Greetings everyone!

This is such a time of unrest. Of upset. Of mistrust. I don't think I've ever felt this way about our Country. About our Government. It's like the rules are constantly changing......and everyone (big banks included) our out to get us.

My lack of confidence in our Government, our economy, is frightening. It's like they are crazy and can't be trusted. It's a shame to feel that way, but it's becoming a stark reality with each passing day.

What to do? Well, the obvious. Get out of debt. Save money. Cut costs. Plan, plan, plan.

And........go to church. Participate in the fellowship of God. Listening to the word of God is always so uplifting! I love it! Makes a person ready to start another work week. Makes a person ready to believe in a better day. To have hope for a better future.

On this fine Monday morning, I wish for you a happy, faithfilled day!

Melinda

........since I've written.

Hope everyone in Indiana is enjoying this action-packed winter season we've been havin'.

Lots of snow......makes for a difficult time. After all, by the time it takes two muscle-clad men, six hours to shovel out our driveway, it's just a little too late to make it to the office and classroom.

But alas, it's all good. I make hot coco from scratch and we hunkered down for a movie (or two).... and enjoy the companionship of each other.

We've were blessed with an unexpected day of togetherness.

And this mother loves it.

*****I think my children do too*******

~smile~

Melinda

Hello all,

Happy Tuesday!

Change is in the wind. Hope it blows my way tomorrow.

But, change for the sake of change is never any good. So tomorrow, change must be life-altering. It's the only way.

Happy Hopeful Wednesday everybody!

Melinda

Hello everyone!

A new year has begun and with it.....new hope.

2009 is going to be the best year ever for every person in my family. I feel it deep in my bones.

Casey, my son, and Janette will marry on July 4th. After 7 years of being in our family, Janette will legally become a part of our it. I'm so thrilled and excited.

Cody will tranfer to BSU, and Clair will finally get accepted in Ivy Tech's Dental Hygiene program. Two more years, my two youngest children will be out of college and in the real world. Emily and Gene will be there too.

My oldest son, Chris, in 2009, will buy a house and move to Indy. He will raise his two sons and live happily ever after with Brooke, a sweet girl he's met 6 months ago.

As for me...I will get a new job. Get out of debt. Meet the man of my dreams. And live for the day when he and I can live together. Forever. And Ever. And Ever.

Doesn't 2009 sound wonderful?

~smile~

Hello one and all!

It's the day after Christmas
and all through my house.
Not one of my four children are stirring
not even myself.......

But at 8:01 in the morning
there's still plenty of time.
To thank the Lord God Almighty
and embrace his ways and make them mine.......

It's early. The house is asleep, as are the children. My two grandbabies are asleep upstairs as well.

What a blessing.

I'm in the kitchen..cookin. Did you know that French Vanilla coffee and cheeseball and crackers go together at 6:00 AM? Well, they do. Wonderfully.

I'm very thankful for many things. My freedom, given to me by all those who defend it. (Ooh-Rah Lance!)

I'm thankful for my beautiful children, who light up my life and give it true meaning.

I'm thankful for my family...my mom & dad. My brothers and sisters. My future daughters and son-in-laws.

I'm thankful for my health. Every day I'm given on this earth is a gift from God and I ask Him on this Thanksgiving Day...to bless all our families on earth. And in heaven.

In Jesus' name...........we pray.

Amen

Guess this week wasn't so life-changing after all. I'm a little depressed about that. And worried about my grandbabies.

The hardest thing about being a grandmother is not having the control to keep your grandchildren safe, happy, and healthy. That's up to the parents. And when you have one parent that isn't sane, it all gets pretty hairy.

So, I'll close this depressing little journal entry on a wing and a prayer. Sent straight to heaven, to keep Collin and Cameron happy and healthy. Safe in the palms of the Lord God Almighty's capable hands.

God Bless and Keep You All

Melinda

Good Morn!

Today, could change my son's life. Forever. And my grandbabies' lives. For the good...forever.

It's been a very, very hard road. One no father wants to walk down. My son has walked down that road....and then some.

Please keep my ex-daughter-in-law in your prayers.

Melinda

Hello my writing buddies!

It's here! A Cup of Comfort for Military Families is in bookstores everywhere. My essay, Gung Ho, written in honor of my nephew--Corporal Lance McGregor Thompson--is one of 48 short stories published in this military anthology.

Check it out!

What else can a person do on such a sad day.......but write.

It's a sad day for our nation. Our nation is weak this morning. And will become substantially weaker over the next 4 years.

We're weak because we voted the wrong man into the white house and we did that because of the economy and for no other reason.

I hope the short-sighted Americans who sent (I can't even say the un-American name) to the white house are happy this morning.

As for this proud Marine Mom, I'm tuning out the next 4 years and am going to try very hard not to say "I told you so" when this economy goes to hell in a handbasket; and a bunch of stupid Americans can't figure out why.

