Leann Holland 's Chattering

Advice

2011-11-15T07:34:00.003-06:00

Yesterday at our church's small group class, a interesting question was asked. What advice would you give to the soon-to-be married or the newly married?

I was amazed at the response. They didn't feel that it was good idea to tell the truth. Marriage is hard and is filled with a lot of hard work. (I struggle with this attitude - topic for another time. Lying to the next generation maybe why we have a generation gap!)

Here is the advice I wished I had received. Stop judging everything your spouse does by your family's "we've always done things this way." Just because we've done it this way doesn't make it the only way for something to be done right.

Here is an example from very early in my marriage. Where does mustard go when it's put away? His mother put it in the cabinet. My mother always refrigerated ours. Who was right?

This could be a big conflict. Could you image the fights over the condiment of mustard? Unfortunately, it is things like this that are the beginning of a lot of martial troubles. No, not mustard but little petty things.

The label on the mustard bottle does not claim that it needs refrigeration. We put the mustard on the cabinet shelf. Then I had to confess that I prefer my mustard cold. Luckily, he didn't have a preference. Now, you will find the mustard in our refrigerator.

It seems like a little thing but communication is really the key. We need to express our wants, needs, and preferences but we need to listen to their wants, needs, and preferences and that's when compromise is necessary. Beware the need to control everything around us. It will make us miserable.

Blessings,

Leann Holland

What will you do for work?

2011-08-17T20:16:00.001-05:00

During the early days of this recession, my husband's construction business was a scary place. We were hit really hard before they even labeled it a recession. Then the work started picking up, not great but we survived. The recession was labeled. The 401k's and IRAs lost money. The mortgage crisis hit. The stock market dipped further. Work was slow and steady like the tortoise in classic children's story.

My husband had to work jobs out of town away from the family. Sometimes the accommodations were nice. Some were not. One job in Georgia, in December, he lived in a log cabin that was not winterized and had no heat. It was a cabin that had seen Sherman march by in the civil war (The cabin was on the wrong side of the river and Sherman decided not to cross for it). It had been unkempt for years before some restoration had taken place. General cleaning was not one of the tasked performed.

We are in the process of selling our house and relocating to our home state which we left nineteen years ago. This is the reason I haven't posted in some time. It would be a hard time in which to get a new job here and we can't move until we sell our house. [Sidebar: Actually we've had one contract and another interested buyer back out because in these tight credit times, they can't qualify for a loan (credit problems).]

My husband has proven his love of his family again, working a job that requires he live like an animal. My husband works with a crew that restores dilapidated old log structures and makes them functional and usually beautiful.

This current job site is six hours from home on a log addition to a grand home. The homeowner chose the hotel in which to house the crew, a hotel owned by his uncle. He told them it was nothing special. He drove the guys to their home away from home.

The initial impression, judging the book by it's cover, was spot on. My husband wondered how such a place could still be operating. The truly scary part is the condition of the room. The toilet hasn't been cleaned in at least weeks. The garbage container still contains the leftovers (beer bottles and other trash) from the previous occupants. One of his coworkers ran to the store to obtain cleaning supplies as he was so concerned about the conditions. While my husband checked the bed for bugs, he's not sure how well he'll sleep tonite. Bugs weren't apparent. Cigarette lighters and more trash were found behind the headboard. Then he check the condition of the mattress, praying for clean sheets. An abandoned mattress lying around in the precivil war era log cabin looked to be in better shape than what he is expected to sleep on tonite.

What would you do? Leave or Stay? Come home with no job to face three hungry teenagers. What will you do for work?

Count your blessings tonight when your head hits a clean safe pillow.

Leann Holland

Do you Zazzle?

2011-03-22T07:00:00.002-05:00

Earlier this month, I stumbled on an interesting creative outlet. Zazzle is a print on demand for artist; enthusiast, hobbyist, or professional.

How is it different from all the other photo services out there?

