Candy Marie Bridges's Blog, page 4

IT’S ALMOST TIME

 

Candy’s glasses and book

 

 

There are two anniversaries coming up in just a couple of weeks.

The first is the one year mark of my book release. 

The second is the anniversary of my yearly eye exam. 

 

     I don’t know what’s happened to my eye sight in the past few years, but to quote myself,
“This getting older thing sucks.” (notice I didn’t say, old.)

     I currently have four sets of prescription glasses that I keep around the office, retreat house and our house. In addition, I try and keep a set in my car and purse. My single vision prescription glasses are for reading and seeing up close. I don’t need them for distance or driving. So how do I conquer the constant battle of shifting from seeing up close to seeing something or someone farther away? Well it definitely helps that my big nose nicely supports the transition from lowering my glasses off my eyes to the bridge of my nose. This can be annoying though and I know I look, well… silly. I often take my glasses off just after lowering them onto the bridge of my nose and set them down because I think I will remember where I just laid them. Unfortunately this becomes a seek and find game later.
     The only motivation I have to go to the eye doctor each year is my excitement in getting another pair of glasses. Each year, a little voice in my head tells me there is a solution to all the madness. A solution that makes me shudder.

It’s Bifocals.
     My Eye Doctor told me a couple years ago I am a candidate for Bifocals eliminating the chore of having to take my glasses on and off. I would obviously only need one pair if I chose this solution.
     Excuse me, but I can’t do that yet. I can’t go there. I can’t accept it. That being said, I am sure to buy another pair this year and fight through the challenge of seeing close up. I figure with the list of places I have come up with where I need to conveniently have a pair of glasses accessible, I just need two more years of buying two more pairs and I should be set. This includes:

By the TV

By the Bed

In my kitchen

In the retreat house kitchen

In my purse

In the car

By the computer

 I guess if this is all I have to worry about, life isn’t too bad. Now, where did I put my keys and the melatonin?

 

BOOK NEWS !

 

There are twenty-four chapters in my book.

Next Friday July 27th, I am going to start reading one chapter a week from my book, Meet Me In The Mountains here on my blog. It will be uploaded and accessed here.


Not too long after my book was published, people asked me if they could purchase it in an audio version. I thought about the option, but put it on the back burner. Until now.

So for those who might like to listen while working or at home, I will record and post a FREE non professional audio version of my book here on my blog. This will last 24 weeks.

I enjoy listening to audio books myself, simply because I can multi-task.  As I get older though, way in the future, (insert smile here)  I know sitting down with a good book in a comfortable chair will be satisfying.  I hope you will show up here to listen and answer one or more of the questions at the end of each chapter.  Feel free to post your thoughts, answers, comments and feedback each week and perhaps we can start a book discussion. In addition, you can purchase the kindle or nook version or a paperback copy at amazon.com, barnes and noble and this blog site.

Don’t forget the Free Coffee offer. I will send you four FREE packages of each blend of HIS COFFEE (each package brews a 10 – 12 cup pot of coffee) through the last day of August, 2012 to anyone who purchases the paperback version of my book online at this link.

http://www.amenchristiancalligraphy.com/A-Memoir-By-Candy-M-Bridges-Meet-Me-In-The-Mountains-Paperback-MMITM-PAPERBACK.htm  
You must enter the word: coffee  in the coupon box at check out on the web site.

 RAISE THE DEAD ==== VANILLA FROM HEAVEN ==== HOLY GROUNDS ==== BE STILL

Coffee… Ritual or Addiction?

 

I’m pretty sure for me, it’s both.


Why?

 

     Well because I make it my ritual to pre-load the coffee maker with coffee grounds and with water every evening before I go to bed so it’s ready and waiting when I wake up in the morning.  If by chance we are going out for the evening and won’t be back until later in the evening,

which by the way, getting back home late for me is anywhere between 8:30pm and 10:30 pm, I find the time to set the coffee maker before we leave the house so I won’t forget.

     Not too long ago, I learned that addicts are the best at time management. They think ahead about what they need to do to space out their time and schedule so their addictions can be fed without interruption.

 

Can I break this addiction?

