From a Cluttered Desk

I am Tammy Cardwell, she of the cluttered desk. (Hey, you think I'm kidding?!) I'm having a blast here in Blogland and invite to you to peruse my ramblings. Like a buffet, they offer variety - essentially whatever makes it to the top of the piles that sometimes clutter my brain. We'll eventually cover it all - homeschooling, God, our church, the Eclectic Homeschool Online, books I'm writing and publishing, conferences I speak at, the joys of grandmotherhood, and hopefully chocolate. Of course, this is only what's near the top now. Who knows what's in those piles?

I’ve said before that I’m a reality TV junkie. The only reason I’m not watching a continual round of reality TV right now is time. Well…time, heat (The living room isn’t air conditioned anymore) and…er…fleas. Yep, we’ve once again entered the season in which we fight those pesky insects that I can’t for the life of me figure out why God created.

Anyway…

So today I’ve been piddling around a UK website that sells designer wallpaper from those decorators I used to love watching on BBC America. I’m talking Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen, Linda Barker, and more. If you’ve watched the shows and loved the lavish patterns these designers prefer, you’ll want to take a look. Depending on the designer and collection, you will find papers that are more conservative and less (much less) conservative, with many offerings with a retro feel. These retro-like patterns, while being completely modern in color, hark back to the sixties and seventies or even a few centuries ago. You’ll find a few that are somewhat restrained, but most are bold and… I’m laughing; you’ll just have to look to see why I’m at a loss for adjectives. The Brittish design differently than we do, so these are not your typical American wallpapers. See?

I’m planning on painting my new house, for obvious reasons, but if I were thinking in terms of wallpaper, I would be drawn mostly to the Graham & Brown Umbra Wallpapers. Well, more than drawn, actually. I really like the Umbra Tolla Storm 60039 Chocolate and would love to use it in my office. Check it out.

Yup, this is very "me" and I would sooooooo do an accent wall in it.

Here’s another unique design from the same collection. I’m not sure how I’d use it, though it could make for a really interesting bathroom, don’t you think?

Well, maybe it’s a bit much even for me (Definitely for my husband), but I love the tongue-in-cheek feel and think it could be great fun (crate fun? <giggle>).

My husband got a tiny bit done on the house while I was on the cruise, and my son says he’s going to make sure the house gets finished, so yes, I’ve been daring to think about decorating again. Yay!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

I’m going on a cruise. Have I mentioned that?

Yes, that’s a rhetorical question, because I am more than well aware that I have.

Thing is, this cruise has me dreaming of lounging by the pool or, better yet, on some beach somewhere…some PRIVATE beach somewhere. (Facts is facts: I’d rather no one saw me in my swimsuit and don’t know how I’m going to handle myself when the time really does come.) And these dreams have me dreaming of my new home (Which my son assures me WILL eventually get finished) and wondering why in the world we didn’t plan for a deck off the back of the house. I mean, we have the perfect set-up for it, with trees hanging over at just the right angle and a nice expanse (Okay, it would be nice if it were mowed, and cleaned of debris, and…) of yard to look out over. We could ignore the sirens wailing and tires squeeling in the background, surely.

We could have a deck and a teak lounger, and maybe even this teak bar set that has seriously attracted my attention at befurnished.com. I really like a lot of their teak furniture. I particularly like this set, though, because it’s something I think we could use equally as well inside as out. By that, I mean that it could live on the back deck (If we had one), but I think it would also fit in well if we were having company over and wanted to bring it into the living area for a game of cards. All we’d need is four chairs and it would be (I’m thinking) a perfect temporary fit for our tiny space.

And if you’re wondering, because I know it does matter to a great many people, the site assures that the wood used in this table originated on a plantation rather than a forest.

Loungers and tables and benches and… Oh, to have the new home finished and furnished and the yard landscaped, with paths and benches and pretty things to look at and…

Okay, I’m seriously into pipe dream territory now. Neither my husband nor I like working in the yard, so lovely landscaping isn’t likely to happen, dream or no dream. For now, I’ll just have to settle on going on that cruise and dreaming of teak.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

I imagine we all have a list of things we want to do before we die. Some lists are long and some are short. Mine is actually one of the short ones. I’ve already done some of the things on my list ("Visit Alaska" and "Go Whale Watching" got checked off in 1996, though I think I need to call a redo on the whale watching part, since I only saw one and it was from a distance. The Dahl’s Porpoises, though…oh MAN!). I will check off one of the list items in just a few weeks: "Go on a cruise with friends."

