However Although Thus Several Several

Winners in my world

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Timestamp: 2009-07-20 22:00:30 UTC

And so here you go - winner of the book is the second commenter, Melinda Wilson:

LOL!!! I am very guilty of this. Do you remember back "just a COUPLE of years ago when we were in our early teens" (lol) and we would ready those harlequin romance books? If the guy looked dorky or "too proper", I wouldn't read the book!

Posted by: Melinda Wilson | July 17, 2009 at 01:43 PM

Melinda, email your snail mail address to me at mandyj318@aol.com and I will get the book in the mail to you as soon as possible. And yes, I do remember that very situation a time or two.

Thanks, y'all, for playing, and for admitting that you've done the same thing (judged a book by its cover).

I also wanted to mention that Jimmy Carter is a major winner in my book. Click here for details. Amen, brother.

Holy Roller Give-away

I'm reading a great book right now. I was asked weeks ago to participate in the blog tour for Holy Roller and thought right away that it sounded like a story I would enjoy. When the book came in the mail, something about the cover bothered me. I know I'm not supposed to think like that, but I did, and because I'm not crazy about the cover art, I put off reading it until this week. Funny how I expected to be less than enthused by the contents because I was bored by the cover. I thought I was smarter than that.

(Marketing, people. Marketing.) Oh, and I just this week realized that's a cross on the cover. I have no idea what I thought it was. And I have no suggestions, by the way, for a better cover. Just sayin'.

OK, so anyway, I'm a few chapters in and I am devouring the true story for many reasons - not the least of which is the fact that the loving and accepting spirit of the congregation Julie happens upon in her journey reminds me some of the congregation at our church in Birmingham. The kind of people who make you want to be a better person and make you wonder how we end up believing the things we believe before we really see for ourselves what is true and real. Why do we judge someone before we know them? Why do we judge a book by its cover?

I will post a publisher's summary of the book below along with some information about the author, Julie Lyons. Here's the best part of today's post, though - I have a copy of Holy Roller to give away! All you have to do to be entered to win is leave a comment. I will pick a winner Sunday evening. Tell me this - Have you ever judged a book by its cover?

            Julie Lyons was working as a crime reporter when she followed a hunch into the South Dallas ghetto. She wasn’t hunting drug dealers, but drug addicts who had been supernaturally healed of their addictions. Was there a church in the most violent part of the city that prayed for addicts and got results?
            At The Body of Christ Assembly, a rundown church on an out-of-the-way street, Lyons found the story she was looking for. The minister welcomed criminals, prostitutes, and street people–anyone who needed God. He prayed for the sick, the addicted, and the demon-possessed, and people were supernaturally healed.
            Lyons’s story landed on the front page of the Dallas Times Herald. But she got much more than just a great story, she found an unlikely spiritual home. Though the parishioners at The Body of Christ Assembly are black and Pentecostal, and Lyons is white and from a traditional church background, she embraced their spirituality–that of “the Holy Ghost and fire.”
            It’s all here in Holy Roller–the stories of people desperate for God’s help. And the actions of a God who doesn’t forget the people who need His power.

Julie Lyons is an award-winning writer, editor and investigative reporter who for more than 11 years served as editor-in-chief of the Dallas Observer, an alternative weekly newspaper owned by Village Voice Media. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a B.A. in English from Seattle Pacific University. She and her husband, Larry Lyons Jr., live in Dallas with their son.

Not blogging about blogging

I read just a few nights ago that one of the most important rules of blogging is: "Do not blog about blogging." Although I understand that concept in a way, I think there's a time and place for everything. I also think that my blogging routine has changed, and I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that. It's simple, really. I don't write as much as I used to. At least not here I don't.

Lately most of my writing has been in 140 character tidbits here and there on twitter. I don't even write those very much, though. I go there to read. I've spent hours lying in bed reading tweets on my iPhone while tripping on the Lortab I'm taking post shoulder surgery. I follow links and I read stuff and then I follow some more links and I read some more stuff. I told my therapist last week that I feel like I'm doing important research when I'm in this geek zone. Of course she thinks I'm using it (twitter) to keep from showing up here (or anywhere that would reveal more than 140 characters about how I am feeling). She has a point.

