Spring Reading Thing 2008

It begins again! I know it doesn't feel like it, but it's almost spring. Glorious, glorious spring. Hope. And a fat list of books. Eh-yeah.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out Callapidder Days, or particularly, the Spring Reading Thing post. This has all the info you might need to join us, and the Mr. Linky. *grins* Basically, lots of people, lots of books, and some free stuff. What more could a girl ask for? Plus, it gives me a chance to acutally read all those books that have been lying around my room, patiently awaiting my pleasure.

My prospective list for spring, in no particular order, following:

1. A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman ~
2. Across the Face of the World by Russell Kirkpatrick ~
3. Stranger in the Shadows by Shirlee McCoy ~
4. Kingdom's Hope by Chuck Black
5. A Girl, a Guy and a Ghost by Sherrie Rose ~
6. The Cat's Pajamas by Gilbert Morris ~
7. Vanished by Kathryn Mackel ~
8. Snow Angel by Jamie Carie ~
9. Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear by Sharon Dunn ~
10. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis ~
11. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis ~
12. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis ~
13. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis ~
14. Maximum Ride: School's Out -- Forever by James Patterson
15. Twilight Eyes by Dean Koontz ~
16. Illuminated by Matt Bronleewe
17. Deadfall by Robert Liparulo
18. The Sound of Secrets by Irene Brand
19. Leaper: The Misadventures of a Not-Necessarily-Super Hero by Geoffrey Wood ~
20. My Name is Russell Fink by Michael Snyder ~
21. Angel in the Alley by Keith Clemons ~
22. Sounds of Silence by Elizabeth White
23. On Wings of Deliverence by Elizabeth White
24. The Briton by Catherine Palmer
25. When the Sandpiper Calls by Peggy Darty ~
26. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
27. The Honorable Imposter by Gilbert Morris ~
28. A Soldier's Family by Cheryl Wyatt ~
29. Raintree: Sanctuary by Beverly Barton ~
30. Adam by Ted Dekker [I've got to find Eve...] ~

Hey, 30 even, not bad, not bad. See you on the flip side. *winks and laughs*

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It's All In Your Head

Or at least mine.

Seriously, my brain comes up with the most improbable scenarios. Usually in the dead of night. I wonder if that's connected.

WRP started out this way. (Okay, early morning. Who gives a *cough* hoot?) Now I'm having daydreams that are wild, fun, impossible, and way to embarrassing to admit in anything that may constitute a public forum. (Kyrie, here I come!)

So, my head's stuffed with cool stuffs. But, it's all in my head. Yup. That's me.

My head needs cleaned out occasionally, I'm a'thinking. Somebody find me the vacuum cleaner. Gettin' dusty up in here.

*wanders out looking for cleaning supplies and imaginary e-mails*



*grins evilly in Nathan's direction* Figure this one...

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Search for the Lost Books

For any who have read Ted Dekker's the Books of History Chronicles (The Circle Trilogy, Showdown, Saint, Sinner, Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, Chaos), there's a game to be played. And prizes to be won. Check out this release.


March 4, 2008

Ready to Get Your Search On?

Pull out your thinking cap. Start warming up those fingers.

The Search begins in 2 Days. Find the Book, Win the Chevy.

Clever searchers have already begun uncovering the back story. To catch up check out the following websites:

Latest Blog Revealed by Paradise Sage:
Paradise Sage

Try and Uncover these Photo Clues:
Photo Clues

David Abraham's Blog:
Click Here

Created by fellow searcher, Puppetmaster, to help keep everyone in the know:
All The Details

Thoughts and Opinions are always welcome on the message boards:
TedDekker.com Message Boards

Find the Book, Win The Chevy.


My personal favorite though is Kaylanah's Blog. And for more details check out my super long post.

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Kevin is dead.

I felt it somehow. I had planned even, what to write ahead of time. I knew it.

Kevin, strength, is dead.

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Lookie what sylvrilyn gave me!

And yes, Crystal, I made it, with my head start in the afternoon. Both the boys got over 3,000. Lots of fun. Shoulda been there. *winks* *waves ghost hand*

Shine,

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Full Moon Madness

aaaAAAWOOOOOoooooo!

Eyah! Howl, baby, howl. Tonight is the full moon an you don't know. And I (silly, silly me) am attempting to write 5,000 words. 'Ipes.

I have 893 (pick it up, Ley, up!), so that only leaves 4,107 to go. Yeah....

Full moon, baby. Welcome to the madness.

See ya, yeah?

(Feeling wolfish tonight?....)

Shine~Ley

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NaNoWriYe

(Yes, another one.)

Call me insane, call me whatever you flippin' want. Personally, I call myself visionally challenged. I am just too darn lazy to get off my keester (or on it) and write. This is important to me. Really. I need to write. I just don't. And that's slightly problematic.

So I've gone and done it again. I've signed up for National Novel Writing Year.

My goal for the year is 100,000 words. That's a lot of crap. Although hopefully it won't be crap, because I'm giving myself some time to do it. If I don't procrastinate, that is. And if I do complete NaNoWriMo this year, that leaves only 50,000 for the other 11 months. Even though I have missed a month and a half, I should be able to make it past my goal. If, to quote another writer, I get in some butt-to-chair, fingers-to-keyboard time.

So, hopefully (I use that word a lot), I will start *coughs* posting my sentence a day again. Meaning, I'll be writing at least one sentence a day again.

See ya.

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Strength

I know a kid, Kevin. He's two years younger than I and he's dying of cancer. I can't really remember how long this has been going on (I'm a monster with dates), but first he got leukemia, then lymphoma (or was it the other way?...). He was doing well after awhile. He got a bone marrow transplant and things seemed to be going well.

Then he crashed. I don't really know what happened, but they don't think he's gonna make it. There's nothing more the doctor's can do.

I found out this morning that the decision to stop trying new treatments, it wasn't made by his parents. He made that decision. That is strength.

And it made me wonder. Would I do that? Would I be able to do that? I don't know. I pray I don't have to find it. But it makes me wonder just the same.

And it made me determined to keep on top of something I discovered last night. Something to build strength. It's called The Éowyn Challenge.

Now do you realize how far those sturdy little hobbits walked during the course of The Lord of the Rings? Over 6,000 miles. That's really far. Me, I'm just aiming for Rivendell right now. Distance from Bag End to Rivendell: 458 miles.

1 down, 457 to go. See ya there.

Shine~Ley

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*Stares Blankly At Screen*

Feeling weirded a tad bit right now. Pardon me.

I was feeling restless reading The Three Musketeers, after all I just won a book. So I decided to get on and go OCD checking e-mail. (Hey, I'm leveling up in DF too. Is that considered constructive?) So, I open up Yahoo! and guess what's waiting in my inbox?

No, I didn't win a million dollars. I never believe those anyway. I won... another book.

Yes, a book. That's three this year. Two today! It's like my birthday, but better 'cause it's totally unexpected. Like hearing a song you love on the radio is so much more exciting than popping in the cd. Unexpected and exhilarating. Not to mention just plain freaking weird.

I'm feeling the need to mark this day on my calender for all posterity or something equally irrational. I feel special.

Shine~Ley

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'08 Is Looking Fine....

I won a book today.

Yes, me. I won. A book. My second this year.

That should be impossible. And I did it all by my lonesome. Buddy.

I never win. Ever. It's only February 5th. Whoa.

As you can see, I am still in shock.

But, seriously, COME ON!

*starts humming to self* I won, I won, da da da da dum.....

