Do you remember this post?? I had some goals to read before I turned 30. Here they are:
1. Lose 15-20 pounds. I'd like to start my 30's off on a good note. I dont think I could handle a double whammy.
2. Edit current MS and write another book
3. Find a part time job
4. Take the kids to Disney and pay CASH (why I listed #3!)
5. Crack down on our budget so we can save for retirement. If we actually have retirement money, I might look forward to it a little more!
6. Start an IRA for myself and contribute the maximum amount
7. do something totally wild and crazy (by my standards)
8. Create an author website.
9. Find friends who GET me. No fluff. I want the down and dirty, what you see is what you get kinda friends.
10. Make a long-term plan for my life that I can be excited about.
So, one year later, here is the update.
1. SOMEWHAT DONE: I lost the 15-20 Overall, I lost about 30 pounds. Unfortunately, I'm only 10 pounds less than when I wrote last years post. :o/ But, I guess 10 pounds is 10 pounds, right?
2. DONE: Edited current MS and wrote another book entitled Lucky for Her.
3. DONE: Found a part time job. I'm now a freelance editor and work from home. Money isn't half bad.
4. SOMEWHAT DONE: Took the kids to Disney. Unfortunately, we didn't pay cash. Grrr.
5. BUSTED: Did not crack down on budget.
6. BUSTED: Did not start an IRA, nor did I contribute the maximum amount.
7. BUSTED: Did not do something wild and crazy. Oh well. I might not have lived to see 30 if I had.
8. DONE: I now have an author website: www.stephanietaylorauthor.com
9. DONE: Found a friend who gets me. She's wonderful!
10. DONE: Made a long term plan for my life and career and I'm definitely excited. I'm hoping to have more details soon!
So I completed 7 out of my 10 goals. On top of that, one of my personal goals was to get one book published before I was 30. I'm happy to report that as of yesterday, I signed my THIRD contract for one of my books. Still won't be able to find me on the shelf in Barnes and Noble, but that's another goal for another year. ;o) Overall, I can say I'm happy entering my 30s. I'll need to think about my goals for the following year and do another post soon. In the meantime, pray I make it to Sunday, which is my actual birthday.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
It's been forever...
...I know. I've had so much going on, it's unreal. Since I last posted, Punky turned four, Chicken turned three and Cupcake turned two. Such a crazy amount of love I have for my children! Every day is such a blessing with them.
I'm also happy to announce I've finally been published. My first book, Doubting Thomas, is available under my pen name, Stephanie Taylor now from Eternal Press. You can order it here. It will be available in print on Amazon in a week or so. My second book, Tinsel Town, is due to be released from Lyrical Press on November 11th, 2010. It's a christmas story about an actor and actress who hate each other forced to spend the holidays together. It's one of my favorite books I've ever written!
I'll also be holding a book signing at the Madison Street Festival in Madison, Alabama on October 2nd. If you live nearby, please come by and see me!
I also work for Vintage Reflections Publishing now as an editor. It's a wonderful company and I've made so many friends through the authors I've edited. I feel like I work in an alternate reality most of the time under Stephanie Taylor. I have a fan page on facebook and a twitter account under STaylorAuthor.
Not many people can say they've accomplished all of their dreams before they turned thirty, but I have. It's an amazing accomplishment and while I feel the need to be proud of myself sometimes, it's been a humbling experience. The day my book released, August 7, 2010, Hubby and I came home from celebrating and I looked up to the night sky to say a prayer of thanks. Low and behold, a shooting star streaked across the sky. Nothing like that little reminder to whisper in my ear that I'm still not the one in control. Having three beautiful children and two books coming out wasn't just MY doing. God gave me my children, and he gave me my talents. To Him, I'll be eternally grateful!
I'm also happy to announce I've finally been published. My first book, Doubting Thomas, is available under my pen name, Stephanie Taylor now from Eternal Press. You can order it here. It will be available in print on Amazon in a week or so. My second book, Tinsel Town, is due to be released from Lyrical Press on November 11th, 2010. It's a christmas story about an actor and actress who hate each other forced to spend the holidays together. It's one of my favorite books I've ever written!
