Monday, May 25, 2009

I Built It Long Before They Came

I may not have time to write this blog. I took too long with the title. I love titles of all stripes but I'm secretly envious of short ones as I can't seem to use 'em. My muse likes to tell the whole dang story in the heading and then just elaborate until she loses focus. Case in point: One of the discarded titles for this piece was "No Taught Me More Than Yes Every Could". See what I mean? You pretty much know where I'm headed now, don't you? Well, fair warning: don't get comfortable. The muse she is a fickle one.

One day when I've gotten a large number of the projects/manuscripts/ideas/words out of my head that are presently demanding their say, I intend to write a book on the blessed power of "No." I feel sorry for No. It's a very good word with a very poor reputation. (I imagine No is probably very jealous of how much everyone likes Yes, but that's just me.)

I don't mean to brag, but I'm something of an authority on the word No. I'm talking serious credentials. I've heard more than my fair share of No, and I'm not talking about your standard No's. While I realize all writers are familiar with No, I may possibly have some of the best No stories ever recorded.

For instance, one fine day, prior to any sort of publishing success, I was sitting at my desk filing the most recent rejection slip, when I got an email response from a publisher. "Dear Ms. Tomlinson," it read, "thank you for submitting your work for our review. We are interested in publishing your manuscript." Well, yippy skippy! It had finally happened. Who to call? What to do? Alas, before I had time to strike up the band another note dinged into my inbox from the same editor.

"Dear Ms. Tomlinson," this one read, "I'm so sorry, but I've just noticed that I inadvertently made a mistake in my previous email. My letter was supposed to read, we are not interested in publishing..." Enough. You get the picture. I'm opening up old wounds here and they're all mine. For the record, I still think they should have had to publish my book out of nothing more than good manners. I mean, who forgets the word "No" (or any form thereof) when writing a rejection slip?

When I write my No book, I'll put that little tale in there, along with a ton of other rejection follies, but then I'll turn the page and the real story will begin. I will tell of what No did for me, how it taught me, goaded me, pushed me, and challenged me, and how it built a website called All Things Southern that not only became the tool that eventually saw the initial goal realized, but has since taken me on a journey I never could have foreseen had "Yes" come easy all those years ago. No, thank you.

Hugs,
Shellie

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Shhh... don't tell the girls

Jessica and Carey sent me the absolute cutest pics of my grandbabies and I'm quite sure they intend to use them on their own blogs so this is just between us, okay? I just had to share with y'all. Seriously, my fingers did it before I could stop them. I will be happy to translate for my sweet darlings.

"Dearest Keggie, when do you think you can get back to Houston?" Love Grant Thomas


"Dearest Keggie, am I fine in my hat, or what?" Love Emerson Ann


"But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. And His righteousness to children's children to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them." Psalm 103: 17-18


Hugs,
Shellie

Friday, May 15, 2009

Lake Beauty

Hey y'all,

I'm sitting on my dock at the end of a long day. Supper is on. The work week wrapped. Grandbabies kissed, spoiled dog walked. Had to share the scene before me with my friends. Enjoy our Abba's artwork...


I hope you have a great weekend. I think the world of y'all. I pray that each of you know the One my heart returns to like a sparrow to her nest. He is worthy.

Hugs,
Shellie

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Thursday, May 14, 2009

I've Been Robbed!

So, I'm leaving Houston with a heart that is having to choose forgiveness, gratitude, and peace. Choosing being the key word.

Last night someone dented the molding of my Enclave, broke the passenger side glass, and STOLE MARY ELIZABETH, (GPS navigator for those initiated in ATS lingo).

Police report filed, insurance called, car's window taped up, and time to hit the road. So wanted it fixed here but they'd have to order and I need to get home today.

But about those choices...Jessica lives in a very nice neighborhood in a nice brand spanking new area of Humble. Her dad and I have felt so safe with her here! The police say that, ironically, that's the problem--the neighborhood is an attractive target.