*giggles*

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I Have a Job! (o' Sorts)

So it's not exactly a paying job.... I can deal with that. It's not like I can drive anywhere yet anyway. Something online works perfect for me. And this is exactly what I want.

So, this perfect pseudo-job? You want to know what it is? If you insist....

I'm a reader for http://www.thewildrosepress.com/ 's YA line, Climbing Rose. They're a very new line in the Wild Rose family, only having seven books out so far. I am very excited to be doing this. For me, it the the perfect opputunity. I'll be reading manuscripts, filling out evaluation forms, and perhaps even pointing out typos and mechanical mistakes. EEee!

And all this is thanks to Georgiana Daniels (for whom I have been giving out shameless plugs) who posted about her new and debut novel, Table for One, which is now available at The Wild Rose Press, and led me to the site. Yay!

Shine~Ley

(This is my first post of '08! Ipes!)

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Fall Into Reading Wrap-up Post

Yeah, it's a couple days late. But it's here. Be happy.

I got almost all my books read. I was so close. But not quite. *sighs* Five of the books on my list didn't get read. Anna Karenina, Around the World in Eighty Day, Anne of Green Gables, Arrowsmith, and Bringer of Storms.

I admit, the first four I didn't really want to read. I will be reading them at some point nonetheless. They had to be returned to the library and I forgot to check them out again. Genuinely, I did forget. And if you know my memory, you might actually believe that.

The last book I didn't read, Bringer of Storms, I still intend on getting to before the new year. *snorts quietly* Guess we'll see, ya?

Getting all those books read was a relief. Of course, I now have a new stack, but it's slightly smaller and more manageable. I can get it done. If I managed this fall, I can certainly do it this winter. Boo-yah. *smiles*

Well, I have to go. Grandparents and the mysterious Matthias are here, and soon... the Relatives! *gasps*

Happy Christmas all!

(You better be happy with this Nathan!)

Shine~Ley

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OBD

I am currently obsessed and bored out of my mind. I'm anxious to see which will win the next round. Undoubtedly, it will be a tie.

I have been playing spider solitaire for the last hour (and a half?) and if that's not a sign of absolute boredom, then, dang!, I don't know what is. I am also compulsively checking various forums and sites and turning imaginings to absolute mush from overuse. Obsession 101.

I've officially gone insane. (Again.)

Ah, yes. Also, I've been listening to This Is Halloween (the Marilyn Manson version), you know off of The Nightmare Before Christmas?, almost constantly. Something about that song just makes me want to giggle erratically. Hey, it's a distraction.

I should go write. It's a portion of my obsession, so I should be happy, but it interests me little. Really, I should go read, but that has nothing to do with it whatsoever and so interests me none at all. I'm never going to catch up on history. *sighs*

The joys and horrors of my 'little obsessions'. Why do I do this to myself? Oh wait, I remember. I don't. It just happens. Where are my books when I need them?....

....Life's no fun without a good scare....

Well, now that I've bored you all out of your minds, I'm off to moan and dream...
Shine~Ley

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Good-bye November, Helloooo December!

It's that time of year again. Bitterly cold weather, yet no snow. Cold feet, cold hands, and we're still not sure about the hearts thing. The panicking over the Christmas shopping yet to be done is starting to mount. And the final NaNo wordcounts have been posted, the documents closed and saved (or deleted) for posterity.

Ah, yes, it December, the most miserable *coughs*, I mean, wonderful time of the year.

Why am I up at the wee hours of the morning, when all sane people are in bed, you ask? Maybe you missed the portion when I mentioned NaNo, or maybe you just don't understand the term, but on this night, all across the globe, there are thousands of people just like me, some already finished and others frantically trying to.

Yes, it is the First of December and the grand and awe-inspiring National Novel Writing Month is finally over.

I, like the rest of the insane members of this crazy world of noveling, stayed up late typing as fast as my chilled and sore fingers could. Luckily I had a Buddy to keep me company into the wee hours of this chilly first day of December, to cheer and amuse, to encourage and rejoice with, our own dear Nathaniel, who hit an official wordcount of 4,505, quadrupaling his word count in only a few hours.

Though neither of us accomplished the distinguished (although, admittedly, demented) goal of 50,000 words of pure reading pleasure (read: absolute, but entertaining, crap), we accomplished our own personal goals with great zeal and verve. My own goal was to pass up my last year's NaNo count, which I achieved in excess of almost 4,000 words, bringing my total to 12,097, as an official, validated, and locked count.

Another fall almost crumbled and blown away, another winter creeping up in its silent ice-slippers. Seasons change, word counts peak and bed times come.

We have succeeded in changing our own little worlds this quiet night. November died, but novels, writers, were born. And a young December presses on, determined to give birth to a bitter, joyous winter.

And so, this hyped and slightly disturbed writer signs off for the night, wishing only to leave her readers enlightened and hopeful for the new month, coming season, and future NaNo.

Here's to future WriMo's and NaNo winners!
Congratulations to all the 2007 winners!
Special congratulations go to the especially deserving Circle Wrimo, history (fondly called hist) aka, haironastick, who outwrote everybody with an insane drive worthy of a true WriMo. You have inspired us all.

And to close, I finish with a quote I deem fitting, from our own dear Chris Baty. "Your optimism and plucky refusal to adhere to reality inspires us all."

Good night, cruel world! Save some cake for me!

Shine~Ley

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NaNoWriMo

Yes, yes, YES!

I finally started my nano-novel! YES!!! Only 351 words, but dang, it's a start. I've decided that as long as I get more words than last year (8,000 some odd), I'm happy. Officially, I'm aiming for 20,000. I wasn't intending to do it by hand. It's slower and if I'm going for 50,000 it's too slow. But right now, I'm good just to write. Period. Maybe this'll help pull me out of my dump.

YES!!!!

Shine~Ley

(check me out!)

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NaNoWriMo

It's November 2nd and I haven't written a word yet!!! AH!! *panics*

I'm leaving in like, an hour (less? I don't know) for ATF in Cleveland. I don't even have time to write! I'm scared. But I am taking my research with me. Maybe I'll have a little time. God help me. I can do this.

Anybody else up to the challenge (and maybe doing better than I am?)?

Ich bin nicht allein!

Shine!~Ley

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The A....

C....

*looks around furtively*


t!

Yup, I took it. And I'm kinda cheating today on my sentence a day. See, I wrote, on my essay. But posting it here could get, like, dismissed or something. Okay, I'm sorta making fun of the strict rules about that. I mean seriously they made me sign a special 'document', saying I wouldn't tell.

Okay, I can keep my mouth shut.

Yay! I have taken a test. I'm now officially smart. Now what?

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I breathe therefore....

...I survive? Not quite enough for me, but I guess it's a start. Ever feel like all you're managing to do in life is breathe? But I'm think maybe, just maybe, I might be starting to push through. I hope. 8P

A happy thought... I wrote yesterday! An entire 4 pages. Okay, so they're hand-written, but talk about rush. Yow. Of course, I haven't written today, debating on which way Trev is going to react to this awkward situation. Somehow it keeps changing on me. Not something that happens often. I'm really having to dissect him. Not literally of course. *shudders* But you get the drift.

Now, I know I started this post with something in mind to put in it. Humph.

AH!

I got The Restorer's Son. Yee! I was so happy. And I read it faster than I knew I was capable. The third's on my Christmas list. (Mom's already got us started. The thought of shopping makes me panicky.) I can't imagine waiting that long! But there's other good books lying around to tide me over.

