I received this in an email today. Thought it was CUTE!!

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary......
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary. ..
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now................

What has been going on

Picture of my sweet Rudy. See about my most recent book
"Rudy's Path."


Hard to believe we are in the year 2009! There is something very refreshing about starting a new year. So many possibilities and hopefully blessings to come. I know for my family 2009 has some wonderful expectations. For one, my husband and I are expecting our second child on July 1st. Our daughter really needs a playmate. That will place our children approximately two years apart. Some folks say that is the perfect distance while I observe other small families with children close in age and quickly ask myself, "What was I thinking?" After my 21 month old daughter had a pubic melt down in the mall today, I turned to my mother who was shopping with me and said, "After this next one comes around, I may not ever go out again until they are both 10 years old."

But really, I love my daughter and feel such a warmth in my heart when she calls me, "mommy." Or when I see her mimicking me. All of the struggles and tantrums are quickly forgotten when she waves at me or when she puts her head on my shoulder.

2009 also brings a new book, hopefully. I need to begin working on the my 3rd book of the Greta's series of books. This book will be called, "Opie's Promise." My little girl is eye level with my art table and paints, so, it makes it quite difficult to paint without a mess or frustration. She so badly wants to eat the paint and suck on the paint brushes. It is kind of difficult trying to find the time to work on this project. I think after January I will really put myself to work and get this done.

Life is good and Life is busy. Here's to 2009!

A BUSY WEEK

I was so honored this week to have the opportunity to go and read "Greta's Purpose" to Velma Penney Elementary School in Lindale. I read to about 200 kids in a three day block. The 4th Graders were having a Writing Camp and thought it might be fun to have a local author and illustrator come and talk about who I am and what inspires me.

Greta came with me along with my daughter, Clara. As you can imagine my hands were full. But, I'm glad to do it! Poor Greta was petrified. It is not every day that she is surrounded by little hands and loud, excited voices. She just pressed herself into me and shook.

It is so funny to me how excited the kids get when they see Greta. I might as well have Mickey Mouse, himself, standing beside me. As far as they are concerned she's famous!

I believe the week was good for them. Hopefully it will inspire some of them to pursue their dreams as they get older. Afterall, that is what I did!

Right at this moment, I'm headed for a Teacher/Book Conference in Houston. I will need to be there bright and early to set up. It will be another GREAT opportunity for me to spread the word about my books. I so greatly appreciate all of the people that are instrumental in helping me.

LOVE THE FALL!!

Make a Smilebox photobook

It is OUT!!

I have been so blessed with the success of "Greta's Purpose" only to have my 2ND book, "Rudy's Path" in print!

This is the 2nd book of the Greta's Series. This is so very exciting for me and I greatly appreciate all the many people that have been so supportive.

Please go check out the Spiritbuilding Publishing website www.Spiritbuilding.com

New Book on its way!

Yesterday, I submitted my 2ND book to my publisher, Spiritbuilding Publishing. This book will be called "Rudy's Path." It follows "Greta's Purpose" as a continuation of the life of Greta and her owners, the Hollys. This story is loosely based off a true story on how our dog, Rudy came into our very own life.

He happened upon our home lost and scared. He was so skinny and malnourished that we were not sure what breed of dog he was kin. His brown coat appeared to be bleached from sleeping in the sun and his eyes bulged from his head.

We took him to the vet and learned that he was a chocolate Labrador Retriever. After a few weeks of feeding him he turned out to be the most gorgeous dog. He received his name because of the football movie, "RUDY." We had a football that he loved to play with. He adjusted very well in our home and took to Greta immediately.

I hope that people will enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing and illustrating it. I will be sure to post when the book is out and ready to purchase.

The BEST Security System!

We got some troubling news from a neighbor of ours who lives about a 1/2 mile down the road. He wanted to inform us that approximately 10 homes on our stretch of Country Road had been robbed within the last 6 months (5 of them within the past month). Immediately, you begin to think about all of the weird things that you may have seen or perhaps the truck that pulled into your drive only to back out when the dogs came out barking(then it sat up at the top of the drive for about 5 minutes).

Apparently, these men (4 of them) have been watching people's routines and robbing houses between 8am-12pm when they suspect people are at work. The one thing I have going for me is that I'm at home pretty much all day. But there are the occasional outings that I must do and that makes me nervous to leave. We do not have a garage so it is pretty evident when no one is here. I do have my 3 large dogs and they are the very best security system.

I have never witnessed my dogs ever attack anyone but I have seen them aggressively approach strangers and bark non-stop when a car pulls into the drive. They bark non-stop when we pull into our drive (IT DRIVES US CRAZY!!!--Especially, when you have a sleeping baby that you would like to see continue to sleep).

We have a wireless dog collar that allows the dogs to have free reign of about 2 acres. We usually try to keep them off the front porch because they just love to dig up my flower bed. But with this recent news, I'm okay with them destroying a little bit of my yard. There is something comforting about seeing your dogs sitting on the front porch as you drive away to run an errand. Isn't it amazing how dogs take ownership of your home and want to protect it as well as your family? Thank you God for giving us "Man's Best Friend."