Kathi Lipp's Blog, page 150

Who Knew? Watering Works

As I mentioned before, it has been a crazy couple of weeks.

Three MAJOR writing deadlines, Roger's all-day birthday celebration, Kimber's graduation and graduation party (which meant MAJOR housecleaning before her dad's side of the family came over…) and then a death in the family (he was 97 and had a great life, so while sad, it's also a celebration of a great life) which required a quick trip to Atlanta for a week.

Like I said, a busy week.

So in years past, if this week had happened, all my p...

What Makes You Pre-Laugh?

Roger and I have had a very busy week. After Kimber graduated from High School, we boarded a plane for Atlanta to stay with Roger's mom.

Dean – Roger's step-dad, was almost 98 years old and had a life of ministry and travel and love that most of us can only imagine. So while we are sad, we are rejoicing as well.

Roger and I have been with each other 24/7 and that has lead to some mischief.

Not only have we been eating entirely too much, (Chick-fil-a! Cracker Barrell! Dunkin' Donuts!) we have...

Because Sometime? I'm Just All Shallow – You Know? SYTYCD

[image error]If you have not watched the first episode of So You Think You Can Dance this season go over and check the promo for it here.

Yes. Right now.

I'll wait.

Amazing. Right?

I have to say I was an Idol drop off this year. (Not that I missed Paula, but it just wasn't must-see TV for us.) We are cutting back on a lot of things – TIVO, cable, etc. But SYTYCD is going to be appointment TV for us.

You see, I've had quite an aversion to dance in my life. Oh I took the requisite Modern Dance class in Junior...

A Sneek Peek at the Next Book Cover

Isn't it adorable?

It won't be out until January 1st, 2011. Which makes me sad becuase I want to put it on my book shelf. (Something I love about my books? You can totally spot them from across a crowded CVS.)

I really, really love it.

I mean, I really do.

And how much do I LOVE her glasses that are just like mine?

Swoon.

OK – glory moment over.  Back to writing the next book.

Clearly, God Still has a Lot of Work to do on Me.

Everyday, Jake the puggle (our pug/beagle mix) needs to be walked. (We live in a townhouse, and Jake is afraid of the back yard, so all official business must be accomplished on walks.) And between Roger and I, Jake gets walked, over two miles, every single day.

I walk him most mornings, and I have to tell you, generally, I really enjoy it. He is a happy dog, and except for the frequent "SQUIRREL" moments, he is pretty well behaved. I strap on my iPod, listen to a downloaded book, take a...

Raised Bed Gardening

[image error]When I was sharing about my gardening adventures this year, mynew friend Merideth, told me about some raised beds she wanted to put into her yard. Since she is a military wife, the idea of a mobile garden is appealing to her:

"I live in Fort Lewis (WA) too. We have strawberries that we grow and rosemary. The person who lived in our house before planted them. We are reaping her harvest. However, I was asked about what I want for Mother's Day. We saw a square foot garden at the local spring...

What We're Giving Up

Here is what we are giving up.  It may not seem to be a big deal (in fact, many of our friends have never had these…) but it will defiantly take some getting used to:

TIVO  (and you have to remember, I married an engineer who had THREE Tivos…)
All non-essential internet services
Radically decreasing our food costs (both eating out and grocery bills)
Vacations
Non-business books
Some of our cell phone services

If you're wondering why we are giving this stuff up, check out yesterday's post.

So I...

The Simple Life? What are we prepared to live without?

 Ecclesiastes 7:30 JB "God made man simple; man's complex problems are of his own devising."

Let's be clear. No one has ever confused me with Paris or Nicole.

But I do have one thing in common with the bleached blond duo – I'm trying to live a Simpler Life.

Roger and I have been toying with and dancing around the edges of what we want to live without. And then, two big realities hit at once.

1. We had more month left at the end of our checks each month.We have been feeling a shallowness in our...

How to Make Sure Your Mother's Day Doesn't … Stink

I have a friend (we'll call her Jesse,) who, over the years, has had, let's say, a less than spectacular Mother's Day each year.

It's not that she doesn't have a great husband – she does. But, her husband never really understood what a great Mother's Day would be for Jesse. So he would do things she had asked for him to do months before - like repairing the screen door. Let's just say that wasn't what Jesse had in mind.

So years ago I suggested that she spell out EXACTLY what she would like...

"Kathi – I have a quick question for you…" The First Steps if you want to be a writer

"Kathi – I have a quick question for you…"

Yep – I get that a lot.

So many people have a story to tell. Whether it's their own, or one they made up in their head. And of course, the smart thing to do is get some advice from someone who has walked that path before.

So here is an excerpt from a letter I sent to someone – maybe like you – who asked the question – "How do I get started?"

Dear Friend -

You may know some of this stuff already, but in case you don't, this is where I would tell any...