Zazzle allows you to use your digital art/photos to create personalized items. (Yeah, I know a lot of places allow you to do that.) But can you sell your items to any else? At Zazzle, you can. And you can get paid a 10% royalty (you can set the royalty higher if you choose too.)

They have an associate program. So advertising your art or someone else art from your website can you earn 15% royalty.

I love the selection of items on which you can place your designs (art/photos). Ipad cases, Iphone cases, T-shirts, ties, ornaments, greeting cards, necklaces, stainless steel travel mugs, and many other categories, they are still adding new products. In the three weeks since my first visit they have add two or three more shapes of stickers.

I have added a link on the right for my Zazzle store and here it is again, Bending Tree Designs .

Yes, I do Zazzle. What about you?

Happy Spring,

Leann Holland

Underdogs

2011-03-11T07:00:00.010-06:00

I've been hard at work writing. My current YA WIP (work in progress), Droke's Way: A Journey Home, is at a crisis moment. It's the make or break moment of the story.

Last Sunday, I took a break from the writing to focus on the business side publishing. One of the blogs I read was advice to writers. Don't make your antagonist too big or powerful.

I've been watching a TV series on the American Revolution. Talk about a David and Goliath moment. America shouldn't exist. We lost more battles than we won. We were outmanned, outgunned, out everything. Yet here we are. A story that shouldn't have been told.

Is that why our folklore is full of underdogs?

Our nation has made the transition from Underdog to Top Dog. Where do we go from here? We've become the Goliath at which we thumbed our noses. We had a common goal, a purpose. We've reached the peak. Now what?

Will we tear this nation apart with fighting amoung ourselves or will we get the fairy tale endings? Luckily, I can't peek at the end of the story. It's still being written.

Love to hear your opinions.

Leann Holland

V-Blog

2011-02-14T13:34:00.000-06:00

On the world's most celebrated day of love, as a writer and poet, I should feel inspired, right?
Well, I did create an unique work of art embedded with a small poem for my husband. Do I share?

I want to and yet . . . It feels tacky, to create something for one person then make him share it with the world. (okay, maybe all twenty five followers of the this blog or all one hundred of my facebook family and friends.) But still it's suppose to be an intimate moment.

Is it different than talking plans over with your girlfriends or buying cards and sharing? The challenges of living in a digital age are like walking a tight rope high above the street. But we can't climb down or put the genie back into the bottle. She's here to stay!

Happy Valentine's Day,

Leann Holland

P.S. I decided to post my husband's card onto his facebook page.

Bikini Car Wash - Book Review

2011-01-23T12:00:00.001-06:00

I have wanted an ereader for years. But the recenty explosion of models and companies finally allowed to them to enter into my price range. On Black Friday, I purchase my first ereader. I love it. The reason you need to know information is when I borrowed Bikini Car Wash from my libraries ebook I didn't realize this was a romance book.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a good story about returning home and making peace with your past. When I read other reviews on Amazon, I realized it was supposed to be a romance. The reviewers were correct in stating that the romance portion of this story is weak. I can understand their disappointment if they were expecting a romance. It wasn't. The self discovery and discovery of family secrets made this an interesting story.

Keep Reading,
Leann Holland

Hello 2011

2011-01-12T07:00:00.002-06:00

We started the year with a spur of the moment trip to visit our hometown. It was the first time in thirteen years we have have been "home" during the winter months. Had a great time with family and a magical sled run created by my brother-in-law.

In our area according to the news reports, this is the snowiest winter in fifteen years. In someways making our snow vacation to the Icy North seem a waste, but visiting with family is always worth it.

Weather Bomb! Snowmageddon! Snowicane! Snowapolyce! What do you think of snow storm naming?

As I was researching this topic, I was amazed at the information about individual regions naming winter storms as NOAA names hurricanes. Alice, Bob, Gerry, and Dave really seemed laughable after President Obama's Snowmageddon. Seriously though, where do we go after these mega names? Will we consider a blizzard named Betty a threat?

Go ahead a laugh, I know you want to.

Happy Sledding,

Leann Holland

P.S. The news on 1/11/11 also claimed there is snow in 49 of our 50 states.