Well, I'm going to get back to reading The Secret Life of Becky Miller here in a few minutes, so I'm dropping this to finish up my e-mails. Yikes! That's what I get for not getting online in over a week.

Shine~Ley

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Marcher Lord Press

Marcher Lord Press is a new independent publisher that specializes in speculative and related areas of fiction.

Yeah. Sweet. The official luanch date is October 1, 2008 (God willing ;-) ). I'm waiting on tip-toe. *smiles*

So, if you're a reader or writer, check out their site and get some info. Sign up for their newsletter. Maybe win a prize. And come next year, read some good books. I'm all for that.

Speaking of speculative fiction, I just finished The Restorer by Sharon Hinck. It was amazing. And you know, I knew that it was going to end that way. It's kinda frustrating. I need The Restorer's Son next.... now! *sighs* But I'm broke. And the library just isn't cool like that (my new favorite way to refer to them, after all they are cool in some ways).

I've been trying to bribe Richard into buying it for me. So far, no luck. Mom isn't cooperating as she should. *smiles* At least, I won't have to wait too long for the third one. It comes out December.

....

AAHHHH!!

Humph. I need my book. Let's see, we're going to the library tomorrow and if......

*grins wickedly*

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Fall Into Reading List

This time I am not in any way editing my list once it's posted, excepting to mark when I've finished one. I'll be posting the books I've read in my sidebar, also.

• Quentin Durward by Sir Walter Scott ~
• The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey ~
• The Restorer by Sharon Hinck ~
• Abomination by Colleen Coble ~
• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
• Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Arrowsmith
• Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake ~
• The Dead Whisper On by T.L. Hines ~
• Fair Game by Elizabeth White ~
• Miss Invisible by Laura Jensen Walker ~
• The Begotten by Lisa T. Bergren ~
• The Betrayed by Lisa T. Bergren ~
• Beyond the Summerland by L.B. Graham ~
• Bringer of Storms by L.B. Graham
• The Secret Life of Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck ~
• Valley of Shadows by Shirlee McCoy ~
• The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket ~
• Bachelor's Puzzle by Judith Pella ~
• A Hideous Beauty by Jack Cavanaugh ~
• Idlewild by Nick Sagan ~
• Child of the Mist by Kathleen Morgan ~
• Wings of Morning by Kathleen Morgan ~
• A Fire Within by Kathleen Morgan ~
• Soul Tracker by Bill Myers ~
• Prints Charming by Rebeca Seitz ~
• Hood by Stephen R. Lawhead ~
• Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead ~
• The Rise of the Wyrm Lord by Wayne Thomas Batson ~

And last but most definitely not least....

• Boo by Rene Gutteridge ~
• Boo Who by Rene Gutteridge ~
• Boo Hiss by Rene Gutteridge ~
• Boo Humbug By Rene Gutteridge ~

There's a fourth one! I'm so happy.

That's my list, and if you think that is scary, try this fact. All of these books are currently at my house. Yikes.

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The Last Day of Summer

And I have yet to write my reading list! Aahhhh!

*breathes deeply* Can't panic, can't panic can't.... Aahhh!

Okay, so maybe it isn't that bad. Although for a saturday this has somehow felt... hectic. Not sure why. I think I need to go away. Oh yeah, that's why I read and write. Whoops.

Really, I'm excited about Fall Into Reading. And NaNoWriMo. And everything else.

I'm just totally not in the mood to do anything today. I really need to read. It's actually a good book. I wasn't anticipating that. I just don't feel like reading it. Silly, foolish girl. I'll get over myself.

'Course first I'll have to get off the computer. *smiles*

Speaking of computers, Dad's working on getting mine up and running. Yay! This means I'll be able to do my NaNo novel upstairs. And in comfort. It's on the desk this time. (Can you say, 'Sitting for long periods of time without cramps?' *giggles*)

Well, off to procrastinate and play DF. See ya!

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Speech

No, I am not doing speech. No way. Kill me. But Crystal is.

And she can't talk. For 24 hours. We're all going to go insane.

I never knew that someone else not talking could be so difficult. We've already had multiple little sign language conversations (those letters come in handy) and one mad gab one. That was weird. But funny.

And then something weirder happened. She called me. Actually she called Mom, but she was driving and I answered. Fortunately, she didn't talk or we would have to start all over again. (Notice how I say we. Ha!) She then hung up after 24 seconds and I'm dying to know what the heck that was.

Have you ever gotten a call from a mute person? (No? That's weird. Happens to me all the time.) That's sorta what it felt like. If anyone 'over there' knows whats up, shoot me a comment, yeah?

Night y'all,
Shine~Ley

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SaD Updates

I have been writing. I just haven't been posting. :D But I've decided that from now on, I won't get on the computer until I have written. Just another way to make sure I get in my writing.

9-11-07

"You have a daughter."

9-12-07

All were engaged.

today!

He turned when no response was forthcoming.

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Fall Into Reading 2007

It's finally here! I know none of you have been waiting for it! Mostly because you don't have a clue what it is!

Yeah!

So anyway, Fall Into Reading 2007 is yet another reading challenge hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days. Just like the Spring Reading Thing, you basically make a list of books and read them! Simple. I like simple things. Unlike geometry.

It's fun, it's books, and there's free ones. What more could a girl (or anyone else for that matter?) want?

If you so desire you can put 1 single, lonely book on your list. You're almost guaranteed to get that done. (Wimp.) Come on, try it out with me. This will be especially interesting as I intend on participating in NaNo in the middle of it all. What a lovely way to start a not so lovely school year. (It'll level out.... I'm sure.... It's gotta.... Dang, it better!)

And speaking of Nano.... You know y'all want to....

Okay that's it for my cajoling today. I'm not especially good at it anyway.

Have a good night's sleep and may God bless your dreams.
Shine~Ley

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SaD

I won't make excuses. I plain forgot. Hey I got yesterday anyway.

He had never been a steady hand with sewing.

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SaD (9-9-07)

From 'Jacey and Cottar'

She panicked.

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On Romance

A Random Posting from a Random Writing

I want to be romanced at some point in my life. Now, maybe I should explain what I mean by 'romance'. Some of you may think of those novels with women of the cover, mouths open and eyes closed in ecstasy at the slightest touch of their lover's huge, masculine body, layered in muscle most ordinary men will never achieve. I'm not trying to destroy your dreams here, but it's not gonna happen, sweetheart.

Well, now you know what I don't mean by romance. Let's get on to what I do mean.

What I mean by romance is simple. I want to met a nice guy who sees me in a slightly different light than the rest of the world. This 'nice guy' will then understand the commitment I've made to court and not ask me for a date and will just 'be friends'. After awhile he'll work up the courage to ask my dad to court me. I'll be sure to hide the shotgun beforehand. So in he goes to talk to my dad, nervous, sweating like a pig. (Do pigs sweat?) He comes out beaming (hopefully), and now smelling like one. He will then have to understand my no kissing deal. Eventually, he'll work up some more courage and go through the entire process again, this time to ask for my hand. He'll pop me the question and I will remind him (or will that be the other way around?) of my no kissing rule. Then comes all the planning, the wedding, et cetera, et cetera. I'm sure you get the idea.

