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Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Hello everyone!
Its been a VERY long time since I posted and I was wondering if anyone is still out there in blogland?
What have you all been up to?
I shut down my little daycare about 6 years ago and oh, I really miss the kids. I've been doing merchandising at Walmart and Neighborhood Markets for the last 5.5 years and have enjoyed it for the most part. I keep injuring my back unfortunately and I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep it up. I just finished a round of PT and Dr appts from the last fall and sent my information to my boss to possibly increase my hours.
Would you please pray for God's leading for my future? There's more going on in my life as well and I'm also considering opening up one of the blogs again. Not sure where that will lead me either.
If you see this drop me a note and let me know if you are still blogging & reading and leave me a link if so?
PS: I also managed to SOMEHOW sign into my Family Literacy and You blog (no clue how) lol. Would you let me know if you were able to access that blog please?
PPS: Where are the link parties? Are they still around? If not, how do we find each other and spill the beans? I'd love to see my bloggy friends again!
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Chicken Pot Pie ~ Dairy Free & Easy to Make
I've been craving chicken. I'm usually eating fairly cheap since I'm not feeding a family or a daycare these days and make up something delicious such as a soup or stew on Sunday and eat on that the first half of the week and then I figure something else out the rest of the week (PBJ anyone?). Lately though I've been thinking about Mom's Chicken Pot Pie. YUM.
Today I tried a new pie crust for this recipe. I cannot make a pie crust worth a hill of beans and so usually I just buy a refrigerated pie crust. This time, I grabbed the WeWalka brand of refrigerated pie crust. This company prides itself on having no artificial colors or flavors, no high fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated oils or bleached flour. The packaging said it was flaky & Lard Free. Sounds good to me! The pie crust came out light, didn't have that "off taste" that the pie crust I usually buy (whether frozen or refrigerated) has and rolled right off the parchment it was packaged on without being sticky or stuck together. I found it at HyVee for $3.29 by the canned biscuits. These specialty doughs also include pizza crust (these looked good), a bistro pizza crust, a flatbread and a puff pastry. Sign up for their newsletter for coupons & recipes (at bottom of their website).
Mom's Chicken Pot Pie
This is a family recipe that I've tweaked some. I've added sage to the recipe and mixed veggies. It's chock full of veggies. The original recipe was served at my Mom's restaurant many years ago and was a favorite of her diners. It's still one of my favorites and my daycare kiddos loved this.
Begin by poaching 2 chicken breast halves in water. When done poaching remove from the water and set aside to cool before cutting up or shredding. You will want about 1 1/2-2 cups of diced chicken when done. RESERVE 1/4 cup of broth for your roux.
Filling:
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1" pieces or there about. Today I actually sliced mine up pretty small as my potatoes were small and then I just cooked them carefully so I didn't over cook them.
1/2 bag of mixed veggies, or carrots & peas.
Boil until just done. I usually cook the potatoes until softened, add the veggies and cook according to the package. Pour your veggies and water in a colander and let drain.
Pie Crust:
I used the WeWalka pie crust this time but have also made a crust from the Betty Crocker cookbook or bought a frozen deep dish piecrust. This makes a deep dish piecrust and you only need 1 crust. If you use a frozen one put it out to thaw about 20 minutes. If you use a refrigerated one like the one I used today set it out to warm up about 20 minutes approximately.
Sauce:
Note: I use Almond Milk due to a sensitivity to dairy. I've also used cows milk, oat milk, soy milk and coconut milk. I prefer a almond milk that's unsweetened and doesnt have vanilla in it. I find the alternative milks tend to thicken up faster than the cows milk.
Before starting your roux, combine in a bowl:
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk (see above)
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
1/4 tsp sage
In a 4qt saucepan add the following in this order & by these steps.
2-3 Tab butter (don't use margarine please)
Melt & add 1/4 cup flour
Stir to form a roux (this is a thickened soft paste).
Pour the milk & broth mixture into your roux and stir till it thickens. Be sure to stir your sauce till it's thick. It will be quick with the alternative milks. Pour in the veggies/chicken and then add to your pie plate. This is a deep dish pot pie. Heads up: A regular pie plate may not be deep enough for this pie. Top with your pie crust, flute the edges (my edges always look terrible) and pop in the oven at 350 for 1 hour. After 20 minutes start keeping an eye on your crust to make sure it doesn't burn. If it starts getting really dark take a piece of foil and cover your crust. You don't want to burn the crust.
Tip: This filling actually freezes up very nicely. When you want a pot pie then you'll just thaw the filling and grab the pie crust or make one and once the crust is warmed up top the pie and bake.
YUM! Enjoy ~ Tina "The Book Lady"
Linked up @
Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop (ducksnarow)
Wow Me Wednesday (Ginger Snap Crafts)
Funtastic Friday
Friday at the Firestation
Friendship Friday (Create with Joy)
Disclaimer: I was not reimbursed or asked to post this companies products in exchange for payment or product.
Today I tried a new pie crust for this recipe. I cannot make a pie crust worth a hill of beans and so usually I just buy a refrigerated pie crust. This time, I grabbed the WeWalka brand of refrigerated pie crust. This company prides itself on having no artificial colors or flavors, no high fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated oils or bleached flour. The packaging said it was flaky & Lard Free. Sounds good to me! The pie crust came out light, didn't have that "off taste" that the pie crust I usually buy (whether frozen or refrigerated) has and rolled right off the parchment it was packaged on without being sticky or stuck together. I found it at HyVee for $3.29 by the canned biscuits. These specialty doughs also include pizza crust (these looked good), a bistro pizza crust, a flatbread and a puff pastry. Sign up for their newsletter for coupons & recipes (at bottom of their website).
Mom's Chicken Pot Pie
Begin by poaching 2 chicken breast halves in water. When done poaching remove from the water and set aside to cool before cutting up or shredding. You will want about 1 1/2-2 cups of diced chicken when done. RESERVE 1/4 cup of broth for your roux.
Filling:
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1" pieces or there about. Today I actually sliced mine up pretty small as my potatoes were small and then I just cooked them carefully so I didn't over cook them.
1/2 bag of mixed veggies, or carrots & peas.
Boil until just done. I usually cook the potatoes until softened, add the veggies and cook according to the package. Pour your veggies and water in a colander and let drain.
Pie Crust:
I used the WeWalka pie crust this time but have also made a crust from the Betty Crocker cookbook or bought a frozen deep dish piecrust. This makes a deep dish piecrust and you only need 1 crust. If you use a frozen one put it out to thaw about 20 minutes. If you use a refrigerated one like the one I used today set it out to warm up about 20 minutes approximately.
Sauce:
Note: I use Almond Milk due to a sensitivity to dairy. I've also used cows milk, oat milk, soy milk and coconut milk. I prefer a almond milk that's unsweetened and doesnt have vanilla in it. I find the alternative milks tend to thicken up faster than the cows milk.
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk (see above)
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
1/4 tsp sage
In a 4qt saucepan add the following in this order & by these steps.
2-3 Tab butter (don't use margarine please)
Melt & add 1/4 cup flour
Stir to form a roux (this is a thickened soft paste).
Pour the milk & broth mixture into your roux and stir till it thickens. Be sure to stir your sauce till it's thick. It will be quick with the alternative milks. Pour in the veggies/chicken and then add to your pie plate. This is a deep dish pot pie. Heads up: A regular pie plate may not be deep enough for this pie. Top with your pie crust, flute the edges (my edges always look terrible) and pop in the oven at 350 for 1 hour. After 20 minutes start keeping an eye on your crust to make sure it doesn't burn. If it starts getting really dark take a piece of foil and cover your crust. You don't want to burn the crust.
Tip: This filling actually freezes up very nicely. When you want a pot pie then you'll just thaw the filling and grab the pie crust or make one and once the crust is warmed up top the pie and bake.
YUM! Enjoy ~ Tina "The Book Lady"
Linked up @
Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop (ducksnarow)
Wow Me Wednesday (Ginger Snap Crafts)
Funtastic Friday
Friday at the Firestation
Friendship Friday (Create with Joy)
Disclaimer: I was not reimbursed or asked to post this companies products in exchange for payment or product.
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Bible Study, Fear, Stress & Covid-19
This week has been interesting. Sort of. Friday I saw a friend briefly and without thinking I accepted a hug from her two kiddos. No one was coughing, sneezing, feverish, etc.... By Monday they were all sick. I called my Dr who had me call Methodist hotline and they decided I was "Low Exposure" and "Negative" likely and asked me to self monitor from home for a few days. Since I'm still working I called my boss, let her know what's happening and I've been home Tuesday and Wednesday and will likely be back at work very soon since I'm not showing any symptoms. I feel fine. A bit tired but that's normal Fibro stuff especially since I don't sleep like a normal person. We'll see how it goes. Please pray that nothing comes of this.
My thoughts are that getting together with other women who are struggling whether from fear or stress (or other issues) it will help me focus on something else. Also, as my illness progresses and with the stress of my very physical job I'm not able to participate in church regularly and small groups with other women like I'd like to. This is the next best thing.
