Elizabeth Lynn Casey's Blog, page 123

Things I Want Them to Know

I stumbled across a story the other day that got me thinking about lessons I want to teach my kids. Some of them I hope they’re already learning, others I hope they’ll learn in the years ahead,all are things that have served me well and/or I’ve learned through experience.

1) Asking for a hand to hold is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of courage.

2) You will come across people in life who are far more about appearance than substance. Never doubt that it’sthe inside that really matters.It’s...

Everything a Book Should Be…

Over Labor Day weekend, I found myself in Target, browsing the book section while the girls tried on some clothes. While I made my way down the aisle that interested me most, I came across the book, ONE MOUTAIN AWAY by Emilie Richards.

I’m not sure what made me pick this particular book up over the rest. Perhaps it was the cover, maybe the title. I’m not sure, exactly. But the blurb on the back is what made me put it in my cart.

Fast forward to last Wednesday afternoon when I had an hour to sta...

And Now They’re Everywhere…

Some cool news!

Last month, I told you that my first three books–the Jenkins & Burns Mysteries–had been given new covers, new titles,new prices, and a new lease on life via the e-book format. During August, the books were exclusive to the NOOK (and they enjoyed their time there very, very much ).

Well now, they’re available forNook,Kindle, iBookstore, and all other e-formats.

So there you go. In order, the books are as follows; DEADLY READINGS, DEADLY GETAWAY, DEADLY EXPRESSIONS.

Happy Readi...

Bits & Pieces–Back to School

In honor of school being back in session for just about all kids, I figured I’d theme this week’s Bits& Pieces accordingly.

1)What was your favorite lunchbox when you were a kid?

2)All-time favorite school supply?

3) Favorite subject in elementary school?

4) Share a school memory that you can still picture when you close your eyes…

~Elizabeth

Pass the Glue, Please

Pretty much since I started this writing gig, I’ve started each new project the same way. For a week or so before I begin, I find the idea percolating in my head–the who, they what, they why, they how, etc. I have a rough idea on how/where I want to open the book, I know who did it and why, and a pretty good idea on how I want to wrap it all up. The stuff in between gets me where I want to go, but there’s also an open-ness that I get to fill in as I go (this last part being one of the fun par...

A First…Again

You’d think that after twelve first-day-of-school moments forDear Daughter # 1 and eight first-day-of-school moments for Dear Daughter # 2, I’d be used to watching them head out the door (or the car) at the start of yet another year.

But I’m not.

Somehow, each year, I still find get hit with the same case of nerves as I did the year before. Will it be a good year? Will they hit any rough patches?Will they be happy? Will they make newfriends?

I guess it’s normal. They are, after all, my kids.

This...

My Own Chicken Soup Story

In 1993, someone bought my mother the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book. I read that book, cover to cover, devouring the positive messages about life, love, and dealing with emotions. I was raising a pre-teen son and had a husband who had installed a lot of emotional abuse buttons in my head that he wasn’t afraid of using. The book kept me sane during those rough times. And as I read these stories, I knew I had stories to tell as well.

Someday.

Fast forward fourteen years. I’d divorced the f...

A Labor for A Love

I hope you’re all enjoying your long holiday weekend–the official end to “summer.”

Since I showed you some of the earlier “before” pictures of the bedroom project Dear Daughter #1 and I started a few days ago, I figured I should show you the “after” shots. Weofficially finished last night–well, everything but the bedskirt (on order, should arrive later this week/early next week) and the curtain (I’m clueless in this department).

So here goes…

DD # 1′s room is very small. She has my old queen si...

Intriguing Pieces

Hmmm, some interesting Bits & Pieces today. Ready?

1)If you could have any animal/creature, What would be your ultimate pet be?

2)What did you want to be when you were little and do you think you ever will be?

3)Whats the next planned event you’re looking to in your life?

4)What were you doing before you started answering these questions?

5)If you were an ice cream/haagen daz/ben an jerrys flavour what would you be?

~Elizabeth

A Before…and a Sorta After

Since I find Before and After pictures to be such fun, I’m going to share the “Before” picture of Dear Daughter # 1′s room before we started priming the walls yesterday morning.

But first, alittle background: 1) This room is small. Very small. 2)The previous owner had a delicate flower wallpaper on the walls that DD # 1 determined to be too “granny.” Sooo, I gave her permission to take it down and then handed her a scraper and some paper remover gel and told her to have fun. 3) Underneath the...