Another month is gone! As the holidays approach, the "to do" list seems to be even longer and I continue to forget to blog. So here is my month in review....

​This month I've had a few "big" moments with my writing adventures. I consider them big, as they have pushed me to step out and get my books in front of people. 

I finished my sixth Oscar book! 

I'll write more about a "big" December moment in my next blog and some lessons/reflections from that.

Otherwise, I filled some time with being webmaster for my friend's site and also helped send out her digital newsletter (see that site). While in webmaster mode, I decided to update my own website as well. It has more work to complete, but it was good enough to publish (and time).

​I feel as if I'm letting go of some of my past with presenting ed tech and moving forward with more writing or book focused opportunities. I noticed in August, when I presented last, that it just wasn't what it used to be...and I'm losing touch with that side as I'm not daily working with teachers/schools. It is a little bitter-sweet for sure...to reach such a high in my career (ISTE Certified Educator, Google for Education Innovator, Google for Education Trainer, ISTE Making IT Happen Leader) and "start over". 

To be honest, I don't know that I have really allowed myself to consider the starting over or that I was. As I transitioned (almost 5 years ago) to my project management position, I always said a perk was remaining connected to education with them as clients. However, as the years go, I have less and different support that I provide. I can't provide the insight and knowledge that I once could as I worked in a district. In and with are not the same and it is time to let go.

I have a lot that I'm proud of during those years and will continue to showcase those creations on my website...it is part of me and definitely my creative side! My examples of work are linked here.

I do believe that my connections, knowledge, and efforts in education will benefit me in the future. And there is a future ahead for creating, writing, sharing, etc. So...here's to new creative adventures and all that is to come!

Somehow the last few months have resulted in only one post per month -- my writing has been poured more into with books than blogging. Nevertheless, I want to continue to at least post some updates and thoughts.

On the author/book front...
I wrote and published my 5th Oscar P. Woofington book - Oscar P. Woofington and Friendship. I love these books and find a lot of joy in the creative process. I'd like to connect/contact with some local businesses to sell in store. This is a huge step outside of my comfy zone!! 

I'm preparing for an event in December with ESSDACK - the KindersCan Conference. Part of their conference is "Kansas Authors Book Stations – Explore books and activities from beloved authors." It will be my first event as an author and showcasing my books! I am very nervously excited!! With that prep, I ordered some bookmarks and stickers. I also picked up some table display items to try out at Goodwill! 

Personal front...
My love and I celebrated a year of marriage this month! We made time for an anniversary trip and loved the virtually no plans trip. We antiqued, rested, enjoyed new eating places, toured the Missouri State Penn and ate in a speakeasy themed restaurant. It was wonderful! 

I've enjoyed time with both of my girls seeing them shine in their arts. The oldest performed last weekend and I always love to watch her. The youngest joined us and I cherish when we are all together. 

I enjoyed visiting with Jeannie in her new house, catching up, and talking books. If it were not for her and Warriors Writing...I don't think that any of the books would be published. Between her and my love - they have given me the push needed to realize that dream!

I've been doing therapy. We have been doing some DBT...a type of talk therapy that teaches skills to help manage emotions and decrease conflict.  It has four core skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness. I like having some tools in my toolchest for living life to the fullest. I needed this outlet for a bit and am glad that I sensed the need before "hitting a wall". There have been a lot of changes, relationship challenges, and such. I can see growth in myself...sometimes small, but other times bigger gains and that's what it is all about!

​My love and I even challenged ourselves to attend some Wednesday night church learning the last couple of months. We didn't make it to every one of them, but several. We added some new faces and names, but also stepped out into something new together.

Baby steps, little steps, and all sized steps...but growth!

Are the months flying by for anyone else? 
Here I sit at the end of another month that I missed posting. We have been busy! The weeks and weekends have been full...physically, emotionally and mentally. BUT, life is good. 

I have continued to write and create content, but the words have been pouring into books instead of here. I now have 4 Oscar books written and 1 in the works. I love writing and illustrating these! I have played with other media to publish as well and have journals (coffee, weather, quite time, and blank). Plus, I created one coloring book for adults for stress release. You can check out all of that on my Amazon Author Page.

We have and continue to navigate life and relationships with others. I had no idea how much I would learn, grow, learn more and grow more through some of these navigations in grace. I might say that this year - I think I have been positioned to learn about grace.  I'd like to think that at the end of the year the learning will be over....but I know better. 

Years ago when I decided to file for divorce, it was the hardest decision. I knew the ripple effect that it was bound to cause. It has caused brokenness with relationships - I don't have the same relationships with joint friends, "ex" family members, etc. My girls have been through more than I wanted them to have to face.  BUT...that is the word through it all....
BUT....
I learned to stand on my own.
I gained confidence, personal values, and deeper relationships with my girls. 
God provided all I needed in every moment! From selling houses, to finding homes and leading me to new areas. 
God healed my heart and brought the greatest love of my life.  

