. Yes, I wanted so badly to get my workout done in the morning AFTER my quiet time with the Lord BUT I sleep my best those two hours that I was missing by getting up at five. I kept my quiet time in the morning after I get up but I moved my workouts to the afternoons right after school except on the weekends. As soon as everyone leaves, I make my cup of water and Energize and either go for a run or push play on a workout. I have noticed that if I wait or get wrapped up on the phone, I will NOT workout at all. I will get stuck in the mode of scrolling or my attention goes elsewhere. I can NOT allow myself to do that. I NEED my workouts every single day in order to FEEL good. It gives me a feeling of joy, energy and wellness. On Saturday mornings, what really starts my day off on the happiest of notes is a run at the park. I get my runs in when I am able. They make me happy!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I realized that I have rearranged and decluttered every room in my house/school. I love a feeling of "new" and fresh that I get when I'm able to change things around. I can honestly say that in the past ten months, I have changed every room in the house with the exception of my bedroom, simply because the furniture will not fit any other way. I would if I could, I'm sure! Every time I go through a room, I do my best to weed out things I can let go of. When it comes to the school part of the house, we do our best to keep things looking fresh and fun for the kids. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I realized I wasn't allowing myself to read even though it is my favorite things to do. That sounds strange, doesn't it? I'm not really sure why I couldn't allow myself to enjoy reading like I have since I learned how to read at a really young age. I made a mental change and it all came back. I picked up the books I had started but didn't finish and just kept on reading. I'm on book one of a five book series and I can't wait to see how each story fits together. For me, being able to read each day brings me joy that I've missed. It is a HUGE part of who I am, who I have always been. I hope to be able to write many more reviews and share these amazing books with all of my readers following this blog. One day, I just might put my own stories in books for others to read. That has been a life long dream of mine. We will see if God brings that into a reality.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I realized just today, as I was outside alone working on the yard some more, that I had stopped caring about things OUTSIDE my home. I've been working on the inside but in my head, the outside was "his job" so I just sat around complaining that it wasn't done instead of doing the things I needed to do. I spent the majority of the day outside, working on the yard and just sitting in the swing reading or watching the dogs enjoy the sunshine and cool breeze. As we get it cleaned up and looking better every day, I know that I am going to enjoy it more and more. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have a long way to go still, I'm not fully back to a functioning adult 24/7. Sometimes, I just want to curl up and hide from the world, from life and all that goes with it. I did really well this weekend, I got out and did things and I read a bunch. I didn't feel down. Each day, I feel a little more alive and I feel a little more hopeful.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I plan to keep on living. I plan to keep on running and lifting weights so I can stay strong as I age. I plan to keep working on what I put in and on my body so I can feel good and live a healthy life. I plan to keep teaching, it is a passion of mine and I love it. I plan to keep reading and writing. I plan to get back to my quilting and baking. I plan on getting back to ALL the things that I love doing and finding NEW things I want to try. I plan on having MANY grand adventures with my grands and my kids, all together and individually. I plan on making more memories with my husband as we celebrate 40 years of marriage next month. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That being said, I plan on doing whatever God gives me the desire and the ability to do as I strive to live to bring Him glory and honor in everything I do; first and foremost. HE is my reason for living. All the things I mentioned, mean nothing without Him being the center of my life. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I can't wait to share those adventures with you! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As Always,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</div><p></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-27446936977533457362023-03-07T21:46:00.001-06:002023-03-07T21:54:19.838-06:00Dreams of the Heart by Penny Zeller<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJAFtUV3eWZjYbPC2njBlrV20KlmK4TqXTIYYBeGBNVf7XQcDL3hFY8-cxbY1z2n6GgBT-AURyZCB9vJuA0N4w7bN-85o_RomAqyxaC1A3JSJQXpnf4S42htJjzbPJ9QfMxgkfCO0g-yaFvWgvNwQ9wqy_T_o_9j_dBKZwfoGDxw5pl2PPQ9dGV5bmQ/s857/Dreams%20of%20the%20Heart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="662" height="627" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJAFtUV3eWZjYbPC2njBlrV20KlmK4TqXTIYYBeGBNVf7XQcDL3hFY8-cxbY1z2n6GgBT-AURyZCB9vJuA0N4w7bN-85o_RomAqyxaC1A3JSJQXpnf4S42htJjzbPJ9QfMxgkfCO0g-yaFvWgvNwQ9wqy_T_o_9j_dBKZwfoGDxw5pl2PPQ9dGV5bmQ/w484-h627/Dreams%20of%20the%20Heart.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">SOMETIMES THE HARDEST BATTLES TAKE PLACE IN THE HEART</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Poverty and abuse at the hands of her drunkard father leaves Hannah Bane trapped and alone. Without hope, she prays for a miracle just on the off-chance God will hear her. Will the new deputy, who seems to be watching her every move, be Hannah’s one chance to escape the only life she’s ever known?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>For as long as he can remember, John Mark Eliason has wanted to be a deputy sheriff. When a job opens in the nearby town of Poplar Springs, he eagerly accepts, but finds his greatest mission won’t be tracking down criminals and bringing justice to the ruthless Wyoming town, but saving a woman he barely knows.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Will an unexpected answer to a difficult situation show how love can endure—and even thrive—in an unconventional situation? Or will fear and uncertainty keep two hesitant hearts apart?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>In the sequel to Forgotten Memories, award-winning author Penny Zeller weaves a tender tale of faith, romance, and humor in a memorable story that reminds us God hears every prayer and has a plan for every life.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In book one, <i><b><a href="http://terriharr.blogspot.com/2022/11/forgotten-memories-by-penny-zeller.html" target="_blank">Forgotten Memories</a></b></i>, we meet John Mark as a child. It is wonderful to see him as a grown man. The town he grew up in was a wholesome town filled with good people. The town in which he becomes a deputy sheriff is quite the opposite. Watching this young man do his best to make a difference in a corrupt town reminds me of how we should be doing the same things wherever God has planted us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hannah's life up until she meets this young deputy is one that is hard to take. She lived with a drunkard father her entire childhood, mostly alone. There were some that helped her in small ways but most turn a blind eye to other peoples hardships without ever realizing it. John Mark didn't do that. He saw her when no one else seemed to. People finally realize AFTER John Mark does something that THEY should have stepped up and done more to help. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Despite the hardships she faces growing up, she clung to her faith and found strength everyday by reading her mother's bible. She never stopped praying and never gave up! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These two young people's love starts out so simple, just a friendship that grows into so much more. I love how they pray that they can be what the other person needs them to be even before any feelings of love have begun to bloom. They both go through some really tough things but find a strong support system of people, including each other, that help them overcome the hardships and heartaches. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This wonderful story had me really thinking about how I should approach things in my life. Even when things are challenging, downright unfair and just plain wrong. I read this book in about two days. I did NOT want to stop reading. I can't wait to read book 3! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Prequel: Love's New Beginnings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book One: Forgotten Memories</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book Two: Dreams of the Heart (March 2023)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book Three: When Love Comes (Late 2023)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As Always,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</div></div><p><br /></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-38510595039654582262023-03-03T23:05:00.008-06:002023-03-03T23:13:03.957-06:00Hanger's Horsemen Series by Karen Witemeyer<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDI99L9ohyd_MgZyDXp1fSXdKnQRj_qzWvrK88xv0-NWBvmTQuSt1bFKsadvutP99rZJ5ipTXYXi_d_DIcXfz-t52Ats45ouq391Vya2GbZxl7YvQfpYr7OJ26gezgFDCTJoeHS7HJa2ay7w3lnDj-zFHOwmb0PkvTufCcC9D8H9Sl0CSAUg1Fb1D0A/s2048/Hanger's%20Horseman%20series.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="2048" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDI99L9ohyd_MgZyDXp1fSXdKnQRj_qzWvrK88xv0-NWBvmTQuSt1bFKsadvutP99rZJ5ipTXYXi_d_DIcXfz-t52Ats45ouq391Vya2GbZxl7YvQfpYr7OJ26gezgFDCTJoeHS7HJa2ay7w3lnDj-zFHOwmb0PkvTufCcC9D8H9Sl0CSAUg1Fb1D0A/w617-h457/Hanger's%20Horseman%20series.jpg" width="617" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Normally, I would review one book at a time as it was released BUT I am so far behind that I didn't do the review on the first book when I read it, the second book I had taken forever to read it (NOT because I didn't love it, but because of a mental roadblock) and I read book three right after finishing book two. SO, here we are! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I loved this series! These books are centered around these four men who are more like brothers than just friends. It brings the women they fall in love with together and meets some needs they didn't even know they had. The fact that they are in Texas is just plain fun for me, since I've lived in Texas my entire life. </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'm going to break each book down by sharing the back of the book description, I personally love to read that part before picking a book to read plus right before I start reading it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><i>At Love's Command</i></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>HE'S FOUGHT THROUGH RUTHLESS OUTLAWS AND INJURY, BUT WITH HER, HE'S TEMPTED TO SURRENDER.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>When plans go awry and Josephine is caught in the crossfire, Matthew may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Matthew is the leader of this team of men. In this first book you get a great look at each of the Horsemen. It's a solid foundation for the other books. You CAN read each one alone, but for the big picture and even richer experience, start here and just keep reading. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Josephine is a wonderful female character. She's full of spunk and determination. Exactly what you would expect a women to have in that time period that serves in a profession that was largely male. She's no nonsense when it comes to her patients. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All three are filled with danger and suspense. This one includes her brother and has a very interesting twist to it. You'll just have to read it to see for yourself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Heart's Charge</i></h2><div><b>FOR YEARS THEY'VE BEEN NOMADS FOR JUSTICE, BUT A FINAL MISSION MAY JUST LEAD THEIR HEARTS HOME.</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>Members of the legendary Hanger's Horsemen, Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks arrive in Llano County, Texas, to deliver a steed, never expecting they'd help deliver a baby as well. Left with an infant to care for, they head to a nearby foundling home, where Mark encounters the woman he nearly married a decade ago.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>After failing at love, Katherine Palmer has dedicated her life to caring for children, teaming up with Eliza Southerland to start Harmony House. Eliza understands the pain of not fitting society's mold, being illegitimate and of mixed ancestry. Yet those are the very attributes that lead her to minister to outcast children. The taciturn Jonah intrigues her by defying all her stereotypes of men, but there are secrets behind his eyes—ghosts from wars past and others still being waged.