That is my idea of romance. Very vague, but nice. Notice my lack of description of my 'nice guy'. See, I want him to love me, and other than God's approval, that's all I require. No disappointments. Don't take me wrong. I want someone I'm attracted to, but he doesn't have to be hot to get my attention. And he doesn't have to have green eyes (though it would be a bonus), no matter how much I love that color. It's pointless to argue over the unimportant details, if you're darn sure he's 'The One'.

In the end, I believe romance is sorta like books, and I don't mean the ones with the steamy hunks on the cover. Or maybe I do. But whichever way you wanna take it, don't judge anything by it's cover or you may never know what you're getting. Or what you're not.

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SaD

More from my zombies (or if you prefer, flesh-eaters)

He would soon be replaced.

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From my zombie story. (yeah, maybe you shouldn't ask...)

Why did the Queen want to see him?

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First Day of School

The weekend was a blast, but also exhausting, even though I didn't do much. I got sick. As in, fever and chills, miserable weakling, sick. But it was still fun. Except for the whole, you know, doing stuff thing.

Unfortunately, that didn't add up for the best first day of school. But, hey! we all survived, right?

Ah... Right?

Yeah, of course. Anyway, it was still a good day other than that little issue with Rosetta Stone. Everybody finished everything they were supposed too... except for that walk I was supposed to take. Sshhh..

It was definately hectic. Noisy. It'll take some getting used to. All this school stuff and people again. But it's worth it.

Ich liebe Deutsch und Schule!

(I'm hoping that's right. *grins*)

Shine~Ley

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SaD

From 'Jacey and Cottar'

He closed the gap slowly.

I admit it, I didn't write everyday I was gone, but I had an excuse....

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Labor Day Weekend... and School!

I'm going away! I tell you what, I've never experienced this before, but it was actually fun to pack. I feel like a packing guru. I completely stuffed (not over-stuffed, mind) my duffel in, like, 5 minutes.

We're going to Aunt Cindy and Uncle Randy's house (my dad's brother) for a long weekend with the family. There's going to be 12 of us. All in one house. And a baby. Oh my gosh, am I insane?! Well, it'll be fun anyway. As long as I can find a corner to curl up in somewhere.

Mom and I went to the library today. I got out a couple of books for my nano novel. Woo! I am way too excited about this. I think it's bad for my health. Eh, I'll get over it.

Gotta get off and call my driving instructor. Oh, and I won't be posting my sentence, but I have notebooks with me!

Shine~Ley

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SaD

From 'Jacey and Cottar'

They came away bloody.

Mwahaha!

Oh ...

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Research!

I found out that I have the master schedules for Alive '04 and '05. That means I have all the schedules from '04-'07. Yay! I also know that they started in 1988 (meaning this year was their 20th, congrats!) which is important.

I wrote an entire page today (and it's only 1400) and even finished a scene. I can start typing!

It seems the further I go in a story, the more research pops up. Even if I've been really good and done all my research up to that point. It just never stops. *sighs* I guess I'm getting some practice in even before my NaNo novel. (Thank God, I'm not doing Marked. It almost gives me a panic attack just thinking about the research on that one!)

I'll have to think up a title for this novel too... Hmm... Spartans, exposed babies, deformed children, disappearing goats, rampaging Persians (not to mention Greeks), escaped slaves....

Hey, this is sounding more interesting than it really is. So, that's how marketing works. Right.....

Oh well, I still need a title. Any ideas?

Dying of impatience for October and (yeah, buddy!) November,
Ley

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SaD

From 'Samara'

"I'll be here all week."

(Hey I'm trying to pick sentences that don't give anything away. Or that make you wonder all the more...)

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SaD

From 'Samara' (I did it!)

A girl in the front row with a Polaris shirt caught her eye.

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SaD (8-28-07)

I didn't write anything. Not a darn word. Oops.

No seriously, I do feel bad about it. I had a few things I wanted to do before bed and that was right there with the rest of it. I did it all, too. Except the writing. Completely forgot. *grimaces*

I will write something tonight though. No guarantee it will be posted tonight. But it will be written. (God help me remember this time...)

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Well...

See, I was going to post something here today. I know I was. I just can't remember what. *sighs* The mind... Such a mysterious thing. Never works when you want it to.

I'm doing some quick research for the new story I've started. I've had it in mind for quite awhile, even had a notebook specifically set aside for it. Today just seemed to be the day to start it. Now if only I know that one guy's name....

Anyway, it's some really easy research about Alive Festival (see, now I have to go *grins*). When it started for one thing. It would be really nice if I could find some old master schedules too.... (Hey, if you have some, drop me a line!)

NaNo starts in 2 months! I'm ecstatic! (If you see me you'll know me. I'm the one grinning my fool head off.) Someone started a NaNoWriMo 2007 thread over at Dekker forums and got me all wound up again. My goal is to get at least 25k and to never let my word count be the same two days in a row. Everybody has permission to nag me.

I'm extremely proud of myself for figuring out word count widgit. Without major issues or screaming fits. *smiles* Now you can see my word count during November and I won't be obliged to post a sentence here. Hehe. As you may tell, my word count for 2006 was pathetic. But this year, I am all out!

Challenge me! You'll probably win, but I would love to try. I'm dreamer freak over at Nano, user id 123884.

Shine (and write!)
~Ley

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SaD

From 'Samara' (Yes, I've started a new story. I'm out of my mind!!)

"...So it's my pleasure to introduce Samara _____."

First sentence even, aren't you special. :)

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SaD

From 'Jacey and Cottar'

"I can't write."

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SaD

From 'Jacey and Cottar'

Jacey stopped breathing.

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SaD (8-24-07)

I did write yesterday! Yay, me! And Crystal *sticks out tongue at Crystal* demanded that I had to write at least three sentences yesterday as penance for my failure the day before. So, as my proof.

From 'Jacey and Cottar'

She stared unblinking a moment before answering. "Jacey Elliot." She hesitated.

:p

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Sentence a Day (8-23-07)

I'm sorry! I didn't write a sentence yesterday (let alone post one...). I was going to write last night before bed and post it this morning since my computer upstairs is down (and in answer to Nathan's question, it's quite simply spread across the room *shrugs*), but... I started working on something else.

Character bios. Only basic ones, not in detail about stories. Just names, nicknames, what they look like, where they were born, died, who they married, children, etc......

It still needs a lot of work. So, I'm working on it today too. Hey, if I don't get any sentences written I can always post a bio.

Last night (and I am so proud of myself) I also decided what story I'm doing for NaNoWriMo! Yeah! Have I ever told you about Lysander?... Yeah, I didn't think so. Lysander is a Greek, a Spartan actually, who was exposed at birth, but survived. This one is going to take a lot of research, partially the reason I chose it (or God chose it for me). I've been really needing to research a lot of my stories (hitting those points when I realize I don't know what in the world I'm talking about), so hopefully this will jump-start me. I have an advantage with this story, because I did a very thorough Greek history course during the '05-'06 school year. Loved it and birthed a story. This will give me a lot of practice. So come my next visit to the library, I'm in!

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Sentence a Day

She started to edge closer to Cottar and froze.

*sighs* I really miss my computer upstairs....

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Sentence a Day

At the opposite end of the street, they stopped momentarily in front of a tiny building that leaned dangerously to the left.

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Tornado Warning

Since Nathan is insisting (impatient, are we?), I'm finally posting again on my blog.

Today was my fourth day of drivers' ed. Each session is a interminable four hours and typically boring. Graphically violent videos with viewer discretion warning add some entertainment occasionly. *grins vampirically* We focused mostly on drunk driving today. Did you know that once your BAC (blood alcohol concentration) hit .6, you die? I mean, dead. No exceptions. No matter what kind of tolerance you've built to alcohol. .6, it's over. Dang, that's something interesting, anyway.