I'll also be holding a book signing at the Madison Street Festival in Madison, Alabama on October 2nd. If you live nearby, please come by and see me!
I also work for Vintage Reflections Publishing now as an editor. It's a wonderful company and I've made so many friends through the authors I've edited. I feel like I work in an alternate reality most of the time under Stephanie Taylor. I have a fan page on facebook and a twitter account under STaylorAuthor.
Not many people can say they've accomplished all of their dreams before they turned thirty, but I have. It's an amazing accomplishment and while I feel the need to be proud of myself sometimes, it's been a humbling experience. The day my book released, August 7, 2010, Hubby and I came home from celebrating and I looked up to the night sky to say a prayer of thanks. Low and behold, a shooting star streaked across the sky. Nothing like that little reminder to whisper in my ear that I'm still not the one in control. Having three beautiful children and two books coming out wasn't just MY doing. God gave me my children, and he gave me my talents. To Him, I'll be eternally grateful!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Want to win an HP TouchSmart?
You can visit http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-giveaway.html and win your very own HP TouchSmart! Who wouldn't like this for a Christmas gift? Head on over for your chance to win!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
My famous Chocolate Chip Molasses Cookies
Ok, so after you read this, I'm going to have to kill you but a friend of mine posted a virtual cookie swap on her blog at http://www.jennifershirk.blogspot.com/. I thought I'd participate and share my famous Chocolate Chip Molasses Cookie recipe. This recipe trumps my mother in laws (or so my hubby says) in the yummy department. I can't believe I finally got one right! This is 8 years of experimentation finally gone right.
Chocolate Chip Molasses Cookies
2 cups white sugar
1 tbsp real molasses
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 stick butter, melted
1 bag milk chocolate chips
Combine all of these ingredients then add 1.5-2 cups of flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Spoon onto cookie sheet and bake for around 8 minutes, until the edges and peaks are golden brown. Remove and enjoy with a big, fat glass o'milk!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Chocolate Chip Molasses Cookies
2 cups white sugar
1 tbsp real molasses
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 stick butter, melted
1 bag milk chocolate chips
Combine all of these ingredients then add 1.5-2 cups of flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Spoon onto cookie sheet and bake for around 8 minutes, until the edges and peaks are golden brown. Remove and enjoy with a big, fat glass o'milk!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Happy birthday to me
Tomorrow, I will be 29. The last year of my twenties. The last year to do something stupid and get away with it, cause let's face it...once thirty hits, we're adults and have to face reality.
Only I? Have lived that way most of my life.
I haven't blogged much recently because not only have things been insanely crazy for our family, I just haven't felt like it. My mood for the last six months is most accurately described as BLAH. Thankfully, after some tests and doctors visits, we're on the road to making things better. I tell ya, I sure could use a break from BLAH.
I can't help but feel sad my twenties are almost over. Tomorrow I'll be 29. Some really great things happened. I moved. I got married. I quit working. I had three children. I will celebrate 9 years of marriage before I turn 30. I'm hoping I can add something else great to this list before this time next year.
Now I'm kinda left with the bereft feeling of....now what? I told my husband recently, "We're married, we're done having kids. Now we just get old and die." A friend of mine said, "But next you get to have grandchildren and then retire!" Retirement happened for me a week before Punky was born. Grandchildren are my children's "having a baby" milestone. Likely to happen, but not guaranteed. Surely out of three, I can snag at least one though.
I just get this panicky feeling in my chest where I feel like things are slipping away. I'm crazy, I know. I'm not even thirty. But I didn't finish college, so there's nothing to fall back on when my kids are old enough to spread their wings. My biggest fear is I'm going to be one of those parents who completely lose it when their kids leave home. My mother in law is a great example of what I DO want to be. I believe cultivating healthy friendships through early parenthood and making time for yourself helps avoid that. But none of us really know until we get there.