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>When the Horsemen hear rumors of missing children, they stay to investigate, sticking close to Harmony House and its beautiful owners. As they work together to uncover the truth, love and danger grow hand in hand until a final sinister scheme threatens to destroy them all.</i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>This one was for sure different than the usual story, in the fact that we got to experience not one but TWO love stories unfold in this one book. We got to know these two guys in the first book. In this one you get to dig a little deeper into their back stories and into their personal thoughts and actions. I enjoy their deep friendship and how they work together so effortlessly, in all the books. </div><div><br /></div><div>Katherine and Eliza are amazing together as they run a children's home. Like the men, they play a vital role in how the story plays out. Strong characters in their own way, but each different. </div><div><br /></div><div>The children in the story have such vital parts to play. The danger in this story is centered around the children who hang around the railroad, those without families that are older than the ones residing at Harmony House. Karen is great at sticking in a twist ending that you MIGHT have considered, yet it still gets you! This one is very much like that. Better get reading so you can find out what I'm talking about! </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><i>In Honor's Defense</i></h2><div><b>HE'S FACED COUNTLESS PERILS ON THE BATTELFIELD, BUT NOTHING SO DANGEROUS AS FALLING IN LOVE.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><i>Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life—for respect, for country, and for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he's left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, tracking down a group of rustlers, he jumps at the chance.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nathaniel, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she'd have and to give him the family he desperately needs.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>When Nate finds himself knee-deep in trouble, Luke's attempt to protect him leaves Damaris feeling indebted to the Horseman. But suspicions grow regarding the mysterious death of Damaris's brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>We get to REALLY get to know Luke in this book. So much MORE than even in the first one. You think you KNOW him but this book brings out so much. In the other books, you don't see how he feels like a loner and doesn't think falling in love is "in the cards" for him. He is such a caring person. I love the interaction between him and the teenager. He sees right through the boys anger and shenanigans. </div><div><br /></div><div>Damaris is one of the kindest, most patient people. Despite everything she goes through, she never stops being patient with her nephew. As the book cover explains, his pa, her brother, dies under questionable circumstances. That is where the mystery and danger comes in. </div><div><br /></div><div>This one reunites all four Horsemen and I was LOVING that! It has quite a few twists in it. It left me wanting a story for Nate and for several of the orphans from The Heart's Charge. I've put in my request, as I am sure others have done. So we share see if those characters and these beloved eight from the three books return to take us on more adventures through Texas. I surely hope so.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Conclusion</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed this series so very much. Since it has been so long since I read the first one, I have the urge to go read it NOW, but like I said, I'm too far behind to reread a book at the moment. My TBR pile hasn't stopped growing just because I stopped reading as regularly as I always had. I HIGHLY recommend getting these three books at the same time, if you are able, and just reading straight through. If you enjoy a western then I am pretty sure these will be books you wish you had read sooner. I'd love to hear how you liked them once you finish!</div><div><br /></div><div>As Always,</div><div><br /></div><div>~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p><br /></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-7620640832607220742023-02-23T00:50:00.003-06:002023-02-23T00:53:10.783-06:00Beginning Again<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's been a hot minute since I've written much of anything, except doodling on paper or a list of to-do's for the weekend and maybe a book review here and there, just not on THIS blog. I had a season where I couldn't read, let alone write anything substantial. Not being able to lose myself in a book was heart wrenching. Books have been my escape since I was a little girl. I learned to read early and never wanted to stop. And then I did. I just stopped. I would pick up a book and read a page or two and put it down. Not because the story wasn't good, but because I just could not focus my mind on anything for very long. </span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I COULD read a non-fiction, self-help book here and there. But I would have to read it quickly or I would not pick it back up, either. My TBR (to be read) pile has continued to grow since I didn't stop WANTING to read and I have several authors who I love and want everything they write, PLUS I'm finding new authors and new titles that look and sound amazing. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwQt_XXHcQC4yYqs-5_3d1FzFR49qJyXTGcN3PkszfQIFLIi44Z4SsgUi6dH5ytiUfHunvxWPr-gd0VV2gwotUjjo1U12leWS6JjXfhR_RxRQVuxis4EpEab-tEqlKYKk71d5JN3HXtBDByVjlAv5fqwBxAkaQXj_XzRLiDvWIKTQMtKJZMDm-fVNXQ/s2048/terri%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwQt_XXHcQC4yYqs-5_3d1FzFR49qJyXTGcN3PkszfQIFLIi44Z4SsgUi6dH5ytiUfHunvxWPr-gd0VV2gwotUjjo1U12leWS6JjXfhR_RxRQVuxis4EpEab-tEqlKYKk71d5JN3HXtBDByVjlAv5fqwBxAkaQXj_XzRLiDvWIKTQMtKJZMDm-fVNXQ/w298-h397/terri%202023.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This past year, I have really been in a season of growth in several areas of my life. One of the biggest has been my spiritual journey. My faith has been stretched and multiplied, to say the very least. We became "empty nesters" at the beginning of summer. I haven't quite adjusted to it, but I'm always a work in progress. It is during this season where you really have to discover WHO you are all over again. I don't know about you, but I've had to do that in many season of my life. One constant in all of them has been my faith in Christ. He has been here guiding me daily. That is something I plan on writing more about on here.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'd like to share my journey of ups, downs and turn arounds, as I learn to navigate this season of life, the books I enjoy, products I've found that bring a bit of ease to the mundane or even make them fun, the struggles I have and how I get past them, a bit of my family life and maybe even a few fun recipes here and there. I hope you'll check in from time to time! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As always, </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">~A Simple Texas Girl...living life on the Jesus Way!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-3573098495076175212022-11-23T23:25:00.028-06:002023-03-03T23:56:40.153-06:00Forgotten Memories by Penny Zeller<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7RUQHiUFFbbt1Z1Or5fgDaaNhuZumt-cz0PX7EjW24BMi0gK0A56wGhctACiCoV_VNr8Fo0Esx5nvd9T_ERM4eW6wiXldTr0J2oc4uDdAE6vcYfOFabZ6J7xds73llN6mSQBpO8BKz4zode9xlTkfpnnTlKC2S5SbqTZtK4oYAq6U-1PwTaYjDrfWw/s2560/forgotten%20memories%20by%20penny%20zeller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="643" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7RUQHiUFFbbt1Z1Or5fgDaaNhuZumt-cz0PX7EjW24BMi0gK0A56wGhctACiCoV_VNr8Fo0Esx5nvd9T_ERM4eW6wiXldTr0J2oc4uDdAE6vcYfOFabZ6J7xds73llN6mSQBpO8BKz4zode9xlTkfpnnTlKC2S5SbqTZtK4oYAq6U-1PwTaYjDrfWw/w401-h643/forgotten%20memories%20by%20penny%20zeller.jpg" width="401" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>SOME MEMORIES ARE BEST FORGOTTEN...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The Wyoming Territory is rife with lawlessness and disorder, something Annie Ledbetter and her parents discover when their wagon train is robbed. Seven years later, Annie settles into her lifelong dream as a teacher in the small town of Willow Falls. When she meets handsome rancher Caleb Eliason through a humorous misunderstanding, she is quickly drawn to his kind heart and charming smile.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Former outlaw Caleb Eliason embraces his chance at a fresh start. Gone are the days of robbing stagecoaches and wagon trains. When he falls in love with the new Willow Falls teacher, he doesn’t realize they’ve met before—under much different circumstances. When his past comes to light, will it put the growing love between them at risk?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Can forgiveness and redemption heal two broken hearts or will the past keep them from sharing a future?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I loved this book so much! While it WAS filled with some danger and mystery, it wasn't a scary book and I would still recommend it to the teen audience and any adult who loves a historical romance. It was a fun glimpse into life in that time period. A book about new beginnings and second chances. It reminds us that despite past choices and/or mistakes, we are all able to make better choices, especially if we make the best choice of all, Jesus!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The characters were well developed and easily to relate to. The "secondary" characters were also very real and I can't wait to get to know some of them better in the future books!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Like she always does, Penny has carried me off to another place and time. I was drawn to their story and stayed up late one night to read half the book so I could know the ending!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Prequel: Love's New Beginnings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book One: Forgotten Memories</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book Two: Dreams of the Heart (March 2023)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Book Three: When Love Comes (Late 2023)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As Always,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</div></div></div></div><p><br /></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-6019605312777744482021-12-22T23:17:00.001-06:002023-03-03T23:22:21.521-06:00Love Under Construction by Penny Zeller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNACDZjdV_o-DKhUCCwNkrv9BwWqTnQ6h47JibJ_OZG_iyjJLUCmTbGPug8DLUBzOaG0HOrX493VEVi--Y2VnuC6hBQHnLQ4rsivtyIgzVfvdCFwae8ZqHTYlgirPo012oXOSNHZTP1O20SePgTVQaGr1swADcgrvghECWmuq0wmUAPKkIvQqh5nlgeQ/s2048/love%20under%20construction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNACDZjdV_o-DKhUCCwNkrv9BwWqTnQ6h47JibJ_OZG_iyjJLUCmTbGPug8DLUBzOaG0HOrX493VEVi--Y2VnuC6hBQHnLQ4rsivtyIgzVfvdCFwae8ZqHTYlgirPo012oXOSNHZTP1O20SePgTVQaGr1swADcgrvghECWmuq0wmUAPKkIvQqh5nlgeQ/w467-h622/love%20under%20construction.jpg" width="467" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">What a fun book! I’m a huge historical fiction fan but I also love a good modern love story! This one fit the bill!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I really loved how it felt down to earth and the characters seemed so real to me. I can relate to how they question themselves and try to second guess what the others’ motives are. I loved that they didn’t wait forever to just be honest and ask the other people when something concerned them.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">She is a web designer. I have built my own websites. He builds and remodels homes. While I’ve never built a home, I’ve done plenty or DIY projects and watched a LOT of shows where they build or remodel homes. That made their professions very relatable to me.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It is also about adoption within family and close friends. Adoption is very close to my heart since I was adopted by my grandparents at a very early age. The story shows us how they put the well-being and best interest of two little children ahead of their own brought them to a place they never expected to be.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you love books that are under 300 pages, closer to 200 actually, that move quicker, this falls into that category. Even though it’s shorter, it’s not lacking anything. And I love how she didn’t leave out an epilogue. I ALWAYS want to know what our characters are doing “after” the book ends.