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Kage_sCupotea
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Name: Julia
Country: United States
State: Texas
Metro: Houston
Birthday: 8/20/1978
Gender: Female
Interests: Writing nonfiction, fiction, poetry, stories, letters, lyrics. Spending time with my husband, and my family and friends. Writing, reading, singing, cooking, reading, learning, films, musical theatre, plays, Broadway, Les Miserables, Wicked...
Expertise: I'm wife to Michael, my best friend and dear husband. I've got a B.A. in English, and I'm a freelance writer/proofreader/editor. I'm quite the grammatical awareness advocate, as well! I'm using this blog for my personal updates for family and friends, as well as for occasional creative writing and ranting and raving about life situations. I also love to write about marriage and anecdotes about the marriage relationship.
Occupation: Writer-Editor-Proofreader
Industry: Publishing
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
Member Since:
3/11/2003
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I've got another spot
where I do most of my blogging, because most of my blogging tends to be
about my writing career. Not sure how many of you are interested in
that stuff. I often forget
to copy the posts over here. I'll try to remember better--I don't mean
to disclude anyone. My dear ones Cortney and Ceci know about it,
though--no leaving my bestest friends out of the loop. :o)
There's a lot to catch up on: Michael's granddad passed away at the
beginning of the month. We spent two weekends driving back and forth
between Houston and Oklahoma, 7 hours each way. One weekend we said our
goodbyes while he was living, and the next we went for the funeral. It
was a lot of driving, and a difficult time. If you'd like to catch up
on the entire story, you can do so at my other blog:
http://juliawrites.blogspot.com
This is my post for today:
Wow--sure has been a while! Let's see if we can't speed things up-to-date.
First, I want to thank everyone for their love, prayers, and
condolences, especially Cortney, Ceci, Joanne, Megan, Mridu, and AGK.
*hugs*
We attended Michael's granddad's funeral, which, though sad, was quite
a lovely time with family. I adore the family I married into. Wonderful
people, so incredibly loving, and so much like the family I was born
into, as well.
When we returned we spent a somewhat quiet weekend trying to recuperate
from the two weeks that were spent driving back and forth between Texas
and Oklahoma, 7 hours each way. No sooner was that weekend over when we
started to hear warnings of a certain Hurricane Rita. As the week drew
closer to a close, we decided it would be best to evacuate, as it was
highly recommended. We drove to Dallas throughout a period of 12 hours
(should have been 4.5, but the traffic was horrendous! It took us
literally 4 HOURS(!!!) to drive 20 miles during the first part of our
trip!), and stayed with Michael's sister and her husband for a few
days. We returned during the latter part of the weekend, and I am
*still* unpacking and trying to catch up on relaxing and work. Thank
God--our area experienced very little damage. Still, we're grieving
with those who have lost so much, which brings me to what I want to
share next.
I have happydancenews!
Stories of Strength: An Anthology Benefiting The Red Cross
My personal essay about strength, entitled "A Walk in the Clouds," has
been selected to appear in the upcoming (October/November, 2005)
anthology, Stories of Strength. The idea for S.O.S. came from Jenna
Glatzer, proclaimed author and Editor-in-Chief of AbsoluteWrite.com.
She approached the AbsoluteWrite community, and it became a community effort.Some well-known names of those who have contributed stories include: science-fiction guru Orson Scott Card, famed actor/author Wil Wheaton, Christian romance novelist Robin Lee Hatcher, and, of course, our beloved Jenna Glatzer,
along with many, many others. (Hee hee, Cortney--I think I hear you all
the way over here--YES, THE Wil Wheaton! Love you, my Cort-ster.)
All
proceeds from the sale of this anthology will go directly to the Red
Cross for the hurricane relief effort. We authors and editors are
donating our work for this worthy cause; none of us will receive a
penny. Please be sure to buy a copy when it is released! You will not
only receive a book fill of wonderful stories of strength, but you will
be giving to those in need. This is a gift that truly keeps on giving.
For more information, please visit: http://www.storiesofstrength.com. I'll be adding links to places where you can buy it when it is officially released!
Also, I am starting a website for writers, entitled Writers Remember,
to help bring inspiration to those who often feel discouraged, burnt-out, and
rundown in their writing goals and careers. It's not completely set up
yet, but it will be, soon. Enjoy!
The only other news I can think of at the moment is that my website
has been revamped. I decided to make it my everything-site, so it will
include both things about myself as a writer, as well as Temlyn Writing (& Editing) Services.
Edited to add:
Almost forgot--I'm moving my BlogSpot blog to WordPress, but will update when I do. It may not be for a few days.
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I posted this a few days ago on another blog, and I forgot to post
it here:
Sorry I've been so quiet lately; I'm working on several
different projects. In the meantime I've been fighting a cold, added
allergies, and adjusting to reactions to some new medication which
caused quite bout of insomnia for two weeks, which brought my writing
progress to a halt.
