ID: ParentalRights
Password: amendment

You can also download a PDF catalog of all the auction items here.

Discussing details.

Heave, Ho, Heave, Ho!

Excitement! Look, they don’t even take up that much space after all!

Flat #2 moving in.

How are we ever going to sell all these books? 2,760 to be exact.

It’s so beautiful! It pays to hire good designers!

The journey has just begun!

Order your special 1-year anniversary copy here. Only $12 when you use coupon code: 1year. Thanks for celebrating with me! Soli Deo Gloria!

Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two other sides gently compressed by a thigh master.

He spoke with wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.

She had a deep throaty genuine laugh like that sound a dog makes just before he throws up.

Her vocabulary was as bad, as, like, whatever.

He was as tall as a 6-foot 3-inch tree.

The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn’t.

McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.

From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie surreal quality, like when you’re on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7 pm instead of 7:30.

Her hair glistened in the rain like nose hair after a sneeze.

Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across a grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. traveling 35 mph.

John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.

The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil, but unlike Phil, this plan just might work.

He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a landmine or something.

He was deeply in love, and when she spoke he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.

Her eyes were like limpid pools, only they had forgotten to put in any pH cleanser.

She walked into my office like a centipede with 98 missing legs.

Her voice had that tense grating quality, like a generation thermal paper fax machine that needed a band tightening.

Those who submitted their poems and stories ranged in age from about seven to twelve, and I was eleven when I wrote these two poems – technically my first published work. I’ve always enjoyed poetry and the art of rhyme. These are rather contrived, I know, but hey, you have to start somewhere!

Jesus is with Me
I once was a person just as plain as can be,
But then I met Jesus, and now I can see.
I want to listen to all His commands,
And then it will be time to take my stand.
I want Him to be with me all of my life,
Through laughter and pain, excitement and strife.

My Lord
God is my protector and my shield
Against enemies in the battlefield.
Though the enemy may cry,
No god of theirs is nigh.
Some of them may flee,
But my Lord is still with me.
In the middle of the field the enemy lay,
But I sat up to pray,
For the battle was not won by a sword,
The battle was won by the Lord!

The 5 Minutes for Mom site is hosting this annual party to help women connect with each other via the blogworld. They are also giving away a ton of prizes that can be claimed by any woman – blogger or non-blogger! (You might be interested to know that I contributed an autographed copy of my new book Pajama School – stories from the life of a homeschool graduate to the prize pool  – it’s #USC52) All you have to do is leave a comment on the official party post on their website to be entered in the drawing for a prize. However, if you are a blogger, you can choose your favorite prizes from the list. Here’s my list of favorites:

1. Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer contributed by Moms Who Think (#58)

2. Handmade Retro Apron of your choice! by Kati @ Country Girl, City Life and BoojiBoo!! (#USC58)

3. $30 gift certificate to Christian Book Distributors by A High And Noble Calling (#68)

Here are a few others I wouldn’t mind receiving: #69, #88, #USC17, #USC26, #USC47.

To everyone who has made their way here while party-hopping – Welcome! I started this blog at the end of last year, in conjunction with the launch of my new book, Pajama School – stories from the life of a homeschool graduate. (It’s due to be released by the end of April. Yippee!) However, I’ve been blogging for several years on my other internet homes:

Natalie’s Blog – my personal blog

Music Matters Blog – creative, practical, and up-to-date resources for the independent music teacher

Journey to Self-Publishing – a candid account of my experiences as I learn the ins and outs of publishing my own book

Enjoy your visit and come back anytime!