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As Always,</p><p style="text-align: justify;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-77569508512814734922021-07-04T00:15:00.020-05:002023-03-03T00:21:07.083-06:0030 Day Breakaway Round One 5K<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiA5ani8ly9n5k5oE6C_bp7fDvUNbUKRpNXLtT9nuefiZXVa0EgCkphRhxOb1A7R3NZNclcueObRSVHArIbBxqnwNF_tY0ZSB2jqyBszlnajzugJ5Vj4nOqYXl1q6K2sMyqTeNrvclbPXr08bhGQkH8k-J2sBePgnC2GELqWCEej_2CJW6tuvoc67mw/s800/before-5-k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiA5ani8ly9n5k5oE6C_bp7fDvUNbUKRpNXLtT9nuefiZXVa0EgCkphRhxOb1A7R3NZNclcueObRSVHArIbBxqnwNF_tY0ZSB2jqyBszlnajzugJ5Vj4nOqYXl1q6K2sMyqTeNrvclbPXr08bhGQkH8k-J2sBePgnC2GELqWCEej_2CJW6tuvoc67mw/w392-h523/before-5-k.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I completed a running program this weekend with a 5K run in the park. Runner's bid and all! I printed it out myself. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I started my running journey 9 years ago, You can check out some of my running adventures in posts on this blog. I did the Couch to 5K to "learn how to run". There really isn't any instruction in that to learn HOW to run, but it does teach you how to build up to running longer periods off time. I ran a lot the first few years but stopped running consistently, until I just stopped all together. I would get motivated to run again from time to time. I even joined a cheap gym so I would "have a safer place to run" but in all honestly, after I started running outside, I no longer enjoy running on the treadmill. It's just different. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">After completing two rounds of 9 Week Control Freak followed by my 26 day water fast, I had the urge to get back to the love of running. I remember the great feeling I had during and after my runs, most times. I spent one week just doing my own runs. That week I built up 13 miles. The following week I was a bit "off" on the Monday so I decided to do a different workout. On Tuesday, I ALMOST didn't start the 30 Day Breakaway program because, well, it was Tuesday and not Monday! THAT is a TRAP that we often fall into. If something isn't on a certain day of the month or week, we can't do it. I shook that off and pushed forward.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am so very glad that I did. This program had so many fun elements. Of course, I loved the strength training element each day. I love to lift! But there are so many different types of runs that she put into this program to TEACH people HOW to run and how to get better and faster. Some of the runs were ladders, pyramid, tempo, HIIT, descending, Fartlek, progressive buildups, and easy runs. I enjoyed each one because it kept it different and challenging at the same time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD83pa4-V1rqZ1OHHO0PLzEJisdmgS_Jfmb82XNKcEwuCjFuMnMG0s7Juu1bM3GznItAmjFGTOlwRSBgvtohsKczW-HxPz7SS-nTOPnRvJzqN4J-7Zrnpj6n52HRgbT7AZM_R5scTnN4V64WBY4q5D3ADf-IXlWkSUoFel-m6Ck-up3mPJE1N8Z5rxvA/s800/running-comparrison-30-day-breakaway-round-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD83pa4-V1rqZ1OHHO0PLzEJisdmgS_Jfmb82XNKcEwuCjFuMnMG0s7Juu1bM3GznItAmjFGTOlwRSBgvtohsKczW-HxPz7SS-nTOPnRvJzqN4J-7Zrnpj6n52HRgbT7AZM_R5scTnN4V64WBY4q5D3ADf-IXlWkSUoFel-m6Ck-up3mPJE1N8Z5rxvA/w510-h637/running-comparrison-30-day-breakaway-round-1.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">I was still adjusting after my water only fast so my weight went up a few pounds at the beginning of the month but slowly started coming back down. I lost 8 pounds during the time I did this program. And my miles during a regular run increased. I went from a 15.31 average mile to a 11.58. That isn't bad at all! I hope to reach a ten minute mile later this year. That would make my heart so happy! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am changing some things up and heading into a new phase. I am going to be doing intermittent fasting with the 16/8 window. I'll go into more detail on that in a future post. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I started round 2 with the advanced running calendar today. I enjoy Breaking Away with this program!!! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">As Always,</p><p style="text-align: justify;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-35453157792011915542020-05-10T23:06:00.041-05:002023-03-02T23:24:23.654-06:00A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwYQNBVzPA8x9ipUxRk2Z3q0t6WiNbt9UJ4z9T_ozkjIumUido0j9oPkPoi8dvqZWQgu7A2ILd1bx_GbHQQ4jf_Q38E1LXzeEb6kbgWZnaE9y-EuX2oZqJKxkQoCRZUpi6nHBRsYane2-KAGa_pTvtiFsxjDfhoiFg5tiFf25LQZlgEtSj9jPAeZwfw/s800/cinderella-warmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwYQNBVzPA8x9ipUxRk2Z3q0t6WiNbt9UJ4z9T_ozkjIumUido0j9oPkPoi8dvqZWQgu7A2ILd1bx_GbHQQ4jf_Q38E1LXzeEb6kbgWZnaE9y-EuX2oZqJKxkQoCRZUpi6nHBRsYane2-KAGa_pTvtiFsxjDfhoiFg5tiFf25LQZlgEtSj9jPAeZwfw/w530-h530/cinderella-warmer.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">I’ve been struggling so much lately trying to feel joy in the everyday things. My days seem to pass so quickly and my evenings are filled with mindless tv and thinking about the things I SHOULD be doing but have had no energy or desire to do them. The funny thing is, I KNOW what’s going on. I KNOW I’m allowing myself to fall into a depressed state of mind. I KNOW it is up to ME to shake it off and put my focus BACK where it belongs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I’m NOT saying that everyone who is feeling depressed can just change how they feel. What I am saying is, most everyone feels some sort of depression at one time or another in our lives. It is easy for things to get to us and make us feel down. We each have to KNOW ourselves and what our limits are. We have to understand what it takes to move past the difficult moments in life.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Over the years I have learned to recognize when I am allowing myself to fall farther than I should into those sad feelings. This time, while I have recognized it, I have not stopped it. I have not put a stop to it. I’ve even said “enough is enough” a few times with every intention of picking myself up and moving forward. Obviously, it didn’t work.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Until this past weekend. On Sunday, my youngest daughter and I decided to pamper ourselves from head to toe, for real. We started with our hair and worked our way down to our feet. It was fun going through the store picking out things to pamper ourselves with. We got new hair brushes and we got a Wet Brush. We got some face masks to go along with the foot masks. We put on new nail wraps and painted our toes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuuF83wZOFJB84HCp7R-dNNYRCmyTmh7qEqxknLD576uj2o_nrkPP_y0ko5M1nbqIOjw2PkZBnoLXdR0mH985_HN3drArHPhk4dvHristhmk5aksGYCq_iR7WqUru5c4Sj6GVuqvXoXITndwgJS1X6lCzZvQChUxitH8T20HBOf38QqwhoA1YFkssqA/s800/pamper-ourselves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuuF83wZOFJB84HCp7R-dNNYRCmyTmh7qEqxknLD576uj2o_nrkPP_y0ko5M1nbqIOjw2PkZBnoLXdR0mH985_HN3drArHPhk4dvHristhmk5aksGYCq_iR7WqUru5c4Sj6GVuqvXoXITndwgJS1X6lCzZvQChUxitH8T20HBOf38QqwhoA1YFkssqA/w453-h453/pamper-ourselves.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">After we had washed our hair we wrapped it in a Norwex hair wrap, we both have one we use EVERY time we wash our hair. It is great because it soaks up the extra water and makes it much easier to brush out with our wet brush. The next step was to soak our feet in a tub of Bend Soap’s Lavender Goat Milk Bath Soap. The soap shreds turn the water into a milky, soft bath that leaves your feet feeling so good. I just move my feet around on the bottom of the tub and into each other so it spreads the soap on my feet. If you put it in your tub bath, just do the same thing. Put a bit of the shreds in the bottom of the tub then run hot or warm water (whichever you prefer) and just move it around in the water. It will leave your whole body feeling so soft. They come in many different scents. We chose lavender to relax us.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">While our feet soaked, we watched a couple of episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. starting with the cheesecake episode since we bought a package of cheesecake at the store. The cheesecake was the Market Pantry brand and actually tasted delicious. After we finished the cheesecake we put on the face and foot masks. Our feet already felt amazing but we wanted to do as much as we could to make our feet super soft.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY-kODasgaTt-MtFL0mkDMIXVhyDJpV-GDQEL9t1g11gI2R_Tc3XyP2DFMemvl2WctrV5fFWmnSYGtIl1wfxIGmaYDjAOd3pJV95G0-MLGBmJPS2zMB_X28SBfa_ytm2BHuafNnsOYUTtjQgLqGpKgLXfmICLK-DcXqPT90KMJMjouoEzSDPuLnsv7w/s800/the-one-with-all-the-cheese-cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="455" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY-kODasgaTt-MtFL0mkDMIXVhyDJpV-GDQEL9t1g11gI2R_Tc3XyP2DFMemvl2WctrV5fFWmnSYGtIl1wfxIGmaYDjAOd3pJV95G0-MLGBmJPS2zMB_X28SBfa_ytm2BHuafNnsOYUTtjQgLqGpKgLXfmICLK-DcXqPT90KMJMjouoEzSDPuLnsv7w/w455-h455/the-one-with-all-the-cheese-cakes.jpg" width="455" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">We put on a movie we had been waiting to see, Maleficent Mistress of Evil. We loved the first one so much and couldn’t wait to watch the second one after we heard it was on Disney+. We have enjoyed having Disney+ since we are BIG Disney fans. The kids love the new stuff and I’ve enjoyed watching some of the shows that were made when I was little and even before that.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Movie Review:</b> The acting was well done and the costumes are high quality. The script was not what I expected but it played out perfectly. I loved how in both movies, Maleficent wasn’t the evil person everyone thought she was, all because of love. It did have some dark moments in it, which might be too much for younger children. But I do believe in talking to them when they have questions. Just answer their questions very simply. If they still have questions, keep going until they stop asking questions. That is how you know how far to go. I would recommend anyone see it if they love this type of movie. It has adventure, romance, mystery, new characters, old favorites, and a neat twist on an old story that will have you trying to figure out just how far will they take the story.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We took our face and foot masks off and took turns brushing out each other’s hair while we watched the second half of the movie. I did my nails in Jamberry nail wraps and she took off the Jamberry polish she had on. She left her nails plain since she had a dance recital tonight and you can’t have your nails painted. It was an evening of pampering and rest. I slept so good Sunday night.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have been spending more time just sitting and thinking. I have moved a patio chair into the front yard so I can sit there in the evenings with the puppy while she plays or chews on a toy. I am trying to give her more outside time and trying to get her back on a routine of going potty OUTSIDE instead of inside and in her kennel. Raising a puppy is so hard!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Today a sweet Mother’s Day gift arrived from my oldest daughter and fed my heart. It is so beautiful and my favorite story from childhood. My Cinderella Carriage Scentsy Warmer is simply beautiful. You just left up the top of the carriage to put the Scentsy bar in there and put the lid back on. I put it in the place of honor in the middle of my dresser. It looks so amazing. This is the second Disney warmer and the third warmer since my birthday. I love it. My daughter has purchased all three of them. I got a Frozen 2 for my birthday in November, a Texas one that I got for Christmas and now my Cinderella one for Mother’s Day. All three from Sami.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeKSIUEbc7wZRy9GSyyMwaZjPNxDkd94UYe5FeHu_-arujZlPXFEUVVy6CTObxJWwGck_3vroBSCVIA5fcrgr9UKi1mAxgY-bwlCcdIz6q1iIOg76A4NQJ2YLyeLsuBK0mcvUniJf4LZnWHzMYKB8ak_2q7deGLUTM5vn0RqB0Ihb9JZEtYS6AiAzdw/s800/mothers-day-lunch-2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeKSIUEbc7wZRy9GSyyMwaZjPNxDkd94UYe5FeHu_-arujZlPXFEUVVy6CTObxJWwGck_3vroBSCVIA5fcrgr9UKi1mAxgY-bwlCcdIz6q1iIOg76A4NQJ2YLyeLsuBK0mcvUniJf4LZnWHzMYKB8ak_2q7deGLUTM5vn0RqB0Ihb9JZEtYS6AiAzdw/w504-h504/mothers-day-lunch-2020.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of Mother’s Day, my youngest daughter had the idea to get food from my favorite place, Cotton Patch Cafe. So good! My husband bought me the roses for the table. We moved the kitchen table into the den and put on a movie with my favorite Avenger, Captain America. It was a really nice lunch and relaxing afternoon.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I’m working on my <a href="https://adventurecornerprivateschool.com/" target="_blank">preschool and kindergarten programs</a>, both at my home and online. I am hopeful people will find it and enroll. It is going to be an amazing school year despite the crazy shut down and all this mess. My numbers at my school have been dropping since January but this has gotten kinda crazy.