Right now I'm working on my All Info About Marriage
site, trying to get it ready to go live as soon as possible, but it's
been on the back-burner because of everything I've been dealing with.
This is now my high priority.
In addition to that, I'm creating a
personal website to compliment my writing services site, as I want TemlynWriting.com
to lean more towards the business I'm running, and my personal writings
should be maintained on a personal site.
I'm also working on a site to
serve as a network for the marriage groups that my husband and I run,
to bring them together more, and define the purpose a little better.
I'm
considering adopting Angela Giles Klocke's
method of keeping track of her queries and such the way she does on her
blog. It's a good way of keeping track, as well as keeping accountable
because others are viewing them.
I'm working on some queries, and trying
to find some good paying markets and writing jobs. When it rains, it
pours, and my hubby and I are seeing it once again. We've finally
gotten our pipe/plumbing problem fixed and paid off, as well as our
windows, and now we're facing more medical bills, currently and in the
near future. I feel as though I'm under a bit of pressure to get some
well-paid writing done. Just when we thought we had a bit of a break
from the money issues...well, if anyone has any suggestions I'm all
ears!
And today's post:
We're going out of town for a few days to visit with our friends. Should be back sometime Monday. Since I can't read much
while riding in the car, I'll be working on my WIPs (works-in-progress)
with the help of my hubby's trusty Palm Pilot. (Writing while in the
car looks more like scribbling.)
I came up with an idea for a
children's/young adult book last evening; I'm very excited about the
concept, so we'll see if this story writes itself. It has some
potential. I also recently remembered a story I wrote back in high
school, intended to be a short children's book. I'm considering
rewriting it a bit, and see what happens. These fictional pieces are in
addition to my non-fiction book I've been working on lately, adding
bits and pieces here and there.
I'm just so glad to finally feel
inspired; I hope this weekend turns up some creative ideas to keep the
ball rolling. :o)
Happy 4th of July, a wee bit early! And Happy Canada
Day to my Canadian friends!
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Wow, what a weekend we had (last weekend). Have you ever wished you
could capture a moment and live in that moment? Maybe keep it in a
snowglobe? Right now, I just want to bask in the moments Mike and I
shared this past weekend, to breathe it in, and take it all in. Even
now, with a new weekend approaching, I am beyond thankful for the one
past.
We still need and are thankful for all the prayers we can get, as
times are still tough, but wow...
I am simply amazed at the effect that watching "The Phantom of the
Opera" (the film) had on us Friday night. Somehow it caused emotions to
overflow, overwhelm, and we realized so many things. We cried, the both
of us, sobbing tears, holding each other close, not wanting to let go,
unsure of how to deal with the changes taking place within and around
us, yet knowing that everything will be all right, somehow.
What is it about watching a love story that causes us to
take a deeper look into our own relationships? I'm reminded of a past
entry posted in another blog entry, concerning this very subject. I
wrote this in February:
I've been meaning to post this little
whimsical piece for a few days...My husband was checking me out the
other day! We were at Cici's Pizza on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 1st, and
when I got up to get more food, he was checking me out! Ha! I think he
got the idea from watching "Cheaper by the Dozen." We rented that last
Friday night, and there's a scene in which Steve Martin's character,
married for 20-something years, and having produced 12 children, gets
"caught" checking out his wife's "tush." It was incredible to see that
kind of devotion portrayed after so many years of marriage, AND so many
children. And don't say "It's just a movie," because I know for
a fact it happens in real life. My father-in-law always gets a "tush
shot" of my mother-in-law on their Christmas morning videos. Ha! My
husband has excellent qualities like that, he's inherited from his
awesome parents.
So, Sunday night, after we got back from Cici's, he
told me that he was checking me out. I just grinned from ear-to-ear.
After 2 years of marriage and numerous things we've been through that
could have made our marriage less-than-savory, we're still going
strong!
I love it when something we've watched strikes a chord with my
husband and me. I remember watching "Love, Actually" and my husband
reaching for me as the end credits rolled. We danced to the various
songs that played, good songs - a good soundtrack. We danced for so
long, it seemed. We don't dance very often. Even at our wedding, our
first "dance" was done mainly for photographs. Yet here, in this movie
moment, my husband took the initiative and pulled me close to dance in
his arms.
After we watched "A Walk to Remember," a favorite of mine, he
pulled me close and kissed me as if the end of the world was just
moments away, as though I was going to disappear. He kissed me with
such passion, such thankfulness and gratefulness that we have the
blessed opportunity to be together and love each other in such a
phenomenal way. If you've seen the movie, you know why. I won't spoil
it for you.
Just that same Sunday night (Feb. 1st), we flipped between
"Extreme Home Makeover" and the Hallmark movie, "The Magic of Ordinary Days,"
featuring Keri Russell ("Felicity"), Mare Winningham, and Skeet Ulrich.
When "Extreme Home Makeover" was over, we fully watched the last hour
of "The Magic of Ordinary Days."