I keep thinking maybe this whole writing thing will pan out for me. But I'm no closer than I was a year ago, when I decided this was going to be the year. I did finish two novels this year though and I'm very proud of them. I'm finally getting the hang of the whole writing thing. I hope eventually something will happen in those regards for me.
So I'd like to look back on this next year and say I've accomplished a few things. Here are my goals for 29:
1. Lose 15-20 pounds. I'd like to start my 30's off on a good note. I dont think I could handle a double whammy.
2. Edit current MS and write another book
3. Find a part time job
4. Take the kids to Disney and pay CASH (why I listed #3!)
5. Crack down on our budget so we can save for retirement. If we actually have retirement money, I might look forward to it a little more!
6. Start an IRA for myself and contribute the maximum amount
7. do something totally wild and crazy (by my standards)
8. Create an author website.
9. Find friends who GET me. No fluff. I want the down and dirty, what you see is what you get kinda friends.
10. Make a long-term plan for my life that I can be excited about.
There. Now I'm going to need some encouragement to keep these goals. I'll take whatever you want to give.
Only I? Have lived that way most of my life.
I haven't blogged much recently because not only have things been insanely crazy for our family, I just haven't felt like it. My mood for the last six months is most accurately described as BLAH. Thankfully, after some tests and doctors visits, we're on the road to making things better. I tell ya, I sure could use a break from BLAH.
I can't help but feel sad my twenties are almost over. Tomorrow I'll be 29. Some really great things happened. I moved. I got married. I quit working. I had three children. I will celebrate 9 years of marriage before I turn 30. I'm hoping I can add something else great to this list before this time next year.
Now I'm kinda left with the bereft feeling of....now what? I told my husband recently, "We're married, we're done having kids. Now we just get old and die." A friend of mine said, "But next you get to have grandchildren and then retire!" Retirement happened for me a week before Punky was born. Grandchildren are my children's "having a baby" milestone. Likely to happen, but not guaranteed. Surely out of three, I can snag at least one though.
I just get this panicky feeling in my chest where I feel like things are slipping away. I'm crazy, I know. I'm not even thirty. But I didn't finish college, so there's nothing to fall back on when my kids are old enough to spread their wings. My biggest fear is I'm going to be one of those parents who completely lose it when their kids leave home. My mother in law is a great example of what I DO want to be. I believe cultivating healthy friendships through early parenthood and making time for yourself helps avoid that. But none of us really know until we get there.
I keep thinking maybe this whole writing thing will pan out for me. But I'm no closer than I was a year ago, when I decided this was going to be the year. I did finish two novels this year though and I'm very proud of them. I'm finally getting the hang of the whole writing thing. I hope eventually something will happen in those regards for me.
So I'd like to look back on this next year and say I've accomplished a few things. Here are my goals for 29:
1. Lose 15-20 pounds. I'd like to start my 30's off on a good note. I dont think I could handle a double whammy.
2. Edit current MS and write another book
3. Find a part time job
4. Take the kids to Disney and pay CASH (why I listed #3!)
5. Crack down on our budget so we can save for retirement. If we actually have retirement money, I might look forward to it a little more!
6. Start an IRA for myself and contribute the maximum amount
7. do something totally wild and crazy (by my standards)
8. Create an author website.
9. Find friends who GET me. No fluff. I want the down and dirty, what you see is what you get kinda friends.
10. Make a long-term plan for my life that I can be excited about.
There. Now I'm going to need some encouragement to keep these goals. I'll take whatever you want to give.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Happy birthday, Cupcake. You're ONE!
Cupcake,
I've thought long and hard about this letter, mainly because it's the last "first" letter I'll probably ever right. I want it to be perfect and special in all the ways you are.
I can't begin to tell you what a blessing you've been in my life. From the second they put you on my tummy straight from the womb and I thought, "Oh my, what a tiny mouth she has!" to now, exactly one year later, I've been filled with love and happiness. I'm sure by the time you're reading this, you know you weren't exactly planned, but I couldn't imagine our family being complete without you.
