Sips of Sunshine

A Triple Treat of Words

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Mon, 04 May 2020 20:48:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Moonlightway from morgueFile.com

It’s May. Finally! April had like 900 days in it, right? A special day is coming up, ladies! Mom, mum, mother, mommy, momma, ma, madre…whatever you like to call her…it’s Mother’s Day this Sunday. Woohoo!

This Mother’s Day might look a little different because of The Rona. Heck, your mom might even look a little different this Mother’s Day. Ha ha! You know, it’s been almost two months without a hair salon, mani-pedi, or shopping. But! We love our mommies! No matter what!

Some moms enjoy flowers, wine, chocolate, jewelry, new clothes, and a nice meal. Yes, I love all of those things! However, my love language is certainly words. My children know that I adore words. So, this Mother’s Day, I’ve been blessed with three beautiful poems that my kiddos wrote. I want to share them with you today. It’s a triple treat for me!

My Son’s Mother’s Day Poem

Her voice is very calm and worry free,

Very collective, just like me.

She can laugh unpredictably, even in a crowd,

When she does laugh; it’s very loud.

Yet, I am still very proud.

She smiles in happy times and tries to in sad,

Which will ease anyone from their worries,

Making them feel glad.

Her smile, shining so bright,

Sometimes, it is my only light.

The hair upon her head is long and brown,

Which will make you do anything but frown.

Her eyes twinkle like stars,

And shine like brand new cars.

She has teeth that are sparkling, shiny, and bright,

Not to mention they are a pearly white.

She’ll embrace you in a hug that’s warm and tight,

That would make anyone love her with all their might.

The jokes she eagerly tells,

Are so funny, never punny; they’ll put you under a spell.

She is gifted with a bounty of knowledge and smarts,

Showing them off, using all her brain parts.

The clothes she wears are unique and bright,

Making her such a beautiful sight,

Once again, making anyone love her with all their might!

My Older Daughter’s Mother’s Day Poem

Mothers truly are,

The best blessing by far.

In everything that they do,

To always help you.

Mothers help you with school,

And every other rule.

That you need to learn,

In order to yearn.

Rules for life when things get sticky,

And also for when we kids get picky.

But moms always know what’s right,

Even when things get tight.

And when life feels kind of rough,

Mothers will only get more tough.

They support us in all that we do,

And for that, we thank you.

Sometimes their love can be hard to hear,

But that’s when you know they’re being dear.

Through the thicks and thins,

Through the losses and wins.

They help you succeed in all that you do,

Just because they truly love you.

Mothers always know what is best,

Even if the answer is as simple as rest.

We love you, Mom, more than it may seem,

You are the sunshine in our beam.

You always know the rights and wrongs,

Your words are like beautiful songs.

Even though we fuss, argue, and fight,

Know that you’ll always be our light.

That shows us the way,

Through everything you say.

Your inspiration is like a shooting star,

Or a lightning bug in a jar.

You’re the one that brightens our day,

Even when things may get in our way.

So open your heart and your ears,

And let’s all give some cheers.

For mothers this year and every day,

May God bless you in a special way!

My Younger Daughter’s Mother’s Day Poem

Thank you for everything you do,

I really appreciate you.

You are the best mom I could ever ask for,

I want nothing more.

I am so grateful for you,

A cow goes moo.

(Sorry, I couldn’t think of anything that rhymes with you)

(I still can’t...so...Moo!)

Anyway, I love you more than you know,

And you always go with the flow.

About what we’re going to do,

Even though you’re sometimes cuckoo!

You make me laugh all day long,

Even when there’s something wrong.

I know I don’t say thank you enough,

And sometimes, on me, you’re a little rough.

But I love you so much,

(That may change if you don’t feed me candy and such!!)

Love, Your favorite child (I am just kidding or…am I?)

Yes, my heart is full indeed.

Whatever your love language is…I hope your children give you a triple treat of it on Mother’s Day!

For all the sweet moms who have died and for all the precious mommas who are sick…I’m praying for you. For all those beautiful women in our lives who are just like moms to us…I thank God for you! For mommies everywhere…you’re awesome and you rock! For our beautiful Mother Mary, I can’t thank you enough for being Jesus’ mom and our mom, too!

I’m heading back to work, Sunshines, so I’ll take a little break from writing again. However, let’s continue to keep each other in prayer as we navigate this Corona Journey. Bye for now!

Time For A Rona Rhyme

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 21:47:00 +0000

My Son's Paper Flower Bouquet!

One of my son’s school projects was to create a flower arrangement with flowers made of paper. Now, my son is a huge fisherman, so I can see him making paper fish maybe, but, paper flowers? Hmmm. He’s the type of guy that could easily wear a T-shirt that says, “I might look like I’m listening, but in my head…I’m fishing.”

During this quarantine, he and I have actually had quite a few talks about fishing. I even have dreams about fishing now. In fact, last week, I dreamed that I caught a record-breaking grouper. It was gigantic! Guess what I caught it with? Chocolate. Yes, fishermen, listen up…you might be on to something if you start using chocolate for bait! Ha ha!

Anyway, in between my son watching videos on how to fly-fish, which rods and reels are best, and secret fishing “honey-holes”…he needed to sit down, focus, and create a floral masterpiece…from paper. And, he did it! Wow! He sure did! I was so impressed with his finished product. My girls jumped in on the fun and helped to make some, too. My children never cease to amaze me!

My ten-year-old daughter then grabbed an old magazine, cut out one of the pages, and made a beautiful flower for her recycled project, following her brother’s lead. It was inspiring to see something so breath-taking come from something as simple as paper!

It made me think that even simple words, when put together in a special way, can create something new to enjoy. For me, that’s a rhyme. So, I figured it might be time for a Rona rhyme!

Rona, Rona…are you STILL here?

The unwelcomed guest who stays all year!

How long will you seriously be around?

We’re all feeling a bit unwound.

It’s now respectful to NOT shake a hand,

It’s something that’s just so hard to understand.

Hugs are no longer a way to show love,

This craziness is nothing I’ve ever dreamed of.

We show family our love by staying away,

That’s difficult to grasp on any given day.

The refrigerator talks to us, “Girl, step back!”

“You cannot be hungry for another snack!”

Stretchy waistbands say, “Don’t worry. You’re fine!”

“You can start exercising after some wine!”

We’ve all become teachers…ready or not!

Even though math is a thing we forgot.

You made us lose track of weeks and days,

We just walk around in a Netflix haze.

We TikTok here and we TikTok there,

We barely wash or brush our hair.

Children are wearing the same clothes for Zoom,

We call it our homeschool uniform…Boom!

Now, we wear masks and live in alarm,

Before biting, mosquitoes sanitize my arm!

Rona, Corona, Covid-19,

Please, go away, you’re being too mean.

You made our world stand completely still,

And, truth be told…we’ve had our fill.