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Time to shake it off and really figure out what is important to me and what isn’t. That is my goal for this week. Film more online classes and write down what I really want out of life. What I want to DO. Do YOU know what you want to do?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As Always,</p><p style="text-align: justify;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-42829816631332966572020-04-25T22:38:00.018-05:002023-03-02T22:47:51.251-06:00The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbD1B2-0XQ4gqMtYBO_WvCH8lveCywTH_Prp6r3ocF9rpdb_e9MPxjohLgaL78OelIIWZTSS_MGF5jmARbEc_OD62dKXF0VCFjq4M2jQF2H_I2cagWDASkEs6wXYuxp1dAzHftRtQW-d-5CKG2RjKZ6isIrPGp_73JGYFhnteOw6K7JZDrFVYPQtlWg/s800/runaway-bride-blog-pic_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="790" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbD1B2-0XQ4gqMtYBO_WvCH8lveCywTH_Prp6r3ocF9rpdb_e9MPxjohLgaL78OelIIWZTSS_MGF5jmARbEc_OD62dKXF0VCFjq4M2jQF2H_I2cagWDASkEs6wXYuxp1dAzHftRtQW-d-5CKG2RjKZ6isIrPGp_73JGYFhnteOw6K7JZDrFVYPQtlWg/w551-h558/runaway-bride-blog-pic_orig.jpg" width="551" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I have loved Jody Hedlund’s books for the past five years, after reading her first YA (young adult) series, The Noble Knights. She has a third YA series releasing starting September of 2020.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is book two in the series and it has characters from book one, which I LOVE! When I find a book that draws me in and I get to know the people in the stories, I want to know MORE of their story. I look forward to the other two books in the series.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>HAUNTED BY MISTAKES IN HER PAST, WILL SHE EVER AGAIN TRUST HER HEART TO ANOTHER?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship, still bearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately attracts suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by making a poor choice.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy, held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town’s baker who has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella’s affections, but also clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need–a starving girl left behind by her tribe. Intent on helping the child, Arabella leans on Peter’s advice and guidance Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision, or will seeking what’s right cost both her and Peter everything?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Runaway Bride picks up Arabella’s story from book one. In The Reluctant Bride, we learn that she has some dark secrets. Someone has physically hurt her but we don’t learn who until this book. We learn pieces of her back story throughout the book. At first it seems like she is sort of stuck up, or too good for certain things. But we find deep down she is really a good hearted person that has just been conditioned to believe those things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Peter is a great hero, he’s funny and hard working plus he cares about people. He is striving to do the right things in the right way, honorably. While this time period does seem so much simpler than now, it was harder in many ways. Those without wealth had to work very hard for everything they got. But we see in this story just how much sweeter that made life and how much more joy could be had.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A word that kept coming up was courage. Courage to do the right thing. Courage to overcome the fear and pursue truth. Courage to do what felt right instead of what society had decided was proper. Doing the right things and living the right way doesn’t always make for an easy life. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do the right thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope you will check out this series and enjoy it as much as I am. I’m excited for book THREE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>**Take note that THIS is BOOK TWO in The Bride Ships series. Be sure to check out BOOK THREE: The Bride of Convenience, JUNE 2020 available for pre-order.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you are interested in other books she has written and what order to read them in, <a href="http://jodyhedlund.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Booklist-June-2019.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a> is a printable list. Enjoy!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRct6GKP8dUkO6CcXStFwOr-csVrkjiUE3gpXi3scGhCPBy79HmnRNl6vICtZ_PpZ52FGDW4tSGMo0M169d0pa3IWd6NPM-i9dXVTXr2ExVUIXg5Y2KOm_mEGHy-HddPtBKdvY3yr7p7IxpX534gp-7tOlQtDHYBuAl_tdQzgfH7l_CMBhhO9JvhmYg/s800/the-bride-ship-sieries-blog-pic_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRct6GKP8dUkO6CcXStFwOr-csVrkjiUE3gpXi3scGhCPBy79HmnRNl6vICtZ_PpZ52FGDW4tSGMo0M169d0pa3IWd6NPM-i9dXVTXr2ExVUIXg5Y2KOm_mEGHy-HddPtBKdvY3yr7p7IxpX534gp-7tOlQtDHYBuAl_tdQzgfH7l_CMBhhO9JvhmYg/w452-h452/the-bride-ship-sieries-blog-pic_orig.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of over twenty historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, five busy teens, and five spoiled cats. Visit <a href="http://jodyhedlund.com/" target="_blank">her website here</a>. </div></div></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-37957107610098801412020-02-21T00:08:00.021-06:002023-03-03T00:14:29.297-06:0010 Rounds Tour Dallas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcvRSuVnUvSYoiDoxBQpPoeQkaPYtCuEOYH8zQHRsm7KikPuG6Wtgj-wup4PS9dPd_qX0mo7PAWm31v-nuwZWRzuNolu4aM3zIwPM_uzzCUFP-062EMtB0TuHF0A8DsJkcjGRV-V6tV0pWK1Hpb2RtvPP3pRpgt83xZ_4su7WZs3MjcAhDoOAF7jdhA/s854/collage-of-10-rounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="854" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcvRSuVnUvSYoiDoxBQpPoeQkaPYtCuEOYH8zQHRsm7KikPuG6Wtgj-wup4PS9dPd_qX0mo7PAWm31v-nuwZWRzuNolu4aM3zIwPM_uzzCUFP-062EMtB0TuHF0A8DsJkcjGRV-V6tV0pWK1Hpb2RtvPP3pRpgt83xZ_4su7WZs3MjcAhDoOAF7jdhA/w510-h510/collage-of-10-rounds.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">I know I haven’t been on here much to write. My days are mostly filled with my “day job”, which is the private school. My nights are usually filled with two of my grands that have been living with me since July. After work was just as full of being 100% there for the kids as it was between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. I had to find a way to get some of my time back in the evenings. Time BEFORE I gave into the fatigue of the day and my mind just wanted to shut down and my body just wanted to crawl into bed.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I’ve started doing an earlier bedtime for the kids so that I’m able to get some work done after they go to sleep. We WERE shooting for 9 p.m. and they wouldn’t fall asleep until around 11. When I tired 8 they still didn’t fall asleep until 10:30. I decided something had to shift. We made naptime just rest time, you know, read quietly or something so that other people could still fall asleep. They have been falling asleep by 8 since we started that. Granted, they get up at 7 in the morning but I can live with that. We still haven’t gotten nap time figured out but I feel confident that this too shall pass and we will get to the other side of it, eventually.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I’ve gotten lost in my days and off track on some things. ME is something I always struggle to take care of even though I know it is key to being able to give my best in other areas for those I love. I had started this new Blends Challenge to get the toxins out of my body and see if I could get my psoriasis under control and BAM, a stomach bug knocked me for a loop. I was in bed for a full day doing nothing but resting. I ended up eating a package of saltine crackers and drinking some sprite. The following day I was up but very weak and still drinking the sprite and eating small. Sadly, I did NOT get right back on the Blends Challenge and I’m kicking myself for allowing me to decide I didn’t need to do it. My hands were looking better after less than a week, now they are terrible again. I NEED to get back on it. I NEED to push play on my workouts and get up early to do that. I have excuses. My hands hurt, they really do. It is serious pain. I am tired. I don’t have a window of time. on and on and on….But truth be told, I could MAKE time.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am working on making that time. It has been great to be able to work on things all this week. I’ve started working early evenings and worked late into the night every day this week. I’m updating my preschool website because I’m making some changes to that so I can do more with my family and feel a little less burnt out at the end of the day. Website changes take a lot of time when you do an almost complete makeover, which is basically what I did. Every page is different in some way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGj3ZHUTjRpH_ORRQBV2Nt6xqGxO4wPaMbQwg-ldHKhFzv0GBil8WwYwhWF1_SPk-P0uBFMP0O-FYxg9WpEfk3JW1iVBOiw_TuSf60XqNdROwILSp5PE27PVdYCQHR6WPT-PWAhXhUTEE8Bs3U-281I0JL9wW0JDOxSV0iQthU--cUlAFV0zzFQhJMg/s830/joel-freeman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="830" height="549" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGj3ZHUTjRpH_ORRQBV2Nt6xqGxO4wPaMbQwg-ldHKhFzv0GBil8WwYwhWF1_SPk-P0uBFMP0O-FYxg9WpEfk3JW1iVBOiw_TuSf60XqNdROwILSp5PE27PVdYCQHR6WPT-PWAhXhUTEE8Bs3U-281I0JL9wW0JDOxSV0iQthU--cUlAFV0zzFQhJMg/w549-h549/joel-freeman.jpg" width="549" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>Something that REALLY excites me and gets me out of my slump is working out. Yep, I said it, working out. I LOVE working out. I LOVE lifting and I love cardio. It makes me feel alive. Saturday my oldest daughter and I went to an event that the company we are a part of put on. They are filming a brand new six week workout program. A boxing program! They have a tour bus and they are stopping in six places across America, Dallas was one of them. We got to workout live on the Dallas Cowboys practice field with Joel Freeman and the cast of 10 Rounds. Then we sat down and listened to a Q & A session with him, getting all the scoop about the program and when it will be out for us to do. That was such a rush! The program is three days of boxing and two days of lifting. YES!</div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve got to get things back on track. I’m going to be working on my preschool, which basically is my house, this weekend. I’ve got to get things more organized so I can make this new plan for my preschool work. I can’t wait to share more about that soon. I’ve still got the things to use for the Blends Challenge so my plan is to get back on track Monday morning. I know it will help me so much.</div><div></div><div>My new bed time is drawing near so I will close this for now. Thanks for checking in. Let me know if you have ever considered boxing as part of your fitness routine. I can’t even begin to tell you just how excited I am to start this program in the spring!