Ghostly Footprints

2010-12-14T09:00:00.005-06:00

This morning as I was getting dressed I flashed back to a special moment with a special lady in my past. My Aunt Sandy, who passed away way too young, wore a sweatshirt her young teenage son had outgrown. As a teen, I didn't find the style particularly flattering.

Standing in front of my full length closet mirror, I donned my favorite jeans and my teenage son's hand-me-down black and yellow Batman logo sweatshirt. I just had to laugh. I wondered what my aunt would say. I wish I could call her up and ask her opinion. I hoped the style was a more flattering style for me. Vanity and ghostly footprints.

Bookmans Does Book Dominoes

2010-11-08T07:00:00.002-06:00

Sharing a fun video, think all those good books to read.

My kids always want to take my double twelve dominoes set and create something like this.

Does this inspire your creativity? After watching this video, maybe I will let them.

Carpe Diem,
Leann Holland

The World Is Going To The Dogs

2010-11-05T09:00:00.007-05:00

The world is changing for man's best friend. As more people include dogs as their family members our society is changing, good and bad, depending on your point of view. I am not a dog lover. (sorry!) My mom says I was born afraid of dogs. She's probably right.

Nashville's City Council voted to allow patron's to bring their dog on restaurant's outside patios. Now, the city's Health Department has to find a way to regulate it. Each restaurant has a choice of participating or not.

I personally will avoid such restaurants. People struggle enough keeping their children under control. I don't want to hear yapping dogs during my meal.(again, not a dog lover, sorry!)

However, as a writer, I feel the need to recognize and acknowledge trends. Who knows when a character comes along that a restaurant serving dogs would be the perfect setting?

What will be the next doggie take over, one wonders? They now have cemeteries, parks of their own, holiday gifts and costumes. In fact, at the Pumpkinfest in Franklin, TN, as we were driving past, we saw more dogs dressed up in Halloween costumes than kids.

Will doggiepages be the place for computer savvy socially needy dogs of the future? I can see the ad now, ' Doggiepages: Just One Paw Click Away'. (Do I hear a story calling me? It would be kid's sci-fi, right? Ha, Ha)

Keep Panting,
Leann Holland

Go Vote!

2010-11-01T15:05:00.000-05:00

My hubby and I voted early at the same time (in separate booths.) It's probably only the second time in the last fifteen years. Our strategy has been to divide and conquer. We live several states away from family and haven't wanted to spend precious babysitting money on voting.

Voting is important. So by taking turns, we keep voting free for our family. No matter what your difficulties remember to vote. Your voice is important. Don't let the negative ads have their intended influence; to keep voters away. Go vote in the mid term elections tomorrow, November 2, 2010. Let your voice be heard!

Leann Holland

P.S. To learn more about voting in the US, check out the book below:

Red - Movie Review

2010-10-29T07:00:00.006-05:00

With modern technologies and busy life schedules, I don't go to see a lot of movies at the theater. When I took my daughter to see Twilight's third movie, Eclipse, I saw a clip for a movie that caught my interest, RED. (Telling my age) I remember Bruce Willis in Moonlighting (a TV series). Of course, I have seen all three Die Hard movies. (Is there a forth?)

Date night with hubby presented an opportunity to watch familiar faces in a funny action adventure for 111 minutes, we forgot the world and laughed along with the movie. It is a good simple plain action movie not pretending to be anything else and does it well.

Leann Holland

I Think I Care

2010-10-25T09:00:00.038-05:00

What do you think of the title? I think I care. I was listening to the radio with my teenage son. They were having some sort of pledge drive to raise money. The regular host (who I don't like) asked why you were supporting the radio station. Then he said, "I think I care."

I scratched my head, he thinks he cares. Wow, what a wonderful message of hope. NOT!

How can you think you care?

I care. Now, I don't. I care. No, I don't. I care, I really do. I think I care.

Now, that's a conversation I don't want to have. Do you care?

Leann Holland

My Son-In-Law Is Older Than I Am!