While you are here, you ARE teaching us though,

We need home, faith, and family more than we know.

We have time to feel grateful for people and things,

Building courage to handle whatever life brings.

We’re superheroes by just staying home,

Saving lives by choosing not to roam.

We’re learning what we’re capable of,

We’re especially learning new ways to love.

While we’re ready for you to go, Rona, please!

We’ll hold on to the memories; get down on our knees.

Lord, help us remember the lessons we’ve learned,

During Corona…when lives overturned.

As I look at the bright bouquet of flowers that my children made from simple paper, I’m reminded to enjoy some of the simplicity of these days. While unpredictable, worrisome, and difficult as the days can be, let’s try to look for the simple joys around us.

Let’s pray that God will give us the special sight to see and appreciate these joys. Last week, I found joy…in paper flowers…and chocolate bait.

You can do it, Sunshines! I believe in you. God does, too. Bye for now.

My Daughter's Paper Flower

It's The "How" That Matters

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 21:12:00 +0000

Growing up, I learned that it’s not so much “what” you say, but “how” you say it that matters.

One of the blessings that I’ve enjoyed observing during this Corona Craziness is that we are all finding new ways to make people feel special. One of my Rona Revelations is that I see people changing the “how” in the way they express their love and I’m loving it!

Sometime in March, it seems we made a transition from Daylight Savings Time to The Twilight Zone. I can even hear that eerie music in my head. You’re humming it now, too, aren’t you? It’s like doo-doo-doo-doo...doo-doo-doo-doo.

Anyway, during this time, one of the days we’ve been figuring out “how” to celebrate differently are birthdays. Just last week, we participated in a drive-by birthday parade to bring joy to a couple of friends on their special day. So many friends and family members took part in this cool new way to celebrate. They drove by with balloons, posters, noise makers, and music. It was an awesome sight to see!

Another birthday project that we’ve joined in is the making of Happy Birthday videos. My girls have shown me the ins and outs of all the Snapchat filters. I love a good laugh, so I particularly enjoy the ones that alter your face and voice. Wow…we’ve had some fun with that! Try it. Today’s Sips picture is one of my favorite filters so far.

Laughter has helped my family trudge through this Corona Mire. My ten-year-old came up to me with a Knock-Knock joke.

Her: Knock, Knock.

Me: Who’s there?

Her: Smell Mop.

Me: Smell Mop Who?

Go ahead and say that last line again. Yes…Smell my poo! Oh mercy! For some reason, I just lost it. I was laughing so hard that I almost had to just sit down on the floor. My make-up was mixed with tears and smeared all over my face. I looked like I had had a rough, rough night on the town.

When she told me this joke, I happened to be in the process of getting my brownie ingredients together in the kitchen. Coincidence? I think not. After putting the last scoop of brownie batter into the pan…I had some left on my finger. Do you know where this is going? Oh, please don’t judge. My Corona-Crazy has to come out sometime.

I hid my hands behind my back and went to my daughter’s room. I asked her to tell me the same Knock-Knock joke just once more. When I said the last line, I couldn’t help but show her the brownie batter on my finger. Yep! I did. She screamed, “Mommmm! Moooommmmmm! Ewwww! That’s so gross! Seriously?!”

I’m thinking that there’s a certain level of cuckoo happening in every household as we all try to hold down the fort and keep it together. One minute, I’m thinking that cleaning the dust from the baseboards and fan blades with a Q-tip might be a good idea. In the next moment, I think that eating an entire box of Lucky Charms cereal while staring at a lizard on the kitchen window sounds like more fun. I choose not to clean the baseboards because if I stir up 20-year-old dust, I will be sneezing and coughing…and THAT, my friends, would be the end. We cannot cough right now. Don’t even. Don’t. So, I always opt for eating the cereal. The positive side to that is that I consume like 500% of my vitamins and minerals for the day. It’s a win! Ha ha!

Another topic that comes to mind with “how” we say things is that we’re expressing ourselves with lots of texting, Facebooking, emailing, and typing these days. Lots and lots. So, we might want to be mindful of our punctuation. Yes, it matters. It’s “how” you write it. If you need some laughs like I do, here are a few punctuation oopsies:

I’m sorry. I love you.

I’m sorry I love you.

She finds inspiration in cooking, her family, and her dog.

She finds inspiration in cooking her family and her dog.

Drink. Pee. Repeat.

Drink pee. Repeat.

A woman: Without her, man is nothing.

A woman without her man is nothing.

Twenty five-dollar bills ($100)

Twenty-five dollar bills ($25)

I’m giving up drinking for a month.

I’m giving up. Drinking for a month!

Here’s another cute one. I saw this on a Mexican Restaurant sign and I can relate. It said, “Sorry, we are closed due to short staff.” A desperate Mexican-food-lover wrote in response, “Well, please hire taller staff because I need a taco!” Ha ha!

Most folks these days are wearing masks or bandanas or Buzz Lightyear headgear when they go out in public. We are covering our noses and mouths for safety. However, one important facial feature can still be seen. Our eyes. I know countless people are in the trenches caring for others day in and day out. Right above those masks they’re wearing, we see their eyes. We also see “how” their eyes talk and that matters. Our eyes can show great love, even without words. Our eyes can show other emotions too, even without speaking.

As we continue to go about our days, let’s continue to remember that it’s the “how” that matters. We’re six feet apart, but there’s still love in our heart. I’m sure that God is smiling at all of the new ways we’ve found to make people feel special. I’m certain that He’s happy about the creativity we’re using to change the “how” in the way that we love and celebrate others.

Hang in there, Sunshines! Pray, laugh, and love…that’s “how” we’ll make it through this!

Bye for now.

Chalk and Tacos for Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 17:27:00 +0000

Photo Credit: The Kallus Gals

Sunshines, I hope you all had a Happy Easter! I’m thinking this one was unlike any of the Easters you’ve experienced and celebrated before. It was for us. Like you, we were just at home, quarantined with our “peeps.” Where should we celebrate? Hmmm…the living room, kitchen, or hallway? It was a “QuarantEaster.”

Last week, I was so impressed and inspired by all of the chalk mosaics I saw on Facebook. Honestly, it’s been a few years since we’ve had sidewalk chalk in our house. So, on Friday, I made a run to town for chalk, tape, and…toilet paper. Seriously. We had two rolls left. No hoarding over here! I promise.

My son was fishing for our supper on Friday, literally. He was in his kayak trying to catch some fish for Friday’s meal. Otherwise, he could have been chalking it up with us! My girls and I embraced the chalk art idea and got busy. We taped and then we colored and colored and colored our little hearts out, while inching around on our chalky knees.

The finished product was absolutely beautiful! We were full of smiles, joy, and chalk dust. I took some pictures and shared it with a few friends. One of them asked me how long the colors would last. Hmmmm…honestly, chalk probably won’t last too long with the wind and a little rain. In no time, the chalk mosaic would only be a memory. But...an amazing memory it would be!

