Catch up

Hello, Readers.

If you're still out there... Since my husband's R&R I have been MIA. But! Things have been happening. Exciting things even. I'm doing a much better job at making my life interesting and full (which it totally wasn't last deployment and thank you to my readers who stuck with me through that even though I know there's only 4 of you and my parents).

Here are things coming soon:

• 2 book reviews
• R&R recap
• 2 trips to update you on
• foodie posts (related to trips)
• school stuff
• art journaling classes I've been taking
• spring cleaning
• plans, lists, things to look forward to

Intrigue!

Weekend Out

I'm heading to Gaeta this weekend for a retreat with PWOC. I went last year at this time and it was beautiful. I'm so excited.

Catch y'all Monday.

4 strong

It's another great day for me today. My husband an I have been married for 4 years today.

He loves me and I him.

Papa Bear

Today is a very special day in my world. It's my Papa's birthday.

I got my looks, my prematurely graying hair, my straight teeth, my bluntness, my big heart, my knowledge of what love is, my ability to curl my tongue, and my clear skin from him. He taught me how to ride a bike, how to do things well, my self worth, algebra, how to love by loving my mother and caring for his aging father, and how to do what I say I'm going to do all the time, every time.

The world is lucky to have him and so am I.

Happy birthday, Papa Bear.

Truth Next Exit

by Michele M. Paiva came to my door via Pump Up Your Book and I'm very glad it did. As the title suggests, truth is the main focus of the book. But it also has elements of focusing on health and well being.

The thing I really liked about this devotional is that it didn't string you along for answers. I'm not sure if that's clear but what I mean is there weren't the stock questions with the stock answers. The questions are really thought provoking and caused me to explore them further in my journal and in prayer.

Now as a special treat Michele M. Paiva took the time to answer a few questions for me:

What does your writing space look like?

I had a room built into my large den. I had collected an old door from a lawyers office that looks to be at least from the 40's. I have old windows that were meant to be outside door/windows.. so when you go into the den, it looks like you are looking at an old store front! I have windows on the other wall, so I get a ton of light. I have an old kitchen table as my desk, book shelves and antique pieces surrounding me. I like to feel like I've stepped back in time. It also offers me seclusion which I so need when I write!

Is there anything you know now, as a published writer, that you wish that you knew when you were just starting?

That no one's opinion really matters but yours, the editor and publisher. No external editor, no book group critiques, not your great aunt or best friend. Write from the heart and let it go from there. It's a business not a self esteem pat on the back; treat it as such. Luckily I only toyed with other's opinions for a very short time, and had confidence not to concern myself about what others thought. I think once you learn to stop looking outside of yourself THEN you are ready to jump in with two feet.

Has writing a devotional always been on your heart or did you find yourself writing it more out of necessity? (Meaning you wanted a devotion like the one you wrote but couldn't find it anywhere.)

Hmmm that is hard. I think it is a bit of both. I couldn't find anything like it through the years and, I always had it in my heart to help people from a more spiritual place.

Who did you dedicate this book to and why?

To my friend Denise, because she is someone who puts emphasis on truth.

Thank you so much Michele!

Sugar Free Journey

I'm giving up sugar for lent. No soda. No cake. No chocolate. No peanut butter M&M's.

I didn't have a fat Tuesday and I'm glad. I think it'd be harder to quit if I'd had an all out sugar coma the day before going cold turkey. In the past I never observed lent, but ever since marrying my catholic husband I've stopped eating meat certain Fridays. I love the concept of fasting. Praying when you feel a craving. A public declaration of faith. The world has too few of those now-a-days. This is a huge one for me.

I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to sugar. I know that's a big word, addiction. Everyday after lunch I get the itch. The sugar itch. Must. Have. Something. Sweet. Not no more. I'm not going to let a substance control me. It's going to be hard. I'm no fool. But that's why God gave us prayer. (Also, distractions. Thank you Google Reader.) So, I'll let you know how it's going. How I'm feeling (watch out for a few whining posts). The improvements in my health since giving it up. I'm looking forward to being a healthier, stronger Nikki.

Thanks for sharing this with me.

This guy...

Posts had just gotten back to a regular rhythm, but they are about to be interrupted by this guy. My husband is coming home for R&R today!

Let me show you my level of excitement by the amount of things I couldn't focus on:

• missed a meeting with housing
• my boss had to repeat everything to me 3 times
• I left the groceries in the car overnight
• this is the end of my list

Have a wonderful Valentine's day. Mine is going to be my best Valentine's ever because my Valentine will actually be here for Valentine's day.

(For the record amount of times the word "Valentine" has been used in a sentence see above.)