</div><div><br /></div><div>As Always,</div><div><br /></div><div>~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</div></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-88439139447777144712020-01-04T23:33:00.020-06:002023-03-02T23:54:16.053-06:00A Year In Review 2019<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX8UdMago-PSh0B3jsPEiBIWD3DtgPpF84WriiMx4HfrbyA_aHxGQbqyqFsOpkj14hf3Xl6czYrgOVWAPRHcKjj_DSR-ZqzU0bK0tthJgWUnM1qH-ilOM7mYi4yrL-6WnOB7tm47VoQAWOgWOPCpt2H0J2aAJWZCl0l6aOzY0-fZOZTRW1fRJkVY-Pg/s800/look-back-2019-no-n_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="541" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX8UdMago-PSh0B3jsPEiBIWD3DtgPpF84WriiMx4HfrbyA_aHxGQbqyqFsOpkj14hf3Xl6czYrgOVWAPRHcKjj_DSR-ZqzU0bK0tthJgWUnM1qH-ilOM7mYi4yrL-6WnOB7tm47VoQAWOgWOPCpt2H0J2aAJWZCl0l6aOzY0-fZOZTRW1fRJkVY-Pg/w541-h541/look-back-2019-no-n_orig.jpg" width="541" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Everyone looks back at their year with either one of two things to say, they don’t care to remember any of it because it was so terrible OR they had a great year. Certain things tend to linger in our minds, good or bad. I actually had a pretty scary thing happen right before the year ended that COULD have ruined my entire year. REALLY, my mind TOLD me that! Can you believe it? I was ALMOST willing to allow that ONE 15 minute event in my life take every great memory for the year and make me think the year was terrible. I told myself to shake it off and move on. Remember, don’t give ANYTHING the power to take your joy from you. It’s not worth it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Since I have <a href="https://startbrands.com/pages/thestartplanner" target="_blank">THE BEST planner</a>, I went through each month and wrote down every significant entry on an unused page in that same planner. I got REALLY excited as I put everything down in one place. I wrote down our family adventures, wedding and births, fitness accomplishments, how I served at church or women’s events I attended, and debt that was paid off. Looking back at my word for 2019, I could really see how it ran all through my year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some pretty big events took place in our family in 2019, none of which have anything to do with goals I’ve set. My oldest daughter got married after fourteen years, ON their 14th anniversary IN HAWAII! That was one goal I didn’t reach for 2019, to get to attend the wedding. We went from three grandchildren to five. The newest grand wasn’t supposed to come until mid January but she decided Christmas Eve Eve, during our Grand Night was the time to arrive. Our younger son celebrated five years with his sweet girl. Our youngest child graduated from high school, got her first car and her first boyfriend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The word that guided me in 2019 was INTENTIONAL. I vowed to be intentional in every part of my life; my faith, my family, my fitness, everything. I didn’t always keep that goal in the forefront of my mind but I can see how it guided me to do more than I had the previous year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When it came to being more INTENTIONAL, my relationship with the Lord was at the very top of my priority list. I worked on that daily. Each morning I read my FBCA Daily Bible Readings on my app plus I either had some Bible study plans on YouVersion or I did several Bible studies with <a href="https://womenlivingwell.org/category/good-morning-girls/" target="_blank">Good Morning Girls</a>. I start a new one January 13th on 2 Kings. I even add some praise and worship time to my mornings when I am able. My favorite song has been Defender by Francesca Battistelli. We sing that at church and it just speaks to my heart is such a powerful way. I was able to attend a couple of women’s retreats, as well. It was a challenge because other I tend to let people’s needs overshadow my own. I went to one day of each two day retreat. I look at it as a start in the right direction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I grew closer in my walk with the Lord, I realized I needed to get back to serving in <a href="https://www.fbca.org/" target="_blank">the body of believers</a> that I am a part of. I had taken a step back for a year so it was time to find where I belonged. I’ve worked with children since I was a youth so it felt natural to serve that direction. I started subbing in the children’s department for Sunday school in the early part of the year. My youngest daughter and I taught during the Faith at Home week, she in the preschool and me in the fourth grade class. In the fall I began teaching in first grade Sunday school full time. My youngest daughter and I started teaching the four year old class on Wednesday nights. I was even a host home for our youth’s WUWE, a discipleship weekend. It was my youngest daughter’s last year in the youth so I thought that would be a great chance to be a part of it, even though it wasn’t her grade that stayed at our home. She and I even hosted a journaling Bible study during the summer in our home. That was a great time for us. I feel that I made great strides in this area. I look forward to making more connections and growing in my roll as a mentor to other women and being mentored myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My husband and I went on a small weekend trip for our 36th wedding anniversary. I found this lovely cabin in Broken Bow, OK. It had been awhile since we had done anything without kids. It was short but a start at getting back into the habit of doing things, just the two of us. I have another trip planned for us this year. If I don’t plan it, we don’t do it. We used to do marriage retreats and conferences all the time. As the kids got older, we got more involved with work and just everyday life. It is so important not to stop “dating” your spouse. We still don’t go out near enough. But it’s a new year. We can change that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We were able to attend the FBCA Family Getaway over Labor Day weekend. We’ve been doing those for six years but the year before we didn’t go simply because I just didn’t want to put forth the effort to make it happen. That is another area that I intentionally made a huge effort to make it happen. So many things were coming against me to stop us from going. I am so glad we did. It was a good weekend for us. Our younger son was in town and able to go. It was great getting to sit and talk to him a bit here and there. Our oldest grandchild went with us. She’s been with us a couple of other times. I would love for my older daughter and her family to start going every year, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We started some new-to-us traditions. One was a <a href="https://shadowcreekpumpkinfarm.com/" target="_blank">pumpkin farm</a> in October. The kids really enjoyed the petting zoo. Of course, I had to grab a picture with my grands in my lap. I decided to have a Grands Night in December each year since in 2018 it was super challenging to get a picture on Christmas morning of the grands together, there was only three then. The number keeps growing. No one wants to wait around while you try and get pictures of the kids on Christmas morning. Let’s face it, it is a LOT of work trying to get multiple children to all look at the same time. It just doesn’t happen very often, if at all. Plus, not everyone is going to be able to come at the same time in the same mood. This way everyone was here at the same time and we fed them dinner right after we did pictures so they would be happy for the rest of the evening. We managed to get some good pictures, although not any of them were “picture perfect”. I do hope to add a few more traditions throughout the year because family time is so important. They aren’t going to remember how much money we spent on them. They will remember the TIME we spent WITH them.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf2aXGQDdeh0P263hKtKW01Adm68l0oDqG7eaMYe6JzGkni-_tPg1WDnUGRkLfTWONhRZgyGlAmXISVBJEnhpn1oyRCyZVzdNHqA2noYaJHStBQeUULvErR79koKxmSScnDB8g7o7OsfVmAmef1dm6qMFc6VkjpA76Wgyzd0ge0EohBgS_6cIvGnu2Q/s830/look-back-fitness-2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="830" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf2aXGQDdeh0P263hKtKW01Adm68l0oDqG7eaMYe6JzGkni-_tPg1WDnUGRkLfTWONhRZgyGlAmXISVBJEnhpn1oyRCyZVzdNHqA2noYaJHStBQeUULvErR79koKxmSScnDB8g7o7OsfVmAmef1dm6qMFc6VkjpA76Wgyzd0ge0EohBgS_6cIvGnu2Q/w562-h562/look-back-fitness-2019.jpg" width="562" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My oldest daughter and I have gone to a couple of big events for the fitness company we are a part of and met two of the super trainers that designed the workouts we love so much. We have missed the BIG summer event two years in a row because she had babies both years. 2020 we will be back on track with our summer conference. We both completed certification for the Ultimate Portion Fix Master Coach. While I did struggle a bit with my weight going back up from lack of activity during the late spring early summer, I was able to end the year being 15 pounds less than my highest weight of the year. What I am most proud of is the fact that I stuck with several programs all the way through. That may not sound like a big deal, but trust me, it is. Following through on what you say you are going to do, especially to yourself, is KEY! I’m making progress and getting my muscle back. It’s not easy working out at my age. The reason ISN’T my age, believe it or not. The reason is because there were years where I was really hard on my body with what I put in it. I have since changed that but the effects linger for years. That doesn’t mean I can’t improve my fitness. I’m making progress every single day. My husband paid me a huge compliment the other day, I’m not sure he realizes just how big a deal it was to me. I told him I always struggle taking care of myself and doing things for me. He said he couldn’t tell because I never give up. I keep working on it. WOW! That is one of the greatest things he’s ever said to me. That meant so much! HE sees that I just keep picking myself up when I “fall down” and get right back to work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A really BIG project that I started in 2019 was to get back on track with my budget and getting debt paid off. I paid off my husband’s Jeep, I paid off three large cc debts and a student loan. I have one more student loan to pay off plus my van. My goal is to get those paid off in 2020! I’m going to have to work super hard to make that happen but I know I can do it. Once those are done, I will be one more step closer to some BIG things on my vision board.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What I realized as I was looking back over last year and at the same time trying to figure out my word for 2020, is that I am not quite done with THIS word or this board. There are things on this board that are long term goals and I’m not ready to just toss them aside because I haven’t reached them just yet. I HAVE made strides that are bringing me closer to those things. I need to continue to be INTENTIONAL in all I do. I will share in a second post about my 2020 word and goals. I’m STILL adding to my board and figuring out some things I need to add back into my life that I have allowed myself to stop doing because of other people. Not that they did anything wrong. I did. I let myself take a backseat to everyone and everything. That isn’t how I want to live my life anymore. That will be changing starting this month. Starting right this minute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tell me how YOUR 2019 went? What memorable things happened? What goals did you reach? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As Always,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</div></div><br /><p><br /></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-46251692069167989462019-12-31T22:48:00.015-06:002023-03-02T22:56:08.877-06:00What I love About Bend Soap Company<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7fPMRksHBrVoa36F-qtAh1fRz-ryqc2m7dBe7U5Xa7y8qkjUQiLqRFok-EpNzdTR0V0E_U6Z5g2kEZQQccy0f3KGRrMqu16nFSp15rVGEX01H1soZ73RMWhmlw5FA0Xb2iT5r_btr49HfaznwXBOjGkS-g5TCgz7l7Y1JaigZp6DwOTNlW7L7aUwVg/s800/bend-soap_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7fPMRksHBrVoa36F-qtAh1fRz-ryqc2m7dBe7U5Xa7y8qkjUQiLqRFok-EpNzdTR0V0E_U6Z5g2kEZQQccy0f3KGRrMqu16nFSp15rVGEX01H1soZ73RMWhmlw5FA0Xb2iT5r_btr49HfaznwXBOjGkS-g5TCgz7l7Y1JaigZp6DwOTNlW7L7aUwVg/w491-h491/bend-soap_orig.jpg" width="491" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For the past two decades I have been on a quest to find healthier options for my family. Not just food products but every product that we use in every area of our lives. It really matters what your body comes in contact with, inside and out. I found this company, <a href="https://www.bendsoap.com/" target="_blank">Bend Soap</a> when we were looking for something safe for my grandsons, they have super sensitive skin. My daughter gave me a sample bar to try and I loved how it felt on my hands. Over the last several months, I have developed a skin condition I didn’t have in the past, psoriasis. I decided to purchase some products on my own and give them a try. I needed to find a solution to my skin condition. I bought a variety of products in my order. I want to break down the different products and tell you what I think about them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Like I mentioned, I had already tried the all-natural <a href="https://www.bendsoap.com/collections/goat-milk-soap" target="_blank">Goat Milk Soap</a>. It lathers nicely and give you a feeling a lotion when using it. I’ve been struggling with some very irritable skin on my hands and doing dishes or even taking a hot shower leaves my hands super itchy and irritated, I decided to try this soap. I noticed that using this soap to wash my hands didn’t leave them burning like other soap. I recently found out you can use it in place of shampoo so I’m giving that a try. They tell you it takes a little time for your hair to get used to it. But I would really like to get away from all types of chemicals in body products. I got a soap rack to help it last longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The main product I wanted to order was the Unscented all-natural <a href="https://www.bendsoap.com/collections/natural-goat-milk-lotion" target="_blank">Goat Milk Lotion</a>. It goes on very silky and it does NOT leave a lotion feeling on my hands afterwards. It does not feel chemical or like I am going to rub it on something else when I’m done. It is a great body lotion. You can also use it as a conditioner for your hair. Just put it on the tips of your hair in a small amount. The soap and lotions without essential oils is usually a better option if you have a problem with oily hair.