A couple hours into our class and part-way through yet another graphic video about drunk driving, a group of teens pushes open the door, sees us and quickly closes it again. Mr. Wagner gives the door a comical look, but when they're still there a minute later, goes to check it out. One of the girls explained that there was a tornado warning and they had been told to come down here. Did I mention that class is held in the tornado shelter?

So they all sit in a corner and we continue watching the movie (officially, we never stopped). Meanwhile, I'm wondering if the little girl in their group, already looking a little traumatized, should be seeing charred corpses.

Soon, two other groups join us, along with some adults who are talking to Mr. Wagner. It's kind of difficult to focus on the movie. It seriously wasn't that interesting to begin with anyway.

Fortunately, the movie was a long one and we didn't have to try to discuss insurance with all of those poor people in there.

Between charred corpses, .6 BAC and tornado warnings, my day didn't turn out so bad after all. We even went over all the test questions. I do believe I'll make it. The test is abominably easy. And tomorrow. I might want to work on those Smith System principles....

Until tomorrow and another fun day of drivers' ed,
Shine~Ley

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Sentence a Day

On my missions trip this summer, I finally made a commitment that I should have made a long time ago. Off and on I had considered trying to write at least one sentence every day, but never took myself seriously enough to actually do it. :) In Poland I finally said it and meant it... for realz. I haven't been doing so well as of yet, I'll admit it. But I'm hoping and praying that this will keep me commited. So if I don't post my sentence for the day, feel free to rag on me.

Here's for today's, from a story currently untitled and therefore referred to by the character names: Jacey Elliot and Lachlann Cottar.

He gave Jacey a quick study and turned to Cottar.

Please realize that these are first drafts and so rather 'rough'. Occasionly, if I only edit on a given day (unlikely), I may post a sentence I rewrote (but more likely one I added, hey, editing isn't entirely about taking things out).

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Almost home...

I can't believe it! In only two more days I leave! I love it here, but I am so excited to be going home.

 

Today was the last day of ministry and my first time telling my testimony. I was so nervous, but I actually did a good job of it. It was really weird getting up there and telling people about my life, but it was amazing too. I wasn't much in the mood to talk afterwards though. Poor Megan. I'm glad it's over though. I am so worn out. Everything aches!

 

Tonight will be relaxing anyway. Well sorta. JR is giving a full-length concert. Woohoo! I've seen a few of their songs and it's amazing. They are so good. Although they should be with all the training they get. I may sit through the concert though. :)

 

People from the JR team start leaving tomorrow morning. I'm so sad. I'm going to miss these people so much. Especially Solveig and Zsuzsanna. Monday is going to be a very long day. Literally for one. But also just with all the goodbyes. I've been with these people for 4 weeks. I'm going to miss them so much. But I can't wait to go home. And read. *grins* And write!!

 

Sunday is debriefing and packing for the GE people. I'm not sure what all that involves, but as long as it's not physical, I am beyond happy. There's also been the rumor that wake-up time monday is 0400. I praying it's not.

 

I don't really know what to say. I know you back home probably have a ton of questions, but you'll have to wait just a little longer. I love you all so much.

 

Hey, dad. Mee-meep!

 

Love, Ashley

(Shine~Ley)

 

P.S. I'm sending this to my blog too, Tasha. That's why the Ley. I've gone by that on a couple of different forums. Long story how it got to that. *smiles*

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Greetings!

Hey all!

 

I was going to bring the letters you sent me with me to the internet cafe, but I didn't have time (or will, tired of stairs!) to go up and get them. So I'll just try my best.

 

First of all, I love and miss you so much! Mom and Tasha, you have no idea how much I love the fact that you cleaned my room. :-D Sorry 'bout the spider webs.

 

Okay, I just went blank. I have no idea what to say! Today was our free day, and it was absolutely exhausting. I did take a total of 3 pictures today, so you should be VERY proud of me. I'm afraid I'm not a picture person. ;) But, we played a ton of Mad Gab on the bus and a lively game of Mafia. Tursten was the funniest mafia player I have ever met.

 

On saturday we have a basketball tourney. Not real sure what I'll be doing, but I really hope it's not playing! On sunday we leave by bus for Munich. I've heard that it will take anywhere from 10 to 15 hours, so I'm not real sure, but it will be long. I'm thinking monday we will be going to Dachau (I love saying that.).

 

Give Griffin a balated birthday from me. ^_^ And I didn't forget my belt. You must've found my other one. It's a good thing I didn't forget it too. During the falling to the ground thing, the pants tend to slide down a bit and with Jordan right behind me.... Awkward.

 

I can't wait to see you all again, but I am having so much fun! Hopefully I'll be able to write you in Germany, but we'll see.

 

Love, Ashley

(Shine~Ley)

 

P.S. I hope I didn't forget anything that I really wanted to tell you, but I'm sure I have. Just know that I love you and will tell you EVERYTHING sometime.

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I'm alive

Dear Family and Friends,

I am in POLAND!! AI!!! It's amazing.

 

We did our first ministry last night. All the GE half of our ministry team is on the drama and I love it so much! We're doing a drama called Freedom, which is basically about a girl who is struggling to find God. Satan tempts her with alcohol (that would be me and Katie) and we party, but then she gets sick. So tries money next, but it doesn't work either. Finally a boyfriend comes along, but in the end he just uses her and throws her away. The whole time Jsus is just beckoning to her and finally he's had enough. He takes the chain off of her (Satan's been using it to drag her around) and puts it on himself. Satan yanks him into the demons (also me) and we beat him up, absolutely gleeful the Jesus is dead. But then he resurrects (and this is where it gets painful). The demons are thrown back and then cast out. It is an awesome drama, but all the demons and the girl have some very painful bruises. :)

 

The dance training was very cool, but fortunately the Jesus Revolution half of our team is doing it, because I still suck at it. ;) We'll get more training on the later. Most of us have gotten over the soreness of all the training, thank God.

 

Today, as Sunday, was sort of a free day. We went to church, (very long walk) and then explored the old city. It was interesting, even if I was almost dead on my feet. The ice cream is AWESOME! And a plus, lights out is at 2230 tonight. Yes!

 

I am having so much fun. Please keep praying, especially as we try to speak to people after the drama in the street meetings. I miss you all so much. See you in three weeks! Love you!

 

Ashley

(Ley)

 

P.S. Please send this to anyone you want. I didn't want to bother with it. (Saw toe rings today, Tasha. Thought of you. Love you.)

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4 MORE DAYS!!!!!

It's so close, I can feel it! Yeah, buddy! I am ready to go! (Oh, except for this little thing called packing, but let's not spoil the mood, hmm?)

Okay, but seriously, in all other respects, I am ready. Everything is bought and payed for. I have over $100 extra that I can use for whatever I can possibly think of. Tomorrow, I will buy a set of headphones (hopefully good ones) and a internation phone card and I'm good. I'll start packing friday.... finish saturday.... stuff in the last couple of things sunday morning....

*sighs* Yup, it's gonna be good. Let's see what I can tell you, since you, unfortunately, won't be hearing from me for a month. On sunday morning, we'll go to the Columbus airport and get on a flight to the Washington D.C. Dulles airport (yes, my first flight, ever!) then we will (if all goes as it should) be picked up at baggage claim and taken to concourse B, the Air France counter where we will meet the rest of the team. At 1020 all of us will finally be leaving Washington for.... Paris! Even with my 4 hour layover (I'm in Group 2, with the longer layover waits) I doubt I'll get to see any of that though. Still...