2010-10-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

Fifty percent of all marriages will fail. This is one of the biggest decisions we will ever make. It effects every facet of our lives and reaches to the depths of our souls.

A friend recently became a mother-in-law against her wishes and another will be by the end of year. The two women are in different seasons with their children. One has a distant, remote relationship. The other is over involved in the relationship, pretending to support the couple. Neither are happy. Which right? Which will work? I don't know.

Where is that magic bullet? (I know I set it down somewhere. Probably beside the perfect weight magic bullet.) The bullet that guarantees the newlyweds success. The one that guarantees all the in-law (mothers, fathers, daughter, son) are happy.

In the above situations, there are legitimate concerns. One relationship is dealing with alcoholism and abuse in the past. In the second situation, I keep hearing my friend's cry, "My son-in-law is older than I am!"

There's just got to be a story in there somewhere.

Leann Holland

Nosy Driver

2010-10-20T13:37:00.001-05:00

   Do you ever notice vanity license plates? For me the answer is sometimes. I don't do a lot of driving. When I do, I have places to be and things to do. In other words, I'm focused.
   Today, however, I had relatively few errands. On my way home, the white foreign car in front of me had one of those vanity plates. This one was easy to read, YES JOHN.
Call me crazy, creative, curious or even a nosy neighbor, all fit. But YES JOHN to what? I'll marry you. I'll live with you. I'll have your baby. I'll drive you anywhere you want. See my delemna? What is she, I assumed a female, saying yes to? A mystery that in my city of ten thousand will never be solved by me.
   The vanity license plates invite us into the driver's life, usually with a boast or joke. The state considers them a self imposed tax. Taxpayers paying extra for the right of self expression in our abbreviated world. What do you think of vanity license plates? Do you have one? I don't. I need more space for my self expressions.
   How funny would it be if a ninety eight pound, ninety eight year old man crawled out from behind the steering wheel? I imagine a conversation like YES JOHN you're in my will.
   Share your thoughts on why the the driver is saying YES JOHN. Keep comments to PG-13 please.

Leann Holland

Free Audio Download

2010-10-15T09:00:00.007-05:00

Each month Christian Audio has a monthly free download. October's audio book is Love Is A Verb by Gary Chapman. They post a free audio sample of the title, as well. A Christian Audio account is required but is also free.

http://christianaudio.com/free

Enjoy!

Leann Holland

Help Requested - Critique Needed

2010-10-13T09:00:00.019-05:00

Writer's Digest, a website and magazine, offers an online flash fiction contest called Your Story. I never seem to remember until the last minute to check out the prompt. (This month I remembered two days late, Your Story #29.) Last month for Your Story #28, I got the story written but life did not allow me time to edit and get it entered into the contest.

I have decided to share it here on my blog and request honest if gentle feedback.

The Bet

Tidying up the beige damask pillows on the overstuffed couch, my hand touch something cold and hard. Afraid I let my hand close around the object and pull it out, a silver and black cell phone. What the? It wasn't my husband's or mine. We haven't had anyone over since those boorish Tinnins last month. The phone began to play a ringtone I didn't recognize.

I slid the phone open. I had never seen one like it even in commercials. "Hello."

"Melissa?"

"Yes."

"You don't know me."

Well, duh, I was holding an unknown phone in my hand. How did he know my name? "What's going on here?" I demanded. "Who are you?"

Laughter was the reply I received.

"I'm going to hang up if you don't answer my questions."

"I'm glad to see you haven't lost your humor." A unknown male voice said. "Melissa. Melissa, have patience I'll tell you everything in time."

"Who are you?" I whispered. Then stronger, "Well, get on with it. I don't have all day." I gathered my cell phone on the way to our home phone.

"Melissa, there's no need for that." he said.

My eyes scanned the room. How could he see me? The sage drapes were pulled closed. What should I do now? Play it cool, "No need for what?"

"Go turn on your computer." he ordered.