I feel violated and angry but I'm choosing forgiveness for the culprits. I'm praying they are caught before they go deeper into this life of crime. I've prayed for them to feel conviction and find their way to Jesus. I'm choosing gratitude that it wasn't worse. They didn't break in the house, and no one was hurt. We've just learned that just this week another Buick Enclave owner had a gun pulled on him in broad daylight and his car stolen. I don't think the identical makes are anything other than a coincidence, but that would've been a much scarier experience.

And last, I'm choosing peace because I was already sad about leaving Jessica and Grant Thomas.

To live in Christ doesn't mean you're exempted from life, but Praise His Name--it does mean when you choose His ways His spirit in us empowers our choices. Choose well my friends.

On the road again...


Hugs,
Shellie



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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Sweet times two

No commentary needed. :))))
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Sunday, May 10, 2009

I thought this went, too!

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Mothers Day


I celebrated Mothers Day in LP and Tallulah first with my lovely mom, my Papa, my #1 son, Phillip and daughter-n-law Carey, the love of my life, Phil, and of course Miss Emerson. Here's a pic of her rocking her headband.

And now, after a six hoiur drive, I'm back in Houston. Check out my sweet baby Grant. Good loving...

Hugs,
Shellie

P.S. Can you tell my family likes pics of the parts?! :)


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Saturday, May 9, 2009

All righty now...

Remember last week when I invited 2bad2b@aol down to our annual snake rodeo? Well, I'm there now-- at the rodeo where teams compete to see who can take the most, the biggest, and the baddest. For the record, there's no sign of Mr.2bad, but I just knew y'all would want to see the pics!

By the way, here's what I just got from the marine biologist's little demonstration, (that would be the fellow milking that nice big boy below), the one who told the crowd how to differentiate between the poisonous cottonmouth and the diamond back water snakes. For the record they look like twins and they BOTH have triangular heads (there goes that myth) but-- big but coming- if you will, get this, FLIP them over and check out the scales at the end of their tails you can see the difference. I would explain those differences further, um, well, but that's where he lost me. Flipping them over and checking their tails??? It ain't happening...

Check y'all later.

Hugs,
Shellie
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Annual Snake Rodeo Pics


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Friday, May 8, 2009

More from Crossett!

Another neat book lover in AR-- my new friend, Sandra
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Party in Crossett!

Having a blast at a booksigning in Crossett, AR today. These sisters, (AKA, those Dang Davidson Girls) and I could've been separated at birth.

Hugs,
Shellie

P.S. Note to self-- get a haircut!!!


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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Enjoying Winnsboro

I'm in Winnsboro, LA today taping a commercial for their shop at home campaign. This is a beautiful small town. Check out this photo taken outside of one of their local shops, Sweet Peas. My friend, and owner of Every Occasion, Wade Walley, got me here today. If y'all are in the area, shop Winnsboro. If you can't find it here, you don't need it! :)

Hugs,
Shellie

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Sunday, May 3, 2009

The Truth about Hair Spray

A little story and a lesson...

After doing my hair just like I like-- and yes, I know some of you would like for me to change my hair style, I got the memos but I like it this way-- I reached for my brand new can of Big Sexy Hair. ALAS!!! When I sprayed it over my hair and opened my eyes there was white foamy stuff all over my light green bathroom walls, not to mention my crowning glory. As Charlie Brown might say, "ARGH!"

Being fully assured that the hole was probably plugged up I searched for a tiny needle in my jewelry box and cleaned that hole out a couple times. Problem solved. Only it wasn't. The second time I did my spray job, I opened my eyes to see the same light blanket of white snow.

Being determined that I wasn't going to throw away my brand new perfectly good bottle of Big Sexy, and while composing a letter of complaint in my head to the company, I cleaned the tiny hole out again and tried again.

This being the third time I saw white, and I being a smart woman of relatively sound mind, it finally occurred to me to look closer at the bottle. That is when I saw the word "mousse". Nice...it would've been nice to have considered that possibility before it became necessary to wash down the bathroom walls and before I was forced to put my ruined hair up in a clippie.

So, here it is: Mousse will never, ever turn into hair spray no matter how many times you spray it or stick a needle in the tiny hole on the sprayer. It reminds me of the time my sisters and I learned that minnows will never become fish no matter how long you keep them in the abandoned freezer behind the barn. But that's another story...

Hugs,
Shellie