I've also been writing in this book that Virginia made for me. It was supposed to be an art journal, but one Sunday night I grabbed it because it was closest to the bed and I needed to write about seeing my mom earlier in the day and the ominous feeling I had about her health. When she died two days later I picked up the book again, and I've continued to use it for recording my feelings surrounding her death. The book is getting full already...random memories, stories, complaints about relatives, rants and prayers...all in one place. Occasionally I read back through it to remind myself that I'm moving in the right direction in this grief process.

So I guess it's not completely accurate to say I haven't been writing. My writing has become more personal lately. I'm using it as a tool to deal with my grief, and I really didn't think this blog was the appropriate place for me to do that. Notice I said, "for me." I wish I were the type person who could just open up about everything here - especially if it would help someone who might be dealing with the same type issues, but I can't. I don't know why. I could venture a guess but it doesn't matter.

I imagine it will pass - this writer's blogger's block. Until then I will show up when I show up. And I will try to be engaging and witty and deep...and not do so much blogging about blogging.

Breaker, breaker

Sometimes people get on my nerves. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I just got snippy with the cashier at Publix for no particular reason. Just because he was there, and he was on the other end of the piece of crap debit card machine that was making me late returning from my lunch hour. I probably should go back and apologize to him...maybe another day. If I went back today there's no telling what would happen or what I might say. For now, he's better off without my apology.

So there's this big dog and pony show happening here tomorrow and I'm having a hard time conjuring up any real concern over it. I'm not even dreading it like I typically dread any and all meetings. I just don't really care about it. That, my friends, should be a LARGE red flag. It could be the calm before the storm. I'm due for a complete hissy fit and who knows? It might just happen tomorrow during this all day fiasco. Stay tuned.

Speaking of tomorrow - it's my last day of work for a good long while. I am having shoulder surgery Wednesday and won't be back at work until after spring break. (Can I get an "amen?" Sad, I know.) It's a minor surgery and the physical therapy should be the worst part, but I'm so ready for the thing to quit hurting that I would do just about anything at this point. For the last two nights I have had strange dreams that relate to the upcoming procedure. For instance, in one dream, the surgeon thought he was supposed to amputate my arm so when I woke up I only had a shoulder remaining, and the shoulder was still hurting - so I was pissed. Not pissed because my arm was missing, but pissed because my shoulder still hurt.

I updated However365 last night. I'm totally impressed with myself for keeping up with this project. I would be even more impressed if I took every photo with the Nikon, but I'm trying to make it easy, so some of them are taken with the iPhone...not the best quality, but still a glimpse of the rock star life I lead. I know you appreciate the inside scoop.

Thanks so much for all of your sweet comments about Hank. Sissy even called to tell me I have such sweet friends. I already knew that, though. I really appreciate your support and encouragement for all of us, but especially for her. Thank you.

I may be absent for a bit due to my surgery and resulting torture physical therapy, but I will try to tweet every now and then. I'm thinking Jen Lancaster is right when she says, "Twitter is the new CB radio." I'm getting hooked even though I don't say much. I do a whole lot of following and a good bit of researching trends and looking at tweets that my GPS finds near me. It's all fascinating. Especially if you are a big nerd like I am. If you're on Twitter, let me know in the comments so I can follow you. You can follow me, too, if you want: @howeveralthough, but like I said, I'm a little quiet. Not sure what that's about. I imagine that will change soon enough. (Insert same calm before the storm theory.)

Hey, does The Bachelor come on tonight? I think so! My mood just improved. (Even sadder, I know.) Maybe I should go see that cashier after all. Poor thing. He's probably still wondering what he did to make that woman with the Cheez-its and People go bat shit crazy on him.

(Yes, PJ, I bought a People just for you.)

The Blissdom recap I almost didn't write

I'm neurotic.

I am fresh back from a conference about blogging and I'm scared to blog about it. At least I think I'm scared...I'm not sure what to call it...overwhelmed, maybe? Freaked out, maybe?

So.

Blissdom'09.

Wow.

I had been there 10 minutes when I texted PJ to say, "They're all young and pretty." I was completely intimidated by them...these sexy geeky girls who seemed to know so much more than me about so many sexy geeky things. I wasn't prepared. It had not occurred to me before that moment that I might not be the smartest person there. I was out-numbered, out-dressed, out-teched. And it was not a good feeling. I clammed up and hardly spoke to anyone for several hours. Why had I wanted to go to this smart girl summit in the first place? What was I thinking? What had I hoped to accomplish? And why didn't I bring along one of my bloggy friends? Why didn't I bring cards? And why the hell don't I have a MacBook?

