My Gutsy Story Anthology!

You simply MUST check out this new book by Sonia Marsh, author of Freeways to Flip-Flops: A Family's Year of Gusty Living on a Tropical Island.  My Gutsy Story Anthology is the second book in her anthology series which is a collection of inspirational short stories submitted to Sonia's blog, Gutsy Living.

Sonia Marsh uprooted her family and spent a year living in Belize where her entire family learned a whole new way of living, as well as, a whole new appreciation for the things that so many of us take for granted.  Her blog, Gutsy Living, started as a working palette for her book, Freeways.  She received a flood of "you go, girl" responses from readers regarding her story. In addition her readers began relating gutsy stories of their own. She asked her readers to write about their experiences and submit them for posting on her blog.  From there, the submissions were compiled into My Gutsy Story Anthology (number one). As more stories have been submitted a second anthology (this one) was published.  A third is in the works as we speak (or read)! Please check out her books on Amazon where you will learn about Sonia, and the very inspiring stories she has chosen to publish. 

Sonia has been an incredible source of inspiration and encouragement for me and my writing.  She is always on the prowl for writing tools, classes, and events to help aspiring authors improve their talents.  There is always someone giving a talk on "how to" or "how I did" become a successful writer, and Sonia makes sure that everyone knows when and where the talk will take place! If she only lived in Chicago....

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  And please take a few minutes to check out her books...especially this one...you may just recognize the name of one of the authors...on page 17!

RaNdOm FuN WeDnEsDaY

Please stop by 2nd Cup of Coffee and say hi to Lid! Just click on the logo and you will be magically transported to a very happy place (one of those happy places that we all try to get to now and then!)



Here are a few Q & A's that may tell you a little more about my schizo personality!

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?"

I’ve had lots of overdue books, but I’ve never been cuffed and hauled away!

2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts?

Yes, I have a plan; it’s not really organized however. It’s the basement, and it’s the place where everything goes that can’t fit in a drawer or closet upstairs.

3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster?

Yes. I grew up in Southern California and was privy to the 1971 Simi Valley Earthquake, as well as, the 1993 San Fernando Valley Earthquake. There was no structural damage where I lived, but I got to experience the “rolling and shaking” with a little gusto. Then, there is the natural disaster of my oldest daughter’s bedroom….. I’m up on my tetanus shots, so don’t worry!

4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song?

“I Write the Songs,” “Somewhere in the Night.”

5. What's the best costume you've ever worn?

My Birthday Suit, but I didn’t win any prizes…just blood-curdling screams!

6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?

I use the dictionary more often…very often…all of the time!

7. What's your favorite breakfast food?

My favorite breakfast consists of eggs, potatoes & gigantic blueberry muffins… then a nap.

8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial?

I have purchased enough junk from infomercials to fill up an entire room! I’ve bought exercise equipment, hair removal, acne removal, diet/exercise programs, subliminal message tapes, books…it’s very embarrassing!

9. Have you ever crawled through a window?

No, I can’t fit through a normal sized window, unless it is a sliding glass door, then I would just walk through it.

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Absolutely! Many years ago, I made a connection with someone as I was coming out of an elevator. It was something I had never felt before, or since.

11. How man pairs of jeans do you own?

I own two pair of jeans; they are both made from stretch denim and have stretch waistbands for my womanly figure.

12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.")

It would be a three-tiered, square white cake with white frosting, and a border of red roses and green vines. The top cake would be covered with a pyramid of many, many, many chocolate, strawberry, and white iced petite fours (sp? – oh, I have to use the dictionary) – petit fours. This way, I wouldn’t feel like I’m pigging out if I just have a handful of the little cakes, instead of my usual practice of burying my face in the cake until it was totally consumed!

Please stop by and say hello to Lid at 2nd Cup of Coffee

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Collections

As far back as I can remember, I've been a saver (collector). I would call most of my stuff a "collection" of some sort. For instance, my mom took a picture of me sitting next to my first collection of dolls when I was about two. I held on to all the dolls I ever owned until it was suggested that I share some of my dolls with those less fortunate.

I shared my Barbies, their hand-made prom dresses, the doll case and everything else with a younger friend down the street. At the time, I felt good about giving them away as I no longer played with them. Today, I want to puke every time I think about it!

My mom saved my favorites dolls in a cardboard box and gave them to me when I moved out. Some of them are still with me. My favorite stuffed Teddy had been in the box for 10 years and then I read about all the bugs that crawl into stuffed animals after a long time. I bit the bullet and threw Teddy out. My Raggedy Ann was the one doll that I took to bed with me and on trips and sleepovers. Some would say that she was "well loved". When I was 30, I put her in the washing machine to clean her up a little. Her face exploded. I was devastated! A good friend knew how much I loved my Raggedy, so she bought me a new one. I still keep it in my nightstand.

Tiny Tears is still with me, but her plastic is getting old and beginning to crack. I keep her wrapped in a blanket inside a plastic bag, and away from the elements. Do you think she can breathe? I also had a baby doll that would move her legs and arms when you wound up the musical knob on her back. My brothers broke the knob on this doll's back when I was 10. I was devastated! But I still love to look at her.

When there are four children running around ones house playing "Fire Drill", "Hide and Seek" or "Catch Me, Catch Me" one often tries to detach oneself for a brief moment. One would steal away to ones bedroom, lock the door, and immerse oneself in ones collection of books that one never had time to read, but would someday. One would pick out the book that one wanted to read first and set it on ones nightstand, just in case one had five minutes sometime during the next year.

One's brief moment of detachment was over..."Moooooooooommmmmm!" cried the wee one, "he's hitting me!"

"I am not hitting" yelled the big one, "I'm tickling!"

"No, you're not tickling" squealed the middle ones,"you are hitting and pushing and licking!"

"Ewwwwwwwww", one thought. "How delightful is that?"

One loves her mom job! One could read anytime for the rest of ones life. But how often could one experience the sounds of joy showered upon one by ones precious little cherubs?