We would love for you to journey with us this month (for the next 100 days) as we direct our hearts and our minds on Faith! Click Here to join us - no book is needed although if you'd like to follow along with us you can purchase the book "100 Days of Faith over Fear" for $13 in the group. Just ask Shauna how to order it or click on the name of the book above. This is more than just a bible study but a chance to gather together online to fellowship and study what the Bible says about conquering fear by focusing on our faith in Christ. There will be scripture prompts, prayer request opportunities, readings, zoom gatherings and fellowship too!
100 Days of Faith over Fear
by Lisa Stilwell
With the Maker of heaven and earth by our side, we have nothing to fear! In this 100-day journey to a fearless life, you'll find space to reflect on God's strength, courage and unwavering love for you. With encouraging devotions, empowering Scriptures and heartfelt prayers, 100 Days of Faith over Fear will help you release your worries, cares and concerns to your all-powerful, almighty God.
Hope to see you there! ~ Tina "The Book Lady"
Linked up @
Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop (ducksnarow)
Booknificent Thursday (Mommynificent)
Disclaimer: I am not receiving any reimbursement or reward for sharing my thoughts or the link for the book or bible study. At times I may share products or items that I liked or am paid to share and think my readers will enjoy. This however is not one of them.
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Read along with me:
Read Along with Me:
Willa's Grove
by Laura Munson
Kindle: $8.69
Hardback: $26.99
About the book:
In this powerful and inspiring novel, three women, from coast to coast and in between, open their mailboxes to the same intriguing invitation. Although leading entirely different lives, each has found herself at a similar, jarring crossroads. Right when these women thought they’d be comfortably settling into middle age, their carefully curated futures have turned out to be dead ends. The sender of the invitation is Willa Silvester, who is reeling from the untimely death of her beloved husband and the reality that she must say goodbye to the small mountain town they founded together. Yet as Willa mourns her losses, an impossible question keeps staring her in the face: So now what?
Struggling to find the answer alone, fiercely independent Willa eventually calls a childhood friend who happens to be in her own world of hurt—and that’s where the idea sparks. They decide to host a weeklong interlude from life, and invite two other friends facing their own quandaries. Soon the four women converge at Willa’s Montana homestead, a place where they can learn from nature and one another as they contemplate their second acts together in the rugged wilderness of big sky country.
I thought it would be fun to invite others to read it too. You can find it on Amazon on Kindle or as a Hardback. Leave a comment if you'd like to read along with me & we'll find a way to connect. Maybe on FB?. =D
An update on my foot pain saga....
February is finally over and so much has happened. I finally am feeling like I'm going to survive this job that I started last October. My pain is managed and I'm no longer crawling into the house. I'm still having some discomfort in my hips and the chiropractor and I both feel that maybe arthritis is setting in. I've had issues with periformis in my right hip especially but this pain is different. The whole hip feels tight and aches when I sit for more than 10-15 minutes (just long enough to drive home from work). But if thats all that I'm feeling I know that I will survive.
I believe a few things helped me get control of the pain:
2) My chiropractor has been helping me with the tight muscles in my calves using trigger point and myofascile release. These tight muscles were causing the severe foot pain that I was dealing with for so long and making it so hard to walk and sleep. After I got the foot pain in control then my calves started causing issues. Most of the pain in my legs and feet are gone (thank heavens). What a answer prayer that is!
3) For Christmas mom and dad gave me a Homedics foot massager that you can use heated or not. The nights my feet hurt so much I would use the massager and it seemed to work many of the knots and pain out of my feet and I haven't been having the severe pain at night that was keeping me awake. The one that the link goes to is similar to the one mom/dad gave me.
There are just a few of the things I think that have helped me so much. I hope it helps some of you if you are dealing with foot & leg pain or are on your feet as much as I am.
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Britfield and The Lost Crown by C.R. Stewart ~ Book Tour
By C.R. Stewart
Middle Grade/Juvenile Adventure Fiction
Purchase:
$16.26 (paperback)
$9.99 (kindle)
$12.99 (audio book)
Enter the World of Britfield: Adventure, Intrigue, Conspiracy, Mystery, and Suspense!
Tom has spent the majority of his life locked behind the cruel walls of Weatherly Orphanage, but when he learns that his parents might actually be alive, Tom is determined to find them. Together, with his best friend Sarah and armed with only the word “Britfield” as a clue to Tom’s mysterious past, the two make a daring escape. Now, they are on the run from a famous Scotland Yard detective and what appears to be half of the police officers in England! The hunt is on, but will Tom and Sarah be able to evade capture long enough to solve an even bigger conspiracy that could tear apart the country?
Multiple Award-Winning Britfield & the Lost Crown by C.R. Stewart, is the first book in a thrilling seven-part series based on family, friendship, loyalty, and courage that is written for pre-teens, Y/A, and readers of all ages. Britfield and its heroes, Tom and Sarah, take readers on an epic adventure as they travel across England. With its stimulating language and stunning historical and geographical asides, Britfield engages the reader from the very first pages and doesn’t let go until it reaches its exciting conclusion!
My thoughts:
It's been a while since I read a book. An actual book. That keeps me up at night till I finish it. I'm afraid it sucked me in.
Britfield and The Lost Crown has a winning story line and great characters that draw you in and makes it easy to connect with. I enjoy books that have some history in it, some maturity to the characters (ie - the girls aren't whiny, the boys aren't obnoxious and the adults in the book aren't condescending) and are fast paced. You'll find all this in this particular book.
You'll find this to be a fun read aloud for younger elementary kiddos and even my kindergartner said she thought the book sounded interesting (she's 6 and has been reading since 4 and began "reading" chapter books with us at around 18-24 months). There is quite a bit of violence but personally I didn't notice much in the way of unacceptable language (or at least no language that I can't just skip over while reading to her). There is a noticeable difference between the good and the bad guys in the story. The Grievouses and Speckle are nasty, cruel people and the good people like Professors Hainsworth as well as several other minor characters are the kind of people you'd like meet. This makes for a good teaching opportunity for discussing strangers, friends who aren't kind and finding people to help us when we need help. Some of the action parts are a bit over the top - but no more than the action scenes in a good Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys book (yeah, that's dating me).
The reading level for this book is about 3-6 grades or a Lexile rating of 700. Due to the length of this book younger children may find this a challenge but it may be to easy for a older child (definitely way to easy for teens to adults) as the verbiage isn't difficult and while there are some descriptive passages they are very short and would be to easy for a well read child who reads as heavily as I did at 5th grade.
Read the first chapter
I'm looking forward to continuing this series with book 2 in the Fall of 2020.
Similar books: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (action oriented but much more descriptive), Peter Pan & Lemonysnickets.
Praise:
“A perfect mixture of fast-paced excitement, heart-stopping surprises, fascinating history, and endearing characters with historical references scattered along the way. Tom and Sarah’s devotion to each other provides an excellent backdrop to the many mishaps and dangers in which they find themselves. I could see this book being used in a classroom setting both as aliterature piece and as a geographical and historical resource. Stewart’s clever narrative draws you in and doesn’t let you go till the end!”
– Dawn Weaver, Reader’s Favorite Book Reviews – 5 Stars!
“Tom just barely escapes the evil orphanage with his friend Sara to follow the clues that his long-lost parents may still be alive! Could Tom really be the heir to the British throne? Such a thrilling book filled with so much awesome history about England, crazy mysteries, and truly amazing characters. It had me hooked every second of reading it! I can’t wait for the sequel.”
– Hannah, Age 13, Kids’ Book Buzz – 5 Stars!
“An intriguing first-in-series read that is sure to capture the attention of the middle grade and young adult crowds. Readers journey through English cities and countryside beautifully rendered in the narrative. The book also includes maps and intelligent background information about the setting and history with access to online illustrations and commentaries. Britfield weaves plot, texture, storytelling, and fascinating characters into a winning combination and enriching experience.”
– Chanticleer Book Review – 5 Stars!
“As a middle school English teacher of 28 years and a multiple bestselling author for middle grade books, I can honestly say Britfield and the Lost Crown has all the right stuff. Intriguing characters, foreshadowing, and suspense will draw readers in deep and have them gasping for breath for the next chapter and the next.”
– Wayne Thomas Batson, bestselling author of The Door Within Trilogy
Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-DIg80NZMI&t=1s
Amazon → https://amzn.to/2FBPPgj
Google Play/Books → https://bit.ly/2uu2D63
Apple Books App → https://apple.co/2tM7ZJL
Britfield and The Lost Crown ~ excerpt
BRITFIELD & THE LOST CROWN
By C.R. Stewart
Middle Grade/Juvenile Adventure Fiction
Purchase:
$16.26 (paperback)
$9.99 (kindle)
$12.99 (audio book)
Book Excerpt: 1
Weatherly
“Number forty-seven! Stop chattering to thirty-four and get back to work, immediately!” Speckle shouted from across the room.
“Yes sir . . . back to work . . . right away,” Tom replied instinctively, pretending to be a dutiful servant.