Easter Sunday arrived and it was different. It was full of memories, but definitely different. We started the day off with an Easter Egg scavenger hunt with rhyming clues. I love that part! Awesome Aunt Kerri had also secretly hid some extra eggs outside, during the night, for a bonus hunt. Her eggs had money, little papers with jokes written on them, or candy. My ten-year-old daughter was initially a grumpy bunny when most of her eggs were light in weight. She was sure that she only got the jokes in her eggs. Much to her surprise, paper money doesn’t weigh much either. She was the lucky one who walked away with the riches this hunt! What a fun memory. How quickly that frown turned upside down!

A couple of the little jokes are too cute not to share: “What is the soft tissue between a shark’s teeth called? A slow swimmer.” Ha ha! “A dentist tells his patient that she needs a crown and she replies, ‘Finally, someone understands me!’” Hee hee!

After the Egg Hunts, we were blessed to watch Easter Mass together on Facebook. Then, I asked the kids what delicious Easter meal they thought we could enjoy. Ham? Tamales? Potatoes? Roasted Chicken? Nope. Guess again.

My children unanimously picked…wait for it…Taco Bell. Yes sir! That doesn’t really surprise me at all since I ate my weight in Taco Bell and Mexican food during each of their pregnancies. It was a Taco Bell QuarantEaster! No cooking? No clean-up? Okay! I’m in! We drove to town, picked up our $65.00 order and came home to savor it. With a $65.00 order at Taco Bell, I think we made their day a little brighter. That’s a whole lotta tacos, ya’ll! I think they closed for the day after we left. Ha ha! What a memory!

After eating all the Taco Bell, I took a long walk…I mean waddle. While walking, I thought about the chalk mosaic and how it probably wouldn’t last long on the concrete. I wish we could enjoy it just a bit longer.

During our normal pre-quarantine days, we all moved pretty quickly, didn’t we? We made memories, yes, but in a fairly fast-paced motion. Maybe this slow-motion time we have now will allow us the opportunity to really soak in the memories we’re making. Maybe. Just maybe.

This Corona Craziness seems to be lasting FOREVER! Seriously. However, I think there’s a great chance that no one living during this time will ever forget how they felt, the memories they made, the struggles they had, what they missed, who they missed, and the Easter of 2020 they had without their extended families. Over here, we missed our Mimi, Pops, Nanny, PoPo, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephew, and cousins! A lot! A whole lot!

It will be the Easter where we had the theme… “Come as you are and worship from afar.” Some families watched their church services on Facebook in their pajamas. Other families got all dressed up in their Sunday best to watch it online. Some families had their traditional Easter dinner on a beautifully decorated table. Other families had Taco Bell on paper plates. Some families dyed Easter eggs and had Easter hunts. Other families didn’t have much time together because they had to work on Easter Sunday. We’re all handling this Rona Time in our own way and that’s okay. We’re going to be okay. I keep reminding myself.

It is the Easter where we could be superheroes just by staying home. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that we’d play a part in saving others by sitting at home. Are you kidding me?! I never read a book like that in my life! This is not an ordinary superhero story.

Sometimes, I wonder where God is. Hello? God? Are you there? I got an extra taco for you! Maybe even two! Hello? But, then, I remember that the teacher is always quiet during a test. Okay, Lord. I’ll be patient. While I wait, I’ll try to be thankful and I’ll say Alleluia, for our Lord has still risen! Thank you for the QuarantEaster and the time to really soak in the memories.

I will always remember the Easter of 2020 for chalk and tacos. The tacos were delish, but they are long gone. And, the colors in our chalk mosaic won’t last long either. But, the memories we made will last.

Make some memories, Sunshines! One day FAR, FAR, FAR down the road, we might even say, “I wish we could have enjoyed that time just a bit longer.” Maybe. Bye for now!

More Than Germs Can Be Hidden

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 23:46:00 +0000

Photo Credit: hurley_gurlie182 from morgueFile.com

Well, hello there, Sunshines! Yes, it’s been awhile. I wrote my last Sips of Sunshine in November of 2018 to be exact. My 13-year-old daughter said, “Uh, Mom, maybe you should write a Sips now. With the quarantine, you have tons of time, ya know?”

So…here I am! It’s Blurryday, the 50^th of Mapril, I believe. Is it still 2020? Because THIS 2020 is definitely not the 20/20 where I can see clearly! Seriously. Wow.

How is everyone doing out there? Hello? Hello? Anyone there? This is certainly new territory for all of us. We haven’t been here before. Boy, this terrain is rough! The waters here are uncharted. These paths are unbelievably bumpy, with so many unexpected twists and turns. Welcome to the Corona Region. We’re the first explorers to set foot here. Yikes! Can we go back…to ANYWHERE but here?!

Coronavirus, COVID-19, The Rona, CV, C-19, Corona…whatever we want to call it…it’s affecting everyone in some way. For the first time in my life, I’ve seen a type of storm that every single person is having to weather. Different places all over our world deal with hurricanes, tornadoes, drought, earthquakes, tsunamis, blizzards, floods, cyclones, and wildfires. But THIS! This Corona Storm has impacted us all. No one is exempt. No one.

What I have seen is a whole bunch of humans just trying to do their best. I do know that. There is not one right way or wrong way to do “The Corona Dance.” We just dance the only way we know how. We actually just make up the dance moves as we go along. It’s freestyle. We weren’t taught the moves beforehand. Nope. Not at all.

So, how exactly are some of us trying to dance “The Corona Dance?”

Some send funny Corona jokes and memes to cope with the stress. Others watch the news non-stop. Some gals put on make-up to feel halfway normal. Others don’t even know where their make-up is. Some ladies are still tweezing those random hairs on their face. Others now have eyebrows that connect into a unibrow. Some men shave like they always do. Other men will be able to donate their beard to make a wig after this is over.

Some people shower each day and change their clothes. Others stay in their pajamas for days at a time. Some can’t stay at home with their families because they’re working the front lines to protect our families. Others don’t have a job to go to anymore. Some have toilet paper to last until the year 2030. Others literally have one roll left in the cabinet for their family of four. Some are learning to cook. Others don’t have food to cook. Some sleep all the time. Others can’t seem to sleep at all. Some have sanitized everything and everyone in their home. Others can’t find any sanitizer on the supermarket shelves.

Some are quarantined with their family. Others are in lock-down-mode all alone. Some aren’t able to hold their new grandbaby. Others aren’t able to hold the hand of a dying loved one. Some are learning how to teach their kids at home. Others aren’t able to stay at home to teach them. Some long to be back in church to pray. Others have said a prayer for the first time in awhile. Some get a tingle in their throat and are frozen with fear that it’s Corona. Others work in healthcare and are exposed everyday to Corona and every other hidden germ.

