Where's Santa now?

Okay kiddies, I have been doing my 'santa search' and I found him!! Right now, he is in the Hall Islands, Micronesia....Now before you ask the person nearest to you, "Where is Micronesia??"

Why not use this link to keep tabs on dear old Santa! http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.htm

Okay...Micronesia...

Micronesia has about 702 sq km of land. The population is 108.100.The capital is Palikir.Micronesia is indepenent since 3 november 1986 from US-administered UN Trusteeship.The country is devided in 4 states: Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap.Name: Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This area is situated in the Pacific-

I can tell you it's not at all far from Australia, so you boys & girls who are still awake, GET TO BED PRONTO! :) For those older kids, click the Norad link to learn more....

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhh.. did anyone hear that??? I am not SURE, but I THINK I just heard some bells ringing!" MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL the children of the world!!!!!!

And so this is Christmas.....

I will keep this post short. It is merely just an announcement.....here in Australia, it is officially Christmas Eve[along the east coast, anyhow] and keeping with tradtion, I located a most beautiful Christmas carol,"Little Drummer Boy", sung by the crooner himself; Bing Crosby accompanied by my hero; David Bowie! I have ALWAYS loved this story, and the song, so please, be sure to stop by my various links listed to listen in...for those considering TV entertainment, don't go past hiring a lovely Christmas story, especially something that shares the story of our Saviour's birth! Our children have been robbed of what we took for granted. As a child I grew up on movies such as "Jesus of Nazareth" "King of Kings" "The Ten Commandments" "The Greatest Story Ever Told".....there have been a few newer versions, such as the film; "Jesus" made in 1999 with a much more lay-back approach to the history of Jesus, but every inch as good as those before it. We don't seem to have as many of these glorious stories made available on TV as in the past, but if you are anything like me, you will be hoping for a swing back towards the tradition of days gone by! Like i said, you can always rent a movie! I will be if the stations fail to deliver!!

I MUST get back to the kitchen.....I have the trifle soaking in sherry, and a kilo of potatoes to peel....those yummy chocolate sprinkle biscuits will be cooking on Tuesday, the children & i agreed to make the day not JUST about presents[we have little money this year lol] but to make it a feast in honour of one man's birthday! [see the recipe here http://mispoetic-debbiestevens.blogspot.com/2007/12/food-glorious-food.html]

Now, hop over to http://freesiafever.blogspot.com/ and turn up your speakers!!!!!

All my best wishes to each and all bloggers and those merely passing through!

Could ONLY happen to me.....

Pregnancy-A time of simple pleasurable days, complete with wonderful and amazing memories.
Happy days, overflowing with exuberance and a constant support network. Baby showers, all the ’goos’ and gaas’ as the mum-to-be holds up those gorgeous tiny sets of baby clothes…oh indeed, it can be such a sweet experience, and so it should be.

_________________________________________________________________________

Hmm, my third pregnancy was slightly different. Oh yes I had my partner, family and the small entourage of supportive friends, but I also had many strange mishaps and one which stands out from all others. It could well have been described as a screaming farce!


Here I was, only days away from the due date of my delivery, looking like that typical descriptive ‘beached whale’, the main attraction of what felt like some scene taken direct from a Woody Allen film.

Let me set the scene for you.

My sister-in-law, her partner, myself and my youngest two children, and the local lakeside park. It was fairly overcast and cool, but we had arrived with all intention of making the most of the day. I hadn’t really felt up to much that week, but my sister-in-law insisted we get out of the house saying how much fun we could have and just how much I would benefit by doing so.

For a Sunday, the park had far more activity happening than normal this was due to the unusual amount of tourists that had descended there.

A mass of Japanese tourists, all wearing ‘larger than life’ smiles, and most carrying a camera. They were busy feeding the park’s inhabitants which had lived there for years. It was usually the ducks which attracted people there…and who could blame them? They were cute, for sure, but they were also quite comfortable in these surroundings, regardless of the human intrusion. They’d become quite used to human contact obvious by their interaction with one another. A great place to come for a family barbeque, plenty of utilities and also the convenience of the local Kiosk, which stocked everything needed for the ‘happy camper’. An assortment of climbing equipment, swings and slippery dips, and the park had its own carefully routed tracks for those wanting to do some bushwalking and exploring. Not really what I had in mind, but whenever you spent time with my sister-in-law, you had to expect the unexpected and this would be one of those days. Her eagerness for bushwalking had both children just as keen, and any thought of sitting back at our table while they went alone, well it wasn’t on their agenda! So, as they walked briskly down the winding tracks, through thick scrub, I stayed well back, hanging onto the arm and company of Carol, my sister-in-law’s partner. Luckily for me, Carol shared the same uneasy feeling and at one point stopped, asking if perhaps we should have been dropping rocks, or the crusts from the bread which we were to feed the ducks with? Yes, something right out of the Hansel & Gretyl tale, with me reminding her just what happened to their bread!