Somehow I resisted my urge to crawl out of the room, and I listened and I watched. And pretty soon I was into it. Really into it. But even as into it as I was - I didn't make new friends there. Not because people were rude, but because I didn't really try to make new friends. I was too busy trying to process all of the information while making sure no one discovered I wasn't making new friends and felt like they had to make small talk with me. Luckily it's easy to avoid the whole small talk scene if your head is in your laptop or your iPhone for two days.

I learned so much from every aspect of the weekend - the speakers, the panels, the eavesdropping, the observing of everyone else. There were many highlights: I met Jen Lancaster, but couldn't think of a thing to say except, "I'm a big fan." And "I love your writing." And "I'm a big fan." I learned way more about twitter than I ever imagined possible. (You can follow me @howeveralthough, by the way.) I discovered Chris Mann. (Hello, he is adorable.) I met a marketing dude from Wal-Mart. (And yes, I was nice to him. I liked him.) I got some cool swag. I consumed about 7,000 calories in Little Debbie 100 Calories Snacks.

Eventually (maybe two hours before the weekend was over) I realized I did fit in (sort of) and I got more comfortable (sort of). But by then I was also on tech overload and completely exhausted. Then it was time to go. All in all - I loved it. Next year I'm making Virginia go with me. (And I'm taking a MacBook even if I have to steal one on the way there.)

OK. There. I blogged about it. Attention sexy geeky girls - leave me a comment. Much preferred to small talk.

Meet our sexy new neighbor...less than a mile away...

Winn-Dixie and Food World can SUCK on it! I'll be the girl with the cart full of BOGO deals and Publix fried chicken and Shiraz...

 

Don't get ahead, just jump into it...

I have no excuse. I won't even try. I laughed out loud when I read this by Jen Lancaster, though, because it is so me...as is much of her writing. I think we are related somehow and just don't know it.

So I'm gonna mix it up a little over the next few weeks - maybe a new design for the blog? Maybe try posting something every few days? Maybe add a new photo blog for my 365 thing I'm trying to do? Maybe update my album of layouts and such? Maybe? You think? Maybe not. You'll just have to wait and see. I'm ready for something new, though.

I'm wishing I could be done with the little voices that nag me about how I'm not good enough, not smart enough, not skinny enough...how I don't do enough, don't have enough, don't care enough...I need some of those little voices that pump me up with affirmations all day long about how beautiful and smart and creative and blessed and loved I am. Where do you get those little voices? Someone send me a link.

In an effort to start 2009 in a traditional yet creative way, I will tell you the top ten things for which I am most grateful...right now...today - January 4, 2009. And then I will tell you the top ten things I would love to change or do differently in 2009. And then I am moving on. Pity Party officially over. (At least for now.)

Grateful today for:

1. PJ. (Seriously? What did I do to deserve him?)
2. Bobbie Jo. (Seriously? What did I do to deserve her?) This is why I can't win the lottery, people. I used all my luck up on getting a husband and a best friend.
3. Brothers and sisters (full, half, step, in-laws, etc.) and parental units (full, in-law, step - past and present). All of these people - no matter how crazy they make me sometimes. And sometimes, they make me very crazy.
4. Sweet doggies.
5. Adorable nieces and nephews.
6. Happy memories.
7. Amazing friends. (I realize I need a new adjective.)
8. Great camera.
9. My bed with flannel sheets & fluffy pillows.
10. The iPhone.

To do, change, be in 2009:

1. Leave it at work.
2. Take more photos.
3. My photos. Good Lord, do something with all those photos.
4. Mother's photos. Good Lord, do something with all those photos.
5. Organize the office/scrap room.
6. Say "no" more often.
7. Care less about what people say about me.
8. Care less about what people think about me.
9. Pray more.
10. Read more.

Happy New Year, friends. Let's get it started.

Halloween come and gone

 

Happy Halloween! It's actually almost November 1st. We've been out all night - avoiding those goblins that get dropped off in our neighborhood to torture us.

When we got home we did a little birthday singing for Cowboy. Perhaps you remember that "Happy Birthday" is his favorite song? He was so proud to sing along:

 

Oh, how I love that dog. We think he's about ten years old...makes my heart hurt just thinking about it. Don't get me wrong - I love Clover, too, but Cowboy is seriously the best dog I've ever known. I've probably mentioned that a time or two.