The big thing, though, the one thing that has been at the top of my list since I first thought about keeping a list, is to go up in a hot air balloon. And I mean really go on a hot air balloon RIDE. (I had the chance, once, to go up in one that was tethered, but where’s the fun in that?) I simply cannot imagine anything more peaceful than being waaaaay up in the air where it’s QUIET. Well, I do realize balloons aren’t always quiet, and yes, the people in the balloon would talk, but imagine…

Of course, if you don’t live in the city like I do, just yards away from a highway like I do, quiet may not mean as much to you. Because of where I live, I even value trips to the relatively silent country, where all you hear is birds and bees and other wild things. The thought of floating above the ground, seeing God’s wonderful creation from closer to His perspective, at a pace MUCH slower than when traveling by plane… Yeah, this appeals greatly and is something I really…REALLY want to do some day. A friend and her husband went on a hot air balloon ride a year or so back and I’ll admit I had to fight some envy.

So… When my sons become rich and famous, will someone please point out to them that it would be really nice if they’d visit a site like Xperience Days, that sells gift certificates for things like Hot Air Balloon Rides, and bless their mother? And of course such things are best shared (Who wants to have so much fun alone?), so the giver would be more than welcome to come along with me. <BWG>

I’ve been dreaming a lot lately, haven’t I? But sometimes those dreams can really encourage us, helping us make it through rough times until something substantial comes along. Like yesterday, when number one son delivered our insulation order and told us his proposed schedule for roofing the new house. Is progress going to be made in that area soon? Oh, please God, let it be so!

Anyway, to return to the subject of this post.

What’s on your list? I’d really like to know!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

Today was magazine deadline day and  in this house two things go hand in hand - deadlines and chocolate

I’m not kidding. There’s something about magazine deadlines, which of course means editing, that absolutely demand chocolate. Today it was M&Ms, thanks to my ever-so-thoughtful hubby. What will it be in two weeks? <shrug> I dunno, but something from Fannie May candies would certainly be acceptable. Actually, if someone feels particularly driven to satisfy my chocolate cravings, you might consider buying me the Dark Pixies. Don’t those look absolutely decadent? But then again, I’ve always had a serious weakness for fudge too, either with nuts or without.

Oh, and in case any of my family is reading? Someone might want to be thinking in terms of Mother’s Day chocolate. Not telling you what to do, mind…just offering suggestions: mint meltaways, pixie cheesecake, vanilla buttercream cheesecake… Lessee… two sons, one daughter, one grandson, and one husband…and I’ve made six specific suggestions. Perfect! <grin>

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

I was with my grandson yesterday and had to grin when he pulled out his cowboy hat and informed me that, "I look like a cowboy!" Of course, he was wearing a "Walking with Dinosaurs" (GREAT program, from what he and my d-i-l tell me) t-shirt, white shorts, and sneakers…

It’s to be expected, of course. He’s surrounded by people who look like cowboys in their everyday lives. (We are in Texas, after all, and several of those people do actually own horses.), so it’s only natural for him to get excited about a trip to the local Cavendar’s. He’s sure to get a new cowboy outfit every time rodeo comes around and…okay…honestly? Anytime his mother or his other grandfather think about it. I can’t blame them; man he looks cute in his jeans, boots, BIG belt buckle and hat.

So I just found out that Cavender’s has a website where you can buy cowboy clothes online. Hmmmm….. Knowing how much my daughter-in-love likes shopping online already, dare I tell her? I mean, just look at how adorable this little boy is! Our little boy would be even more adorable in something like this, don’t you know? LOL!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

You may or may not know that my husband has, in the past three years, had two strokes and a heart attack. You know that email that goes around the Internet, the one that gives you things to watch for and check if you think someone might be having a stroke? That email was what provided the clues to let us know he was having the second stroke. The heart attack… I had no clue what was going on while we was having it; I only knew he woke up in terrible pain in the middle of the night. He thought he might be having a heart attack and didn’t want to scare me, but endured it and then confirmed with his doctor later. (I know. I know.)

So today I’ve heard about something else that, as much as I hate to think about it, might be a good thing to learn about. It’s Sudden Cardiac Arrest, which is different from regular heart attacks. I’ve not had a lot of time to explore this site that shares information about Cardiac Arrest, but the things I have read are disturbing, like the fact that Sudden Cardiac Arrest is considered the "single most important cause of death among adults in the industrialized world." I guess this means that, as much as I’ve always tried to ignore illnesses, I might be wise to at least study it enough to know what things most commonly factor into SCA. Okay, I don’t guess I should check it out; I know I should.

Wisdom. I don’t like thinking about illnesses, so I try to ignore them, but sometimes wisdom says you need to spend a little time online, doing some educational reading.

Celebrating Jesus (and Jack’s returning health!)!
Tammy C

As a published author and self-publisher, I get asked (often!) about the ins and outs of publishing. Most people want to know how to go about getting a book contract with an established publisher and are rather perturbed when I explain that this is not a path I usually recommend. Unfortunately, if by some miracle you’re picked up by a publisher, though they may well give you a fantastic product, you will give away some of your creative rights and the bulk of the work of promoting your book will fall on your own shoulders. Too, the money is not what it’s cracked up to be (If you’re Tom Clancy, you’ll make good money; if you’re Jane Off-the-Street, well…); by the time you get down to the bottom line, you the author are lucky if you make $1.00 off a $20.00 book. My take is that if this is what is going to happen anyway, it’s worth going ahead and taking the self-publishing plunge.