“Come on!” shouted my sister-in-law. She didn’t understand why we were so slow and not as eager to climb the rocks, which for me at that time, seemed like ‘climbing every mountain’! Even with her out reached hand offering support, I wobbled nervously, thinking they may need the assistance of some sort of crane to get me down.

The fact I actually made it without causing any bodily harm, to any other person was an accomplishment! “Can we go back now?” my voice almost bordering desperation.

The little hiking group had fun, they located a cave and that was enough to satisfy their exploring for one day.

Once near safer grounds, I took a stroll down towards the lake where by this time, many of the Japanese tourists had gathered for their lunch. My 2 young children ran ahead of me, enticing the ducks with their bag of bread. I took my time, slightly un-balanced, after all, I had extra luggage on board! Out of nowhere, a couple of rather large ducks approached me, beaks open, quacking as they waddled towards me. Not wanting to display my rather uneasiness by this, I threw a piece of bread I’d found on the ground, hoping to distract them enough to get away. Not likely, especially as my children saw this humorous so continued to feed each duck that came out of the water. Soon, I had a family of ducks hot on my trail and an audience of tourists all laughing with great amusement! Cameras snapped pictures which I’m sure made for great conversation somewhere!

One very pregnant woman waddling from a park, followed closely by a family of ducks!

Christmas and pets....our 'duty of care'

How could anyone mistreat an animal? When we bring a pet into our home, it means we have taken on board a responsibility to that pet. Be it a dog, cat, brid, fish, rabbit, hampster, snake or WHATEVER, it is YOUR duty to protect, love, nurture and provide a safe-haven. This is called 'duty of care', sadly somthing so many of us lack in today's society, and according to what we see in the news, STILL do! These creatures depend on us...they rely on our conviction to care for them, and to just love them. There have been shocking tales of cruelty to animals, with some perpetrators being only children! Can you imagine?? A child wanting to inflict horrendous & insideous acts upon something as helpless as a baby kitten??? It happens, TOO often! We won't discuss the actual injuries, they are way too scary, but we will discuss an amazing organisation that does everything in its power to protect our animals from cruel and barbaric acts! They are without a doubt, the animal's best advocator by seeing these creatures have someone in their corner, ready to fight for their rights, no matter what it takes! I am proud to support and share their work here today, because as always, when Christmas rolls around we find more and more family pets abandoned, tossed aside for various reasons....the worst culprit here being the holidays. When ther's no one available to care for the family pet during holidays, more and more are either duumped, left to fend for themsleves or passed over into the loving hands of the R.S.P.C.A-

Thank GOD some have the common sense & concern to act accordingly...but what happens to those who don't make it to the shelter? Whatever becomes of them? We will never know.

This Christmas, watch out for any stray animals- If you notice a dog or cat wandering your streets, keep an eye on it...If you are concerned, please pick up your phone and call the nearest shelter to you...this is called, 'Duty of Care', and we owe it to these poor helpless animals to show a bit of love...especially over the Christmas break!

If in the Sydney region, here are some details:

RSPCA: (02) 9770 7555

General Enquiriesmail@rspcansw.org.au

Now read on.........

_________________________________________________________________

The RSPCA NSW is proud to be the charity of choice for the City of Sydney Christmas Concerts. The RSPCA is Australia's largest animal welfare organisation caring for all creatures great and small.
Each year, we care for over 40,000 animals across the state. Our Inspectorate is dedicated to investigating cruelty reports and prosecuting offenders. Our Veterinary Clinics look after the health and wellbeing of shelter animals. They also offer medical services to the beloved pets of our supporters. And our shelters provide temporary homes for surrendered, seized and abandoned animals in need.
Christmas is a busy time for the RSPCA. Over 3000 extra dogs and cats arrive at the shelters in December. Many are surrendered on Christmas Day. This places extra pressure on staff, animals and resources. Donations collected at the City of Sydney Concerts will go towards giving our shelter animals a very merry Christmas.
The RSPCA is a charity, not a Government agency, and we rely on supporter donations to continue our life-saving work. We are extremely grateful to the City of Sydney for adopting us as their 'pet project' for the second year in a row
You can make a donation at our Christmas Concerts or visit http://www.rspcansw.org.au/.