 

     I believe I can. In fact, I  have done it before by choice. One example is when I got pregnant many years ago and another example was to prove to someone that I could quit. I did pay a price though with a killer caffeine headache that lasted over a day. That being said, I enjoy my cup of steaming hot coffee with foo foo creamer each morning. This comforting morning ritual accompanies my second morning ritual which is reading a morning meditation from Scripture.

     How many of you make it a ritual to read while enjoying your morning cup of coffee or tea?  Come on. I know I am not alone.  Speak up you caffeineaholics.

     It’s funny when I ask our guests the first evening they arrive here on retreat if they drink coffee in the morning, their hands shoot up like a rocket affirming the yes answer. I assure them the coffee pots will be full and waiting for them when they wake up. I understand their need and addiction.

     For awhile now, I have been wanting to bump up the quality of coffee we serve our guests here at Breath of Life Retreat House. I have been searching for unique, upscale and organic roasted blends and have finally found them. I found “HIS COFFEE COMPANY.”  They are a Christian owned company with a great mission. Their coffees are organic and fair trade. I can’t help but love the clever names of the four blends.

 

Holy Grounds, Be Still, Raise the Dead and Vanilla from Heaven.

 

     After sampling each flavor, I knew this was a company I wanted to support. But first, I needed to make sure our guests enjoyed the coffees as much as I do. After serving the delicious brew to our quilters, scrap bookers, church staff, church groups, friends and family, the feedback has been nothing but positive.

The mission of HIS COFFEE COMPANY is to promote, Jesus, Coffee and Me by encouraging time each day to read scripture or other inspirational reads during the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee. Speaking of reads, might I suggest my book, Meet Me In The Mountains as an inspirational read while drinking a cup of HIS COFFEE?  I have decided to have a special promotion through the end of August with my book and HIS COFFEE.

What’s the promotion?

     I will send you four FREE packages of each blend of HIS COFFEE (each package brews a 10 – 12 cup pot of coffee) through the end of August, 2012 to anyone who purchases the paperback version of my book online at this link.

http://www.amenchristiancalligraphy.com/A-Memoir-By-Candy-M-Bridges-Meet-Me-In-The-Mountains-Paperback-MMITM-PAPERBACK.htm  

You must enter the word: coffee  in the coupon box at check out on the web site. The value of this offer is $11.00. That’s like getting my book for just $7.95

     In addition, I am now a sales affiliate with the company. If you are in need of a fundraising program for your business, company, school or church, please let me know at my email address, calligraph@aol.com

 

So to wrap it up for this week, I guess I will have to admit as I stand up and boldly proclaim…

My name is Candy and I am addicted to Jesus and to HIS COFFEE.

Book News!

 

I received a nice review from a woman in the UK this past week. She was inspired to get back into helping others through ministry after reading my book. Below is part of her feedback.

I thank you for taking the courage to write your story down. Like I said before: you’re an example for us! You took a look, like David, to what God had given ‘in your hand’ to beat Goliath. And you started working with the little you had, God multiplied your efforts by His Grace and Blessings in every area. This particular part of your life has encouraged me to sit down and LOOK at what I have in my hand.When I read your book and thought about what God had entrusted ME I discovered that it was exactly that which I love to do. To encourage, to call together, to write, to organize, to laugh and help others find their way in life again! So, thank you:) Hope we stay in contact and, please, pray for our little family too!:)With a warm sisterly hug:)Elly
I have a copy of the interview from the radio station in New Mexico from last week. I enjoyed the interview in addition to listening and speaking with the station owner who joined me on air with his own story.  You can listen to the interview here:

 

 

 

 

 

Thankfully I didn’t see this movie before we went to Alaska

 

 