So we'll arrive in Warsaw, Poland on July 9 at approximately 1815. I'm not certain about Germany, but in Poland I know we will be working with a European group, Jesus Revolution. I am so hyped!

Pray for me, please!

Shine~Ley

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Saving Erasmus

Do you have what it takes to be a prophet?

Okay, this was one of the most random books I have ever read. But it was hilarious! And touching, in a way. That last line....

Saving Erasmus by Steven Cleaver is not the type of book you come across often. I'm now officially scared to do laundry. (Hey, does this give me an excuse?) I mean, I have no great desire to meet the Angel of Death. But that's precisely what happens in the very first chapter. Poor Andrew. He's about to go on the ride of his life.

For a second, I admit, when they started talking about Puff, I thought I was going insane. It wasn't me. *grins*

I think if there's a single book I had to pick to recommend, it would be this one. (At least, currently. Come on! Give me a break.) It has such a unique appeal. And the line about Sisyphus. *giggles*

This is going to join Relentless and Never Ceese on my shelf one day. Swear it.

Seriously, just go read the book.

(And, yes, this is my idea of a 'review'. Get over it.)

Shine~Ley

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Spring is over!

It's a sad truth. Spring, my favorite season, is over. And without my beloved rain! Apparently Texas stole it all from me. Grr.

Anyway, on to my Spring Reading Thing Report.

I didn't read 14 of the book on my list (plus the Three Cousins Dectective Club series). Two of them were not my fault! The Bounty Hunter and the Bride and Tribulation House the library never got. Totally not my fault!

Now for the other 12 books. *clears throat* Well.... *thinks hard for a moment* Nope, can't think of any excuse. Sorry. But I do have an explanation.

I am pathetic. (There, I think that fully explains it. See ya!) I have a huge stack of library books at home. (Not to mention a fairly lage stack here with me in Texas.) I desperately need to finish them before I leave for my trip. And since I don't manage to get around to them right away (this I can blame on history books, only two left!) once they get renewed the second time I have to read them, because I can't renew them anymore. I do try to keep my fines down to a minimum. Sometimes I fail. *grins* So there's my explanation. I don't have any time to read the books I actually own. Admittedly, I don't own Inkspell. But, hey, it hasn't been renewed twice yet.

Speaking of books I own, I bought two yesterday. I am now the proud owner of The Restorer and Trackers. They had another book I wanted, Relentless. I tell you, I have never had such a hard time deciding what to buy. I genuinely couldn't pick. The only reason I eventually decided was that The Bookery back home doesn't sell The Restorer or Trackers. Someday I will buy Relentless though. Someday soon, hopefully. Fearless, the sequel, comes out next month. While I'm gone, of course.

I'm getting so shaky, I can hardly type. Talk to you soon.
Shine~Ley

(Edit: 6, 26, 07, 0833) I just remembered that Katrina has questions to answer. I know that they're not required, but I'd like to do them. When I get home. :) I link to it here when I get it done and posted.

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Texas

Tomorrow we leave for Texas to visit my dad's parents. (Well, Grandma's step.) Richard is going with us, so it is sure to be an interesting ride. I'm ashamed to say that I'm not taking any of the remaining books on my Spring Reading Thing List with me (not enough space!), but, cheat that I am, I will add the books I've read to the list, just like I've been doing. *grins*

I'll still be gone when it comes time to post the end challenge report, but I should find some time to post it. It'll be a nice break for people.

Other than having a lot of time to read (which I've been needing, my TBR pile is starting to frighten me!), the trip back will also give me a chance for a jumpstart on my NaNoWriMo spring training. (Yes, I know it won't be spring anymore.) June 25-July 1. Kooky Kiwi on the Dekker board (see the Circle -->) challenged us to it. One week, 10,000 words. Whoop! Don't know how far I'll get, but I'll love trying.

The story I decided to work on is one that just popped up this last week. On a walk and one short line runs through my mind. "Not yet, bride mine." Yeah, it's a weird one. If I can find my print off, I'll also take along Cheryl's scene starter contest for this month. No rules on spring training. It's kinda just go wild and write, so it'll count.

Shine~Ley

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St. Thomas Aquinas

Yesterday I read St. Thomas Aquinas: "The Dumb Ox" by G.K. Chesterton. (Another of those delayed history books. :D) A lot of it went right over my head. But it's a book I'm looking forward to curling up with years from now, maybe with a husband to help, to puzzle it out.

I may not have understood a lot of it, but there were a couple of quotes that stood out. (Not to mention some humourous lines, but I'll stick with what I wrote down to sitck in my pile.)

At one point he was talking about... Oh gees, don't ask me to explain it. The quote may not be exactly self-explanatory, but hopefully sorta close enough. I get it. *grins* "Things change because they are not complete; but their reality can only be explained as part of something that is complete. It is God."

The second is about Evolution, which I find an interesting subject to dissect, if only because to me it seems so completely implausible. This expresses my sentiments rather well. *smiles* "But anyhow, it is absurd for the Evolutionists to complain that it is unthinkable for an admittedly unthinkable God to make everything out of nothing, and then pretend that it is more thinkable that nothing should turn itself into everything."

Yes, I definately look forward to the day...

Dreaming of...
Shine~Ley

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Snitch

I've officially decided I was not being sarcastic with my comment on my reading list. I am a Thingy and proud of it! Anywhos....

Snitch by Rene Gutteridge. It's on blog tour this week. (blour, gotta love that word) And it just came in to Lexington branch. (And I mean just. Like I looked at it and it was still in transit and 10 minutes later it was ready to be picked up. Sweet, huh?) Convenient. I love it when things work out that way.

To the desperate readers of the world,
You are not alone!

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*sighs*

Thanks, Nathan for posting that lovely picture of me. I just look so happy! (Can you hear the sarcasm dripping off my fangs?)

Well, in case anyone wanted to know, that is what I now look like. Pretty short hair. So easy to wash.

I'm making wonderful progress on my Spring Reading Thing List. (I'm not sure if that's sarcastic or not. Let's survive the day first, then I'll get to deciding.)

Lunch is ready and I'm starving, soooo... Later!

Shine~Ley

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Hair Cut

To anyone reading Nathaniel's comment on my last post, there will be a bit of head-scratching. And before I go any further I'm telling y'all now. NO PICTURES. And I'm sick of people asking why. I don't have an answer, so don't bother to ask.

I got my hair cut. Short cut. My hair was really long, about waist-length. When I first kinda casually mentioned it to Mom that I was contemplating getting my hair cut, I don't think she believed I was serious. But when I brought it up last week, she got it. So yesterday, she called up Tonya to set up an appointment. "How about 10:30?" And there's me listening in the background. What, today?!

I've wanted to donate my hair to one of the cancer places for awhile now, not to mention having a few other people mention it to me. I am very glad that I did. Tonya, though, was shocked, I think at how short I wanted it. Even now I wouldn't mind it a tinsy bit shorter. But we don't want to scare the people now do we? Mom says that as long as I don't get it shaved off she's okay. *grins evilly*

So I got my hair cut. Short. And I like it. And I did it for no other reason than because I darn wanted to. Hope that's no problem.