From my adorable pet, to yours....HAVE A SAFE AND LOVING CHRISTMAS -WOOF!!

Food, GLORIOUS Food!!

Being someone who loves to write, also means having the option now of many places to share my thoughts, opinions and comments-Now that we are really & truly into the final leg of our challenge, 24 Blogging Days of posts, what else could I add today??

Initially, I had thought of sharing a poem, but I changed my mind, again!

FOOD! Yes, food, glorious food! With my shopping list set to soar, I have been hunting down yummy, but affordable treats for the holidays. I also LOVE to cook! :)

TRY THESE FOR STARTERS!!
DOUBLE CHOCALATE SPRINKLE BISCUITS

Makes
40
Ingredients
250g butter, softened
3/4 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 1/2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
250g packet white choc bits
375g packet milk choc melts
1/3 cup hundreds and thousands
Method
Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
Using an electric mixer, cream butter, sugar and condensed milk until light and creamy. Add flour and mix on low speed until dough almost comes together.
Stir in choc bits. Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls and place on prepared trays. Bake, 1 tray at a time, for 12 minutes or until light golden. Stand biscuits on trays for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Place choc melts in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH (100%) in 30 second bursts, stirring every 30 seconds with a metal spoon, until smooth. Spoon melted chocolate into the centre of each biscuit. Sprinkle with hundreds and thousands. Allow to set. Serve.
SourceSuper Food Ideas - April 2006 , Page 78
Recipe by Janelle Bloom

Or guys, how about this delicious Lemon Meringue?! OH COME ON!!! lol

Preparation Time
20 minutes
Cooking Time
60 minutes
Ingredients (serves 8)
225g (1 1/2 cups) plain flour
55g (1/2 cup) almond meal
60g (1/3 cup) icing sugar mixture
125g chilled butter, chopped
1 egg yolk
Lemon filling
5 eggs, lightly whisked
300ml thin cream
155g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
1 tbs finely grated lemon rind
125ml (1/2 cup) fresh lemon juice
Meringue
3 egg whites
100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
Method
To make the lemon filling, whisk together the egg, cream, sugar, lemon rind and juice in a bowl until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour to develop the flavours.
Meanwhile, place the flour, almond meal, icing sugar and butter in the bowl of a food processor and process until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and process until dough just starts to come together.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until just smooth. Shape into a disc, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
Preheat oven to 200°C. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 3mm-thick disc. Line a round 5cm-deep, 18cm (base measurement) fluted tart tin, with removable base, with pastry and trim any excess. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
Cover the pastry base with baking paper and fill with pastry weights, rice or dried beans. Bake in oven for 10 minutes. Remove the paper and pastry weights, rice or dried beans. Bake for 8 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 160°C.
Strain the lemon mixture through a fine sieve into a jug. Pour into the pastry case. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until just set. Remove from oven and set aside for 15 mins to cool. Place in fridge for 1 hour to chill. Increase oven temperature to 180°C.
To make the meringue, use an electric beater to whisk the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoonful at a time, whisking constantly until thick and glossy. Spoon the meringue mixture over the tart and spread to the edge of the pastry. Use the back of a spoon to lightly touch the meringue to create peaks. Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Set aside for 15 minutes to cool. Cut into wedges to serve.
Notes & tips
Prep: 20 mins (+ 1 hour infusing, 1 hour resting, 30 mins cooling & 1 hour chilling time)
SourceAustralian Good Taste - July 2006 , Page 103
Recipe by Sarah Hobbs

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas....

Yep, it is finally beginning to take some shape now, even though we haven't finished our Christmas shopping...aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh

But not to worry! With so many stores at our fingertips, you cannot go wrong. I have noticed that more and more convenience stores such as your local Service Station, Post Offfice, Chemist etc are now all getting in on the act! Anything from watches, to dvd's,cd's, gift-sets and so on, all placed carefully near the counter so that the customer will be persuaded to buy!