Which leads to the next question. "But how?"

Personally, I’ve opted for ebook publication, since that is something I not only have total control over, but it doesn’t require stocking physical books. If your desire is an in-your-hands book, however, and I certainly understand if it is, you’ll want to get online and start checking out the various companies that cater to self-publishers. Each of these companies differs slightly from the others, offering their own publishing packages, pricing, and promotional opportunities. One of the Book Publishers I’ve learned about most recently is Author House. I’ve not had time to dig too deeply into their site, but it appears that they provide a nice array of options including personal interaction with a design team, which is a good plus (You want good design if you want sales). I would certainly suggest taking the time to check them out if this is something you’re considering.

So if your desire is to self-publish the great American novel, get on the net and start doing your research. The options are out there if you look for them; you are definitely NOT bound by traditional publishing methods.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

I’m going on a cruise in May. I’ve mentioned that a time or two, yes? I should be preparing. I will be preparing just as soon as the financial situation changes even more for the better, and one thing I’ll of necessity be looking for at that point is a swimsuit.

And something to cover it up

Sorry. I’ve tried, but since I grew out of childhood I’ve never liked letting people see me in a swimsuit out of the water. In the water, I’m okay…sort of…but right up until I get in, and the minute I get out, I want something more than that suit covering me. I want some kind of wrap.

Right now I’m looking at Sarongs, and I’ve found more than one that I think are absolutely beautiful. This company has a great collection of colored patterns and some outstanding handpainted sarongs. They also offer size options - full, mini, using the two together to make an actual outfit. Several of these could easily go into town on an excursion or to the dining room in the evening.  I think I’ve decided, though, that my absolute favorite is the Fruit of the Vine Full Pareo. The fabric is in the rich purples that I adore and if I can just figure out how to tie it (Hey, I see that the site actually offers directions. Yay! LOL!) I think it would be something I could really enjoy.

The company is Mad Gringo. I’ve always been curious about the stories behind companies, so I clicked on the "About Us" link. Fascinating. Here is someone who was in a high-powered job and sick of it, took a wild hair and headed south (Don’t we all wish we could do that?), and discovered the art of "going slow." He decided, while talking to a native, that he was going to quit his high-pressure job and change careers, learning to "go slow" himself. The native told him, "Your mad, gringo" and that was the beginning.

Mad? Maybe, but there are days, and lots of them, when I wish I could slow my world down for just a little while, when I, too, could learn what it means to go slow. I used to know, but I’ve forgotten.

May… I’m doing it in May.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

I wrote a while back about the importance Colon Cleansing and one product I’d come across. This morning I learned about another, Oxy-Powder, and decided I ought to share it with you as well. (Yep, that would be the link in the previous sentence. [grin])

Because, you see, health really does begin in the colon. The human colon is a complicated thing and much of what we eat never makes it through; frankly, it simply lodges there and putrefies. This is seriously not a good thing and leads to many illnesses, totally unnecessary weight gain, a lack of energy, a low immune system, and more. Doing something so simple as a colon cleanse can make an enormous impact on your overall health and even lead to rather sudden weight loss as all the garbage is removed.

I’d never heard of Oxy-Powder before today, but it definitely looks promising and if you scroll down the home page on their site you’ll see that it’s been written up in several magazines. It’s worth checking out!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

The funniest things will bring back memories, and when you’re on the net you never know what those things will be or what memories they will dredge up.

This time the thing was a website that does pressure cleaning. The company name is Window Gang. Isn’t that great?

 The memories it brought back were of my childhood. I am the daughter of an entrepreneur. From my youngest days, I remember him building a beauty shop (What we called them then) for my mother and a warehouse in which he stored the supplies for his two businesses - R&D Window Cleaning (At least I think that’s right) and Bayshore Building Maintenance. I went with him on several jobs over the years and even worked for the maintenance service after graduating from high school, but I NEVER did windows. After watching Daddy and his partner do it, I decided that doing it right really is an art form.

Window Gang… That really is a great name, and I’ll bet they do a wonderful job, especially since they serve both the US and Canada and offer franchise opportunities as well. How I would love to have them come pressure clean the old siding on the building we’re renovating for us to live in; it’s so humid here year round that you can imagine what it looks like. Of course, I really need to finish the house before I even think in those terms, don’t I? But hey, there’s nothing like planning for the future, and now that this post is in my blog I know I can always come back here and click the link if I do decide I need to give them a call.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C