I could go on and on, but through this time of fear, loss, and the unknown; it appears that more than Corona germs can be hidden in all of this. It seems to me that blessings are hidden alongside the germs. Some of the blessings are easy to spot and others require a deeper look. Let me just list a handful of the blessings:

Store employees are working endless hours to keep shelves stocked for us and they’re allowing the elderly to shop first.
Teachers and administrators are thinking outside the box to ensure their precious students have lessons and lunches.
Priests and spiritual leaders are making sure our souls are still fed with live church services and Masses on Facebook and church websites.
Health professionals are tirelessly caring for their patients, while putting their own lives at risk.
Families are spending more time together and praying more, I believe.
More conversations are taking place while sitting around a family dinner table.
We’re realizing what we need and what we can do without.
We’re slowing down, living a bit more simply, and leaning on God a little more.
We’re making use of our God-given talents because we have the gift of time. We’re sewing, making music, painting walls, doing woodwork, baking, and landscaping.
We’re realizing the value of the wonderful people in our lives that we miss terribly and can’t wait to see and hug again!

Maybe the hidden blessing is that we’re finding new ways to show love, while being our perfectly imperfect selves. We’re making what used to seem impossible…possible. We’re trying to do small things with great love, but we’re just having to do them a bit differently than we’re used to.

An interesting thought comes to my mind. Corona is the Latin word for crown. Hmmmm. I read how the scientists named this virus for the way it resembles a crown under a microscope. But, a crown also symbolizes victory, triumph, glory, and Resurrection. Yes, Easter is coming up…The Resurrection of Jesus Christ! I have a good feeling that Jesus has some beautiful plans that will come out of this Corona chapter of our lives. I don’t know exactly what those plans are, but let’s keep looking for the hidden blessings…right alongside those hidden germs.

More than germs can be hidden.

Hang in there, Sunshines! I’ll pray for you. Please pray for me. Bye for now.

Dreams Are Meant To Be Shared

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 01:40:00 +0000

Dreams are meant to be shared,

Then, we won’t be as scared.

Some dreams are big and some are small,

Don’t be afraid to share them all.

God sends special people on our way,

For encouraging words; they will say.

When stumbling blocks slow us down,

Their smile can quickly change our frown.

Obstacles and problems will certainly come,

They’ll challenge us in ways we can learn from.

Those who love us want what’s best,

Negative vibes may come from the rest.

Take it step by step and follow that dream,

The journey can be long; it may seem.

Dreams may be old ones or maybe brand-new,

But, never give up; that’s not what we do.

If the dream’s not scary…is it really big enough?

Our adventure can be smooth and also can be rough.

Hope and trust that God will lovingly provide,

The people and strength we’ll need for the ride.

Shared is what dreams are meant to be,

Try sharing those dreams; it’s amazing, you’ll see!

Last week, I shared a dream of mine on Facebook. This particular dream had come true and it was time to spread the news! My dream came in the form of paper…8 inches by 10 inches to be exact. Yes, I published my second children’s book, “Thank You, Hurricane Harvey.” Woohoo! Yippee! Yeah!

The outpouring of support, encouragement, and love fills my heart with joy. Family and friends from near and far congratulated me and even passed along my great news to their friends. I’m truly humbled by the generous amount of praise! Wow!

So, Sunshines, if you have a dream, old or new; I encourage you to go for it! You’ll be surprised and blessed by the people God sends to you when you need them…how you need them…and exactly where you need them on your path.

If you’re looking at sharing the gift of reading with your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, godchild, neighbor, or friend…then, please click on over to Amazon and order my new book for Christmas! It’s available in both hard cover and paperback formats. Thanks so much!

Remember to share your dreams and have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now.

Thank You, Hurricane Harvey

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 22:55:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Prawny from morgueFile.com

Well, hello Sunshines! Yes, it's been awhile, but I couldn't pass up the chance to share a poem that I wrote about Hurricane Harvey...just in time for the one year anniversary!

I'm also excited to announce that this poem can be found in my next children's book entitled, "Thank You, Hurricane Harvey." Woohoo! Yippee! Yeah! It will be released very soon and I'll be sure to let you know when you can grab your copy on Amazon.

Thanks for reading and sharing. Have a wonderful weekend, Sunshines! Bye for now!

Is it right to thank a hurricane?

When Harvey’s damage was insane!

Homes destroyed by water and wind,

No power for days, he did send.

Fresh water in sinks was lost for many,

Cool rooms to rest? There were not any!

Trees uprooted. Limbs were broken.

People cringed as his name was spoken.

Roofs blown away. Roads were lakes.

We couldn’t flush toilets for goodness sakes!

School was cancelled. Business stopped.

Silence heard when no one shopped.

A million mosquitos came to town.

We scratched their bites with a frown.

But, a thank you, Harvey, is surely due.

You taught us something with the wind you blew.

You taught us what we’re thankful for,

Air-conditioned rooms and more.

Running water. Beds to sleep,

Alarm clocks that actually beep.

Friends and family, safe and sound,

Daily blessings that abound.

A healthy body. Places to go.

A nice, hot meal and grass to mow.

So, thank you, Harvey. Our gifts we count,

Helping hands were there in no small amount!

Men and women – the generous kind,

People helping people is what comes to mind.

We found hope in others’ eyes,

As we pondered all the how’s and why’s.

After Harvey came and went,

There were angels that God sent.

To help repair and rebuild,

As our hearts were truly filled.

With the strength that found its place,

Because of love in a stranger’s face.

Thank you, Harvey, for time to think,

What we take for granted with every blink.

We’ll try to remember after the storm,

The gifts tucked in our daily norm.

God is there…always was and will be,

So, thank you, Harvey, for helping us see!

The Back-To-School Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 02:55:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Prawny from morgueFile.com

Are your kids singing the back-to-school blues?
Have you bought their supplies and brand-new shoes?
Forms to fill out and fees to pay,
The days have flown since the end of May.
They'll need to use the gifts God gave,
And try their best to behave!
With dance, gym, sports, and art,
The schedule's tight right from the start.
They'll learn so much throughout the year,
The kids have grown...is that a tear?
Let's pray for them along the way,
Let's love and care for them each day.
We need to start this year off right,
So, come to the museum on Saturday night!
We'll have Chick-fil-A and read my book,
They'll be golden keys...come take a look!
It's a Pajama Party, so don't miss out,
We'll have tons of fun, without a doubt!
Grab your tickets online today,
Since the back-to-school blues
Aren't
Here
To
Stay.

Hello Sunshines! Join me for a Back-to-School Pajama Party at The Children's Discovery Museum this Saturday night (August 12th) from 6-8pm. There will be a bit of magic, a reading from my book, Gabriel's Golden Key, and yummy Chick-n-Minis from Chick-fil-A! It's breakfast for supper and all ticket proceeds benefit The Children's Discovery Museum. I will be signing my books and giving away special golden keys with each book purchased as well. Please buy your tickets now at www.cdmgoldencrescent.com. They are $8.00 each and include the delicious meal!