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The <a href="https://www.bendsoap.com/collections/natural-deodorant" target="_blank">all-natural deodorant</a> is amazing! I’ve tried many different natural deodorants and this one is by far the best. One swipe is all it takes. After I workout, normally I will have some type of smell and this leaves me smelling very neutral. I like that about it. And the fact that it only takes one swipe instead of three or four, means it lasts longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The all-natural <a href="https://www.bendsoap.com/collections/natural-lip-butter" target="_blank">Lip Butter</a> was something I decided to buy on a whim. I thought, what a great thing to add to Christmas gifts for the girls in my family. I put together gift baskets with all sorts of goodies along with bigger items that each would love. Of course, I had to try some for myself. I opened the Holly Berry and have been using it every day. It doesn’t have a fake tastes or film on my lips. It stays moist and pleasant for a long amount of time. As long as I don’t wipe it off or drink from a cup where it comes off, it stays. The girls have given their approval. as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I ordered the all-natural <a href="https://www.bendsoap.com/collections/goat-milk-bath-soap" target="_blank">Goat Milk Bath</a> but haven’t gotten a chance to use it yet. I ordered four different kinds to try. Basically it is the bar soap that is shaved and you put it into your bath-water. After using the bar soap I can imagine a very silky bath. I’ll update this post once I do get a chance to use it. It is supposed to be really good for my skin condition to soak in a Goat Milk Bath several times a week because instead of it drying out the skin it moisturizes it and helps renew the skin. I just need to MAKE the time to do that for myself. I struggle with self-care because everyone needs me 100% of the time, or it seems that way. I did not order the all-natural Sugar Scrub yet but that is next on my list to try.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you would like to know more about this wonderful product and how they got started, make sure to check out <a href="https://www.bendsoap.com/pages/about-us" target="_blank">their website</a> and find them on fb. Let me know which products you try and what you think.</div></div><p>As Always</p><p>~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way</p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-18735295927704034482019-11-27T22:56:00.010-06:002023-03-02T23:01:08.921-06:00Scripture Lullabies Teddy Bear<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUGr_apFI6D4KYKHK1FAbrV67igj2372PARzHO8KzLI2w9KpJ_UqfVPSTQDjxt9Nfuy9lCG5TmNpsafCoRhFVY2OxVDR-3NlSL7GSleLJYcDA63Ca5sVo1pWyrmviDJrVxoKmB02xeP87BnPBfpJ_Vw58K0d4keMJ5cMyuNkollEGBhX4OYqcvtAA5A/s800/scripture-bear-collage_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUGr_apFI6D4KYKHK1FAbrV67igj2372PARzHO8KzLI2w9KpJ_UqfVPSTQDjxt9Nfuy9lCG5TmNpsafCoRhFVY2OxVDR-3NlSL7GSleLJYcDA63Ca5sVo1pWyrmviDJrVxoKmB02xeP87BnPBfpJ_Vw58K0d4keMJ5cMyuNkollEGBhX4OYqcvtAA5A/w562-h562/scripture-bear-collage_orig.jpg" width="562" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Last Christmas I stumbled upon the <a href="https://scripture-lullabies.com/" target="_blank">Scripture Lullabies Teddy Bear</a> that plays scriptures with music as I was scrolling social media. My youngest grandson, at the time, was just seven months old and I am quick to find great gifts for my grands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I ordered two, one for his house and one for my house. I have a home preschool with children that range from age five and under. Nap time is super important for them, AND me. It is the only time they are quiet. I don’t just put them in a room with silence. We play background sounds or instrumental music while they rest. This bear has that instrumental music with scripture mixed in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My preschoolers love it! We change it up what we play during their nap from time to time but it is one of our favorite forms of relaxation that we use. We also just listen to instrumental lullabies on my app.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My grandson latched on to his quickly. His mommy named him Bear-bear. As you can see from the picture, he is very attached to him. He loves how soft it is and the songs are very soothing. I believe having scripture played for them to listen to is a very powerful thing. “Speaking scripture” over children is biblical.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://scripture-lullabies.com/" target="_blank">The Scripture Lullabies Teddy Bear</a> plays six scripture lullaby songs. It’s heart lights up when the music is playing. It also has four nature sounds. It plays for ten hours and has a rechargeable lithium battery. There are three volume settings and it has an automatic 30-minute timer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I highly recommend this precious bear to anyone who wants to give their children something to help teach them to self soothe that comes in a soft cuddly “package” like this bear. It is a nice gray color that will go with any nursery or child’s room. It makes a great shower gift or Christmas present.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As Always,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</div></div><p><br /></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-89751978443535551322019-07-27T22:28:00.028-05:002023-03-02T22:38:32.539-06:00A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AQzG-_Y0vvthCI44OjQw6QKkpxvd-fLCXhP9KjpfxUDq7D4WppopiKs91vBSUZqeXJUOtMe2MRyPI7Wvkd0TzbmgNBu-MKZg5qINWmp8eiEcWGhOjeM43Q97e3aDrjptcDJay4mE38OWtD3Ix4BFnTTfXP0kmK-KELENoTuJa_nzgQM0YHQfdnbPmw/s650/1-a-reluctant-bride-cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AQzG-_Y0vvthCI44OjQw6QKkpxvd-fLCXhP9KjpfxUDq7D4WppopiKs91vBSUZqeXJUOtMe2MRyPI7Wvkd0TzbmgNBu-MKZg5qINWmp8eiEcWGhOjeM43Q97e3aDrjptcDJay4mE38OWtD3Ix4BFnTTfXP0kmK-KELENoTuJa_nzgQM0YHQfdnbPmw/w469-h469/1-a-reluctant-bride-cover.jpeg" width="469" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;">I found Jody Hedlund in 2015 when I helped influence for her first YA series. After reading and LOVING that book, I sought out her other books and quickly added them to my “must read” authors. She writes a variety of genres. I haven't found a book of hers that I didn't LOVE.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><b>A NEW LIFE AWAITS HER ACROSS THE HORIZON</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><i>Living in London’s poorest slim, Mercy Wilkins harbors little hope for a better life. So when she’s offered the opportunity to join a bride ship sailing to British Columbia, she agrees. The journey abroad is her only prospect to escape a bleak future-both for herself and to help her sister, who’s suffering in a workhouse.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><i>Wealthy and titled Joseph Colville leaves everything behind and takes to the sea to escape the pain of losing his family. As the ship’s surgeon, he’s in charge of the passengers’ welfare aboard the TYNEMOUTH, including sixty brides-to-be. He has no immediate intention of settling down, but when Mercy becomes his assistant, the two must fight against a forbidden love.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><i>With hundreds of single men congregating along the shore of Vancouver Island, eager to claim a bride from the TYNEMOUTH, will Mercy and Joseph miss their chance at true love, or will they overcome the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart?</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;">A Reluctant Bride is a story that takes us into parts of London that we don’t think about much. I love the fact that Jody does such in-depth research so she can give us a REAL picture of the life her characters live. It brings things so close that they seem like real people. Her character development, as always, was wonderful. This is the way I love to learn about history, from authors that really care about being accurate in their setting.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;">This story contains actual events but with her characters. I hadn’t heard about the bride ships and I didn’t fully understand just how bad the conditions were in London until I read this book. I loved Mercy because she had such a sweet heart for others. She was drawn to helping and caring for anyone who needed it. But she saw such tragedy in her young life that it was easy to see how she would need to protect herself from the pain. Joseph’s story was a little more understandable, in my mind, because he just seemed like a “rich kid” who was running away from his position in life by traveling around being a doctor. He was GOOD, more than good, at his job and he cared about those he took care of. But he didn’t want to have anything to do with his family home or the title that he carried. It takes awhile to figure out why.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;">I loved how the story wrapped up and she chose for them to work through their personal struggles. There are some characters that I hope we will see in the future of this series because I think THEIR stories will be quite interesting, too.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;">I recommend highly this entire series. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><b>**Take note that THIS is BOOK ONE in The Bride Ships series. Be sure to check out BOOK TWO: The Runaway Bride, March 3, 2020 available for pre-order.</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><b>About Jody:</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><b>Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of over twenty historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, five busy teens, and five spoiled cats. Visit her on <a href="http://jodyhedlund.com/" target="_blank">her website here</a>. </b></span></span></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-31865799321726468972019-06-27T00:01:00.022-05:002023-03-03T00:08:01.184-06:00A Turn Around<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdqz4GBdeZAXprO-69ekCbDgNK8HJVrSrgMcL-wUmumndFgQKeKDdqd-UqXdWKfURQ0LpqiJhbGglCYlW-R5SkikSAB7YGJByWqdV80uhaQL3Pcm-zrbl2PEfkhbZb3IjoUJl8Td4EytU6uSeRGMwg1lWzVvcDnu3Bntq7hmAozbLaNeoURmnhncN4Q/s800/morning-meltdown-with-my-pic-in-corner_orig.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdqz4GBdeZAXprO-69ekCbDgNK8HJVrSrgMcL-wUmumndFgQKeKDdqd-UqXdWKfURQ0LpqiJhbGglCYlW-R5SkikSAB7YGJByWqdV80uhaQL3Pcm-zrbl2PEfkhbZb3IjoUJl8Td4EytU6uSeRGMwg1lWzVvcDnu3Bntq7hmAozbLaNeoURmnhncN4Q/w560-h560/morning-meltdown-with-my-pic-in-corner_orig.jpeg" width="560" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This blog is all about following my “ups, downs and turn arounds” while I am living life on the Jesus Way, PLUS the books, movies and vacations that I enjoy AND whatever else I feel like writing about! When it comes to my fitness, I’ve had quite a few ups and downs. But the great thing about it, I’ve had some amazing turn around’s. I’ve reached some goals I wasn’t sure I could, until I did.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This past year, I’ve faced a lot of downs. Many things have come at me and I’ve allowed them to keep me down. My progress that I was so proud of? Gone as far as the eyes can tell. I know deep down, I still have some of that muscle and strength left hidden under the fat. I am at my highest weight ever. I feel terrible, physically and mentally. I no longer have the energy or desire to be active. I just feel “heavy” and bloated. Kind of like the girl that blew up like a blueberry on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here me when I say “I allowed it”. I MUST take responsibility for it because that is the ONLY way I will be able to move forward from this point. I COULD have stopped in my tracks and took a hard look at what was happening before it was out of control. I COULD have dug my head out of the sand and opened my eyes to what I was doing to my body. Make no mistake, I became aware of it from time to time and tried to push it to the back of my mind. I tried to believe that it didn’t matter. It does matter. A LOT.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have lots of excuses. For instance, I got wrapped up in the day to day of my job and taking care of my family’s needs while using that as an excuse for not eating right or working out regularly. My thyroid is off and my hormones are nuts because menopause is kicking in, hot flashes and all. I let disappointments and relationship issues make me feel like it wasn’t worth the effort. All of those THINGS are NOT good enough reasons to let your health go. There isn’t a good reason.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Earlier this year my youngest daughter and I started going to the gym to run on the treadmill and ride the bikes. I was using the stair climber, too. We were doing really well for awhile until she got too busy and then just didn’t feel like going most days. Did I keep going on my own because it was good for me and it was a goal of mine? You guessed it. No, I quit going, too. I’ll admit, I’m one of those people that REALLY enjoys having someone to share my goal with me. To encourage and coach through the process. PLUS, I REALLY hate going someplace to workout. That takes so much TIME there and back.