He knew too well that talking violated the sacred Weatherly Rule Book, a seventy-five-page document of laws and regulations all orphans had to memorize when they arrived. Any violation of these rules resulted in punishment, the penalties varying in length and severity. However, some rules were made to be broken; it was the orphans’ only way to survive here. They did what they were told and got away with what they could.
Just then Speckle closed his laptop, walked over to Tom, and slammed his stick on the table. Everyone froze at the loud crack; the room went silent.
“One more word out of you, and I’ll send you outside!” hollered Speckle, looking around for other violators. No one moved an inch.
Speckle, the new supervisor, had arrived nine months ago. Over six feet tall with wavy grey hair, he had a deep, scratchy voice and a grip like a vice. He also managed Brewster and Sludge, two henchmen who helped keep order and discipline. These burly yet feeble-minded bullies followed his every command.
Tom grabbed a large piece of lumber, walked over to a table saw and ran it through the blade with ease. He then placed the wood on a workbench and started sanding the rough edges.
Every morning at 6:00, each orphan marched straight to this work area, referred to as “The Factory” because it was managed like an industrial plant. Their jobs consisted of putting together an assortment of handcrafted items: the girls made wicker baskets, and the boys built wooden chairs and tables. All these objects were hauled off in a large truck and sold by Brewster and Sludge in the local villages.
Glancing around the room, Tom quickly made eye contact with Sarah, who smiled and made a silly face. He began to laugh but stopped when Speckle trudged over.
“Is something funny, Tom?” he snapped, ready to strike with his stick.
“Ah . . . no sir, nothing at —”
“Perhaps you’d like to stand outside in the cold for five or six hours! Would that be funny?” he thundered in a threatening manner.
“N-no, it wouldn’t.”
Speckle lowered his gaze, closely examining Tom for any insincerity. Once again, the entire room went quiet.
Unconvinced by his answer, Speckle grabbed Tom’s arm, yanked him from his bench and dragged him outside. The door slammed behind them. The weather was frigid, a strong Yorkshire wind chilling the barren landscape. December was always a deadly time of the year.
“Don’t move!” ordered Speckle, his tone displaying a combination of contempt and indifference.
Tom nodded resentfully, his wiry twelve-year-old body shivering in the cold. Speckle angrily marched back inside, glaring at the other children as he hovered around their workstations. He randomly picked up an item, inspected it and tossed it back down. Every day he would find some flaw, tearing up a basket or smashing a chair. Speckle observed everything and missed nothing. No one dared to question him or make direct eye contact. But even Speckle could be outfoxed. The orphans feared his strengths and did whatever they could to exploit his weaknesses. Peering in from the window, his blue eyes glistening, and brown hair dampened by frost, Tom stood motionless. He’d been locked up at Weatherly for six
miserable years, and this was the year he planned to escape.
****
Located in Aysgarth, Yorkshire, in Northern England, Weatherly was about three hundred miles northwest of London. Although it was the 21st century, the orphanage looked medieval. The main building was an enormous sixteenth-century Elizabethan castle constructed from bluestone. Towering seven stories high, it had four massive turrets, one in each corner. The entire estate was enclosed by a twelve-foot high granite wall, with a massive wrought iron gate at the entrance. About fifteen years ago, the property was purchased by the Grievouses and turned into an orphanage, which the British government helped pay for as long as it was run privately. Although the Grievouses were supposed to provide each child with new clothing, healthy food, heated rooms, and schooling, they kept the money for themselves.
Like many of the other orphans, Tom didn’t know anything about his parents, who they were or what had happened to them. But he hoped to find out someday.
****
After missing lunch, Tom was let back inside. He cautiously walked over to a workbench and sat down by Patrick, number thirty-four.
Known as the teacher, Patrick, at sixteen, was the oldest and wisest orphan, with nine hard Weatherly years behind him. If anyone needed to know something, he was the best resource.
“Got the book?” whispered Tom, scanning the room for Speckle.
“Yeah . . . you ready for the mission?” asked Patrick assertively, his eyes intense and focused.
Tom gave him a confident nod. “Of course. I’ve been planning for it all week.” “Good. See if you can find anything by Dickens or Hardy — and no more Shakespeare,” he said adamantly, leaning in closer. “Now remember, be extra careful. They’ve moved Wind to the east side of the house.”
“Got it,” replied Tom, ready to carry out his perilous assignment.
Patrick carefully removed The Count of Monte Cristo from behind his jacket and skillfully handed it to Tom under the table. It was a flawless transition, and Tom hastily stuffed the book in his shirt.
Speckle turned, mumbled something under his breath and continued to pace the room, searching for any sign of disobedience.
Tom returned to his work and started building another chair, his heart racing with nervous excitement.
If the orphans ever had a spare moment, they loved to read — it was their only way of escaping into another world. They had a total of eight books in their library, which consisted of a small dusty storage closet in the cellar. They had read each one probably twenty times, including a dictionary, an encyclopedia, and the history of the British Empire. But with so few books, they needed to come up with a strategy to get more, so they invented an exchange system. Each month, one orphan sneaked out at night, ran across the field, outmaneuvered a vicious dog named Wind, and climbed in a small window at the Grievouses’ beautiful Victorian mansion located close by. They borrowed one of the books from a well-stocked shelf in the study and exchanged it for one of their own.
When the clock finally struck 7:00 p.m., the orphans diligently put away their tools and cleaned up their workstations.
They filed out of The Factory two-by-two and down a long dark corridor.
This was one of the brief moments they weren’t monitored or supervised by any
Deviants, a codeword the orphans used when describing authority figures.
Sarah ran up behind Tom and gave his shirt a swift tug. “So are you going tonight?” she whispered enthusiastically.
“I’ll head out in a few hours,” he replied nonchalantly, trying to mask his anxiety.
“You scared?” she inquired. “I’d be scared . . . especially of Wind.” “A little bit . . . but it’s got to be done, right?”
“Right,” she acknowledged, then hesitated for a second. “I wish I was going with you.”
“It’s always been a one-person mission — too risky for more.”
“Fine,” she said with a hint of disappointment.
“Although I wish you were coming,” he added earnestly.
Sarah smiled, then reached in her pocket and handed Tom a small golden
locket.
“What’s this for?” he wondered, examining the delicate object.
“It’s for good luck. You’ll need it tonight.”
“I can’t take this.”
“Sure you can,” she said graciously. “Just keep it on you at all times.” “But it’s the only valuable thing you have.”
“There’s more to life than just objects, Tom,” she added philosophically. Sarah Wallace, age twelve, had arrived two years earlier from Edinburgh,
Scotland. Coming from a wealthy family, she had led a privileged life before her parents died in a suspicious automobile accident. She didn’t have any relatives, except for a greedy uncle who only wanted the money, so she was shipped around to a few places and finally ended up at Weatherly. She had long, sandy-blond hair, hypnotic hazel eyes and an infectious laugh.
Just as they reached the stairwell, Mrs. Grievous appeared from behind a wall and advanced toward Tom. A cold chill suddenly came over him.
“What — do — you — have — there?” she snapped, her dark sinister eyes honing in for the kill.
Tom quickly switched the locket to his other hand and slid it into his pocket. Sarah faded back and watched intently, hoping her prized possession wouldn’t be confiscated.
“Nothing. Nothing at all,” he replied in mock puzzlement. “By the way,” he interjected, quickly changing the subject, “I made two chairs in the workshop —”
“Open your fingers!” she demanded, grabbing his hands and yanking them forward.
They were empty.
“See . . . nothing,” he retorted, playing innocent like a seasoned actor.
“Hmm, well they’re filthy.” She gave his hands a slap and pushed him aside. “I’ve got my eye on you, forty-seven. One misstep and you’ve had it. Now get to bed!” “Yes, Mrs. Grievous,” he muttered coldly, wondering why this awful woman
was ever born.
Mrs. Grievous always seemed to appear whenever an orphan did something wrong. She had ghostly pale skin, kept her bright red hair compressed into a bun, and always wore grey flannel suits. Continually on edge, she had an explosive temper and made an unsettling clicking noise with her jaw. It was best to avoid her at all costs.
The children marched up the stairs and hastily retreated to their rooms. Speckle followed closely behind, making sure everyone was locked in and the lights were turned off. Standing by each door, he listened for any talking or movement. The orphans knew this, so they would wait about twenty minutes before they started exchanging stories and discussing the day.
There were fifty-six children at Weatherly, thirty boys and twenty-six girls, ages ranging from six to sixteen. If the number ever dropped below fifty-six, the facilities would be taken over by the government. The orphans hoped this would happen, because they couldn’t imagine anyone else allowing what went on there. As far as they were concerned, anything was better than the Grievouses.
The boys and girls were kept in separate rooms with the bunk beds spaced two feet apart. These cramped quarters had water-stained walls and plaster crumbling from the ceilings. When it rained, the roof leaked and flooded most of the castle. The summers were hot and humid. The winters were chilly and bleak, with the cold creeping in through loose stones and broken windows.