Yesterday ended much better than it began. I received shipment of my books.

A Cup of Comfort for Military Families--with my essay "Gung Ho"--hits the bookshelves November 10, 2008. Just five days prior to the 4th anniversary of Lance's death.

My beloved nephew, Earth Hath No Sorrow that Heaven Cannot Heal.

I miss you terrible, but I know where you are and I know we'll be together again one day.

Oooh-Rah!

Love, Aunt Minnie

Good Morn My Friends,

My belly is full. I just ate breakfast, which I never eat breakfast, but I'm giving blood today. Being borderline anemic, I have to eat or my blood count will be to low.

I give once a year. It's such a great feeling. Knowing I'm helping someone who needs something money can't buy. Precious blood. Lifegiving blood. My blood.

There's only one way to get it....and thats by giving it.

What goes around...comes around.

I wish for you.....a blessed day. Do something good today. Make it count.

Love............MFS

Hello my fellow tricksters!

Been awhile since I've written. I hope you all have been doing well.

I've been happy, happy, happy. Because I've been writing, writing, writing.

Just finished revisions on Imperfect Passion. I'm entering it in RWA's national Golden Heart contest. Wish me luck! Keep your fingers crossed! Say a little prayer!

~smile~

And don't miss my essay GUNG HO. It will be released in A Cup of Comfort for Military Families November 10th. So, next time you're in the bookstore, check it out! Or better yet...pick it up!

Drop me a line to say hello. I love hearing from you all.

Love,

MFS

Good Morning!

What a wonderful weekend I've had. My son and future daughter-in-law had their engagement party last night. The weather was wonderful. Barnfires, good food, terrific neighbors, fabulous friends, & two one-of-a-kind famililes...coming together to celebrate the engagement of Casey & Janette.

It was a party to remember.


MFS

Hello my writing buddies,

Hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!

I'm so excited! This Saturday is my son's engagement party!

Casey & Janette will be married July 4th! So appropriate! She has been a true part of our family for over SEVEN years. So glad when it will be official.

Melinda

Good Morning Fellow Writers,

What a beautiful Monday Morning. I'm ready for a productive work week. A productive writing week. A productive fall-weather week.

I went shopping with my daughter and two future daughter-in-laws in Metamora yesterday. Shopping (with friends) is what makes the world go round. We had a ball (even on the spooky, kinda-got-lost-on-the-way-home ride).

The weather was beautiful and we found ourselves in PURSE heaven! It's so much fun when you find the perfect one.

So, the weekend was filled with fun, which always makes for a brighter Monday.

Make it a good one everybody!

MFS

Hello my friends!

Happy fall weather to you! Leaves are turning, there's a nip in the air, which means eventually...all those blasted bugs will DIE! ~smile~ I know, that's a pretty negative comment so early in the morning, but dang-it, my dog has suffered tremendously with FLEAS. Which means my house has too. Which means my kids have. And don't forget ME. And when me gets fleas......I'm ready for Jack Frost.

So, sunlover that I am.....bring the cold weather on!

I've got great news to share. GUNG HO, my essay honoring my beloved nephew, Lance, will hit the bookshelves November 10th. Gung Ho is one of 45 short stories published in the series, A Cup of Comfort for Military Families (an anthology).

So, check it out!

The Wish-Seeker's Flight-Plan is coming along nicely. I'm on Chapter Ten. I'm having a ball writing it. I've had to put it on the back-burner for a couple of weeks, while I'm editing (AGAIN) my first book, Imperfect Passion. It's a romantic suspense and I have entered it into RWA's national contest...The Golden Heart.

So, I've been a busy, little, beaver....building my books.

I wish you every one of you.......a happy, blessed day!

Love,

Melinda

Hello everyone,

It's been awhile since I've posted. I've had a very busy month.

But, I've got good news and I must share it. I'm back to writing! Finally. I've been working on the marketing/publishing side of Imperfect Partners in Passion for the last 6 months. Then plotting my new trilogy for 3 more months.

I starting writing August 21 and I have over 6,000 words written.

I'm so happy. Writing makes me so very happy. I hope you are all happy too.

Melinda

Hello everyone.

Today is here. Yesterday is gone. My amazing kids threw me a little birthday party last night. My oldest grandson sang Happy Birthday to me while sitting on my lap. It was the most special song ever.

My heart is full today. And always......for my kids, my grandbabies, and my family.

Bless them all.

Melinda/MOM/Sis

Good Morn!


I'm writing...well almost. ~smile~

I'm close. I've plotted. Now I'm writing synopsis. Then plotting vaguely for my 2nd and 3rd books in my trilogy: The Wish-Seeker's Flight-Plan, The Well-Wisher's War-Cry, and Wishfully Ever After.

I'm so excited.

I'll keep you updated!

Melinda