Friday Blessings

The above picture says it all. But here’s a few to list:

My son wanted to string ‘Happy Birthday’ streamers around the house on Christmas Eve, to have a party for Jesus on Christmas Day. Once he woke up on Christmas, he quickly forgot everything except all his presents under the tree…but the sentiment was in his heart and I feel that’s what counts.

We had a simple minimal Christmas — without a bunch of junk. It was the sweetest Christmas we’ve ever had. These are the sweetest blessings this week.

It’s the little things…

I was blessed by a new review on Amazon this week from a total stranger. Blessings like these are why I wrote the book — to touch people. Thank you Colleen, from Tulsa.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Awesome, December 22, 2008
By Senior Blogger “Colleen C. Gough” (Tulsa, Ok) – See all my reviews
Finding Kylie

I started this book on a Friday and finished on Saturday. If not for having other things that I had to do, I would and could have sat in one sitting and finished this story.

The author, being one of our Oklahoma gals did a truly, totally AWESOME JOB on this book. You lived the characters; you held your breath for the story to continue to see what comes next. YOU BECAME THE STORY. Kimberly McKay made you feel like you were the people in the book.

This book was easy reading, most relaxing, and VERY ENJOYABLE…. I cannot wait for Kimberly’s next book… You can rest assured I will be first in line to get my copy. I have recommended this book to everyone I meet. I could shout it from the rooftops… It has been sometime since an Author has totally awed me… I will be watching for much more from Kimberly McKay. I have become in just a few short days her #1 fan. We can expect many greats from this Lady. I guarantee it…

Have a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS to each one of you!

Saving it for Saturday

I didn’t get my blessings posted yesterday. Does anyone else thing that time just flies even more fast this time of year?

The traffic is heavier.
The crowds are thicker.
The mood is quickened.
The faces are tighter.
The money goes faster.

Does anyone else see any room for blessings here? The answer is a resounding yes! These are the times when we especially should be counting them.

Instead of being depressed because we don’t have the money to buy our loved ones what we ‘think’ they need or want…we should be joyous that we have them with us during this time. The only thing they really ‘need’ is to know that we love them. And throwing money at them doesn’t accomplish that. Our presence — not presents — does that.

Instead of being grouchy because everyone is in a foul mood, we should be excited to be that one person who can make a difference. Show your light from the inside and give it to everyone you meet…scrooges and all.

I had a table this week at the restaurant, who obviously was out to run up a large tab and then complain about the whole meal. They worked my manager for the entire tab and were determined to make me an unhappy camper. I would not submit! I gave them extremely pleasant service with a warm smile that reached all the way to my eyes and heart. I would not give them the control to change my demeanor. I knew God was blessing me that night with these people…I just didn’t know how.

Not until later…until after they left. I felt extreme pity for them and their attitudes to begin with, but them was humbled by all the other guests I had.

First and foremost, I blessed by my sweet husband and son coming in to sit in my section…with my son yelling ‘Mommmmeeeee I love you’ every time I walked by (and these grouchy guests got to see this as well). I bet it gave these guests a taste of what I was working hard for…to feed my child. So after they got their 90 dollar meal for free…they gave me 10 dollars as a tip. Woo Hoo big spenders…but they may have stiffed me if my precious son wasn’t there to give them a sense of humanity.

Secondly, after being triple sat three times in the night … every other table was so gracious and warm. They all knew how busy it was for the whole restaurant, let alone me having to care for up to 20 people all at once by myself. I got so many kind words of encouragement and sweet praises. These people truly were my blessings.

It’s as if God showed me — even though there are unfortunate people in this world, they’re still my children. Treat them all with love, as I would and I will bless you with the rest, who are kind and loving.

My husband, seeing how horrible this other table was, asked me, “Don’t you just hate having people like that sit in your station?”
My answer, “No, I’m so blessed with the rest that it doesn’t even phase me.”

God’s love is everywhere.

Wordless Wednesday

I took this on a shoot about a month ago….I would title this: Child’s Play

What would you??

Amen it’s Friday

Wooooo Hoooooo! I’m so happy today that it’s finally Friday.

This week has been a very full long tiring one. I worked all the extra shifts I could get, including a double yesterday.
I was blessed with the extra cash to put toward Christmas. My aunt and her friend came in last night and left me more tip than what the total of their tab was. They are so sweet and wanted to leave me a little something…okay a lot something extra. It’s a good thing too, considering everyone else last night were realllllly realllllly stingy. The economy hits hard times and the first thing to go are good tips.

Today at the restaurant someone stopped me, while I was heading back to the kitchen, and asked, “Are you the writer?”
It threw me for a minute, but I answered, “Yes.” and she started to tell me how much she loved my book and how she couldn’t wait to read the sequel.

