The Power of Attitude

My husband and I stumbled onto Out of the Wild Venezuela one night when we were looking for something to watch. One episode into it and we were hooked.

Nine people from various occupations and parts of the country were dropped off in the wilderness in Venezuela. They'd been given three days of survival training prior to drop off and they had three days of rations to begin a journey they didn't know the length of. Their task was to find civilization. If they didn't feel they could go on or if they became seriously ill or injured, they could hit the button on their GPS device and a helicopter would take them away. They had a map and a cache of supplies, but everything else they had to make or find as they lived off the land.

It was an incredible show to watch. Only a few days into their journey, they began starving. The things they had to eat to survive were disgusting in comparison to what I have readily in my pantry and fridge. But they were grateful for it.

As we continued through the episodes, we saw conflicts among the group but also strong friendships, we saw the group battle thick jungle and constant rainstorms, we saw people leave, we saw strength tested to the utmost, we saw people so fatigued from starvation they struggled to make themselves coherent for their on-camera interviews*, we saw people reach down deep inside thhemselves and continue on.

There were at least two people who wowed me with their attitude. It didn't matter if they hadn't had anything to eat for a few days but maggots or tiny fish - they stayed positive. One guy, who was among the small group who made it all the way to civilization, talked about how you don't know what's ahead but there will be moments of happiness. You just have to look for them.

Their determination to see the journey through, to stay positive in the midst of pure survival was such a powerful lesson to me in my life of relative ease. And even in the hard things, there are always those moments of happiness, if we look for them.

Have you seen this show? Is that something you'd want to do - go on a survival journey? (I probably would have pushed the button when I arrived at the first place to sleep and found it invested with tarantulas and scorpions). What helps you see those moments of happiness, even when the road ahead isn't easy or clear?

*The camera crew members were required to stay 100 yards from the volunteers. I can't imagine how heart-breaking that must have been for them to watch these people deteriorate, knowing they couldn't provide the volunteers with anything.

A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes

*In an effort to spread the word about my favorite type of book - inspirational romance - I'm doing Christian Fiction Fridays here on my blog where I share my recommendations for books in this genre.

A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes

What It's About:  
When young widow Lady Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreamed he would turn up in her parlor. But just as the London Season is getting under way, there he is, along with a few other questionable personages. While she should be focused on helping her headstrong younger sister prepare for her entré into London society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting her family in danger?

My Thoughts:
Typically in books with both the hero and heroine's point of view, I tend to like reading about one character a little - or a lot - more than the other. In this book, though, I enjoyed both points of view. I haven't read a lot of Regency-set (Jane Austen's time period) novels, but I liked the time period and the setting and the little tidbits I learned about both. I liked the mystery element of not knowing who the real bad guy was, and having a kind hero with a French accent was nice too. :)

Find this book here on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble.

Guest Post by Jessica Nelson

*I "met" Jessica last year through the blogosphere and was impressed with her sweetness and a mutual love of chocolate! Her book LOVE ON THE RANGE just released - more on that below - from Harlequin Love Inspired Historical, which is my publisher too.

One Hand on the Keyboard, the Other on Your Kid

Writing with young children around is…interesting. Besides the constant cleaning up after them (they’re still learning to balance food on a fork), the breaking up of fights, and the soothing of wounded egos, there’s all the other mom stuff to take care of. Possibly an outside job, then cleaning, organizing, bill paying, appointment keeping, and the list never ends.

So how do we momma writers make room for writing when we barely have room to breathe? Everyone is different but this has been what worked for me.

Oh, maybe I should introduce myself first. My name is Jessica Nelson, chocolate addict and mother to three rambunctious little boys. They’re seven, five and four. I started writing before the third one was born. It’s been six years since I began. I have four manuscripts, in various stages of completion/submission. My first one (yay!) has been published and is out in stores now.

So with that said, here is how my fingers managed to type up some stories.