Though, it does come in handy for last minute shoppers such as myself-Why bother looking any further than your local Video Store?? While out paying the usual influx of 'Christmas-time-bills', I stopped to order a healthy lunch in a nearby cafe...as I stood there, patiently waiting my turn, my eye caught glimpse of a huge outdoor display of ex-rental movies. Gesturing to the man who was busy preparing the food, I wandered over to browse through the vast collection....You know what it's like when you suddenly happen upon an old movie from years gone by, or one that you may have only seen once, but was one to remember?? Well, this was a feast of all that AND some! Looking back over my shoulder, I could see my youngest boy now placing his order so I made haste and put together the offer of 3 films for $25.00-

But it didn't stop there! No, my eyes spotted yet one more 'table of temptation', so I slid over, insisting to my 'little voice' I would NOT buy, just look...well, the voice was over-ruled and I found myself now holding another 2 dvd's, both still reduced in price but slightly more expensive! 'Compulsive shopping'....isn't that what this is called???? Doesn't matter now, I bought them anyhow, and am really pleased with the selection as i even managed to find something for the hubby! So that's half the work done. It pays to look at these stores for you shoudl always think 'practical' when shopping at Christmas. The prices on some items today are just so ridiculous, and if buying for children, you have to consider the 'use-by' date....meaning, how long before they lose interest and are already planning next year's request! I chose two fun films for the youngest..."Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Zoolander", while the older boy has good old Arnie in "Terminator 2" and the suspense thriller; "Mancherian Candidate"...hubby, well he got a real classic with Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window"!! But it just kept getting better...walking into the newsagent to purchase a pack of cards, I happened upon a great book for my father, reduced from $35.00 to a brilliant $5.00! So while the boys slept tonight, I secretly wrapped up their gifts and they sit anxiously awaiting their appearance on Christmas Day! Yes, it IS beginning to look ALOT like Christmas!

WISE CAT-Special Edition

www.lulu.com/freesiagal

Now that I have published "Wise Cat" with i-procliam, I decided to give others who don't posess a credit card, an equal opportunity to purchase so have re-published with lulu! So now, it is already a Special Edition! I hope to make this a series collection while I continue to plod with the completion of "SIlent Denial"....hopefully, the New Year will see its release!

Reunite this Christmas

Missing People-I thought it might be a good time to talk about this subject. We all take so much forn granted, until it is taken away. Christmas time....we reflect on the year gone by, all that has happened all that has been. We have those who are fortunate to have a Christmas without incident, maybe the odd argument, but hey, that's part of being in a family.
Imagine if your Christmas had no family...many people this year will notice loved ones missing from their gathering. It could be due to the death of a loved one, a break-down in communication where members refuse to appear, or they may really be, 'missing'.....Every year in Australia, 30,000 people are missing from their homes, their loved ones. Trying to get through the festive season is just a sad reminder of their absence making it almost impossible to feel any Christmas Spirit. The article below focuses on the recent re-appearance of John Darwin.....but every case is different, to a degree.
This Christmas, I intend to place a very special gift beneath my tree, a prayer for God, one that will ask he help reunite just one family with a missing family member. Imagine if we all tried this? There is power in numbers, and imagine the gift we could be giving when that prayer is answered?! It isn't going to cost you anything, and only takes a pen/pencil and a piece of paper/card.......Dear Lord, while we are grateful for all that we have, we ask you look around to the homes that have loved ones missing from their lives, and help guide that loved one back to their door...Amen
Merry Christmas!

The lost and the found-http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2221311,00.html#article_continue

In the wake of John Darwin's reappearance, Shanshan Dong reviews the statistics on missing people and some of the most famous cases Monday December 3, 2007Guardian Unlimited
Lord Lucan, before he went missing.

· Around 600 people go missing every day; which amounts to some 210,000 people a year. Around 99% of missing cases are resolved within one year.
· People who go missing for longer periods of time tend to be older men.
· Between the ages of 13 and 17, it is more likely for females to go missing. Over the age of 24, it is more common for males to disappear.
· Figures from a study by Missing People showed that around two-thirds of missing adults had deliberately chosen to leave.