Their garments were tattered and sparse: the girls wore dark brown dresses, with their hair usually pulled back; the boys wore brown trousers, long sleeve shirts and at times, overalls. Their shabby attire felt more like prison uniforms than normal clothing. Most orphans hated these outfits more than the dilapidated rooms or horrible food.
After everyone was asleep, Tom patiently rested on his bottom bunk bed and watched the clock on the wall. The minutes slowly ticked away until it finally read 11:00 p.m., the perfect time to leave, for the Deviants were usually asleep by then.
Tom quietly slid off his wafer-thin mattress, got dressed, and snatched the book from under his pillow. As he tucked it in his shirt, the bedroom door slammed open. It was Speckle shining a flashlight directly in Tom’s face.
About the Author
Originally from Newport Beach, California, C. R. Stewart has twenty years of experience writing fiction, nonfiction, and movie screenplays. His areas of expertise also includes film and media production, global strategy, and international marketing.
“Britfield & The Lost Crown was conceived as an idea over 10 years ago while I was enduring a boring finance seminar. It started as a sketch of a hot air balloon with a young boy and girl trapped inside. From this simple drawing sprang the entire concept and story for Britfield.”
C.R. Stewart received a Bachelor of Arts in British Literature and European History from Brown University; did post- graduate work at Harvard University; earned an MBA from Boston College; and is pursuing a Master of Science in Advanced Management and a PhD in Strategy.
Now based in San Diego, C.R. Stewart is a strong supporter of education and the arts. He enjoys world travel, reading, riding, swimming, sailing, tennis, and is currently on a National School Book Tour with Britfield & The Lost Crown speaking to students on the importance of creativity!
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Happy New Year
Hello everyone!
It's the first Saturday of 2020 (wow!) and I hope you all enjoyed your holiday season. The last year of the decade was probably one of the most difficult that I've had in a very long time. As my stress increased due to Real Life events (job change, missing the kids in my daycare, declining health and struggling to deal with chronic pain and exhaustion) I've come to realize how lucky I was to receive a diagnosis 21 years ago so quickly. I have family and friends (most of them) who are supportive and don't expect more than I can give. I can't express how much I appreciate their support and encouragement.
2020 will continue to be tough as I try to take care of some things I've had to let slide due to lack of energy, ability to think myself through a process as my comprehension slipped some. I have 2 more Dr appointments coming up this month (the 14th & the 17th) to try to address some of this chronic pain that I can't seem to get a handle on. Please pray for me that we can either 1) get a handle on it naturally or 2) find a medication that doesn't make me constantly nauseous or dizzy. The Dr appointment is for a trial for Fibromyalgia that is being done to possibly find a new medication for Fibro. To be honest I'm not sure I will join the trial due to my sensitivity to meds of any kind.
I will be popping in occasionally to post on GivingNSharing. I'm hoping to be able to participate in more book reviews and share some of my sewing as well as new treatments and ideas for pain relief this year. I'm in the process of trying to figure out what to do job wise as my illness increases and will hopefully be sharing some tips and methods for relief as well as daily living tips for living with a chronic illness.
Happy New Year my friends!
It's the first Saturday of 2020 (wow!) and I hope you all enjoyed your holiday season. The last year of the decade was probably one of the most difficult that I've had in a very long time. As my stress increased due to Real Life events (job change, missing the kids in my daycare, declining health and struggling to deal with chronic pain and exhaustion) I've come to realize how lucky I was to receive a diagnosis 21 years ago so quickly. I have family and friends (most of them) who are supportive and don't expect more than I can give. I can't express how much I appreciate their support and encouragement.
2020 will continue to be tough as I try to take care of some things I've had to let slide due to lack of energy, ability to think myself through a process as my comprehension slipped some. I have 2 more Dr appointments coming up this month (the 14th & the 17th) to try to address some of this chronic pain that I can't seem to get a handle on. Please pray for me that we can either 1) get a handle on it naturally or 2) find a medication that doesn't make me constantly nauseous or dizzy. The Dr appointment is for a trial for Fibromyalgia that is being done to possibly find a new medication for Fibro. To be honest I'm not sure I will join the trial due to my sensitivity to meds of any kind.
I will be popping in occasionally to post on GivingNSharing. I'm hoping to be able to participate in more book reviews and share some of my sewing as well as new treatments and ideas for pain relief this year. I'm in the process of trying to figure out what to do job wise as my illness increases and will hopefully be sharing some tips and methods for relief as well as daily living tips for living with a chronic illness.
Happy New Year my friends!
Thursday, December 19, 2019
12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 6: Leslie Gould
12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 6: Leslie Gould
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
Year of Adversity Brings Joy
By Leslie Gould
I’ve been writing Amish fiction for nearly three years now—telling stories about non-resistant people who live a simple life. It’s a nice reprieve from my own life.
When my husband, Peter, joined the Army Reserve back in the mid 1980s, I wasn’t thrilled about it. Nor did I believe him when he said he’d probably never see action. Sure, the Cold War was ending and—for a short time—all seemed well in the world, but I had a degree in history. I knew better. I didn’t want to be a controlling wife (as new to the job as I was!) and come out and say he absolutely couldn’t do it. And it did help that he was joining a medical unit. Still I had my reservations.
We’ve been far more fortunate than many military families, but still it’s been quite a ride. The first exciting episode began in 1990 when Peter flew to Germany on Christmas Eve to work in an Army hospital during Desert Storm, leaving me behind with our two young sons. During the next twenty years, Peter went from being a Lt. to being a Col. and commanding a unit. Countless maneuvers and a mobilization occurred during that time, but his Army Reserve career culminated in his deployment to Afghanistan in 2011.
My days throughout last year were an odd combination of hearing the daily news from a war zone via Skype and then writing about the plain life of the Amish. By last December I was working on my third Amish novel of the year while, in contrast, Peter and his field hospital staff had cared for hundreds of NATO soldiers and Afghan nationals, endured ten months of rocket fire, and continued to grieve the killing of one of their own.
Surprisingly, what seemed like it might be our worst Christmas ever, even harder than in 1990, wasn’t. Our four children (one teen and three young adults now) rallied to help make it a memorable day. We counted our blessings—Peter was well, we had all we needed, and God was at work in the life of our family. The result was an underlying joy, deeper than what we’d felt during past Christmases.
In reflection, I wrote: When it started, I thought 2011 might be one of our worst years. But it hasn’t been. Sure, it’s been one of our hardest, but a lot of good has come from it.
That was evident on Christmas morning as we Skyped with Peter. We were so thankful for the good connection and for all of us to be “together” that we hardly noticed we really weren’t.
This December, Peter is back at his civilian job (as a manager for a hospital corporation) and also commanding a nearby Army Reserve unit, which means one weekend a month and plenty of evenings—but no rockets or causalities.
I’m working on a new Amish novel and still enjoying my “time” with those who practice non-resistance, which doesn’t discount the appreciation I have for my husband’s service. I’ve even grown to the place where I’m thankful he joined the military. They’ve served each other well.
Our year of adversity resulted in a deep joy. I’m pretty sure it will carry over to this Christmas as well.
***
Leslie Gould is the award-winning author of fifteen novels, including the #1 bestseller and Christy Award winner The Amish Midwife, co-written with Mindy Starns Clark. Her latest release is Courting Cate, a retelling of the “Taming of the Shrew.” Leslie lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, Peter, and their four children. www.lesliegould.com
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
***
Year of Adversity Brings Joy
By Leslie Gould
I’ve been writing Amish fiction for nearly three years now—telling stories about non-resistant people who live a simple life. It’s a nice reprieve from my own life.
When my husband, Peter, joined the Army Reserve back in the mid 1980s, I wasn’t thrilled about it. Nor did I believe him when he said he’d probably never see action. Sure, the Cold War was ending and—for a short time—all seemed well in the world, but I had a degree in history. I knew better. I didn’t want to be a controlling wife (as new to the job as I was!) and come out and say he absolutely couldn’t do it. And it did help that he was joining a medical unit. Still I had my reservations.
We’ve been far more fortunate than many military families, but still it’s been quite a ride. The first exciting episode began in 1990 when Peter flew to Germany on Christmas Eve to work in an Army hospital during Desert Storm, leaving me behind with our two young sons. During the next twenty years, Peter went from being a Lt. to being a Col. and commanding a unit. Countless maneuvers and a mobilization occurred during that time, but his Army Reserve career culminated in his deployment to Afghanistan in 2011.
My days throughout last year were an odd combination of hearing the daily news from a war zone via Skype and then writing about the plain life of the Amish. By last December I was working on my third Amish novel of the year while, in contrast, Peter and his field hospital staff had cared for hundreds of NATO soldiers and Afghan nationals, endured ten months of rocket fire, and continued to grieve the killing of one of their own.
Surprisingly, what seemed like it might be our worst Christmas ever, even harder than in 1990, wasn’t. Our four children (one teen and three young adults now) rallied to help make it a memorable day. We counted our blessings—Peter was well, we had all we needed, and God was at work in the life of our family. The result was an underlying joy, deeper than what we’d felt during past Christmases.