You slept through the night on your three month birthday and have ever since. You've learned to smile and say dada, mama, baba, bite bite, hi, bye bye, whoa, baby, no no, uh oh, and probably a few more I haven't picked up on yet. You went to your first Bible class when you were six months old. You learned to sit up around then, too. By 9 months, you crawled and by 10 you were pulling up and cruising. You still haven't walked, but I know it's coming very soon!
Your smile has brought me endless joy. You've been such an easy baby and it's hard to capture with words the joy you seem to find in life. Your little adult chuckle always makes me laugh. And I love how you call for me over the monitor when you're awake. Your little crooked two-tooth smile never fails to brighten my day.
The best part of all has been going to your room and picking you up, all warm and soft from sleep and hearing you say "Ooooh" as you give me a kiss and then lay your head on my shoulder, patting me with your little chubby hand. One day, when your too big for me to pick up, I want those memories to be with me. These baby days are so short and there was once a day not long ago I wished them away. If only they would sleep through the night...If only they were potty trained...if only...
If only I could keep you little just a little longer.
God gave me my "angel baby" so that I would always look back on these days with joy. I know the day will come you will walk, talk in sentences, eat with a spoon, potty train, dress yourself, and develop your own opinion. I will savor those days, too, just as I have with your brother and sister. There's something bittersweet about saying goodbye to your last baby, but I'm also saying hello to my last toddler, which is still just as special.
Someday, I pray, I will watch you become a Christian. I will watch you make wise choices and make not only me, but yourself and God proud. I will watch you grow with the joy only a mother can have towards her child.
Cupcake, happy birthday. I love you so much.
Tomorrow, as we celebrate, I hope you know you will always be my...
I've thought long and hard about this letter, mainly because it's the last "first" letter I'll probably ever right. I want it to be perfect and special in all the ways you are.
I can't begin to tell you what a blessing you've been in my life. From the second they put you on my tummy straight from the womb and I thought, "Oh my, what a tiny mouth she has!" to now, exactly one year later, I've been filled with love and happiness. I'm sure by the time you're reading this, you know you weren't exactly planned, but I couldn't imagine our family being complete without you.
You slept through the night on your three month birthday and have ever since. You've learned to smile and say dada, mama, baba, bite bite, hi, bye bye, whoa, baby, no no, uh oh, and probably a few more I haven't picked up on yet. You went to your first Bible class when you were six months old. You learned to sit up around then, too. By 9 months, you crawled and by 10 you were pulling up and cruising. You still haven't walked, but I know it's coming very soon!
Your smile has brought me endless joy. You've been such an easy baby and it's hard to capture with words the joy you seem to find in life. Your little adult chuckle always makes me laugh. And I love how you call for me over the monitor when you're awake. Your little crooked two-tooth smile never fails to brighten my day.
The best part of all has been going to your room and picking you up, all warm and soft from sleep and hearing you say "Ooooh" as you give me a kiss and then lay your head on my shoulder, patting me with your little chubby hand. One day, when your too big for me to pick up, I want those memories to be with me. These baby days are so short and there was once a day not long ago I wished them away. If only they would sleep through the night...If only they were potty trained...if only...
If only I could keep you little just a little longer.
God gave me my "angel baby" so that I would always look back on these days with joy. I know the day will come you will walk, talk in sentences, eat with a spoon, potty train, dress yourself, and develop your own opinion. I will savor those days, too, just as I have with your brother and sister. There's something bittersweet about saying goodbye to your last baby, but I'm also saying hello to my last toddler, which is still just as special.
Someday, I pray, I will watch you become a Christian. I will watch you make wise choices and make not only me, but yourself and God proud. I will watch you grow with the joy only a mother can have towards her child.
Cupcake, happy birthday. I love you so much.
Tomorrow, as we celebrate, I hope you know you will always be my...
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