Article continues

· Some 20% of those who had gone missing returned to the place they had left, a study from the Missing Persons database suggested in 2003. Around 40% of found adults chose not to contact those who were looking for them.
· The main reasons for adults to go missing include a relationship breakdown, to escape from a crisis, and stress or mental health problems such as depression.
(Source: Missing People)
Famous missing persons cases
· In April 2005, a young man was found wandering around Sheerness, in Kent, dressed in a wet suit and tie. Although he did not speak a word, he grabbed international headlines after he gave virtuoso performances of classical music at a piano in the Medway maritime hospital's chapel, earning the nickname "Piano Man". He was later revealed to be Andreas Grassl, a 20-year-old man from Prosford in Germany who was suffering from depression. Gressl was taken back to his home in August of the same year.
· Stephen Fry disappeared for 11 days in 1995 after suffering an attack of stage fright. The comic was then starring in a West End play called Cell Mates, which had been badly received by critics. Fry later said that during the time of his disappearance he contemplated suicide and escaped to Belgium, before returning to the UK a week later to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
· John Stonehouse, a former Labour politician, went missing after he faked his own death in 1974 by leaving a pile of his clothes on a beach in Miami. In actuality, he escaped to Australia under the pseudonym of JD Norman to live with his secretary, Sheila Buckley. He was found on Christmas Eve of the same year by Melbourne police, who had received a tip-off that he was Lord Lucan. Stonehouse was eventually sent back to Britain to face a seven-year jail sentence for fraud, theft and deception.
· One of the most famous missing persons stories remains that of Richard Bingham, the 7th Earl of Lucan. On November 8 1974, the nanny of Lucan's children was found murdered at the family home. Lady Lucan had also been attacked. When the police went to find Lucan at his home, he had disappeared. To this day, he has yet to be found, although there have been claims of sightings around the world.
· The Austrian schoolgirl Natascha Kampusch went missing on March 2 1998 when she was ten years old. Eight years later, she re-emerged, having been kidnapped by IT technician Wolfgang Priklopil and imprisoned in his house during that time. She had managed to escape from him and was later reunited with her parents. Priklopil committed suicide while being chased by police.

"WISE CAT"

I said I would do it, and I HAVE! I finally comleted my 'secret project' in the early hours of this morning...a new book, something completely different, but it's done!

"WISE CAT", a fictional tale about a very wise feline, who just like her owners, goes through dramatic changes, and learns some very valuable 'life-lessons'-

Hopefully, this will be the first in a line of series, and each book will just continue to get better on every adventure! So, here is a sneak preview of the cover and the availability details:
Out December 12th, 2007
Published at http://i-proclaim.com/ AVAILABLE NOW! To order from the i-proclaim site you will need a credit card-
I am about to publish again, at lulu.com so stay tuned.......

Q & A- "The Golden Compass"

Well, here we go again....a new film, a new piece of controversy...but is it warranted???

I admit to almost getting caught up with the downpour of negative impressions and innuendoes which seem to be sweeping the internet on various websites and blogs. Notice I said almost.....While many are arguing the moral status of the new film; "Golden Compass", I found myself getting into debates, even when I had no real background about the man who's books this film is supposedly based on-

I read plenty of opinions, but I was still no wiser. Should I see the film for myself? Maybe. I was kindly invited to re-think my own negative thoughts before passing any further clouded judgement. I needed another viewpoint, an unbiassed angle which would help shed more light on this argument, before shooting my own ill-advised mouth off....so many are on their 'high-horses' as I type, and I can now see where the confusion lies.

YES, it is rightfully fair to say that author Phillip Pullman, the man at the centre of all this controversy, has a different evaluation on christianity to others. So what? I cannot condemn a man for thinking differently to others, that is his given right. Do yourselves a big favour, have an open mind before listening to all the gossip,you might be surprised what you learn!

I encourage EVERYONE, to stop over at this Blog -Jeffrey Overstreet

The first review of New Line Cinema’s The Golden Compass, which is based on the first book in Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, has been published in The Daily Telegraph.

Note: Another link of interest: http://www.beliefnet.com/gallery/goldencompass.html?WT.mc_id=NL55

YOU decide!

A PLIGHT FOR OUR POLARS!