I hope you all have enjoyed your summer! I will continue writing my Sips throughout the school year, but you'll hear from me a bit more sporadically since I'm a working momma now. But, as the inspiration hits, I'll be sure to share...share...share it!

I'll see you on Saturday night, Sunshines! Bye for now.

Here's To A Non-Bummer-Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 23 May 2017 23:10:00 +0000

Photo Credit: GatorTodd from morgueFile.com

Tis the season for moms, dads, and grads, no doubt! You can almost reach out and touch the excitement in the air as students and teachers count down the last few days of this school year. Children and parents everywhere are wondering just how their summer will be. Will it be a non-bummer-summer? Well, that’s up to us. We choose. I wrote a poem last May that I want to share again, with just a few tweaks:

18 SUMMERS

Summertime has come, my friends,

The school year’s done, for here it ends.

What will we do to pass each day?

Some camps, vacation, work, and play?

Maybe a mission trip’s in the plan?

How ‘bout cross-country in a van?

Veg on the couch or hit the gym?

Will we bend our knees in prayer with Him?

Will we practice hoops and football throws?

Or water gardens in perfect rows?

Will we canoe or paint a scene?

Tackle the closets and finally clean?

Do some shopping or stay at home?

Travel nearby? Go out and roam?

How much or little can we pack,

In that suitcase, bag, or sack?

Plan our days to the hour,

Or take some time to smell that flower?

It’s such a task to balance it all.

Have fun, work some…all before Fall.

We have 18 summers with our kids.

Will we have “should haves,” “could haves,” or “dids?”

From birth to grad day isn’t that long,

Life’s an adventure, a beautiful song.

Grab some fishing or swim at the beach.

Hike in the mountains while eating a peach.

Whatever you do, make it count.

18 summers – that is the amount.

Cuddle the kids, grab hugs and kisses.

Praise 2-point baskets. Forget the misses.

Turn up the music. Sing it loud.

Dance alone or in a crowd.

Amidst mosquitos and humid days,

Let’s thank God for morning rays.

Kids might whine that they’re bored,

Let’s try to remember to thank you, Lord,

For each hot day’s a gift from you.

18 summers – what will we do?

Celebrate our days or waste the time?

Spend some cash or not a dime.

Embrace this summer’s number, whatever it happens to be,

Summer 7, 10, 13 – these are the numbers for me.

The kiddos are growing up so fast,

Grab some shades - make memories to last!

Happy Summer, Sunshines! Over the next few months, I’ll be taking a break from my writing schedule, as I work and spend some time with my family and friends. I wish you all the best as you embrace your summer…whatever number you’re on. Enjoy it to the fullest! Here’s to a non-bummer-summer!

Age Is A Funny Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:44:00 +0000

Photo Credit: sophisticat from morgueFile.com

Today, I want to share a few funnies from my friend, Mikey, in honor of my baby brother’s birthday this past weekend, on May 13^th. My brother and I love to laugh, so here are some giggles – one joke per decade of your life, big guy! Ha ha! It’s hard to believe that my little bro is the BIG FOUR-OH! We fought incessantly as kids, as my poor Mom and Dad can attest. However, I could not be more proud of the absolutely amazing man you have become, Aaron! Seriously. You don’t even have to pay me a penny (inside joke) to say it, because I mean it! Truly. I am blessed to be your sister and friend. Kisses and Hugs! After 40 years, surely you’ll share your candy with me now? Maybe? Hee hee!

JOKE # 1

Age is a funny thing.

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

"How old are you?" "I'm 4 and a half." You're never 36 and a half, but you are 4 and a half going on 5! That's the key. You get into your teens and now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number. "How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16." You could be 12, but you're GONNA be 16!

And then the greatest day of your life happens: you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony - you BECOME 21. YES! But then you turn 30. Ooohhh, what happened here? Makes you sound like bad milk. He TURNED. We had to throw him out. There's no fun now. What's wrong? What changed?

Then you're PUSHING 40. Stay over there because it's all slipping away...

You REACH 50. My dreams are gone...

You MAKE IT to 60. Whew! I didn't think I'd make it.

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, you're PUSHING 40, you REACH 50, you MAKE IT to 60, and by then you've built up so much speed, you HIT 70!

After that, it's a day-by-day thing. You HIT Wednesday. You get into your 80s. You HIT lunch.

I mean my grandmother won't even buy green bananas: "Well it's an investment, you know, and maybe a bad one at that."

And it doesn't end there. When you’re into the 90's, you start going backwards: I was JUST 92. Then a strange thing happens if you make it over 100. You become a little kid again: I'm 100 and a half!

Age is a funny thing.

JOKE # 2

An old geezer who was a retired farmer for a long time became very bored in retirement. He decided to open a medical clinic. He put up a sign outside that said: "Dr. Geezer's Clinic. Get your treatment for $500, and if not cured, get back $1,000!"

Dr. Young, who was positive that this old geezer didn't know beans about medicine, thought this would be a great opportunity to make $1,000. So, he visited Dr. Geezer's clinic.

Dr. Young: "Dr. Geezer, I've lost all taste in my mouth. Can you please help me?"

Dr. Geezer: "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in the patient's mouth."

Dr. Young: “Aaagh!! -- This is gasoline!"

Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your taste back. That will be $500."

Dr. Young gets annoyed and goes back after a couple of days of figuring out how to recover his money.

Dr. Young: "I’ve lost my memory. I can’t remember anything."

Dr. Geezer: "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in the patient's mouth."

Dr. Young: "Oh, no you don't, that’s gasoline!"

Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your memory back! That will be $500."

Dr. Young (after losing $1000) leaves angrily and comes back after several more days.

Dr. Young: "My eyesight has become weak --- I can hardly see anything!"

Dr. Geezer: "Well, I don't have any medicine for that so here's your $1000 back," and handed him a $10 bill.

Dr. Young: "But this is only $10!"

Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You got your vision back! That will be $500."

JOKE # 3

A new business was opening and one of the owner's friends wanted to send flowers for the occasion. They arrived at the new business site and the owner read the card. It said, "Rest in Peace."

The owner was angry and called the florist to complain. After he told the florist of the obvious mistake and how angry he was, the florist said, "Sir, I'm really sorry for the mistake, but rather than getting angry, you should imagine this: somewhere there is a funeral taking place today, and they have flowers with a note saying, 'Congratulations on your new location.’”

JOKE # 4

John was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up toward heaven, he said, "Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking place, I will go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up beer."

Just then, a parking place miraculously appeared! John looked up again and said, "Never mind. I found one!"

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines, and Happy 40^th Birthday, Aaron! I love you! Bye for now!

M-Day Is Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 09 May 2017 15:40:00 +0000

It’s May and M-Day is here!