In reflection, I wrote: When it started, I thought 2011 might be one of our worst years. But it hasn’t been. Sure, it’s been one of our hardest, but a lot of good has come from it.
That was evident on Christmas morning as we Skyped with Peter. We were so thankful for the good connection and for all of us to be “together” that we hardly noticed we really weren’t.
This December, Peter is back at his civilian job (as a manager for a hospital corporation) and also commanding a nearby Army Reserve unit, which means one weekend a month and plenty of evenings—but no rockets or causalities.
I’m working on a new Amish novel and still enjoying my “time” with those who practice non-resistance, which doesn’t discount the appreciation I have for my husband’s service. I’ve even grown to the place where I’m thankful he joined the military. They’ve served each other well.
Our year of adversity resulted in a deep joy. I’m pretty sure it will carry over to this Christmas as well.
***
Leslie Gould is the award-winning author of fifteen novels, including the #1 bestseller and Christy Award winner The Amish Midwife, co-written with Mindy Starns Clark. Her latest release is Courting Cate, a retelling of the “Taming of the Shrew.” Leslie lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, Peter, and their four children. www.lesliegould.com
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 5: Glynnis Whitwer
12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 5: Glynnis Whitwer
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
***
Will They Know What it Cost?
By Glynnis Whitwer
My daughter Cathrine went on a field trip to the Grand Canyon when she was in fourth grade. As I picked her up upon her return, she couldn’t wait to show me an adorable little stuffed brown bear she’d bought as a gift. She started to say that it was for everyone—meaning her three brothers and sister—but then her words got jumbled. Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to explain how she ran out of money when trying to buy gifts. Her distress was obvious.
To understand fully, it might help to know that Cathrine was born in Africa and experienced deprivation of every sort for the first eleven years of her life. At thirteen years old, she was only in fourth grade. And although she has made remarkable gains, even now she struggles with communication and math—especially money.
Later that night I finally understood what Cathrine was trying to tell me about the bear. She had taken twenty dollars of her own money to buy herself a souvenir. But before buying herself something, she wanted to buy some small gifts. So she started with two of her teachers and bought them each a small ring with the first initial of their last names. I looked at the price on the rings and realized each was $3.99. Times that by two, add tax, and Cathrine would have been left with eleven dollars for other gifts and herself.
I imagine she stood at the gift store counter bewildered by what she had just done. She was probably embarrassed to ask any of her classmates for help. And maybe the teacher wasn't around. There she stood with just over half of her money, and three brothers and a sister left to buy for. She decided to get a group gift, and that’s where the bear came in.
Standing in our kitchen, looking at the three items she purchased, I smiled brightly and told her everyone was going to love their gifts and that she’d made wonderful purchases. She smiled back, and the night ended well.
The next morning as she wrapped up the little rings, I kept thinking about those two teachers who were going to receive a gift that day. All they would see is a little silver ring. I knew they would be very loving and appreciative. But would they truly understand the sacrifice Cathrine made?
Would they understand their gifts cost Cathrine half of what she had? Would they ever know the frustration and worry Cathrine felt as she realized she didn't have enough to buy her family any gifts? Would they treasure those little rings, or would they put them in a drawer with gifts from other students throughout the year?
As I pondered these thoughts, I considered a gift I was given two thousand years ago: Jesus. God sent His Son into the world as a baby, knowing He would die on a cross for me. The cost of this gift staggers me.
As I decorate my tree and shop for my family, I’m reminded of what my freedom cost my Heavenly Father. Do I truly understand the sacrifice of that gift? Do I understand the anguish God the Father must have felt sending His Son? Do I treasure this gift, or do I take it for granted?
Christmas is a time for celebration. But it’s also a time to remember God’s sacrifice. For it is in understanding the cost, that we fully appreciate the gift.
Meet Glynnis Whitwer
***
Glynnis Whitwer is an executive director with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She is one of the writers of Encouragement for Today, the Proverbs 31 e-mail devotions, with over 500,000 daily readers. Her newest book, I Used to be So Organized, was released last fall. Glynnis, her husband Tod, and their five children live in Glendale, Arizona. Visit www.GlynnisWhitwer.com for more information.
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
***
Will They Know What it Cost?
By Glynnis Whitwer
My daughter Cathrine went on a field trip to the Grand Canyon when she was in fourth grade. As I picked her up upon her return, she couldn’t wait to show me an adorable little stuffed brown bear she’d bought as a gift. She started to say that it was for everyone—meaning her three brothers and sister—but then her words got jumbled. Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to explain how she ran out of money when trying to buy gifts. Her distress was obvious.
To understand fully, it might help to know that Cathrine was born in Africa and experienced deprivation of every sort for the first eleven years of her life. At thirteen years old, she was only in fourth grade. And although she has made remarkable gains, even now she struggles with communication and math—especially money.
Later that night I finally understood what Cathrine was trying to tell me about the bear. She had taken twenty dollars of her own money to buy herself a souvenir. But before buying herself something, she wanted to buy some small gifts. So she started with two of her teachers and bought them each a small ring with the first initial of their last names. I looked at the price on the rings and realized each was $3.99. Times that by two, add tax, and Cathrine would have been left with eleven dollars for other gifts and herself.
I imagine she stood at the gift store counter bewildered by what she had just done. She was probably embarrassed to ask any of her classmates for help. And maybe the teacher wasn't around. There she stood with just over half of her money, and three brothers and a sister left to buy for. She decided to get a group gift, and that’s where the bear came in.
Standing in our kitchen, looking at the three items she purchased, I smiled brightly and told her everyone was going to love their gifts and that she’d made wonderful purchases. She smiled back, and the night ended well.
The next morning as she wrapped up the little rings, I kept thinking about those two teachers who were going to receive a gift that day. All they would see is a little silver ring. I knew they would be very loving and appreciative. But would they truly understand the sacrifice Cathrine made?
Would they understand their gifts cost Cathrine half of what she had? Would they ever know the frustration and worry Cathrine felt as she realized she didn't have enough to buy her family any gifts? Would they treasure those little rings, or would they put them in a drawer with gifts from other students throughout the year?
As I pondered these thoughts, I considered a gift I was given two thousand years ago: Jesus. God sent His Son into the world as a baby, knowing He would die on a cross for me. The cost of this gift staggers me.
As I decorate my tree and shop for my family, I’m reminded of what my freedom cost my Heavenly Father. Do I truly understand the sacrifice of that gift? Do I understand the anguish God the Father must have felt sending His Son? Do I treasure this gift, or do I take it for granted?
Christmas is a time for celebration. But it’s also a time to remember God’s sacrifice. For it is in understanding the cost, that we fully appreciate the gift.
Meet Glynnis Whitwer
***
Glynnis Whitwer is an executive director with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She is one of the writers of Encouragement for Today, the Proverbs 31 e-mail devotions, with over 500,000 daily readers. Her newest book, I Used to be So Organized, was released last fall. Glynnis, her husband Tod, and their five children live in Glendale, Arizona. Visit www.GlynnisWhitwer.com for more information.
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 4: Margaret McSweeney
Pearls of Christmas revisited - Day 4: Margaret McSweeney
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
***
“You have breast cancer.” Those four words my doctor said the week of Mother’s Day 2012 have forever changed my life. Mere months after my fiftieth birthday, I encountered this unexpected “lump in the road” and ventured through a major detour after reaching my half-century mark.
Through this “grit,” God has covered me with His amazing grace! At the same time of my diagnosis, two books released: Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith along with Aftermath: Growing in Grace Through Grief. During this Christmas season, I rejoice that my cancer was caught and treated at an early stage. After six weeks of “daily radiance” (AKA radiation therapy), I started my daily dose of Tamoxifen to help battle any potential cells that might cause a recurrence. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.
While writing Aftermath and sharing my journey of grief as an adult orphan, I experienced several “hugs from heaven” as I discovered family letters, journals, and even a video in which my mother shares her faith. This is a mistletoe medley from my mother’s heart:
Each Christmas season my father used to go down into the woods behind our home and bring us back some mistletoe. It was a present that my sister and I loved. We’d tie it with bright ribbons and would hang it over several doorways in the house.
It was always fun of course for a Christmas party, but it came to mean more than that to us. It seemed to become a symbol of the meaning of Christmas: Love, God’s love for the world that prompted Him to send Christ to become our Savior. Somehow it seemed to enhance our love for each other as a family. And we found ourselves stepping under the mistletoe to give someone a hug or to plant a kiss on someone’s cheek and say, “I love you.”
I thought of these mistletoe Christmases during my mother’s losing battle with cancer. I penned my thoughts like this:
Illness, you ugly parasite!
Like mistletoe, you’ve entrenched yourself upon my body!
As you bloom and grow, you feed upon my strength.
I shall fight!
Battalions stand by to help!
My doctor’s scalpel will sever you.
Modern medicine will shrivel you.
You shall fall to the ground,
And I shall stand again strong and well.