I think I'll add another pivotal word....
Through...through grace.
Forgiveness
Restoration
Healing
Peace
Comfort
Leading
Learning
Growing
Renewing

Positioned for Purpose!

You might be asking..."Where have you been?" I didn't even realize that there were no August posts!

August brought a big turn in birthday numbers for me! We traveled as a family for a quick getaway to Arkansas. I traveled not once, but twice to my old stomping grounds to help with some tech trainings. School started for the youngest and we sent my side-kick girlie to college. Mixed in there were trips to my hometown to see my parents and help in the "between time" with selling. 

We have had lots of learning and growing opportunities with grace, way more than I would say that we have needed to be honest. Dealing with people and sometimes difficult people is hard...especially for this non-confrontational introvert. But part of life is learning to speak up, draw boundaries, and work through situations. Fail, restart, and try again. Give myself grace in the process. 

I'm learning to love walking again...for myself. Walking became a means to an end. It was a walk for the dog. Somewhere in that I lost the longer walking and time for myself. Oscar still goes with me - he likes to keep me safe and tag along. But these are more about me...time outside, brain clearing, stress relieving, and get myself moving enjoyment.

In August, I continued to write and illustrate. I love the creative outlet this brings! My Oscar P. Woofington series now has three books. Each book has pushed me a little more with illustrating. In fact, I ended up going back and re-illustrating the first book! There are now FULL page illustrations for each of the books!! And I love creating some little details that you will find throughout the books - for example a rope toy or rubber duck. The last book, is extra special as Oscar meets "the grandparents" (my parents) and spends time on the farm. I decided to include some real life pictures at the end of the book. I can't wait to get my author copy!!!!

The creative process with writing and illustrating using Oscar as the focus has been extremely satisfying and fun. Plus it puts all those pics of him to good use!

​I felt like August was busy and as I write this, I'm confirmed in that feeling. We spent a lot of time in the car! Books were created. And I learned that being in my 50's isn't the end of the world...just a beginning. There are great things ahead...I'll try to stop and blog about it all more often!

Have you ever had a goal...word, new year or otherwise? And has that goal seemed to be more of a challenge than you expected? Almost like it became harder once it was a goal?

As I have been thinking, and honestly wrestling with my #oneword choice this year, that is how I am feeling.

Past years I have had a #oneword and I've been able to see growth or confirmation that the word was special, meaningful, moving, renewing, etc. But this year....my word seems to be more of a thorn in my side...foot... a thorn that I keep stepping on or bumping into.

Maybe it is because of the very nature of grace....that it is undeserved.

We live in a very "deserved" based world. We tip based on the amount that we think the person deserves. We rate purchases on what we feel it deserves. The slow driver in the fast lane, deserves _____. The _____ deservers ____. Or how often do we say that we deserve something?

In fact, as I was writing parts of this post, my grace was running out for the man in the waiting room listening to videos on his phone loudly. WHY?! Maybe it was grace (or not wanting to be apprehended) that I stood up and moved. The version that was playing out in my head involved grabbing his phone and smashing it on the floor. Maybe I do have a little grace within me...HA!

But you know what I mean?! Grace is hard! It was while I wallowed a bit in my woes...maybe failures is more accurate...that I was reminded of my former post on Grace. I needed this reminder! 

Grace is a process!…active and learning process. 
This learning process is just hard. I feel like I’ve failed more than succeeded…especially in certain areas. But God's grace allows me to get up from that fall on my face grace moment, dust off myself and try again.

A recent post (yesterday in fact) on our church's FB page said this, "We don't just need God's grace once - we need it every day, every moment. His grace sustains us, forgives us, and empowers us to live for Him."

Not just a one time need or once in awhile need - an every day and every moment need. And HIS grace will sustain, forgive, empower us. It reminds me of an older hymn...take a listen.

Oh, my word! People (wonderful friends and family supporters) are buying my "books"!
To my purchasers of the Oscar book...it contains an error. I've already made the necessary edits to the text (coach to couch - in my reader letter). 

I spent a little time frustrated at myself for not seeing it. But realization hit, that I could correct this error. 100's of books were not printed with this error. Yes, a few books will be in circulation with the error...maybe these will be "special" editions. 

And you know what?! 
I didn't beat myself up over this!! 
That might be the biggest win so far. To take the feedback and just fix it!

This writing process has challenged and provided growth that I didn't expect. Isn't that the way with things that push us out of our comfy zone?!

Here is to writing and editing!