"Why?" I stood there frozen as dozens of scenarios ran through my thoughts. Then I laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"Okay, where's the camera?" I asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"You know those old TV programs that catch you doing something silly or dumb." I stifled a giggle.

"Wrong show!"

"Which show then?" I asked. Laughter again, but was there more than one voice this time? Spinning around, I demanded, "Where are you? Whose with you?" Dizzy, I fell into our chocolate brown recliner, breathing hard.

The laughter subsided, "Are you okay?"

He definitely could see me. I rubbed my arms as chills assailed me. "Like you care!" I said.

"Just do this favor for me and I'll tell you everything."

"Who are you and what do you want?" I cried. Why am I doing this? I thought. I simply closed the phone, cutting the connection. I tumbled the phone over and over in my sweaty palms.

It sang at me again. I shrugged stetting the cell phone down and walked away. Pulling the drapes open, were there any unfamiliar vehicles out there?

Yes? Yes, there was a small red car. What was the make so I could tell 911? The plate number? There were two dark haired men sitting in the front seat. What were they hunched over? That man in the passenger seat looked familiar. Should I approach the vehicle? I debated.

My husband got out of the car smiling, waving a wad of cash at me. He slapped the roof of the car. It drove off. He was suppose to be golfing with a buddy.

As he entered the house, he said, "Good job, baby." He kissed me on the cheek.

I pulled away. "Someone's watching." I whispered.

He held up a small screen thingy. He walk to the computer desk in the attached dining room. He held up a tiny camera. "All gone! You did great. I won," he cleared his throat, "I mean, we won a thousand dollars."

"You bet on me?" I whispered, my voice gained strength, "You bet on me!" I reached over and grabbed the money. "Thanks, I can have fun shopping."

"But, baby. . . " He stopped at my glare. "Have fun."

The End

Leave feedback in the comments, please remember to be gentle. Don't forget to check out other free short stories available at Writer's Digest. They post the winning entry for your reading enjoyment.

Leann Holland

Quick Feet, Soft Hands -- Movie Review

2010-10-08T09:00:00.004-05:00

Last week late one night flipping through the TV stations, I stopped on a short independent film, Quick Feet, Soft Hands on my local PBS station. I was intrigued with the TV description of a movie that was only half an hour. It fit the time frame I had available.

Quick Feet, Soft Hands is a movie about dreams. A young couple is following his dream of being a professional baseball player. He's currently playing minor league ball. He is struggling with his quality of life and the real cost of chasing rainbows.

I liken this short movie to a short story and it's very different from a typical Hollywood flick (a.k.a. a happy ending and rose colored glasses.) I enjoyed this movie's real life grit.

Leann Holland

Bug Hysteria

2010-10-04T14:19:00.000-05:00

The Bugs Are Back!

By Leann Holland

Bugs, bugs and more bugs
dominate the TV airways.
We thought we were
the dominate species.
Ignoring the old adage,
bugs will inherit the world.
Have we learned nothing
from elementary science classes?
The circle of Life,
the food chain,
ring any bells?
We’ve spent decades
studying the gaps
created by extinction.
Bugs, bugs and more bugs!
Everyone including me
freaked out by the little buggers.
How now brown cow,
do we protect ourselves?
We’ve lost solutions
handed down
from generation to generation.
The bugs are back!

Being a single income family, we’ve purchase a lot of our items used. The reports by all the major news outlets of the returning bedbugs and super bug Lice has me scratching, quite literally. Just thinking about bugs makes my skin crawl thereby making me itch. What about you? Is itching like yawning, contagious?

Summer's Finally Over

2010-10-01T16:29:00.001-05:00

Here in the Tennessee, this summer was hot. Last week to this week our average high temps took a twenty degree drop, in this case it was wonderful. We went from average of 92 degrees to the mid 70's, which is beautiful considering we had 82 days at 90 or above this summer.

What I have loved most about this change in the weather has been hearing the neighborhood children outside playing. After dark last night, they played tag. I have great memories of playing these kinds of childhood games with my sister and cousins.

Take time and let the kid inside you enjoy this season.