1)     Embrace naptime. Kids need naps. They really do, no matter how much they fight it. If you have a baby, introduce a schedule. It might be hard at first but oh, those two hours of quiet can really keep a momma sane during the toddler years. J

2)     No TV. Everyone is different, but for me, I find that not watching anything during the day leaves a bunch of time open for cleaning and writing.

3)     Prioritize chores. There are some chores that can be done with little ones scampering around. Try to do those while the kids are up so that when they’re down (sleeping, movie, etc), you have the quiet to write.

4)     Flexibility is a must. Having young kids is an adventure because life is always changing. From three naps a day, then two, then one, then none, we’re constantly adapting to their needs. Take a deep breath and allow your writing time to be flexible. Maybe you can do a big chunk in the morning before anyone wakes. Maybe twenty minutes during Dora. Keep the computer up during the day and dash in when you can. :)

Do you have young children? How do you keep up with regular life, plus hobbies? Any tips?

 

Jessica Nelson, in keeping with her romantic inclinations, married two days after she graduated high school. She believes romance happens every day, and thinks the greatest, most intense romance comes from a God who woos people to himself with passionate tenderness. When Jessica is not chasing her three beautiful, wild little boys around the living room, she can be found staring into space as she plots her next story. Or she might be daydreaming about a raspberry mocha from Starbucks. Or thinking about what kind of chocolate she should have for dinner that night. She could be thinking of any number of things, really. One thing is for certain, she is blessed with a wonderful family and a lovely life.

 

Any other socialite would view being packed off to a remote Oregon ranch as a punishment. But Gracelyn Riley knows that this is her opportunity to become a real reporter. If she can make her name through an interview with the elusive hero known as Striker, then she’ll never have to depend on anyone ever again.

Rancher Trevor Cruz can’t believe his secret identity is being endangered by an overly chatty city girl. But if there’s one thing he knows, it’s that Gracie’s pretty little snooping nose is bound to get her in trouble. So he’ll use her determination to find “Striker” to keep an eye on her…and stick close by her side.

*I thoroughly enjoyed LOVE ON THE RANGE. The story is beautifully written, the heroine is saucy and likeable, and the hero is manly and mysterious. I enjoyed the time period - end of WWI - and the connection to the start of the FBI as well. And there's a great kiss in the middle - I love when you don't have to wait until the end for a good kiss!

Find LOVE ON THE RANGE on Amazon or here at Barnes & Noble or from Harlequin. 

Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

*In an effort to spread the word about my favorite type of book - inspirational romance - I'm doing Christian Fiction Fridays here on my blog where I share my recommendations for books in this genre.

Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

What It's About:

Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind.

When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.

When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?

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My Thoughts:

This book has a great mix of light-hearted moments and serious challenges for the characters. Adelaide's romantic notions are fun, and who doesn't love a British hero like Gideon? This is the second book of Karen Witemeyer's that I've read, and I like how she weaves bits of comedy throughout her stories while still having gripping scenes as things progress toward the ending.

Find this book here on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble.

Movie Quotology

Growing up, my sisters and I loved to quote movies. Much to the chagrin of my parents, we liked to play this game at the dinner table. To get around the rule of no movie quoting at the table, we'd slide our chairs back so we weren't actually sitting up to the table.

It was great to marry into a family who enjoy movie quoting as much as I do - and at the dinner table, no less. :) But you'd better quote it right in my husband's family or you're in trouble!

Quite regularly my husband and I sprinkle our conversations with movie quotes - 'cause sometimes those just say it best. Here are a few of our favorites:

"That ain't no happy child!" 

Mr. Potato Head - Toy Story

"I'm not happy, Bob. Not happy." 

Mr. Incredible's Boss - The Incredibles

"Which one, which one." 

Yzma - The Emperor's New Groove

"You're cookin' my grits, coach." 

Coach Herman Boone - Remember the Titans

"Put it on my tab."
Dan - Dan in Real Life

Do you like to quote movies? What are some of your favorite movie lines? Do you have any fun family games/past times you enjoy?