It’s time for mothers to cheer!

A day to shine and celebrate,

Be pampered a bit and sleep in late.

What does the dash in M-Day mean?

It surely means “others” as I have seen.

The dash is important. Her gift is serving.

Tell her she’s special - this you’re observing.

Moms give of themselves three-sixty-five,

They sacrifice so their children can thrive.

They launder the clothes, prepare the meals,

Always aware how everyone feels.

Some sleepless nights spent in worry,

Her taxi service is sure in a hurry.

Long to-do lists may not be complete,

But, her love is great – from head to feet!

When a child is sad or lonely and scared,

A mom knows this because she has cared.

When a child is happy and full of joy,

Mom knows this too, about her girl or boy.

There are new moms and moms with quite a few years,

Both of them will experience tears.

Tears of joy and tears of doubt,

Together, we learn. That’s what it’s about.

We learn from children. They learn from us.

Sometimes we’ll agree. Sometimes we’ll fuss.

We’ll pray for insight, guidance, and more,

Along the way, with memories galore!

As long as we live, our babies they’ll be,

Our love runs deep and this you’ll see!

Most of “mother” is “other” – it’s true,

So, love your mom, whatever you do!

Tell her you’re thankful for her time,

Draw her a picture. Write her a rhyme.

Make her dinner with her favorite dessert,

Maybe some flowers or a new shirt?

Or no gift at all and just be good,

Get along without fighting, please, if you could.

God blessed this world with angels we call,

Mother or Mommy – she loves with all!

Happy M-Day, ladies! I’ll say a prayer,

And thank God for you, for being there!

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines, and Happy Mother’s Day! Bye for now!

The Greatest of Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 02 May 2017 13:20:00 +0000

Photo Credit: dhester from morgueFile.com

My 10-year-old daughter has been hard at work on an ancestry project for school. She chose to research Poland since my mom’s dad was born there. She’s been interviewing my mom, aunt, and uncle to discover some of the pieces of our Polish puzzle. She’s learning about foods, customs, games, traditions, jobs, holidays, and the language.

My daughter has investigated which family members still live there and why my grandfather came to America all those years ago. I have enjoyed listening to her excitement as she relays her findings and shares all the stories with me. Being a little foodie herself, she has especially loved learning all about the delicious dishes that my grandpa used to prepare. I know she probably still won’t dive into a heaping bowl of sauerkraut or cabbage rolls, but it’s been a fun learning experience all the same.

One of the areas that I’ve truly appreciated has been the language part. We found out that “Ja Cie Kocham” is “I love you” and “Czesc” is “Hello.” “Jak sie masz” is “How are you?” and then we stumbled upon a word that she’ll never forget, I’m sure. That word is BRAT. Do you know what it means? Yep! It means brother. She thought that was interestingly funny. Hee hee! We all laughed…except her brother, of course.

Anyway, I love languages. All kinds. I love to hear families speak to each other in their native language or mother tongue. It’s fascinating to me. I wish I could speak many different languages, so I will add that to my bucket list today!

In the meantime, I was inspired to write a poem after working with my daughter on this project. Here goes:

Do you speak French, Italian, Spanish, too?

Can you say “I love you” and “How do you do?”

Do you get lost when listening to Greek?

Are you confident with language? Or tongue-in-cheek?

Can you rattle off German and Polish as well?

Do you speak Chinese as clear as a bell?

Is Czech the one that you know best?

Are words so confusing you need to rest?

The great news is, we don’t have to speak…

Everyone’s language to get what we seek.

You see, there is something small that can bring…

Happiness to all. Hearts will just sing!

It’s free to give and to receive.

It’s the greatest of gifts, I do believe.

You carry it with you wherever you go.

Some keep it hidden. Some let it show.

The joy is great if you wear it awhile,

Every language gets it. It’s simply a smile!

I realized that everyone smiles in the same language. I love it! I encourage you to share a smile with someone today – a friend, family member, or complete stranger. You’ll make their day and I dare to say that you’ll make your own day better, too!

It’s the greatest of gifts. Your smile. Your Polish-German-Spanish-French-Greek-Chinese-Czech-Italian smile! Yes, that’s the one. Share it with your “brat” or sister! Ha!

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now.

Could This Be The Year?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 18:52:00 +0000

Some gutsy guests have decided to move into our home this Spring. Well, not exactly move INTO our home, but rather move ONTO the front porch. These valiant visitors have found our porch to be the perfect, cozy spot to settle down in. Who are these daring little guests? They are…“The Swallow Family.”

These bold birdies are bound and determined to move in. My husband didn’t really like the idea of them pooping up the front porch and making a muddy mess everywhere, so he and the kiddos made a makeshift scarecrow. They constructed it out of a cardboard box and palm tree branches. The girls colored a funny face on the cardboard box, wrote “Stay away!” and stuck the branches in the top of it.

Well, The Swallow Family just laughed and laughed. I heard them. In fact, I hear them chuckling now as I type this Sips. Actually, they temporarily moved to the back porch. Yep. I hear them unpacking at this very moment. They’re staying. However, did you know that one of the family members was insistent on taking up residence on the front porch? That winged warrior was brave enough to make his nest INSIDE the “scary” cardboard box! Uh-huh. NO FEAR! None. Seriously.

I just have to giggle because I admire the birds’ courage, fearless motivation, and never-give-up-attitude. My husband has been battling this audacious feather family for a few weeks now. Mr. and Mrs. Swallow got me to thinking more about fear though and how fear can hold many of us back from doing the things we really want or need to do.

So, of course, I was inspired by “Sparrow Spunk” and decided to write a poem. Here goes:

Could this be the year?

Could this be the year to tackle fear?

Take a big breath and make it deep,

Let go of the fears that we may keep.

Make that appointment. Go on that trip.

Cringe a bit and bite that lip.

Find a way to take that class,

Study hard and you will pass.

Go for a check-up. Take that job.

Find the peace that fear does rob.

Mend a friendship. Take a test.

Harmony is found when souls find rest.

“Don’t be afraid,” the Lord does say.

He’ll be with us along the way.

It won’t be easy. Fear is rough,

But God does know we are enough.

Pray for strength. He will provide.

Tackle fear. He’s by our side.

Public speaking, heights, and such,

Flying, tight spaces, thunder – too much?

Doctors, dentists, snakes, spiders?

Dig down deep because we’re fighters!

We will doubt and that’s okay.

We’re not perfect in any way.

Go ahead – laugh. Maybe cry.

Whatever you do, just please try.

“Increase my faith,” we asked the Lord,

And all His love…out He poured.

He’ll send friends in fearful places.

He’ll send hope through many faces.

Something or someone hold us back?

Many things can get us off-track.

Let it go and let them be.

Without fear, we’re stronger, see.

Fear just limits and takes away,

The beauty God blesses in each new day.