Love y'all,
Shine~Ley

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A Book Report of Pocketful of Pearls

Sorry I'm a day late. I did finish it yesterday. I'm so proud of myself. Not that it's all that great, but it's still a book report and it's written. And I'm one assignment closer to being finished. :)

Book Report on Pocketful of Pearls

The latest book I’ve read (and therefore the one I am using for this book report) is Pocketful of Pearls by Shelley Bates published in 2005 by Warner Faith, a division of Time Warner Book Group.

Bates deals with the harsh issues of abuse and a diseased church. One lone woman, with the help of an outsider, takes a stand against the Shepherd of the Elite and works to break free of her toxic life.

Pocketful of Pearls is about Dinah Traynell, who is fighting the lies that she suddenly realizes comprise almost her entire life. As Dinah struggles to find truth and love, enter Matthew Nicholas, a starving vagrant who turns out to be an unlikely ally, not to mention pretty good hired help, as he slowly reveals to her the love and acceptance of God’s true nature.

Phinehas, the Shepherd of the Elite, has abused Dinah since the age of 14 and dominated her life even before that. He thrusts lies and blame upon her until she believes that she is the one in the wrong for not desiring him.

The community the Elite live in is close-knit and strict. Women are to marry and have children and stay at home. Dinah can easily handle the last one, but can’t even think of ever getting married, even if a man would have her.

Dinah is hurt and growing tired of suffering silently. When Matthew shows up, and then thwarts her suicide attempt, he becomes a catalyst to healing. Phinehas is not willing to give up the privilege he’s taken from Dinah and his control over her. When her mother has a stroke after Dinah confronts her with accusations against Phinehas, he loses his excuse to come visit. It would look improper to have a single man visit a single woman and Phinehas can’t afford to look improper.

Her sister Tamara was Silenced when she become pregnant and was sent to live her aunt. Tammy secretly comes for a visit and Dinah risks everything to talk to her. Tamara brings her 4-month-old daughter, Tamsen with her. Tamara begs Matthew and Dinah to follow their original plans to look over some property, while she takes a nap with Tamsen. When Dinah and Matthew return they find Tammy gone and Tamsen sleeping in her car seat.

Matthew and Dinah are drawn closer as she slowly shares her sordid past with him, and to her surprise, he stays with her. Through the smallest things, convincing Dinah to buy a laptop for instance, Matthew slowly draws her nearer to the truth that God is not a mean old man who’s turned his back on her, or worse, is paying attention. Under Matthew’s patient teaching and understanding, Dinah comes to realize that Phinehas has no spiritual control over her. And she dares to refuse him.

Dinah’s mom, Elsie, comes home and is shocked to see little baby Tamsen. She refuses to have anything to do with her. But she becomes hard to ignore. It soon becomes apparent that she needs new clothes and Elsie takes it upon herself to make them. And then she starts redoing the entire house. Dinah’s house of horrors is being transformed into a cheerful home. Elsie has changed.

Matthew realizes the legal implications of their situation though. After they find out that Tamsen is Phinehas’s daughter, and that Dinah was not the only one being abused, it suddenly becomes more dire. He approaches Dinah about obtaining non-parental custody. They start the legal process and Phinehas is served papers. He shows Melchizedek, one of the Elders, and yet again puts all the blame and guilt on Dinah, denying having anything to do with the child.

This all leads to the ultimate confrontation, the Testimony of Two Witnesses. This is the most extreme punishment that can be given. If found guilty, the one facing the Two Witnesses can be Silenced or even cast Out. Dinah speaks the truth, telling of Phinehas’s abuses, to herself, her sister and her mother. She offers proof, but they cannot believe their Shepherd capable of such sin.

Then the doorbell rings. It’s a police officer, looking for Phinehas. A former Elite who went out to marry a biker has reported him. It’s finally over.

Pocketful of Pearls is an amazing story of healing and, ultimately, trust. It gives hope of something better always on the horizon, because God is in control. And eventually, the best thing of all.

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One last thing!

I totally forgot to announce to y'all that I won a book at Callapidder Days! The Bachelor Club by myriad (you just gotta love that word) and various authors. (Come on, how hard is it to point and click?)

And I didn't mention it before, but the book in my report is Pocketful of Pearls by Shelley Bates which is over on my List if you'll look. And was an awesome book.

Excited beyond all bounds and expectations,
Ley

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It's Official!

I am going to Germany and Poland! And you're going, uh, weren't you always? But now I have my ticket and my spot on the trip is guaranteed! YES! Can you say Boo-yah? *does a happy dance*

Uhhhmmm.... well, that was really all I had to say so....

Oh, wait! I have to write a book report for Writing Strands and I randomly decided to post it on here when it's all done. So, hopefully it'll be done tomorrow *cough, cough* as it's really only supposed to take one day anyway.... I'm a newbie at this. Give me a break!

Love y'all,
Shine~Ley

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Whoa!

So, right now, I'm exploring a little around Callapidder Days. My gosh, she is giving away a ton of books!

Katrina has a stack of Bethany House books they gave her to give away each Thursday. She's doing #3 now, if anyone's interested. It's called Praying with and for Your Kids. Not my book, I'm a bit too young for that yet. *grins*

Saturdays are the Whoa! I got going on up there. Every saturday there is a Books Galore giveaway. Tomorrow will be #2. Believe me you, I'll be checking it out! A lot of authors have gotten involved and these are the results. A huge contest with lots of books going out. Just leave a comment with what you'd like to win! This is going to become one of my regular blogs, I think.

Ah, and one last thing. Those who review books that they've read off of their Spring Reading List and send in the links have a chance to win some books too. How awesome is this lady!

Shine~Ley

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Finally!

It's taken forever (at least to my impatient mind), but my domestic travel fee has finally been charged to my account. I know you have no idea of what I've been going through waiting, but seriously, I've been meaning to e-mail Heather soon about it. It's been getting on my nerves!

What that means is that I 'officially' have $96 to go. Then I'm done! Except for some spending money. But I can handle that.

Did I tell you about the speech Crystal and I had to give on sunday night? I don't remember, but we did. Just a short thing, but my throat was so tight, I could hardly say a word. A sensation I plan on remembering. (Amazing what sort of things are useful to us writerish folk.) But Mr. Rinehart told Mom last night that I had poise! I'm not sure if I believe him or not, but he's sure not the type to give a false impression. He says what he means.

I had been purposely not thinking about the speech or what I was going to say. It was working too. Probably a week after I had been asked to speak, I was reading my Bible before bed and I hit in verse in Luke, I believe, anyway, it's the one about how the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say when you need them. I was not ready to give this up! I had planned on writing my speech. The only way I seem to be able to get words out is on paper. But God was showing me different and, boy, am I glad of it! Sure took away a lot of the stress. Totally ignoring a thing does wonders that way.

Hope always for the best.
You're never alone! (The Door Within)
Shine~Ley

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Spring Thing Reading List

Ha! It's taken a while, but I'm here with my list. (Finally.) It's kinda long, so I hope I can get all of these done. The good thing is, some of them already are! In between the time I started this list and now, I've read some of the ones on there. Hehe.