Glacier Bay

Last evening, Jim and I sat in our recliners and watched an action and adventure movie.  The movie was called, The Grey, starring Liam Neeson. It’s about the survival of a group of oil riggers who experience a horrific plane crash during brutal weather in Alaska. They are rugged men with rugged and irritating foul mouths, which I didn’t care to hear, but it fit their personalities.  The movie wasn’t an award winner, but it did make you think about your choice to survive when the worst of nature and predatory wolves surround you.
Since I am not keen on flying in an airplane, I was glad I didn’t see this movie before our trip to Alaska a couple of weeks ago. I was pushed to my limits already with trying to stay calm during the total of four flights. Obviously I survived. Thanks partially to Dramamine.
The two of us along with my son and his new beautiful bride enjoyed seven days aboard a floating hotel called the Island Princess. This was my second trip to Alaska and it was just as amazing as the last trip about seven years ago. Being pampered and fed in abundance was embraced and appreciated. The unusual warm temps in all the ports made it extra comfortable. One of my favorite things we did on the ship was watching a vegetable and fruit carving demonstration. Oh how I would love to create the cute edible creations. Maybe one day I will try it.


For the most part I am a homebody. I enjoy where I live and work and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. That being said, it is good to get away on vacation for a time to separate yourself from the consistencies of day to day work and life. Vacationing in a place where nature is the focus creates gratefulness and appreciation for me.  We are so small compared to the vast and what seems, limitless ocean and the height and majesty of the mountains.  Admiring nature as we did through walking, cruising and a day long train ride brought about peace in my spirit. I can’t help but be thankful to the creator who made it all for me and for you.
Click on the picture below to see more from our Alaska trip.

 

The photo below is a view from our seat on the train in Skagway.

 

 

And yes I admired the view of the land 33,000 feet below while looking outside the airplane window, but I prefer to admire the beauty closer to the ground. I wouldn’t have seen this beauty if I didn’t get over myself with my fear of flying. I chose to do that on faith and it was worth it. So I am back home and rested. Ready to move forward with life and it’s commitments.





Book News!

 

Congratulations to both winners of the Goodreads Giveaway. Minzhi and Chris from Georgia and Missouri. They will receive a signed copy of my book soon.


Had a great radio interview this week from a station in New Mexico. Thank you Sharon Vander Meer for the interview. I enjoyed answering your questions about my book. I also had the pleasure of the station owner joining in on the conversation during the interview. He also wrote a memoir and we discussed some of the same reactions we receive from readers of our book.  Both of us get feedback about the truth of our story. Some readers feel we have gone too far with sharing personal stories. But most readers praise us for our bold desire and ability to bring pain, darkness, faith and hope into the light. They feel as if we are sitting right beside them sharing our lives as friends. They listen and evaluate their own lives and decisions they have made.

I want to go to TIME OUT!

 

 

Sometimes when my granddaughters get disciplined, they have to go sit in the corner or in a place away from everyone to think about the wrong they did. Usually they scream and yell and protest the scolding.
Today as you are reading this, I am in my own TIME OUT.  Unlike the kids though, I want to be in Time Out! I am in a place where I can think and reflect on my life, choices, mistakes, decisions, etc., in addition to  enjoying the scenic beauty around me. I will ponder and absorb my life over the past year and several years for that matter and use the time to relax and let go. For anyone who knows me, this can be very difficult for me to do.  But I am separated from my usual environment and that helps immensely. With a wedding, book signings, hosting retreats and hosting a garden show in the past month, I am tired and need some rest and relaxation. I am getting it and you can trust enjoying it.  There will be a lot of time spent in Time Out with my husband as he joins me. We will focus on our time together without interruptions, phones, and the drama of daily life.  I will be open and more sensitive to the God Moments that I wait for each day of my life. When my time is up and I leave TIME OUT, I will share with you where I am and my thoughts about it.
I hope you are able to go to TIME OUT also and reflect, rest and rejuvenate. Perhaps this summer you can make a date with TIME OUT.

 

BOOK NEWS!