It was a sweet film, as most Hallmark movies are. Nothing really deep,
but just some fuzzy heart-warming stories. My husband was lying across
the couch, his head resting in my lap, while we both watched the final
moments of the movie. Something must have clicked in his sweet mind as
he watched the couple embrace as the woman gave birth to their
firstborn. He reached up and pulled my head down and whispered softly
in my ear "I love you." Then he kissed me, full of love and emotion,
awkwardness and devotion.
It's as if, in those moments, his love is his
to express, without following my "I love you." He can let himself be
moved to show his deep love, his thankfulness that we're able to
experience such an incredible romance. We believe that perhaps
one-in-a-million couples ever truly feel this way. Our love is a
precious gift, and after everything we've experienced together, we know
we're one-in-a-million. Most couples couldn't handle everything we've
been through; many would have given up by now. We know that those
circumstances have only made us and our love stronger, more grateful
for every single moment we're together. One-in-a-million, for sure.
All
I can say now is that in the past few months we have been through the
fire, and last Wednesday (a week ago) it was determined that there was
a major need for change. On Wednesday our hearts were breaking; on
Friday we were learning the power of a healing love. I think that
somehow films and stories can influence us to re-evaluate our own
thoughts and ways. So it was with "The Phantom of the Opera." Who says
that we can't have a little of that passionate romance rekindled? Who
says that marriage can't have fairytale qualities?
On our wedding day
one of the very first things I remember thinking was "How do those who
are widowed deal with such a loss?" I remember thinking what a true
responsibility marriage is -- definitely not an act to be taken
lightly. While we declared our love for one another, repeating those
vows, who would have thought that within only a few weeks' and months'
time we'd already be learning about love "in sickness and in
health." I was in and out of the hospital with several various
unexpected health issues, and the "oooh shiny" effect of the newness of
our marriage was overwhelmed with health concerns and dealing with the
good, the bad, and the ugly.
Mike and I are incredibly in love, and we have been ever since
we met. That has never changed. However, with the awkward difficulties
that are thrown in the paths of those who are married, the awe of
newlywed love can get lost somewhere in the midst of it all. It is SO
incredibly important to keep a bit of that awe alive, always! Don't
forget that first kiss you shared. Read some love letters you wrote to
each other. Glance through photographs taken when you first met. Don't
let go of the love that you knew when you first fell in love. This is
the thought behind the newlyweds groups that we run. We don't ask that
members literally be newlyweds, but that they seek to always cherish
and remember that newlywed love, no matter what curve balls life throws
your way. Yes, your marriage will grow beyond that initial romance, you
will mature in other ways, but don't let yourself think that love
within marriage is a fable. Please don't let yourselves ever believe
that! Julie Anne Fidler's blog entry about "love is..." is SO right on the mark! This entry
is excellent, as well. Love has a great deal to do with going through
unpleasant experiences, because these times result in growth. Love is
not all about kissing and physical intimacy, but it is about a deeper
intimacy, where two people are endlessly connected, facing each test
and trial together. It's not always easy -- in fact, it rarely is. Love
is something you have to choose, as well as choose to work at, and to
help it to grow. And believe me, it's worth it!
My sweetheart and I are growing -- in the midst of painful trials, our love grows stronger.
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Well, I'm finally gearing up to announce that I'm creating the Marriage site at All Info About, in addition to the Musicals site, which is already live and going strong!
It's been in the works, and I've just been waiting for the new version
of the template in order to start creating the pages. The site is not
yet live, and I have no "real" pages up yet. I'm working on some
articles and features, and will be implementing them as I go.
That said, I'm looking for all sorts of input from YOU about what
features you'd like to see on the new All Info About Marriage site!
What miscellaneous features would be included in the ideal
marriage-related website?
I'm already planning a newsletter and message board. As for articles, what would you like to see?
Please e-mail me with your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions!
Thanks!
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Just a quick post. I've been sick all week. Sore throat, sneezing,
aches and pains, all sorts of just not-feeling-good, combined with PMS.
There are some things going on right now that need lots of prayer. I
(we) need lots of prayer. Things are pretty tough right now, especially
emotionally and mentally. I wish I could think of how to word things.
Suffice to say that Michael and I are in need of prayers and positive
thoughts.
Cortney and Ceci
-- thank you both SO much for being such amazing close friends and
sisters to me. I love you more than you'll ever know. Sometimes I feel
so misunderstood. Most people can't even begin fathom to "get" or
understand me. As much as I'd sometimes like to have a friend nearby
who understands me, no one could compare to the friendships I have in
you, and I wouldn't trade them. I can be myself, without fear of
judgement. I don't have to change my personality to fit the situation
and be "the girly girl." I can just be me. Thank you for letting me be
me.
Have a great weekend, everyone. Oh, and Cortney and Rachael, I'll do that book meme soon, probably next week! I'll double it, since you both tagged me. I feel so spe-shul! ;o)
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