A Dramatic Tale

In the upcoming fantasy film The Golden Compass, fierce white bears of the far north are mighty warriors who speak and wear armor. Unfortunately, the polar bears of our world are losing their fight for survival. Big Oil continues their push to invade the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- our polar bears’ most important onshore denning habitat -- even as global warming, pollution and trophy hunting continue to push these beloved bears ever closer to extinction.Polar bears in our world may not have armor to protect them, but -- with your help --Defenders of Wildlife is fighting for their survival. Tens of thousands of Defenders supporters have spoken out in favor of stronger federal protections for these beloved bears -- and a decision on whether to list polar bears as “threatened” is due December 28th. Even more caring people have stood with us in our campaigns to address global warming, end trophy hunting of polar bears and prevent harmful drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife

This Holiday Season, help save polar bears from global warming and destructive drilling-

Help save polar bears from global warming and destructive drilling.
Here's a cool idea -- adopt a cute Polar Bear Family, Cub, Group or adorable Mother and Cub! Each is the perfect gift for you or any loved one who cares about saving these beloved bears.
With each $50 symbolic Polar Bear Family Adoption, you or your gift recipient will get a big 13”, super-cuddly polar bear plush toy, a personalized Certificate of Adoption suitable for framing, a beautiful 5”x7” polar bear photo, a fact sheet chock-full of great information about these beloved bears and an optional Kids Wildlife Activity Book to help the kids in your life learn about the importance of wildlife conservation.
Polar Bears are one of the largest carnivores on earth, but their problems are even bigger. Some scientists predict that polar bears could disappear from Alaska and most of their habitat in the next 50 years and become extinct in the wild within 100 years.
Global warming is robbing these Arctic icons of vital marine habitat - the older, stable sea ice they need to survive. Already, polar bears are drowning and even resorting to cannibalism as their home and feeding grounds melt away.
To make matters worse, Big Oil continues to relentlessly lobby Congress to open the Arctic Refuge the most important onshore denning habitat for polar bears -- to destructive oil exploration and drilling.
Help protect these magnificent giants --Adopt a Polar Bear Family today.
Scientists have warned that destruction of habitat is severely impacting the polar bear population. Climate change is causing stable sea ice to disappear, leaving little for denning and hunting. This is resulting in thinner, less healthy adult bears and higher mortality in cubs. Drilling and oil development could cause mother polar bears, disturbed by the noise that comes along with oil drilling, to abandon their dens, leaving their helpless cubs to fend for themselves. A cub’s chance of survival without its mother is almost none.
We need your support to stop Congress from handing the home of polar bears and other wildlife over to Big Oil and pass responsible legislation to address the global warming to reverse the destruction of critical polar bear habitat.
Adopt a Polar Bear Family, Cub, Group or adorable Mother and Cub and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you are doing your part to help protect polar bears for future generations.

New Book!

The creative juices just keep on flowing...last night I had an idea, another book! This time, it is one story, fictional, and, if all goes according to my plan it will be published no later than next week!! I looked at the draft as ideas kept coming, and instead of grabbing pen-to-paper, typed each line as it came. What I have now, are 6,000 words, 4 chapters!!

The title?????? Not saying! lol I am going to make this little gem a huge surprise! It will be suitable for ALL reading audiences, and even though it will probably only amount to a maximum of ten chapters, maybe less, I am counting on it being a pleasant little read. Stay tuned....

"Work is love made visible"-KAHIL GIBRAN~The Prophet

_____________________________________________________________________________

It is now, 1.10Am, Thursday...I have been working hard on the 'book', now have it up to 24 pages, with about 7,000 words! Have to keep stopping because the chair is becoming way too uncomfortable!! May wind up finishing this from bed! Sounds good, in fact, I think considering now that I am doing all work from home, that's EXACTLY where it will be completed. The housework, well that will still be here come Friday, and I am determined to see this sudden impulse become a reality!

Signing out!

Debbie

I received a lovely little book from a dear friend awhile back, and because it shares real simple words of meaning I have decided that each post, I will try to include something from this little gem! Book title: "An Apple A Day"-Daily inspirations & fruitful living-Karla Dornacher

Today's Apple

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise~the fruit of the lips that confess His name.
Hebrews 13:15

Chew on it...