 

 

I had two local book signings recently.  I found it very interesting to speak with people about topics that relate to their faith walk in addition to my own which I share in my book.
My book is now available on my web site in a PDF version. This means you can purchase it for download to your computer or I Pad.  The advantage of downloading a PDF is the bigger screen size you have on your computer, laptop or I pad for reading.The link is below and also the links to the Kindle, and Nook versions of the book. My book in these versions sell for $12.07each.
http://www.amenchristiancalligraphy.com/Candys-Memoir-Meet-Me-In-The-Mountains_c11.htm
You will find on the right hand side of this blog, a Christian coffee company that I support. I am also an affiliate for them. I was contacted because they want to put my book as a selection for reading. Their mission is to promote reading scripture or books of inspiration while drinking a cup of coffee or tea. Their products are used for fundraisers, etc. Please support them through the graphic link on the right. We now serve their delicious custom roasted blends here at Breath of Life Retreat House.  I love the names of the four coffee blends. Their strongest grind is name Raise The Dead. A more mellow grind named Holy Grounds. The flavored blend is Vanilla From Heaven and their decaf blend is Be Still.

 

Duking It Out With A Pine Tree

 

I love the smell of Pine Trees. There’s something about the scent that reaffirms my appreciation of the forest and the one who created it.  We enjoy being surrounded by what seems like an infinite number of Pines.

-------------     It didn't used to be that way though.     -------------

 

In chapter fourteen of my book, Meet Me In The Mountains, I share a personal story about a particular pesky Hawaiian Pine tree that I vehemently hated. Yes, I know “hated” is a strong word, but the word fits. The story takes place in the city of Chandler, Arizona where I lived from 1981 to 2006. The pine tree was originally planted by the developer of the community in a common grassy area just behind our white wrought iron backyard fence. I say pesky, because of what the tree would shed certain times of the year. During the spring and summer months, thousands of pine needles would blow off the tree and fall freely into our backyard. A chaotic mess of dried thin curses.

Most weekends, I would be found cleaning, pruning, planting, upgrading and beautifying our back and front yards. I counted and compared the time I spent working in the yards as the same as going to an indoor gym. After all, I was bending, pulling, lifting, stretching and walking.

In doing yard work, I am fulfilled by the care-taking of plants and continuous desire to create an enjoyable and relaxing outdoor oasis for family and friends.

Unfortunately, this particular Hawaiian Pine tree stole countless hours from me because of the time it took to vacuum the needles up.  I often made deals with God begging Him to kill the menacing tree by way of a lightening bolt. I reminded God how perfect the timing was because of the frequent monsoon storms during that time of year. I also reminded him that I had the faith of half a mustard seed and truly believed in his power to annihilate the conifer . Unfortunately my prayer and plea over the years was never answered. In fact, after all those years, the pine tree still stands. I do not live there anymore and don’t envy the new owners of the house for what they have to suffer with.

So where am I going with this?

Believe it or not, I now live among thousands and thousands of pine trees. And humorously, my husband and I live in a small town named, “PINE.”  I am not as particular about retrieving each and every pine needle that falls here at Breath of Life Retreat House, but you will still find me vacuuming them up with my yard vac as best I can, especially during their twice a year falling.

Without looking for any acknowledgement or praise, it just so happened that recently, we were asked to be one of six properties on tour for our landscaping, water features and garden area. So this Saturday, Breath of Life Retreat House will be open to an outdoor tour. What will you see?  An abundance of Ponderosa Pines in all directions along with multiple seating areas and swings throughout the back and front yards, various flowers and a variety of plants. Rock planters, statuary and beautiful views.

In addition we have a very talented artist named Bertica Garcia Dubus who will be selling her oil paintings, prints and note cards. Here is a link to see some of her work.

http://www.bertica-art.com

Critics have described her style as realistic in nature, and her paintings as figurative works that tell a story with warmth and feeling.

We invite you to come up to beautiful Pine  (yes God does have a sense of humor with me) and tour the property. There are five other properties on tour also and if you live in the Phoenix or surrounding areas, you might want to drive up and make a day of it.  I will be selling and signing books in addition to some inspirational and scriptural calligraphy. You will also find wind chimes, bird houses and other gift items to purchase.

Tickets for the Garden Tour can be purchased for $5 at Ace Hardware, the Payson and Pine public libraries, the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce, Payson Jewelers, Plant Fair Nursery, Sweet Nostalgia and participating homes on tour. One ticket gets you access to tour each of the six properties. The description and location of the homes are below on the green paper.

 

 

 

 

I’m a Crybaby!