But what if I cannot conquer you?
If you are with me still
As my constant, inevitable companion,
I pray that God will help me
Learn to live with you in peace
And somehow discover how you, my enemy—
Like mistletoe at Christmas—
Can serve some useful purpose.
There are times when we cannot rid our lives of things that hurt such as pain or grief, loss, illness, sorrow. Sometimes they’re with us as our inevitable companions and we must learn to make peace with them.
Those are the times when we can ask God through Christ to help us transform the loneliness, the pain, the grief, the loss-symbolically into something that can serve a useful purpose in our lives.
May you feel an extra “hug from heaven” this Christmas season from the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. God is present, and He knows your name!
*Text quoted from Aftermath (New Hope, 2012) by Margaret McSweeney, pp 114-115
***
WebTalkRadio.net Host Margaret McSweeny is a well-published author and freelance writer for the 411 Voices and the Daily Herald, the largest suburban Chicago newspaper. She is the author of Aftermath, A Mother's Heart Knows and Go Back and Be Happy. She is also the founder of Pearl Girls™ and the general editor of the Pearl Girls™ books; Mother of Pearl and Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace. All proceeds from the sales of the Pearl Girls™ books go to charity. For the past five years, she has served on the board of directors for WINGS, an organization that helps abused women and their children get a new start in life. Margaret would love to meet you too. Follow her on twitter or friend her on facebook. You can also keep up with Margaret at Kitchen Chat or on facebook. Margaret lives with her husband and two daughters in the Chicago suburbs.
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
***
A Mistletoe Medley
By Margaret McSweeney
“You have breast cancer.” Those four words my doctor said the week of Mother’s Day 2012 have forever changed my life. Mere months after my fiftieth birthday, I encountered this unexpected “lump in the road” and ventured through a major detour after reaching my half-century mark.
Through this “grit,” God has covered me with His amazing grace! At the same time of my diagnosis, two books released: Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith along with Aftermath: Growing in Grace Through Grief. During this Christmas season, I rejoice that my cancer was caught and treated at an early stage. After six weeks of “daily radiance” (AKA radiation therapy), I started my daily dose of Tamoxifen to help battle any potential cells that might cause a recurrence. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.
While writing Aftermath and sharing my journey of grief as an adult orphan, I experienced several “hugs from heaven” as I discovered family letters, journals, and even a video in which my mother shares her faith. This is a mistletoe medley from my mother’s heart:
Each Christmas season my father used to go down into the woods behind our home and bring us back some mistletoe. It was a present that my sister and I loved. We’d tie it with bright ribbons and would hang it over several doorways in the house.
It was always fun of course for a Christmas party, but it came to mean more than that to us. It seemed to become a symbol of the meaning of Christmas: Love, God’s love for the world that prompted Him to send Christ to become our Savior. Somehow it seemed to enhance our love for each other as a family. And we found ourselves stepping under the mistletoe to give someone a hug or to plant a kiss on someone’s cheek and say, “I love you.”
I thought of these mistletoe Christmases during my mother’s losing battle with cancer. I penned my thoughts like this:
Illness, you ugly parasite!
Like mistletoe, you’ve entrenched yourself upon my body!
As you bloom and grow, you feed upon my strength.
I shall fight!
Battalions stand by to help!
My doctor’s scalpel will sever you.
Modern medicine will shrivel you.
You shall fall to the ground,
And I shall stand again strong and well.
But what if I cannot conquer you?
If you are with me still
As my constant, inevitable companion,
I pray that God will help me
Learn to live with you in peace
And somehow discover how you, my enemy—
Like mistletoe at Christmas—
Can serve some useful purpose.
There are times when we cannot rid our lives of things that hurt such as pain or grief, loss, illness, sorrow. Sometimes they’re with us as our inevitable companions and we must learn to make peace with them.
Those are the times when we can ask God through Christ to help us transform the loneliness, the pain, the grief, the loss-symbolically into something that can serve a useful purpose in our lives.
May you feel an extra “hug from heaven” this Christmas season from the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. God is present, and He knows your name!
*Text quoted from Aftermath (New Hope, 2012) by Margaret McSweeney, pp 114-115
***
WebTalkRadio.net Host Margaret McSweeny is a well-published author and freelance writer for the 411 Voices and the Daily Herald, the largest suburban Chicago newspaper. She is the author of Aftermath, A Mother's Heart Knows and Go Back and Be Happy. She is also the founder of Pearl Girls™ and the general editor of the Pearl Girls™ books; Mother of Pearl and Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace. All proceeds from the sales of the Pearl Girls™ books go to charity. For the past five years, she has served on the board of directors for WINGS, an organization that helps abused women and their children get a new start in life. Margaret would love to meet you too. Follow her on twitter or friend her on facebook. You can also keep up with Margaret at Kitchen Chat or on facebook. Margaret lives with her husband and two daughters in the Chicago suburbs.
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.
Monday, December 16, 2019
Pearls of Christmas ~ Day 3: Debora Coty
Pearls of Christmas revisited - Day 3: Debora Coty
Welcome to the12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
***
Who is Mr. Carbunkle?
By: Debora M. Coty
In a dream this November, I was playing Clue (remember that board game from your childhood?) with three friendly strangers. We were each moving our pieces from room to room in the mysterious mansion trying to figure out who-done-it.
So far we knew it wasn’t Miss Scarlet in the parlor with a candlestick . . . or Colonel Mustard in the drawing room with a wrench.
With a voice bursting with sudden enlightenment, the player to my right announced, “Why, it’s Mr. Carbunkle!*”
My other two opponents and I looked at one another in bewilderment. Everyone knew there was no such character in this game.
It seemed my lot to state the obvious. “Who is Mr. Carbunkle?”
The words continued to ring in my head as I sat straight up in bed. I must have spoken the question aloud to jerk me awake so.
Who is Mr. Carbunkle?
And then I knew. I knew just as surely as if the Almighty had sent me an e-mail titled, “Hey, Deb, here’s your answer.”
I had been praying for several weeks about how Papa God would like me to use my writing tithe this year. It’s been my custom, for the nine years I’ve written professionally, to give away each December (anonymously, if possible) ten percent of that year’s income from my writing ministry to someone the Lord designates.
The sum isn’t really all that much in the grand scheme of things (contrary to popular belief, Christian writers don’t get rich), but it’s enough to bless somebody in their celebration of Christ’s birth with the knowledge that their Heavenly Father knows about their needs . . . and cares.
I thought about the only Mr. Carbunkle I knew—the one who attends our church, a quiet, unassuming man who’d been out of work for more than a year. I confess that I knew about his plight but hadn’t really given it much thought—or prayer—lately. Although he never complained, I knew his family must be struggling.
So Mr. Carbunkle it is.
You know, there are lots of Mr. Carbunkles out there who would be blessed mightily by a love-gift from you this Christmas. It doesn’t have to be money; it could be help with yard work, or home repairs, or a loaf of banana bread, or best of all, a gift of your time. Thirty minutes of your undivided attention for a lonely soul who needs to know Papa God knows his or her needs … and cares.
Who is your Mr. Carbunkle?
Don’t have a Clue? I know someone who does. Just ask Him.
*Name changed for privacy
***
Debora Coty is an occupational therapist, a piano teacher, and a freelance writer. She's also involved in the children's ministry at her church and is an avid tennis player. Debora began writing to fill the void when her last child left for college, and it has since become a passion. Debora has a real knack for getting across sound biblical concepts with a refreshing lightheartedness as attested in her monthly newspaper column entitled "Grace Notes: God's Grace for Everyday Living." Look for Fear, Faith and a Fist Full of Chocolate in February of 2013. Follow her website @ http://deboracoty.com
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.
Welcome to the12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
***
Who is Mr. Carbunkle?
By: Debora M. Coty
In a dream this November, I was playing Clue (remember that board game from your childhood?) with three friendly strangers. We were each moving our pieces from room to room in the mysterious mansion trying to figure out who-done-it.
So far we knew it wasn’t Miss Scarlet in the parlor with a candlestick . . . or Colonel Mustard in the drawing room with a wrench.
With a voice bursting with sudden enlightenment, the player to my right announced, “Why, it’s Mr. Carbunkle!*”
My other two opponents and I looked at one another in bewilderment. Everyone knew there was no such character in this game.
It seemed my lot to state the obvious. “Who is Mr. Carbunkle?”
The words continued to ring in my head as I sat straight up in bed. I must have spoken the question aloud to jerk me awake so.
Who is Mr. Carbunkle?
And then I knew. I knew just as surely as if the Almighty had sent me an e-mail titled, “Hey, Deb, here’s your answer.”
I had been praying for several weeks about how Papa God would like me to use my writing tithe this year. It’s been my custom, for the nine years I’ve written professionally, to give away each December (anonymously, if possible) ten percent of that year’s income from my writing ministry to someone the Lord designates.
The sum isn’t really all that much in the grand scheme of things (contrary to popular belief, Christian writers don’t get rich), but it’s enough to bless somebody in their celebration of Christ’s birth with the knowledge that their Heavenly Father knows about their needs . . . and cares.