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I’ve been struggling for the past couple of months, knowing that I needed to get back on track and stay there. I have been making some good choices and then some not great choices. But not being 100% with my food or my workouts. TRYING to find something that will kick start me on the right track, again. I KNOW what I am capable of. I KNOW I can stick to a fitness and nutrition program at the same time. I’ve lost the weight and built a strong body. I CAN do it again.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There is nothing better than a brand new, exciting workout program to kick start someone like me on the right track. The newest program that releases next week, for coaches, is just what I needed. And while I knew I wanted to do it, I longed to have someone or many someones join me in this adventure. An idea popped into my head and then it grew into something very fun, with the help of my daughter.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We are going to create a new workout space big enough for more than one or two people to workout at a time. We are setting a time to work out, daily. PLUS, we are inviting friends to join us. How cool is that? Working out with a group of friends is so much fun! We will get things ready, take our before pictures and measurements, meal plan, and meal prep. Each of us will check in daily on the app to record our workouts and talk about food and recipes. Accountability!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I will be posting the before and after pictures of our workout space. It will be a work in progress but that is OK. I’ll share my goal for this program later. I’m pretty excited about it. I know if I go all in with the workouts and really pay attention to all the things going into my body, I will reach my goal.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I hope you will follow my story. It’s not going to be one with fad diets, pills, shots, starving, removing certain food groups, etc. It will be five to six very balanced meals a day that will be far from starving. In fact, I find it hard to eat everything some days. But it will be a nutrition program with the least amount of processed foods, sugars and more whole foods that will fuel my body and nourish it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Can’t wait to get this party started!!!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As Always,</p><p style="text-align: justify;">~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!</p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-42567255751814592942019-06-17T22:21:00.012-05:002023-03-02T22:28:14.076-06:00Bookaholic For Life<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtFcypfIfXPOp6a5XTCXpvKKCwIBlrYErkuhVIk21cjhk76E46Tr0v3elDnhvh2J8KxLJKaRQdCvLrQ3rx47sVmgLx3CLOWQQ3OTOPH5oDBwnShWW46XATQXAkyEMC9lq4BQS5ffd7sT8y7Or7V-GK4eWbCuW_dzHkwGJlkk3HNtEVVGuPufdPPnupQ/s800/books-from-lifeway-june-19_orig.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="527" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtFcypfIfXPOp6a5XTCXpvKKCwIBlrYErkuhVIk21cjhk76E46Tr0v3elDnhvh2J8KxLJKaRQdCvLrQ3rx47sVmgLx3CLOWQQ3OTOPH5oDBwnShWW46XATQXAkyEMC9lq4BQS5ffd7sT8y7Or7V-GK4eWbCuW_dzHkwGJlkk3HNtEVVGuPufdPPnupQ/w527-h527/books-from-lifeway-june-19_orig.jpeg" width="527" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Hi! I’m Terri and I am a bookaholic. I say that in no way to be critical of any other addiction but in all honestly, I am truly a bookaholic. Now, that isn’t a BAD thing to be, per-say. The fact that I have NO bookshelves for MY books but I keep getting MORE just might be an indication of just how critical the problem COULD become. A solution to THAT problem would be to acquire some bookshelves!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There is NO WAY I would EVER follow the “Kondo” rule on books in my house. Why? Because books are amazing and we find JOY in them. How could I EVER JUST have 30 books? NEVER!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have books for ALL ages and so many different genres. I love a variety. One of my greatest dreams is to have a room that I can call my library. With wonderfully soft furniture to sit in to read for hours. And a fire place in winter plus a beautiful view out large windows.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">At the moment, I have books stacked in my closet, in the hall closet, in each of the bedrooms, along with many in the garage on some homemade shelves that I am unable to get to easily since we have so much junk piled in front of them. That is a sad state, to be sure.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Does that stop me from getting more books that I love? Does that stop me from doing book reviews for FREE books from my favorite authors? Does that stop me from grabbing awesome deals when I see them? The answer is a thousand times, NO! I have started my book reviews again, to which I am delighted to add those books to my library. I waited too long and barely found anything in the nearest Lifeway, since they are closing all stores and will be strictly online only. I had actually walked the entire store and was ready to walk right out the door when I found ONE shelf of novels.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Oh, my joy! I found some that I already owned, but also found many from my favorites that I had missed in the last few years. I found twenty-four books I didn’t have and marched up to the check out with them. Mind you, they were 80% off PLUS another 20% off that price. I paid around $2.25 per book. That was almost $400 worth of books for under $60. In my mind, you just can’t beat that. I had made a bit of extra money last week so I chose to treat myself with some things I treasure.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There are things I plan to get rid of as I continue to de-clutter my home. Books are NOT one of those. I’ve come to realize that many things I used to “collect” are no longer important to me. Knowing that is freeing but that just leaves me so much that I need to figure out how to do away with. I would LOVE to be able to sell what I don’t want so I could put the money back into the things I need to get done and want to keep. I do love donating things to those who don’t have as much, so I usually chose that option. It is the easier option, too.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I’ve come up with another DIY project for my dear husband and we will see how long it takes to even get around to taking it seriously. The hall closet needs to be gutted and new sheet-rock put up. It is full of junk right now to the point no one even wants to open the door to try and find anything. I would like to turn it into bookshelves, possibly with no door or a sliding door like the cool “barn doors” so many have now. With that updated, all of my books will be on shelves where I can enjoy them and they will be take care of, instead of piled everywhere.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I will be doing more book reviews, posting some fun home updates and travel adventures. I hope you will check back, often.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As Always,</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fdfaf0; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px;">~A Simple Texas Girl...living life on the Jesus Way!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-8733025543857390322019-06-06T22:15:00.015-05:002023-03-02T22:21:13.335-06:00More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GM3ZiMA1KnzIxt6a4YlsZQzYWVptxDr_MJ7gecH4m-TyIQFJpCpUFKjyX40gUW-O9mbWhO6exxXse7Kc5hsY406Evkfd09kYbeR_8yj7xyO2l1UxHu8v3RF_BFHTK0Qr2iF7rwV4TJzKstv--GCqL9xw4lcCAGx_bEAtzqFpBbSQALO6omrFsl_MiQ/s606/more-than-words-can-say-cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="485" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GM3ZiMA1KnzIxt6a4YlsZQzYWVptxDr_MJ7gecH4m-TyIQFJpCpUFKjyX40gUW-O9mbWhO6exxXse7Kc5hsY406Evkfd09kYbeR_8yj7xyO2l1UxHu8v3RF_BFHTK0Qr2iF7rwV4TJzKstv--GCqL9xw4lcCAGx_bEAtzqFpBbSQALO6omrFsl_MiQ/w480-h601/more-than-words-can-say-cover.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I've had the pleasure of reading books written by Karen Witemeyer for years. Her books are on my must-have list. Some are in e-book form but I’m still old-fashioned, I love the feel of a book in my hands. I love to see the cover and turn the pages. Her latest book is no exception!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>An Impossible Situation. An Unlikely Couple. A Recipe for Love?</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free to live life on his own terms. No opportunities to disappoint those he cares about, just the quiet bachelor existence he’s always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away once again when the baker of his favorite breakfast treat is railroaded by the city council. As hard as he tries to avoid getting involved, he can’t turn a blind eye to her predicament…or her adorable dimples.</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Abigail Kemp needs a man’s name on her baker’s deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution…if it involves a man she can control. Not the stoic lumberman who oozes confidence without saying a word whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can’t even control her pulse when she’s around him.</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Once vows are spoken, Abigail’s troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. As trust grows between Zach and Abby, she finds she wants more than his rescue. She wants his heart.</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I enjoyed a glimpse of life in the small Texas town of Honey Grove during 1896. Having lived in Texas my whole life, it is interesting to learn about parts of her that I’ve never visited or even heard of. Sure, there are plenty of places in Texas I haven’t heard of. But when an author brings it to life in one of their books, that changes everything. I could see the characters going about their daily lives in this small town and how much simpler things were without technology and so many things to distract us from what’s important, family.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Her characters are fun and genuine. I loved Abigail and her sister Rosalind. Watching how they worked together, each being different in their strengths and personalities made that a favorite part of the story. Zacharias was an interesting addition. Neither of them were scared off by his gruff exterior, somehow knowing he was honorable and trustworthy to the core.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But there were mysteries in this story and they proved to be worth the wait to find them out. I loved the lessons of faith intertwined into the story-line. Not over-powering the story but fitting in at just the right time. I believe when an author does that, it is a reminder for us that we, too, can use times like that to call us back where we need to me, in thought or deed.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I read this book in just over two days, I’m only able to read in large amounts of time in the evenings. I may get a page or two during the day, but not usually. It was so captivating that I didn’t want to stop reading once I started.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>**Take note that THIS is BOOK TWO in A Patchwork Family series. Be sure to check out BOOK ONE: More Than Meets The Eye!</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><b>About Karen:</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><b>For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Recently voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Romance Author by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a two-time winner of the ACFW Carol Award and three-time RITA® finalist. Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children.</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #626262; font-family: Lato;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><b>Check out <a href="http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/" target="_blank">her website here</a>.</b></span></span></p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-920165106239909112019-04-02T22:01:00.023-05:002023-03-02T22:14:35.330-06:00Roseanna M White Author Spotlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1njqouptErJOmoLG1yy7TkP1FD3n-osoRdi06MQltnSXXm6djHmCv1XdyjopY79Beiz9nPvOEZg5YK9-nmg7n-EE2SfgTOzpA1MCT6XhbLsVBW0Zu3YuYXnioI6fLJy6mX7Ft0L9SxLvxQOoQ4HK1ao5YRb0GUvLFuf0TDN-HOwDDxA9oYc-9yzZiKw/s990/stray-drop-of-blook-and-soft-breath-of-wind-covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="990" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1njqouptErJOmoLG1yy7TkP1FD3n-osoRdi06MQltnSXXm6djHmCv1XdyjopY79Beiz9nPvOEZg5YK9-nmg7n-EE2SfgTOzpA1MCT6XhbLsVBW0Zu3YuYXnioI6fLJy6mX7Ft0L9SxLvxQOoQ4HK1ao5YRb0GUvLFuf0TDN-HOwDDxA9oYc-9yzZiKw/w516-h310/stray-drop-of-blook-and-soft-breath-of-wind-covers.