Leann Holland

P.S. Still waiting for fall colors, I'll keep you posted.

Gluten Free Irony

2010-09-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

Gluten Free is a term that is hitting the mainstream. I learned about it several years ago when I discovered I had a wheat allergy. While wheat allergies and Celiac Disease are two different disorders, I know I am safe if I choose Gluten Free foods. So armed with this information, I share my story.

Several weekends ago, our local chamber of commerce held our local nature fest. We had a prior engagement but decided to attend the last hour or so. It was fun mingling with members of our local community. Several businesses and churches had set up displays. A local church with whom we have no affiliation, set up fun ring toss game. My family loved the competition among ourselves. If you were successful ringing the target, you put your name in for the drawing. You guessed it, the prize was a wheat filled dream, pizza. I laughed with my husband about the irony if out of all the entries our family managed to place into the drawing, my name was drawn. Twenty minutes later, as my husband took our children out to eat at gluten feast restaurant, I got the call. I had won the gift certificate to the local pizzeria.

Hope you got a good laugh I did. (I also got several safe food treats)

Leann Holland

Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Movie Review - It's Complicated

2010-09-17T09:00:00.001-05:00

For our anniversary evening, my husband and I wanted to watch a non-family movie. We love our kids but once in a while we like to remember life before kids, a kind of preparation for when they leave us with an empty nest.

It's complicated seemed to fit that bill. A single mother (Meryl Streep) with her youngest child's leaving for college embarked in relationships with a new love (Steven Martin) and her ex-husband (Alec Baldwin). The cast implied great potential for sensitivity and humor. Multiple times through the movie, situations would start to build but the movie kept falling just short of either humor or sensitivity. The ending was too little, too fantastical, and too late. I recommend you skip this movie. I wish I had.

Signs of The Times

2010-09-12T23:48:00.000-05:00

I wish I could say that I was shocked at the news that the NY Times newspaper will at some date to be determined not be printed on paper any more. Okay, I guess you could say that I was shocked that they were brave enough to acknowledge that fact and announce it. The world is changing and changing fast.(See Yahoo's news article. http://news.yahoo.com/s/mashable/20100908/tc_mashable/new_york_times_will_go_out_of_print_sometime_in_the_future )

The events of my life give me an interesting point of view. My high school graduating class was the first class that had computer class in our school system. available for our senior year. I also had taken an adult education class in the neighboring county to learn about computers in my sophomore year. I feel that I have had a front row seat to these changes, always trying to catch up.

In my research to become a published fiction author, I have found two distinct and powerful camps, traditional publication and epublication (Epub). A war is being fought but like modern warfare sometimes it is hard to decide who is friend or foe. Traditional publication is now fighting for digital rights and Epub is evolving at such a dizzy pace that readers and authors are confused.

As with any major technological changes, people will be left behind. There will be hundreds, thousands and maybe even tens of thousands of people left behind when the New York Times ceases their print editions. More will accumulate as the newspapers around the United States change. I wish I had a crystal ball, well, maybe just a story idea? Who knows?

Trying not to be left behind, I am in process of self publishing my short stories into ebooks. I'll keep you posted.

Leann Holland

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks Book Review

2010-09-10T09:00:00.010-05:00

Last spring during my mother's biannual visit, she gave me the book to read. I have read Mr. Sparks' previous title, A Walk to Remember, and I listened to his story, The Choice on audio book. My husband and I have also seen the movie Message in a Bottle.

So I knew enough to know what I was walking into a very emotional story. It's one of the reasons why the book stayed in my to-be-read pile. It was finally time. I didn't find this book as emotionally wrenching as A Walk to Remember probably due to the fact I struggle to connect with the main character, John. By the middle of the book, I was curious and interested in the story line. The twist in the book is a surprise I didn't see coming. No spoilers, just in case you're like me and running behind on your reading list. Well written and a good read.

A Bit of Fall Color

2010-09-05T17:31:00.001-05:00

During our family hike this weekend, we saw this first sign of fall colors. But don't touch!!! Itchy, Itchy!