I thought about the only Mr. Carbunkle I knew—the one who attends our church, a quiet, unassuming man who’d been out of work for more than a year. I confess that I knew about his plight but hadn’t really given it much thought—or prayer—lately. Although he never complained, I knew his family must be struggling.
So Mr. Carbunkle it is.
You know, there are lots of Mr. Carbunkles out there who would be blessed mightily by a love-gift from you this Christmas. It doesn’t have to be money; it could be help with yard work, or home repairs, or a loaf of banana bread, or best of all, a gift of your time. Thirty minutes of your undivided attention for a lonely soul who needs to know Papa God knows his or her needs … and cares.
Who is your Mr. Carbunkle?
Don’t have a Clue? I know someone who does. Just ask Him.
*Name changed for privacy
***
Debora Coty is an occupational therapist, a piano teacher, and a freelance writer. She's also involved in the children's ministry at her church and is an avid tennis player. Debora began writing to fill the void when her last child left for college, and it has since become a passion. Debora has a real knack for getting across sound biblical concepts with a refreshing lightheartedness as attested in her monthly newspaper column entitled "Grace Notes: God's Grace for Everyday Living." Look for Fear, Faith and a Fist Full of Chocolate in February of 2013. Follow her website @ http://deboracoty.com
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Pearls of Christmas ~ Day 2 Christy Fitzwater
Pearls of Christmas - Day 2: Christy Fitzwater
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series ~ Revisited
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
An Inexpensive New Christmas Tradition
By: Christy Fitzwater
I was invited to play some Christmas carols on the piano for a senior-adult luncheon, but before I got up to play they had a time for the seniors to share what they remembered as their favorite Christmas gifts.
There was talk of new bicycles, a pony, and a new dress.
Then one elderly man took the microphone and said, “An orange.” When he was young, an orange was a rare treat. As he spoke, he got choked up and had to stop talking to collect himself. He explained that his Sunday School was giving an orange for anyone who memorized a Bible verse. He tearfully described earning that delicious orange and slowly savoring every bite. When he was done eating the orange, he put the peel on the furnace so it would dry, and then he chewed on the peel.
He said with conviction, “We just don’t know how rich we are in this country.”
Christmas is usually the time when I feel broke. I tuck away money for gifts all year long, but money doesn’t go very far these days. My husband and I love to spoil our kids and try to scheme how to get them a big-ticket item. We’ve enjoyed the Christmas mornings when we’ve been able to enjoy watching our kids open such gifts as an electric guitar or an iPad.
I stopped to imagine how our whole family would feel if, on Christmas morning, the only gift under the tree was a small basket cradling an orange for each of us. I think we would feel disappointment and great loss. What would we do the rest of the morning if not consumed by opening gift after gift? Where would the focus be?
Our years of wealth make thankfulness for an orange seem ludicrous.
As I processed this man’s story, I decided what we lack at Christmas isn’t money to buy nice gifts—it’s gratitude to relish the simple treasures we enjoy every day.
This Christmas I am going to begin a new tradition for my family, and I would invite your family to do the same. I am going to place a small basket with four oranges under the tree, along with a printed copy of the man’s story of the orange. We’re going to pause at some point in the morning and each hold an orange while we read the story. And then we’re going to hold those oranges up to our noses and breathe in the fragrance God built into it, peel it slowly, and enjoy each juicy bite. And while we eat it, we’ll each speak thankfulness to the Lord for the grace He has poured into our lives.
In that moment, we’ll know how rich we are.
Christy Fitzwater is a writer and pastor’s wife living in Kalispell, Montana. She is the mother of a daughter in college and a high-school boy. Read her personal blog at christyfitzwater.com
Linked up @:
Grab your coffee
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series ~ Revisited
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
***
An Inexpensive New Christmas Tradition
By: Christy Fitzwater
There was talk of new bicycles, a pony, and a new dress.
Then one elderly man took the microphone and said, “An orange.” When he was young, an orange was a rare treat. As he spoke, he got choked up and had to stop talking to collect himself. He explained that his Sunday School was giving an orange for anyone who memorized a Bible verse. He tearfully described earning that delicious orange and slowly savoring every bite. When he was done eating the orange, he put the peel on the furnace so it would dry, and then he chewed on the peel.
He said with conviction, “We just don’t know how rich we are in this country.”
Christmas is usually the time when I feel broke. I tuck away money for gifts all year long, but money doesn’t go very far these days. My husband and I love to spoil our kids and try to scheme how to get them a big-ticket item. We’ve enjoyed the Christmas mornings when we’ve been able to enjoy watching our kids open such gifts as an electric guitar or an iPad.
I stopped to imagine how our whole family would feel if, on Christmas morning, the only gift under the tree was a small basket cradling an orange for each of us. I think we would feel disappointment and great loss. What would we do the rest of the morning if not consumed by opening gift after gift? Where would the focus be?
Our years of wealth make thankfulness for an orange seem ludicrous.
As I processed this man’s story, I decided what we lack at Christmas isn’t money to buy nice gifts—it’s gratitude to relish the simple treasures we enjoy every day.
This Christmas I am going to begin a new tradition for my family, and I would invite your family to do the same. I am going to place a small basket with four oranges under the tree, along with a printed copy of the man’s story of the orange. We’re going to pause at some point in the morning and each hold an orange while we read the story. And then we’re going to hold those oranges up to our noses and breathe in the fragrance God built into it, peel it slowly, and enjoy each juicy bite. And while we eat it, we’ll each speak thankfulness to the Lord for the grace He has poured into our lives.
In that moment, we’ll know how rich we are.
Christy Fitzwater is a writer and pastor’s wife living in Kalispell, Montana. She is the mother of a daughter in college and a high-school boy. Read her personal blog at christyfitzwater.com
Linked up @:
Grab your coffee
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.
Saturday, December 14, 2019
The 12 pearls of Christmas ~ revisited
This month I want to revisit the 12 pearls of Christmas. A series I participated in on the other GivingNSharing blog (that I can't access to post on) way back in 2012. The links don't seem to work anymore so I'm going to just be sharing the devotional each day.
The 12 pearls of Christmas Revisited
Day 1 ~ Susan May Warren
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
Every year over labor day weekend, the Warren family has a MWE. Mandatory Warren Event. It’s a call to come home and enjoy the long weekend with our favorite people. Since my children have left for college, I relish every second of this weekend—the laughter in the kitchen, the long conversations in the family room, the frenzy of backyard football, the quietness of the morning as we drink coffee on the deck and watch the sunrise. I cherish these people, and when they are with me, I drink in their presence.
I’ve been reading the prophecies about Christ this season and came across Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
I am struck by the word Immanuel. God with us. The closest I get to comprehending this is reading about how Jesus’ loved his disciples. Surely they relished the time with him more profoundly after his resurrection, knowing he would soon leave.
Thankfully, he didn’t leave them for long and sent His Holy Spirit. God . . . still with them.
As I consider the magnitude of this God who would come to earth, who would abide with the disciples, and then with me, I have to wonder not only do I relish God’s presence in my life, but does God relish time with me? Am I committed to embracing His entrance into my life? Am I even making the effort to see Him?
Imagine that during our MWE weekend, I ignored my children, and they, me? I would lose the joy of their presence.
It is not surprising to me that the Jewish people did not recognize their Savior. After all, who would guess that the Almighty might package himself as a baby and appear among them, fragile and dependent? But today, we know the story, we know the miracles, we know the truth, and God invites us into an abundant relationship, one that He wishes to relish, one that will change us. A relationship that will slake our thirsts and satisfy our hungers. One that reminds us that we are never alone.
Because every day we are a mandatory event to our Immanuel.
This season, look for the ways that God is your Immanuel, with you, every day.
Susan May Warren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 40 novels. With over 750,000 books in print, her stories of family, romance and adventure have earned her acclaim and reader fans from around the world. Visit her website for upcoming books and sneak peeks!
Linked up @:
Sundays Best LinkUp @ Mother2Motherblog
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting.
The 12 pearls of Christmas Revisited
Day 1 ~ Susan May Warren
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.
***
God with Us . . . And Us with Him
By: Susan May Warren
Every year over labor day weekend, the Warren family has a MWE. Mandatory Warren Event. It’s a call to come home and enjoy the long weekend with our favorite people. Since my children have left for college, I relish every second of this weekend—the laughter in the kitchen, the long conversations in the family room, the frenzy of backyard football, the quietness of the morning as we drink coffee on the deck and watch the sunrise. I cherish these people, and when they are with me, I drink in their presence.
I’ve been reading the prophecies about Christ this season and came across Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
I am struck by the word Immanuel. God with us. The closest I get to comprehending this is reading about how Jesus’ loved his disciples. Surely they relished the time with him more profoundly after his resurrection, knowing he would soon leave.
Thankfully, he didn’t leave them for long and sent His Holy Spirit. God . . . still with them.