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">It is my pleasure to do an author spotlight with one of my VERY favorite authors. I hope to share with everyone why you need to check out her books, all of them! There isn’t one of them I haven’t loved. The cover picture shows the new covers on her first published book and it’s sequel. Aren’t they beautiful? A Stray Drop of Blood is a PERFECT book to read during the Easter season because part of it takes place DURING the FIRST “Easter” long ago. It is powerful and will touch your heart, as it did mine.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Let me introduce you to Roseanna!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Roseanna, thank you so much for taking the time to share more about you with our readers. I love books so much and when I find an author that touches my heart the way your writing does, I just want to share it with the world.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>I so appreciate you, Terri!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">We’ve been friends for over a decade (maybe more!) so I personally know quite a bit about how you got started writing. Can you share a bit about that for those who don’t know?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Where have those years gone?? Yeah, so I started writing when I in first grade, and I haven’t stopped since. =) I finished my first novel at age 13 (the book that eventually became The Lost Heiress, my Christy Award nominee). I wrote all through high school and college and published my first book with the company my husband launched, WhiteFire Publishing. Since then, I’ve worked with publishers like Guideposts, Harvest House, and Bethany House, as well as more titles with WhiteFire as we built that company too.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Lost Heiress is ONE of my favorites! I could NOT put that down when I started reading it. I am so glad you finally got it where you were ready to share it with the world. A Stray Drop of Blood was your FIRST book published and is being re-published with a bit of a change. I’m looking forward to getting my copy because the original captured my heart all those years ago. It was the first book of yours I ever read and I was hooked from that moment on! Can you tell us what has changed from the first publication to this one?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sure! The story is the same as it was in 2009 (though that version, which is the one you read, was a re-write of our first 2005 hardback version). All that’s changed is typo-correction (LOL) and the addition of some Bonus Content at the back. Specifically, I’ve added a Companion Guide with information on the history, the books I reference, the languages, and other historical or writing-related tidbits that readers have found interesting over the years.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">OH, I’m so glad you added the bonus content! I loved all the extra information you provided on your website for that one AND for Jewel of Persia! I love to find out the background and research info that you gather, especially in the biblical fiction you write. It is amazing how you weave facts throughout your books.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">You do so much more than JUST write books, although, I would never REALLY mean that word “just” because your books are at the top of my list of favorites in my library. But what I find fascinating is how they ALL fit into the world of reading. Can you share those and tell us why you enjoy it?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Absolutely! The book industry is very much my life. I do homeschool my kids—using a literature-based curriculum, of course—which takes up a lot of my time (just realized I’m halfway through my homeschooling career though!). I’m an editor for <a href="https://whitefire-publishing.com/" target="_blank">WhiteFire Publishing</a> (that company my hubby started) and also handle a lot of the title setup and promotion for our books, which now number over 100. And my other job (because 3 isn’t enough??) is book cover designer. I design all of WhiteFire’s covers and also do freelance work for other authors.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I, too, homeschool (my youngest graduates in seven weeks but I now teach my grandchildren) and use literature-based curriculum. It has made all the difference in how my kids learn. I’ve also learned more teaching them this way than I ever learned in school growing up. I think that is why I love historical fiction so much. I actually learn history when the author takes the time to get the facts correct on the things that are important, like you.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">You live in a part of the US with great beauty and history. You’ve actually used it in some of your books, haven’t you?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>A little bit, yes! I do live within easy reach of a lot of American history sites on the East Coast. My American-set books have been in New York, Baltimore, Annapolis, and Virginia—all places I can get to easily; I attended college in Annapolis, so the book set there was a bit like coming home. In one of my Culper Ring Series books, Circle of Spies, I even brought the action up the railroad to my hometown, which was super fun! Most of my books, however, are set in England.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I learned so much about history that I didn’t know from your Culper Ring Series! So fun!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Which genre do you enjoy writing most, era?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Definitely historical fiction, and I love a strong romance or love story. But I have a hard time picking an era—I just adore history!! I’m quite content to stick with my Edwardian/WWI era books for a while though. It’s nice to already have the foundation of knowledge and just add bits and pieces to it for each book, instead of diving into a whole new decade or century every time.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Historical fiction is my favorite to read. But I do enjoy the many different kinds. Are you planning on doing any more biblical fiction? I loved Jewel of Persia and how you wove actual historical fact into your story.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Oh yes! I have a whole list of ideas of biblical stories! So many, in fact, that I have no idea which I’ll work on next, when I have the time. A sequel to Jewel of Persia? Another Visibullis book? Or that one about Melchizedek that I’ve had swimming around in my head for years? Who knows, LOL.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I can’t wait!!! What book series do you have coming out next? And when?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Next up is The Codebreakers, about the intelligence gatherers of World War I in England, which begins in June with The Number of Love. So excited for this book! The heroine is a mathematician and codebreaker, with SUCH a unique voice! And the hero is field agent—action to her deliberation. Love how it turned out!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I’m looking forward to that! It sounds really fun and lots of action to keep us on our toes. Here’s a big one…WHY do you write? And WHY do you write Christian fiction? I think this is important for readers to know.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>I’ve long said that words are the air I breathe. I have to write—that’s non-negotiable. As for why I write what I do… Well, to be honest, I tried my hand at some mainstream books when I was in college, and I love what I learned through writing them. But when it came down the whether I would submit them anywhere, I didn’t feel I could. I want my work not just to glorify God, but to point to Him. I want my books to minister to hearts and souls. For me, writing isn’t just a job or even a love—it’s a calling and a ministry. So I’ve focused all my efforts since then on writing the books that God gives me that will bring Him glory and help to show small bits of His Truth to this hurting world. Most of my books are aimed at Christian readers, with the hope that they will help them see God amidst their trials, deepen their faith, and relish—as I do—the beauty of the words He gives us to communicate.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Your love for the Lord and for your books shines through in your writing. Your characters feel alive to me and it is very hard to put the book down for wondering what is going on in their lives next. I know I tell you ALL the time but…never stop writing! Keep them coming because they are my favorites!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Awww, thanks so much, Terri! And no worries—as long as God keeps giving me stories and the capacity to put them on the page, I’m going to keep churning them out!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Roseanna, thank you so much for taking the time to tell us a little more about yourself and your writing. I hope this helps others find your books so they can love them as much as I do.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">**If you are interested in finding out MORE about Roseanna, you can check out <a href="https://www.roseannamwhite.com/" target="_blank">her website here</a>. There is a BOOKS tab where you can see all of the books she has written. You can also check out <a href="https://www.roseannamwhite.com/blog" target="_blank">her blog here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">WhiteFire Publishing and WhiteSpark are their publishing companies. <a href="https://whitespark-publishing.com/" target="_blank">WhiteSpark</a> is the young reader division of <a href="https://whitefire-publishing.com/" target="_blank">Whitefire Publishing</a>.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578519206397766373.post-17430541951420374922016-07-14T08:09:00.000-05:002017-02-11T20:37:50.010-06:00Courageous by Dina L Sleiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Will They Trust God's Call Even When It Leads To The Most Unexpected Places?</b></div>
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Inspired by the vision of the young Lady Sapphira, Rosalind of Ipsworth joins a group of men, women, and children as a defender of the cross, seeking to free captives from prisons near Tripoli. She'll gladly give herself to the cause, as she's haunted by a tragic mistake and feels she no longer deserves such joys as marriage and family might bring.</div>
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Sir Randel Penigree was reared to serve in the church but has always dreamt of protecting the innocent as a Templar knight. Joining a crusade to escape humiliation at home, he finds himself drawn to Rosalind as they partner to train and protect a group of adolescents. When faces with political intrigue and an unknown enemy bent on their destruction, they are forced to reconsider their priorities and the very nature of the God they serve. </div>
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Courageous is full of rich history and adventure. One reason I love historicals is because I love learning history this way. It is much more exciting than a history book. I didn't know much about the crusades until reading this book. You can tell Dina did a lot of research and was able to create some fictional events that fit well in the story while keeping factual events, too. The characters are strong and believable. Rosalind and Randel start out with a great friendship and they don't realize that it is turning into love. This book can read as a stand alone but I suggest starting at book one in the series, Dauntless, followed by book two, Chivalrous. I recommend this series for as young as preteen and up. </div>
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<span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "cherry cream soda";"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Dina Sleiman writes stories of passion and grace. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. Since finishing her Professional Writing MA in 1994, she has enjoyed many opportunities to teach literature, writing, and the arts. Her debut novel, Dance of the Dandelion with Whitefire Publishing, won an Honorable Mention in the 2012 Selah Awards. Also look for her novels, Love in Three-Quarter Time, Dance from Deep Within, and her Valiant Hearts series with Bethany House Publishers. Dina serves as an acquisitions editor for WhiteFire Publishing as well, and she loves to teach at writers conferences throughout the US.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "cherry cream soda";"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">http://valiantheartsseries.blogspot.com/</span></span></div>
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Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01547279026740589595noreply@blogger.com0