 

 

 

 

Especially at weddings.

 

A week ago, my son, Preston got married to a wonderful woman. There in front of God, family and friends, I witnessed my baby boy committing himself to his beautiful bride for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, to death do they part. The emotions that love evoke are so powerful. Watching him… watch her walk down the aisle to the front of the church arm in arm with her father was priceless.  It was a beautiful day minus the 114 degree heat. This being my third and last child married, it was still difficult emotionally not having Preston’s father, my late husband there to celebrate the big day, I am sure as sure as I am breathing, he knew of the celebration.  Even so, with that thought in mind, we were able to celebrate in love and joy with family and friends.

As I read my speech, my husband Jim stood by my side in support and love for me. I am blessed.

Weeks before the wedding during my daughter in law’s bridal shower, those that attended were asked to give advice to the soon to be married couple. I wrote the same thing in that book as I wrote for my own daughters bridal showers.
Make it a point to compliment each other on something
every single day.
Keep your faith and commitment to God
and grow in love for Him and each other.

Marriage is work. No doubt. It is also a wonderful and beautiful institution from our creator. It is the engine that fuels life. And life was intended to be created out of love. Why? Because love is perfect. One of my favorite prayers about husband and wife is written below. It can also be found and purchased on my web site. Here are the words:

 

 

 Keep us, O Lord from pettiness. Let us be thoughtful in word and deed. Help us to put away pretense and face each other in deep trust without fear or self pity. Help us to guard against fault-finding and be quick to discover the best in each other and in every situation. Guard us from ill temper and hasty judgment; encourage us to take time for all things, grow calm, serene and gentle. Help us to be generous with kind words and compliments. Teach us never to ignore, never to hurt, never to take each other for granted. Engrave charity and compassion on our hearts.
 
Book News!

Today I have my book signing at Oasis Christian Store in Payson from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Hope to meet you there.

Next week, I will be here at Breath of Life Retreat House signing books. This event is in conjunction with the Rim Area Garden Tour.

There will also be a wonderful artist, Bertica  who will display and sell her beautiful framed art, note card and prints on our covered patio.

More information below.

 

Wind, Fire and ?

 

 

     The past few weeks, Arizona has been experiencing several wildfires that have ravaged mountains and homes. The winds have been relentless and the forecast is not looking good as the winds are predicted to be at 50 miles per hour this Memorial holiday weekend.
     This time of the year is always a concern for me and other residents here in Pine and the surrounding areas. Here it is already Memorial Day Weekend and we mountain dwellers hope and pray that we can get through the long weekend without seeing smoke. Whether started by a car that overheats on the side of road next to brush or an irresponsible camper, our noses and eyes are high alert. We so treasure the unremarkable beauty that surrounds us here in the beautiful Pines. We know it could all be gone so quickly if a fire were to sweep through our area.

 

      Being the analogous person that I am, I can’t help but relate the strong winds and fires to my favorite feast day. Pentecost. The main sign of Pentecost in the West is the color red. It symbolizes joy and the fire of the Holy Spirit. Priests or ministers & choirs wear red vestments, and in today’s celebrations, the custom has extended to the lay people of the congregation wearing red clothing. I love to wear red. Red banners are often hung from walls or ceilings to symbolize the blowing of the “mighty wind” and the free movement of the Spirit. Depictions and symbols of the Holy Spirit, such as the dove or flames, along with proclaiming the gifts and Fruits of the Spirit.
     Here’s what seems to happen when people allow this divine Spirit to energize them.
Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control. We call that the “fruit of the Spirit.” It’s a description of the qualities of Jesus.
How wonderful if the raging fire of the Holy Spirit within us would cause each breath we take and exhale to live and speak of the fruit and gifts we are encouraged to ask for.

Happy Memorial Day and a Blessed Pentecost!

 

 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful

and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.

And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful

by the light of the Holy Spirit,

grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise,

and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Book News!

 

Enter today to win a copy of Meet Me In The Mountains
My book will be available to purchase for download sometime this week and available here on the blog.
Getting some radio interviews set up in addition to some blog interviews.
If you have read my book, please leave a review or comments on your favorite social networking site and/or this blog.