As I consider the magnitude of this God who would come to earth, who would abide with the disciples, and then with me, I have to wonder not only do I relish God’s presence in my life, but does God relish time with me? Am I committed to embracing His entrance into my life? Am I even making the effort to see Him?
Imagine that during our MWE weekend, I ignored my children, and they, me? I would lose the joy of their presence.
It is not surprising to me that the Jewish people did not recognize their Savior. After all, who would guess that the Almighty might package himself as a baby and appear among them, fragile and dependent? But today, we know the story, we know the miracles, we know the truth, and God invites us into an abundant relationship, one that He wishes to relish, one that will change us. A relationship that will slake our thirsts and satisfy our hungers. One that reminds us that we are never alone.
Because every day we are a mandatory event to our Immanuel.
This season, look for the ways that God is your Immanuel, with you, every day.
Susan May Warren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 40 novels. With over 750,000 books in print, her stories of family, romance and adventure have earned her acclaim and reader fans from around the world. Visit her website for upcoming books and sneak peeks!
Linked up @:
Sundays Best LinkUp @ Mother2Motherblog
Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting.
Monday, December 2, 2019
What does it mean when you "shop small"?
Say NO to mass-produced!
1) Handmade usually means BETTER quality items individually made by hand from a skilled small shop maker.
2) Small shop owners have the ability to make each & every customer feel special when they do business with them. Imagine walking into a big box store and asking employee #1639 to drop what they're doing and find XYZ, read the title of the product and then hand you 10 boxes individually while you decide what you need. While they are doing that they are listening to your needs and WHY you need 10 of them. At the same time their ear piece is blaring in their ear telling them that there was a spill in aisle 24 and that as man and woman with a baby in the cart just walked out with a big screen tv under their coat....
3) When you shop small:
- 70% of the purchase price generally goes right back into the local economy of that shop's location.
- You help create jobs for single parents, stay at home moms, elderly people trying to stretch their income a bit more. Small businesses create 2 out of every 3 new jobs in the US and employ over 1/2 of the people in the workforce.
- You're allowing a small shop owner to buy groceries, pay utility bills, pay for medical needs, give dance lessons, pay for team uniforms, and more. It helps with family budgets and pays for the little extras!
- You aren't supporting billionaires and lining the pockets of a corporate CEO driving that sports car and living in a gated community.
Begin by visiting The Handmade Pledge and commit to purchase handmade items for you, your loved ones and to ask others to do te same when buying this holiday shopping season.
2nd, Rock the Sock and start filling up your shopping list when you click the following image:
Disclaimer: I was not asked to post for GSHandmade and no compensation was received. I do have a shop on GSHandmade and that is the only way I may receive any compensation.
Sunday, December 1, 2019
And life continues... Shoes for Crews review
Hi everyone - well, life continues. I'm finding I'm really enjoying my new job now that the stress and frustration of not knowing what I'm doing and worry about finances is finally easing up. My feet are still causing me many, many problems tho. I will be sharing some mini reviews of the shoes I order and try. Hopefully others will benefit from my experience.
Yesterday my 3rd pair of tennis shoes (in 3 months) were delivered. I bought a pair of Dr Scholls shoes when I began the new job. I've used that brand for years and other than occasional issues with achy feet did very well with them. I did have to use plantar fasciitis insoles with them when I had issues with that. Between the insoles and my chiropractor I hadn't had issues for quite a while with that kind of pain. So, I bought a new pair for work.
Then the serious pain began. At first I just figured I was out of shape and needed to work up some endurance since this job is 100% walking. I was expecting back and hip pain. I've had absolutely none of that. It's all in my feet, ankles and legs. The chiropractor says it's in my calves though.
So I ordered pair 2 from Shoes for Crews online. They were recommended by my good friend Marybeth. Her husband has used them for years and loves them. They had great reviews for plantar fasciitis and foot/leg pain. I signed up for their newsletter and received a 20% discount to use on my first pair. Paid $71 I think for a pair of the Revolution II. Unfortunately I barely managed to wear them for 1 1/2 days before I had to set them aside. My pain intensified & I barely made it home. I even had to write my boss and tell her I may need to take the next day off to get my pain to go down.
The Revolution II is a cute pair of shoes - with a hard sole that isn't flexible at all. I knew as soon as I removed it from the box it wasn't going to work but I gave them a try anyway. This pair of shoes has a noticeable arch support, the tongue rides up against the front of the ankle (which was very uncomfortable and triggered my nerve pain in that area). They are very roomy in the toe area and didn't seem to be very heavy to walk in and I think could be comfortable for many people that aren't dealing with nerve pain in the feet and ankles.
So, as the company has a 30 day return/exchange policy on shoes I'm going to try to order another pair that hopefully will work for me. I'm looking
at the Jasmine I think. I've been emailing customer service back and forth for the last several days and Sabrina from customer service was able to find a pair of the Jasmine shoes in the office and she told me that the sole is flexible and that the toe area will bend. So, I guess I'll give those a try. They are a bit more casual and will look nice with slacks, jeans and shorts. Fingers crossed they work. I'll post another mini review when I receive the new pair and let you know my thoughts.
Customer service with Shoes from Crews has been great. I get prompt response to my emails and they have been willing to figure out if a shoe has a flexible sole if they can. Evidently they don't work in the same place the shoes are shipped out of. I have a feeling I'm going to be losing money in this endeavor since the Jasmine are about $10 cheaper and I'm sure I'll have to pay to ship them back in forth while I try to find a pair I can actually wear. I strongly suggest you read the return policy - there is a $6.95 restocking fee and you have to cover the original shipping fee (which I had to pay at time of ordering) so I guess I pay shipping each time I return the shoes to exchange or get a refund. I'll let you know when I update you... I don't do a lot of shopping online obviously.
If you're looking for new shoes that are supportive and styish visit Shoes from Crews. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to get the discount. I think their prices are comparable to what you'd pay at Kohl's or JcPennys.
Stay tuned for an update and more reviews until I find the shoes I can wear with little to no pain.
Linked up at:
Grammy's Grid Unlimited monthly party
Disclaimer: This mini review is my honest opinion and shares my experience with this company. I was not asked to post a review, received nothing in exchanged for my review and I will not receive anything as compensation. I am not an affiliate of the company.
Yesterday my 3rd pair of tennis shoes (in 3 months) were delivered. I bought a pair of Dr Scholls shoes when I began the new job. I've used that brand for years and other than occasional issues with achy feet did very well with them. I did have to use plantar fasciitis insoles with them when I had issues with that. Between the insoles and my chiropractor I hadn't had issues for quite a while with that kind of pain. So, I bought a new pair for work.
Then the serious pain began. At first I just figured I was out of shape and needed to work up some endurance since this job is 100% walking. I was expecting back and hip pain. I've had absolutely none of that. It's all in my feet, ankles and legs. The chiropractor says it's in my calves though.
So I ordered pair 2 from Shoes for Crews online. They were recommended by my good friend Marybeth. Her husband has used them for years and loves them. They had great reviews for plantar fasciitis and foot/leg pain. I signed up for their newsletter and received a 20% discount to use on my first pair. Paid $71 I think for a pair of the Revolution II. Unfortunately I barely managed to wear them for 1 1/2 days before I had to set them aside. My pain intensified & I barely made it home. I even had to write my boss and tell her I may need to take the next day off to get my pain to go down.
The Revolution II is a cute pair of shoes - with a hard sole that isn't flexible at all. I knew as soon as I removed it from the box it wasn't going to work but I gave them a try anyway. This pair of shoes has a noticeable arch support, the tongue rides up against the front of the ankle (which was very uncomfortable and triggered my nerve pain in that area). They are very roomy in the toe area and didn't seem to be very heavy to walk in and I think could be comfortable for many people that aren't dealing with nerve pain in the feet and ankles.
So, as the company has a 30 day return/exchange policy on shoes I'm going to try to order another pair that hopefully will work for me. I'm looking
Customer service with Shoes from Crews has been great. I get prompt response to my emails and they have been willing to figure out if a shoe has a flexible sole if they can. Evidently they don't work in the same place the shoes are shipped out of. I have a feeling I'm going to be losing money in this endeavor since the Jasmine are about $10 cheaper and I'm sure I'll have to pay to ship them back in forth while I try to find a pair I can actually wear. I strongly suggest you read the return policy - there is a $6.95 restocking fee and you have to cover the original shipping fee (which I had to pay at time of ordering) so I guess I pay shipping each time I return the shoes to exchange or get a refund. I'll let you know when I update you... I don't do a lot of shopping online obviously.
If you're looking for new shoes that are supportive and styish visit Shoes from Crews. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to get the discount. I think their prices are comparable to what you'd pay at Kohl's or JcPennys.
Stay tuned for an update and more reviews until I find the shoes I can wear with little to no pain.
Linked up at:
Grammy's Grid Unlimited monthly party
Disclaimer: This mini review is my honest opinion and shares my experience with this company. I was not asked to post a review, received nothing in exchanged for my review and I will not receive anything as compensation. I am not an affiliate of the company.
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