It’s been a huge blessing in the last few weeks to get the feedback I’ve been receiving. People really like it! Not that I doubted that, but you never really know (when you bare a part of yourself) how people are going to respond. The biggest surprise have been the men, who have jumped on board. I even had an email today from young man, whom I met for the first time at my book launch party, that wants to order 5 more of my books for Christmas gifts. I’m thanking the Lord for the path He’s created for this book. He’s giving it the somewhat success it deserves.

My little boy this week has been such a doll which has been a huge blessing. I just love that fact that he’s so endearing and funny. I’m so grateful that God has given me such an amazing child. We’ve played StarWars all week…in fact I’m quite light sabered out, but I’m fortunate that I’ve got such a creative child, who’s energy never ends.

OKAY YOU ALL — IF YOU’VE READ THIS FAR I’M STARTING SOMETHING NEW FOR CHRISTMAS!
VIRTUAL RE-GIFTING
You know we all re-gift, whether we admit it or not. So I’m starting a trend here. I’m going to take a picture of something I don’t need or want and I’m passing it on to one of my blogging buddies. They then have to take a picture of their re-gift items and pass it on to their buddies.

HERE IS MY PIC:

I get too many candles and always end up passing them on in real life, so now in blog land I’m passing some on to these friends, who then have to choose 5 of their friends to re-gift and ask to do some re-gifting of their own.

Congratulations to the following:

Terri my amazing friend and cohort, you get to post these lovely candles on your blog and then pass on your own re-gift item to more of your friends!

Tara, my sweet friend the same applies to you!

Tam Tam, bo Bam…banana nana fo fam! Love you chica – have fun with this!

Random Questions

Do you think people are aware, that wear things like this, that it’s not flattering?

Something tells me she’s seen Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and thinks every pair looks good on every woman.

I know how hard it is to find a pair of jeans that fits every size. This woman is not overweight!! Infact her curves would look quite nice in the right pair, but don’t you think when you put a pair on and skin falls over the edge of the waist … you’d know it’s not the right pair?

Ladies tell me — what guide system do you use when shopping for a pair of jeans? How do you know it’s the right fit? How do you know when to put the tight low riders down and walk away?

Friday Blessings

This week was a crazy one. Last week I posted that my clothes dryer broke and the fact we got another one free within a day. Then this week our garage door broke and my hair dryer went short of catching on fire.

Well my father knows a great company, who fixed my door and he’s basically calling it my Christmas gift. Thank you God for wonderful people who come in the time of need.

I made enough tips yesterday at work to buy a new hair dryer. I got sat with a big top, which has gratuity automatically added and then they all left me extra money as a tip. It was an awesome feeling just to walk into Target and know I wouldn’t have to stress on how to pay for for what I needed.

My husband and I decided that I should work at the restaurant at nights to make more $$$, which will be a bonus blessing just in time for Christmas. This leaves my days open to substitute teach.

My rankings on Amazon have been really good considering my book hasn’t been out but a month. It’s so excited to me to watch the numbers climb, recede, and then climb again. I pray that God continues to bless this books path and the success it deserves.
I shipped it to a buddy of mine in London, who owns a production company. I’m sure my book won’t be his cup of tea, as he’s more of a Martin Scorses type of guy, and my book is more geared for the Lifetime Movie Network or Hallmark, but hey I’m just blessed to have a friend in the business who supports me and wants to read my work. I shipped the book out this week, so time will tell if he and his lovely wife at least enjoy the read.

I’ve have two photo-shoots this week, and scheduled a wedding for the end of the month. God has been very faithful in keeping me busy this holiday season with family photos. It’s a huge blessing as we really need it right now.

My husband thought his car was towed last night, or stolen…but alas he’s decided he just going senile as his car was only 100 yards away from where he ‘thought’ he parked. This blessing is obvious — the fact that I had a good laugh on my husband was an extra one! On his way out to work this morning I told him not to get lost is his work parking lot. He didn’t think it was too funny — but I did.

Hope you’re all enjoying your Friday. Take a little time to list out your blessings for the week. You’ll be glad you did. And don’t forget to give thanks to God for each and every one!

Addicted!

Okay I admit it. I’m getting slightly addicted to watching my rankings on Amazon. It’s climbed from 700,000 to 240,000 in the rankings. How cool that with over 1 million books on Amazon that mines ranked 240,148? Sweeet! Considering it’s only been out a little over a month, I think that’s good — right? What do you think?

Today there was a new review, from someone who just finished reading it in Hawaii. Here’s what she said:
“I have to say that this is such a great story. You’ll easily fall in love with all of the characters in this book…even the ones who weren’t the main characters. It’s so well written that you can picture every scene and character…just as you would in a movie. You won’t be disappointed at all…this book will get a hold of you like you never imagined before. From the beginning to the end, you will find yourself wanting to keep reading. Now that I’m done reading it, I’m already wanting more.”

Thank you dear reader for stepping through the book as I hoped you would, by visualizing the characters and plots. Thank you dear reader for falling in love with the characters as much as I have.

Another blogger and author did a write up for me today too. I am blessed by all the support.

Wordless Wednesday

My Sooners! BOOMER!