 

 

 

Breast Cancer, Friendship, & Laughter

 

     It’s been months now since I learned of my best friends battle with breast cancer. My heart ached when I heard the news and I truly experienced sympathy pains. We have been best friends since third grade and our lives although separated by miles has not kept us from that internal bond of friendship that no amount of miles will separate. I write about Laleen in my book and share my love of her and her family.
     When life throws us curves and unexpected challenges, that’s when saying falls true that the rubber meets the road. We must decide how we will react, mentally accept our cross or not, and decide in what ways we will move forward. I believe that faith and hope are like a medicine.  When they are embraced within our spirit, our attitude and the desire to press on is apparent and a witness to others.  Laleen is that example. She is taking her cross and holding it with faith and hope that no matter what happens to her, she boldly proclaims that Jesus is with her and she gives it all to him. We pray for a complete healing and for a full and long life for her. At this time, she is doing well and the prognosis is very good.
     It was a true joy to recently spend three days with Laleen on my annual girly trip. This year we went to Carlsbad, California.  There has been over twenty years of memories with the girls. That being my mom, my godmother along with another wonderful friend. Once a year we all share a few days together and celebrate our friendship with laughter, prayer, venting and even some nonsense. Having Laleen join us this year was truly a blessing for us all. In the midst of our busy lives, we found some time to escape and for a little while, even be child like. This happened when Laleen gave me one of her wigs to try. When I did, the laughter was contagious. The wig looks great on her, but on me, it was hilarious. The others tried the wig on also and the laughter continued. Laughter is also a medicine and I can say that our prescription was filled to the max.

 

Laleen and Candy

1977

2012

 

 

 

Book News!

 

Two book signings coming up in June. One to be at Oasis Christian store in Payson, Az. from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

The other at Breath Of Life Retreat House in Pine, Az. This will be in union with the Rim Area Garden Tour. All day from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
My book will soon be available for download on my blog.
Goodreads giveaway going on. Sign up to win a copy.

Who’s your Mamma?

 

I don’t know why I always laugh when I hear someone say, “Who’s your Mamma?”

I take it as a question to be answered immediately and without hesitation. It’s a funny quip to prod your child into admitting that you did or said something worthy of praise. At least that’s the way I interpret it.

I have a wonderful mother and I would like to thank her publicly on this blog for being my Mom.  My Mother and I have both faced hurdles in our lives that have made us stronger and more faith filled. We have endured challenges both together and in spirit when we could not be together. I love my Mother and the older I get, I appreciate her even more. She appreciates my humor and I love when she laughs at something I say.  She is beautiful both outside and inside.

Most women long to be a mother at one time or another in their lives. It can be a challenging vocation, but unbelievably rewarding. There are moments that only God and our shoes know about when it comes to rearing our children. Those priceless times when no one is around to laugh at their innocent comments and reactions.

The latest statistics say a stay at home Mom is now worth $113,000.00.

I have a memory from my son Preston that I will never forget. It is priceless to me and the value of this memory is far more worth the $113,000.00.

 

Here’s my quick story.

When Preston was five years old, he knew that I enjoyed hearing and watching the Canadian geese fly over our home and drop down into the park just beyond our backyard fence. This was a seasonal treat that only happened just a couple of months in the fall, and when the birds would appear overhead, I would make a big deal about it and gather the kids to witness the geese come in for a landing as they broke their formed military pattern. One afternoon I was fixing dinner and the kids were outside playing. My son ran into the kitchen and yelled very loudly, “MOM! MOM! Come outside. Hurry Quick. Run! The geese are coming and are flying over our house!!” He couldn’t grasp the words to tell me that there were a lot of them so he stumblingly blurted out the only words he could think of to get the urgent point across. “There’s a whole Gallon of them,” he shouted. I laughed so hard and with love, ran outside and joined in the excitement.

These are priceless memories that I as a mother enjoy reflecting on. I hope you can find memories that warm your heart whether as a mother of your children or that your mother gave you.

Happy Mother’s Day! I love you MOM!

 

Book News!