There is no greater fruit, none that is more pleasing to God the Father, than the fruit of our praises. To exalt His name, to sing His praises, to lift our hands and offer up our hearts, is the ultimate purpose for which we were called. In those moments when life is a struggle and our praise is not found in our circmstances, it is then that our hearts and thougjts are challenged to focus only on how great God truly is. It is in those moments that our praise becomes a holy sacrifice and we remember that all our fruit-bearing efforts are dependent on Him and not us...and He gets all the glory!

Savor the Flavor...

Dear Lord, forgive me for using my lips to grumble and complain when things don't go my way. You have been good to me, Lord.

I owe You my life. You my praise.

Today was a much better day for me, I received my blessings, but not without the suffering before-hand!

WOMEN POWER TALK-RADIO!

You know, God REALLY does work in mysterious AND sneaky ways! lol He just KNOWS when to pick me up and say "Alright debbie...you had a real bad day yesterday, and as much as it pained me to put you through it, I knew TODAY would make up for it!"

That is pretty much what happened.... late last night, I received an email from one of our BBDiva sisters;Raven Blair Davis - This amazing woman hosts the Women Power Talk Radio, coming to us out of Texas, and she kindly invited me to do some reporting for the show! WOW! What was I going to share in the way of news??? Well hello! Ovarian cancer, of course!

It had just begun to rain when I picked up the phone to call in.....I truly felt this was either my mother,trying to make her presence known, or God, for the sky literally burst open, lashing our street with a mighty downpour, quickly followed by a hail storm! Here i was, trying to focus.....I started my report, BANG! an enormous clap of thunder and a bright flash of lightening almost had me hanging up, but I persisted. This was my one big opportunity to share the awareness message with the west coast of the U.S, and I HAD to hold on!

Yep, we got through it in one piece and the report will be shared with our baby boomer world this coming Wednesday! So, be sure to TUNE IN... Hmmmm...I feel a song coming on..."Aint no stoppin us now...we're on the move!"

http://www.womenpower-radio.com/

Thanks Raven, you have shared your own support to this crucial message! God Bless and keep on empowering the women of the world!

24 Blogging Days!

Rightio, here's the reason I am here tonight-I am on a baby boomer diva mission!

Thanks to another diva sister's idea, we are challenging our writing and computer skills by continually blogging for the 24 days leading up to Christmas! wooohoo! So, of course i am in!

Will start here as this Blog is where I share my books and any current writing projects. This sure feels like a 'writing project' to me! :)

My list in the blog world has grown considerably, seems there's always more i want to say, and sometimes one blog's theme just isn't the right setting. For example:

Freesiafever http://freesiafever.blogspot.com/ ~Random thoughts & journal

A Healthier Awareness http://freesiagal.wordpress.com/ A blog directory listing as many medical issues. Those that mostly require more support, via awareness!

Feminine Print http://feminineprint.freeblogit.com/ A blog designed for women, INSPIRED by other women!

Baby Boomer Divas http://www.babyboomerdivas.com/ The amazing women that make up our BBD group!

Debsquest Promotions http://debsquest.bravehost.com/ Dedicated to promoting authors and their work, now sharing the diversity of Diva talent!

Wagatale Writings http://www.wagatale.wetpaint.com/ A blog for my various published and non-published articles, authors, books and more...

Debbie Indeed http://misfreesia.livejournal.com/ My blog which has yet to really find its niche, but i'm working on it! :) Have posted a piece on my mother, and ovarian cancer-

Ryze Network http://www.ryze.com/go/Misfreesia My job networking, business ventures

Picture Trail http://www.picturetrail.com/homePage/freesiagirl Pretty much what the title says but Ive also listed some of our Diva Books!

Of course, there's also my space on MYSPACE, Yuwie, Yahoo360, Care2, and the latest; hi5!

Now this doesn't mean I will be posting posts on every one over the next 23 days, but in saying that, I am A woman, and COULD change my mind!! lol A woman's prerogative gives me that right!

Happy blogging to all!

Debbie

Debbie's Books

Debbie's Books

Another Blog! Yes, I just couldn't resist as I think most of us on the net tend to feel once we have mastered website/blog/forum creations!

I stumbled upon this by sheer accident after posting a comment at another-It was then I figured I had nothing to lose, but plenty more publicity to gain.....So, Welcome to my latest Blog and do hope you will become a 'blogger friend'!!

Be sure to check out each release and stay tuned for my any new releases! I will be sure to keep pages regularly updated-

Cheers and a Happy New Year to all!