1. Midnight Sea by Colleen Coble ~
2. Reclaiming Nick by Susan May Warren
3. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
4. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
5. Skin by Ted Dekker ~
6. Tahn by L.A. Kelly
7. Return to Alastair by L.A. Kelly
8. The Scarlet Trefoil by L.A. Kelly
9. Notes From a Spinning Planet -- Papua New Guinea by Melody Carlson ~
10. Head Game by Tim Downs ~
11. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
12. Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
13. Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christy
14. Elementary, My Dear Watkins by Mindy Starns Clark
15. The Iron Lance by Stephen Lawhead ~
16. The Black Rood by Stephen Lawhead ~
17. The Mystic Rose by Stephen Lawhead ~
18. The Fields of Bannockburn by Donna Fletcher Crow ~
19. Lightening and Lace by DiAnn Mills ~
20. Reluctant Runaway by Jill Elizabeth Nelson ~
21. The Redemption by M.L. Tyndall ~
22. The Reliance by M.L. Tyndall ~
23. Revealed by Tamera Alexander ~
24. Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins ~
25. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz ~
26. Secrets of the Rose by Lois Richer ~
27. Silent Enemy by Lois Richer ~
28. Identity: Undercover by Lois Richer ~
29. The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson ~
30. Harry Potter and the Bible by Richard Abanes ~
31. Absolution by Murder by Peter Tremayne
32. Double Vision by Randy Ingermanson
33. Experation Date by Eric Wilson
34. All of my Three Cousins Dectective Club books, one last time before I get rid of them
35. So Dark the Night by Margaret Daley ~
36. The Bounty Hunter and the Bride by Vickie McDonough
37. Tribulation House by Chris Well
38. Pocketful of Pearls by Shelley Bates ~
39. The White Dove by Christoph von Schmid ~
40. Rosa of Linden Castle by Christoph von Schimd ~
41. @ Home for the Holidays by Meredith Efken ~
42. The Master of Secrets by D.S. Lliteras ~
43. Too Good to Be True by Trish Perry ~
44. The Striped Ships by Eloise McGraw ~
45. A Rare Benedictine by Ellis Peters ~
46. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott ~
47. Speak Through the Wind by Allison Pittman ~
48. The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott ~
49. Apples of Gold by Lisa Samson ~
50. The Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka ~
51. Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt ~
52. Spoke of Love by Cathy Marie Hake ~
53. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset ~
54. Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney ~
55. Summer of Light by W. Dale Cramer ~
56. Saint Julian by Walter Wangerin, Jr. ~
57. Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray ~
58. St. Thomas Aquinas: "The Dumb Ox" by G.K. Chesterton ~
59. In Freedom's Cause by G.A. Henty ~
60. Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi ~
61. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli ~
62. Men of Iron by Howard Pyle ~

My gosh, that is a lot of books. I hope I can finish all of these. I'll put a tilde (~) after the books I've finished. Wish me luck!

Shine~Ley

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News, news, news

I really should try to keep on this a bit more. *grins*

Well, well. Lots of things going down. Where should I start?

Passport, Ley, do the passport!

Fine, if you insist. My passport actually came! Monday to be precise. It's signed and valid and everything. Now I just need to go somewhere!

You are going somewhere. *sighs in aggravation*

Yes, I know that, thank you. But I was being... *glares* never mind. Anyway, so the passport is good news. Heather is going to be so proud when she calls.

Alright, alright! Enough with the passport already, there's a half a million other things too.

There are not half a million. That's a total exaggeration! Just a couple. Let me think a minute...

Oh, get on with it already.

Yesterday a donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, sent Mom a $1000 check in the mail to be split evenly between both Crystal and I.

Well, you don't have to sound so snotty about it.

Pardon me! Anyway, that puts both of us at about $250 to go. Basically only the domestic travel price. Speaking of which...

I never could follow your thoughts. You jump around too much.

Oh, look who's talking. You're sure not one to be complaining. But to the domestic travel thing. I officially have my ticket! Mom called SkyPass and after a few days of mass confusion (with a little chaos on the side) I am flying to Washington D.C., as (not) expected.

I'm not sure that made any sense at all, but go on.

*smirks* Then we got the news of The Bake Sale. Please notice the caps. This is because this is the ultimate bake sale, the bake sale, as evidenced by the state of our kitchen. There has to be at least $300 worth of cookies sitting around in various places. Probably a good thing as it's being split seven ways.

You didn't tell them about the weather! It's funner that way.

More fun. And the weather has been, well, unpredictable.

That's an understatement.

Tuesday it was eighty. Yesterday, it snowed. I don't think it got above freezing today. A lovely weekend for a bake sale, sure. But the Easter bunny will be there. *grins*

Yeah. Wee-haw, huh?

In other various news, I am going to become a Thingy! (Sweet, huh?)

I, in no way, support or condone this behaviour.

Oh, come on, it'll be fun. Like NaNoWriMo, except in reverse.

In other words, insane.

It's not insane. I think its fun.

How could you know? You haven't done it yet.

Just shut up and let me explain what it is, already! The Spring Reading Thing is basically exactly what it sounds like.

Well, that was helpful.

What did I just tell you? Now this Thing is very simple. You make a list of books you would like to read over the spring and post it on your blog. Then link to Callapidder Days. Voila! You have become a Thingy! I haven't made my list yet, but I hope to tomorrow. Then I'll post and link and we'll see what happens.

Yeah, tomorrow, sometime in between freezing your butt off and selling cookies.

Exactly! Glad you understand. I think I've run out of things to say --

Thank goodness!

-- so I'll leave off with my word of the day. Coinkydink!

Oh, sheesh.

I have no idea what it means (ask Platty!), but isn't it awesome?!

*shakes head and sighs deeply*

Shine!

Yeah, see ya.

~Ley

P.S. Couldn't resist. Sorry. *grins devilishly*

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Squee!

I know, I know, it's girlish and childish, but I'm excited! And about ready to cry.

I was playing DF when I randomly decided to check my GE account. I saw my summary and didn't believe my eyes. So I opened the financial report, seeing and believing and all that. "Oh, my, freakin', gosh." All dragged out. Crystal comes over. "What?!" Mom's in the bedroom talking to Dad so I shout out. "Mom! The church gave me a 1000 dollar donation!" Mom in the bedroom, "What?" She comes out and I point it out on the screen. $1000.

That's why I'm about to cry. If we count the money I sent in this morning, (which won't be registered in the account for a week, or maybe two) I have $774 til I'm there. I'm really going. My dear Lord, what am I doing? Germany? Poland? I'm going to need a lot of help. Just not in the money department anymore. *grins*

We checked Crystal's account too. Another 1000.

Speaking of my trip, (and speaking...) Mrs. Byrom has asked all of the missions kids to speak on April 15th at the Alliance Men and Women meeting. A five minute speech. I think I might write mine first, if only to clear my head.

I am freakin' going to Germany!

Now all I have to do is set up my domestic travel. (I know I'm procrastinating. Don't remind me.) The doctor's appointment got moved to April 11th *sighs* so I still can't get my TRF in. The passport should be coming in anytime now. All I have left to do is ready myself.

Maybe it's a good thing that I have a few months for this part. I have the feeling I'm going to need it.

God bless,

Live the Life you've been Given,

Shine always,

Ley

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Writing Style

We were talking at breakfast this morning (Bob Evan's!) about Crystal and desire to write. I think it's a wonderful thing, naturally, but Mom was wondering about whether she could. Da said what I usually say to Crystal, you have to practice and learn and try and then you can see if it'll work.

But then I started thinking about something else. What about script-writing. Now, I don't know a lot about it, but I think that might be a possibility for Crystal. It's such a different way of writing. I'll have to look up something soon. We'll see. It's an interesting possibility at any rate.

I'll try to post again soon. I will say before I'm gone that I'm almost half way. Like a hundred dollars short! Wee!

God bless
Shine

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