Take a chance and dive on in,

It’s where we’re going, not where we’ve been.

Right now, we’re ready to do great things.

Fear is too heavy for our wings.

Ready to soar? Ready to fly?

Fear likes to stay, but say good-bye!

Could this be the year to tackle fear?

I think the answer is yes, my dear.

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now.

You Are Enough

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 17:59:00 +0000

Photo Credit: anitapeppers from morgueFile.com

God needs us. This I know.

He has ground to till and seeds to sow.

Have you ever thought God can’t use you?

Far from perfect. Mistakes we do.

Our feelings of doubt and those of fear,

Can hinder God’s work all through the year.

His knock on our door may be gentle or loud.

You’ll hear it alone or when in a crowd.

Can you be the one to help God out?

Be available. That’s what it’s about.

Do you question your gifts, your talents, and more?

Be open to see what God has in store.

He believes in us more than we see.

Saying yes to Him is truly the key.

He doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called.

He doesn’t care if you’re hairy or completely bald.

If you’re short or tall or maybe between,

A seasoned helper at times or fresh and green.

No matter your age, background, or money,

If you’re quiet, calm, upbeat, or funny.

He needs us. He wants us. He’ll bless us for giving,

Ourselves to Him – instruments while living.

Am I enough? Are you enough?

He’ll take us all – the tender and tough.

Temperaments differ. Personalities vary.

He needs us – the single and those who marry.

On this earth, we’re His feet and hands,

There’s much to do in all His lands.

We are clay in His care, ready to mold.

He needs the young, middle-aged, and old.

Need a sign? Well, this is it.

It’s time to take action. Don’t just sit.

You’re enough. I’m enough. We are enough, I’ll say.

God is calling us in a very special way.

Thank you, in advance, for your yes to His call.

Don’t be afraid. He’ll pick us up when we fall.

Let’s spread His love the ways we can,

To every child, every woman, and also each man.

Are we overly sensitive? A bit too rough?

Worry not, my friend, because YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now!

Dancing With Daddy

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 18:37:00 +0000

Daddy-Daughter Dance - April 2016

My girls received a special invitation a few days ago. It was the invite they were waiting for all year long! The invitation is for the Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance at their school. This year’s theme is Enchanted Garden and I’m certain the place will be blooming with charm, beauty, and memory-making!

There are only 11 days until the big night arrives! The girls are already discussing hair, nails, and dresses. They love the thought of hanging out with their dolled-up and decked-out girlfriends, but the main thing is time with Dad. They have Daddy all to themselves. They’ll dance until their feet hurt and twirl until they’re dizzy, I’m sure!

I wrote a poem last April that was inspired by the epic Daddy-Daughter Dance, so I want to share that again with you today:

THE DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE

The dance is tonight, Mom. I can hardly wait!

I get Daddy to myself. Tonight, he’ll be my date.

Mommy, will you paint my nails? How ‘bout Dazzle Red?

Please curl my hair this evening, too. That is what you said.

Mommy, how about mascara, lipstick, and some blush?

Can I get ready early? I sure don’t wanna rush.

Let’s take some pictures on the porch. I’ll smile and pose just right.

This Daddy Dance is once a year. It’s happening tonight!

I’ll dance with Daddy every song. How much longer til we’re there?

I’ll wear a dress that sparkles. I’ll put flowers in my hair.

I’ll grab some snacks, chat with friends, but this is special, Dad.

When the night is over, I know that I’ll be sad.

Let’s make the most of every moment. Twirl me once or twice.

A waltz, two-step, or polka. Boogie-woogie would be nice.

Hold me in your big, strong arms and never let me go.

And, don’t forget to tell me what I already know.

Tell me that you love me, Dad, and that you always will.

Every time you tell me, it’s my heart that you fill.

Tell me I’m your sunshine, the twinkle in your eye.

If you shed a tear, Dad - I’ll wipe it if you cry.

Do you think I’m beautiful? Inside? Outside, too?

Tell me Dad - I’ll have no doubts, if it comes from you.

I’ll always be your baby girl, as the years fly by.

I won’t forget you danced with me. You’re my favorite guy!

Thank you for this evening. Your time means much to me.

Let’s go, Dad – it’s date night. Here’s that ol’ truck key…

I want to take this time to also thank the amazing people who host this event and make it such an incredibly memorable night for daddies and daughters! On behalf of all the mommies, I want you to know that you are truly appreciated!

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines, and may you have a loving, joy-filled Easter with your family! Bye for now.

Point A to Point B

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 18:09:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Ladyheart from morgueFile.com

Point A to Point B may not be a straight line,

If it is or it isn’t, the path is still mine.

It’s not how or when we get to Point B,

Who we meet, what we learn - THAT matters, you see.

Sometimes our journey has curves and bends,

How we view the turns – on us, it depends.

The road can be bumpy or smooth on some days,

Grab the wheel, hold on, embracing each phase.

Do we set goals and follow our dreams?

Or have we lost sight, to some, it seems?

Each person, each moment, all have a part,

Of the adventure we’re on – a piece of our heart.

The ups and the downs, confusion, and doubt,

The glass we view is what it’s about.

Is it half-empty or maybe half-full?

Experience from both is what we will pull.

Successes and struggles create who we are,

To better our vision, more clear by far.

What is God’s plan? What is His will?

Have we prayed for guidance when going uphill?

Life can be messy and that is true,

But, never give up, whatever you do!

We have gifts and talents unique to us,

Find them and use them. Don’t worry and fuss.

Be confident you were created for more,

Do you hear God knocking? Open the door.

He’ll take our hands, you and me,

And help us travel Point A to Point B!

A sweet high school friend of mine, Alison, traveled the winding road from Point A to Point B. She pursued her passion of becoming an Interior Designer, by way of a few other credentials after her name. I was inspired by her story, so I wanted to share it with you today:

From Alison’s blog:

I have always loved houses. I remember vividly, a conversation with my Dad before going off to college. He'd asked me what I wanted to study, and I answered something like historic preservation of houses. In his own, Dad-only-wants-the-best-for-you way, he suggested I pursue something a little more likely to offer, say, a job when I got out of school.

When I visit with peers and potential clients, they often ask how I got from point A to B. Let's just say it was a circuitous route. It seems a bit self-indulgent to post, but my journey might offer some insight to others who may be searching for their True Path, so I thought I'd share.

When I landed at The University of Texas, (hookem!) I knew it had a renowned School of Architecture, but didn't think it was for me. I ended up majoring in Nutrition, and despite sharing the (dismally-named Home Economics) building with the Interior Design students, I never knew Interior Design existed as a profession. Forgive me, but I thought it was a place-holder degree for women waiting for their MRS. Little did I know! After graduating, I went on to work in medical sales. It was a good living. I enjoyed meeting with patients, but I just didn't feel a connection to the sales aspect. After about five years, I decided to leave the business.