Plus he's witty...likes to read Sedaris with PJ:

 

So did you get tricks or treats?

Up Above My Head

We spent most of today at the Kentuck Festival of the Arts which is one of my absolute favorite things to do. It was the perfect fall day, and we heard some of the best music I've heard in a really long time. It got me thinking about the role that music plays in my life, particularly in my spiritual life. I remember telling a friend a few months after I got divorced that music was the only thing helping me and healing me...the only thing that made me feel better. That's been true for most experiences in my life - good and bad. They've all been set to music. And all of that emotion and all of those memories can be conjured up when I hear a familiar tune.

I feel closer to God in a song than any other place. Is that odd? So be it. I don't think He cares much how I get there. Just so I do.

Ruthie Foster performed at Kentuck this afternoon and she was unbelievable. Seriously. I realized during her last song that I was crying, and as we were leaving I told PJ that I felt like I had just been to "really good church." She has the most soulful voice I've ever heard. I had chills. "Walk On" has always been my mantra, and my soul has been renewed after her rendition today.

I saw Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt last weekend thanks to Kala, and I spent most of last week replaying those tunes in my head. Such unique and powerful voices...so many memories tied up in those tunes. And I never get tired of that sound or those lyrics...Just throw in some Dwight Yoakam and maybe a little Steve Winwood and a whole lot of Michael Jackson (oh and don't forget David Bowie) and you've got the soundtrack of my life. Really it's more than that...I could go on for hours...

When Phill died I spent a whole lot of time thinking about music and how it played such a huge role in our friendship. I have vivid memories of him playing Neil Young for me and me playing Dolly Parton (long story - don't ask) and Dixie Chicks for him. At his memorial service we all sang "Listen to the Music" together in his honor...just because music was such a huge part of Phill's life. His cousin, Emmylou Harris, sang at the service, and I will never forget it...the songs, the guitar, the outfit she wore...all of it. To this day, I can't listen to her latest CD without sobbing.  

Ruthie Foster opened the show today with "Up Above My Head (I Hear Music In the Air)." That song is on her latest CD (the phenomenal Ruthie Foster), and was originally recorded by Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the 1940s. The simple lyrics sum up what I'm trying to say here. Maybe I should have just left it at that:

"Up above my head (up above my head)
I hear music in the air (I hear music in the air)
Up above my head (up above my head)
I hear music in the air (I hear music in the air)
Up above my head (up above my head)
I hear music in the air (I hear music in the air)
I really do believe, I really do believe there's a Heaven somewhere."

And we have a winner! PJ drew the name out of his Castro hat tonight.

Congrats, b! Thanks to all of you for commenting. I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion. I find it interesting that b won the copy of Churched considering she didn't grow up in church...perhaps the book will explain some things for her about the rest of us! b, I know where to find you, and I will get the book to you ASAP. You will love it. (And can you let V borrow it when you are done? Kala, you can borrow mine.) MPT, thanks for including me on the blog tour, and congrats again on such a great work.

Who are you? Who who who who.

I've really enjoyed the conversation going on in the comments from the previous post. Keep it coming! I love getting to know you a little better and I especially enjoy hearing about the experiences we've all had that made us who we are today. You've still got time to leave a comment and get in on the drawing for your own copy of Churched. I will draw a winner Sunday, October 19, 2008. You don't have to reveal anything about yourself in the comments. Just say "Hi" if you want. Or "Pick me." Or "Leave me alone." Whatever you want to say is fine. I know you will enjoy the book and I can't wait to share it with you.

Another way we can get to know one another: Join me tomorrow (Saturday, October 18, 2008) at Scrap, Etc. for a Creative Cafe Happy Hour at noon. We're making this cute little treat bag.

You can use it to give Halloween (or "Fall Harvest" for our really churched friends) treats and gifts. Or you can use it as a home decor item. (I know someone who did his entire home in an owl theme - I have photos to prove this.) Or you can keep it on your desk to hold your bottle of pills. Whatever you want. I'm easy. I just want you to come. It's only $2.00! And I might even fill it with some candy for you. (I'm keeping my pills, though.)

Oh, and don't worry - you will be done in time to watch the Bama game!

RTR, baby!