The E Book Price has been lowered from $21.95 to $12.07 on Amazon and will soon be available at the same price on this blog. My book is being re formatted so I can offer it here also.
Had two wonderful reviews about my book: http://www.amazon.com/Meet-Mountains-...
This comment was from one of our guests who attended a retreat here at Breath of Life Retreat House: Kimberly H. Pervez
I set and read through your book in about 2 days, I simply couldn’t put it down. I could hear you standing your kitchen at The Breath of Life Retreat House telling us this story. I have always respected you and though you were a tuff cookie, but girl, I have an all new respect for you!

Thank you for opening you heart, your home and your life and allowing us the reader inside, I know you are a private person and this was hard to share in the detail that you shared. I am truly am blessed to know you and Jim.

I am in the process of writing my life story as an abuse victim and am just amazed at how you were to capture so much detail in your book; you have yet another talent, author to add to your many hats.

You addition to detail shows up in each and every chapter, in from the clothes you were wearing from the details of the lightning storm of eye candy to not candy coating the issues of your marriage, was all appreciated! The thoughts in your head during the most horrible time when hearing the words that no spouse wants to hear especially as such a young age, to be a widowed so early in life. Thank you for sharing your life, and heart with the reader, I know this book was hard for you to write to actually sit and do nothing else-but I know I hope to see maybe more writings from you!

The Goodreads contest to win a signed copy of my book is going on. Put your name in to win.

 

To Pin or not to Pin

    Funny how the words we use in this day and age sound like words from someone who was drinking a little too much and inadvertently just blurted them out. The funny part is we accept these words as normal as soon as they are thought up and thrown to the world.   I can remember years ago, my 80 year old grandpa, responding to me after telling him I just bought a brand new laptop computer. His response to my exciting news was, “Yeah I hear there’ something called “Z mail” with that computer. I laughed and corrected him to the proper term. E Mail. He didn’t understand or care. He wanted to sit and talk about his past and share his life in person. The words below would mean absolutely nothing to him.

Google

Twitter

Pinterest

Facebook

Blog

I Pad

Cell

Hootsuite

Firefox

Hashtag

Widget

Cloud Drive

Youtube

Meta Tags

Can you imagine going into a nursing home and asking a resident if they would like to be a friend on facebook? I would imagine they would shake their head and say, sure I will be your friend here and now, or you ask, would you like me to show you some of my boards on Pinterest? I can hear an eager reply with a follow up question like, “What are you interested in?” I have been drowning with joining online groups, uploading, friending, Googling, and Blogging. The list goes on and on and keeping updated with all the technology is quite the brain strain for me. In trying to promote my book, I have learned more than I ever thought I would about social media and how to participate in with the networking opportunities to get myself out to the world. Today I will attend my daughter in law’s graduation and enjoy the face to face contact with family and friends. Although I did have to Map Quest the directions to the convention center and I will message them when we get there to find where we meet to get the tickets. Oy! When I get back, look for some more Pinning from me. You know what I mean!


Book News!

 

 

I received some wonderful reviews this week.
5.0 out of 5 stars Experience it as if you lived it yourself!,April 28, 2012


By Sandy D. Skinner


This review is from: Meet Me in the Mountains (Paperback)

I started reading Meet Me In The Mountains by Candy Marie Bridges on a Sunday evening and finished it the next night! I just couldn’t put it down. You feel as if you are there as you read of Candy’s trials and tribulations. The amazing thing through all of this is that she always is able to turn to her faith whenever she is faced with another overwhelming, emotional ordeal. This is a book that you will want to add to your bookshelf…AFTER you read it!


It would be so special to be able to go and be at your retreat house.. Just as a little group of single-moms-for-Christ:) Yes, I do hate that word too: ‘widow’. I love to use the expression: ‘Bride of Christ’. It is a positive, speaks about our future and our life now, it takes away the loneliness as we BELONG to the most beautiful and lovely husband-to-be! Your book is special as we can relate to what you went through.. As you have written down your episodes, in all honesty, we can find hope and courage in your life’s example:) I bless you for writing it all down! ‘Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain!’ (1 Corinthians 15:58) Bless you!
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