At the time, I was dating my soon-to-be fiancé. When I told him I was thinking about leaving sales, he (who was just finishing up law school), suggested I get a law degree.

So, I did what anyone trying to find a fitting career does - wrack up a lot of debt! In the meantime, my new husband and I were renovating our first home - a 1920s bungalow. Maybe I should've seen it as a sign that I was WAY more interested in the space planning and finish selections of my house, than I was in keeping up with my studies! Ultimately, law school was a good experience. I made great friends, but by the time I earned my JD, I think I knew in my heart I didn't want to practice law. But who wants to admit the last three years were potentially a very expensive mistake?

I floundered for a few years as we moved out of state, started a family, and moved overseas to Brazil. There's a sort of limbo you go into when you first move to a foreign country. You know you're not in Kansas anymore, so to speak, but you're also not acclimated to the new culture. It was in this time of semi-seclusion that I first learned of design blogs. I pored over blogs written by people who were schooled in Interior Design, were practicing it, and writing about it in a way that showed it in its true, professional light. It was one of the biggest lightning bolt moments I've ever had - I knew it was what I was meant to do.

I started a blog as a way to channel my thoughts and inspiration about interiors, but being overseas, wasn't sure how to make my way forward with actually becoming a designer. I used the time in Brazil to absorb as much design as possible - the Country offers a fantastic study of classic mid-century design, mixed with cultural aplomb. There's no doubt that living in Brazil significantly impacted my aesthetic, honing my preference for eclectic design. It was, in itself, an education in design.

When we returned to the States, I focused on settling our family, and personalizing our home. Once again, I felt that rush of excitement of having a design project to dig into. Truth be told, I probably crave renovations more than straight up decorating, but am happy as a clam doing both! It gave me time to think about how I wanted to pursue a design business in an area where I have no friends or family to do those "freebie" design projects for to build a portfolio. I decided there was NO WAY I was going back to get yet another degree, but still wanted some street cred, so I enrolled in Northern Virginia Community College's Interior Decorating Certification program. It's a great program that provides sound fundamentals in the design process, and was just what I wanted in terms of credentials.

Sometimes, I feel like I'm getting such a late start, but I also can't imagine coming to the table with any different experience. My story comes through in my work, and I dare say, will ultimately make me a stronger designer.

You can find Alison in her beautifully cozy, decked out and jazzed up, corner of the web at Alison Giese Interiors. I’m so very proud of you, Alison! You found your Point B and I can see how happy you are using your gifts and talents! Keep shining, my Dietitian-Saleswoman-Lawyer-Designer Friend! Woo-hoo!

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now.

I Love You More

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 18:42:00 +0000

Photo Credit: pippalou from morgueFile.com

A little girl ran to her mom, exclaiming, “Mom, I love you!”

She hugged her tight with all her might and said, “I REALLY do!”

The mom knelt down and held her child. She sang, “I love you MORE!”

“Impossible!” the girl replied, “Love YOU a billion four!”

“I love you more than all my toys, my games, and even candy!

I love you more than my stuffed bears - more than my favorite, Sandy.

I love you to the stars and moon and planets in the sky.

I love you so, each day and night,” she yawned with a sigh.

The mom picked up her precious angel - sat her on her lap.

She rocked her in the rocking chair, so they could take a nap.

With each rock, back and forth, she smelled her child’s sweet hair.

She held her close, heard her breathe, and felt the loving care.

As the child drifted off, she whispered, “Mom, I love you.”

The mom responded with a kiss, “Sweetheart, I love you, too.”

The mom then prayed, “Thank you for this child You gave to me.

Do I deserve a love like ours? It’s so deep you see.

How blessed I feel to have such a special gift as this.

You’ve given me so much, Lord. I love to reminisce.”

The Lord assured, “Dear daughter - my children, I adore.

Actually, if you want to know…

I’m the One who loves you

MORE.”

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now.

Just A Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 17:22:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Mikey's Funnies

It’s “just a letter” – you may think,

Simple words – paper, ink.

Seems old-fashioned, some may say,

Could it really make their day?

A letter can be kissed or maybe catch some tears,

A letter can be saved and last for many years.

A letter can be tucked away or possibly displayed,

It can be read on happy days or even when dismayed.

Letter writing is an art, some may feel is lost,

But, special letters will be kept, never to be tossed.

Take a moment, grab a pen. Make somebody smile,

The difference “just a letter” makes truly is worthwhile!

I hope that all of my Sunshines enjoyed the Spring Break with family and friends! My kiddos weren’t quite ready to go back, but ready or not, Monday arrived! I also hope that this short little poem I wrote has planted a seed that might blossom into a letter today! Why? Because my friend, Mikey, does an inspiring letter project every Easter and I want to share those details with you!

From Mikey:

Each year, our wonderful Funnies readers help with a very cool Easter project. I'm asking you to be a part as well - either with your family, church, youth group, school, etc. It can make a significant impact on those who participate!

Every Easter Eve morning (Saturday), our family goes to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (Boot Camp) in San Diego. We - and many other folks - deliver patriotic Easter bags to each of the 100 sick and injured Marine recruits on base. Our goal is to bring cheer to these special recruits on Easter weekend and to show them how much we support them and stand behind their determination to become a United States Marine.

You can't believe what this does for these guys. They wake up that morning to what will most likely be just another boring day as they wait to heal and return to training or be sent home. When they come back from morning chow and see us waiting there with big smiles and hugs, well, the transformation is amazing!

You can be a BIG part of that impact - in a very simple way!

These patriotic Easter bags are filled with items that have been donated from various sources. The recruits receive phone cards, envelopes, stamps, note pads, and pens. But the important gift in this bag is a bundle of letters that we collect from children and adults all over the country. Last year, each recruit had 30 letters in their bag. That's over 3,000 letters!

Would you please help by collecting letters and/or drawings from children of all ages? We also need letters from adults of all ages. The subject can be patriotic, holiday wishes, or even a simple thank you for serving our country. It can be from schools (public or private), Sunday schools, clubs, retirement homes, and just your own family.

Following are simple guidelines for the letters:

- Notes, letters, pictures, and cards accepted.

- Salutation should be "Dear Recruit".

- Send all the letters/drawings in one package to the address below.

- NO personal return addresses.

- Mark the back of each note with a classroom sticker or stamp with the school address, if they desire possible responses from recruits.

- We ask that you not use glitter.

Please mail your letters to arrive by March 27, 2017 to the following address:

Marine Moms Online Easter Project

c/o Mike Atkinson

3755 Avocado Blvd.

Box 402

La Mesa, CA 91941

Thanks in advance for your support of our project. We can make the Easter season just a little better for these recruits who SO desire to serve our country!

Thanks!

Mikey

Yes, since I took a bit of time off these last two weeks, I see that the deadline is HERE! Soooo…..can you grab a pen, marker, or crayon and jot down a little note of encouragement today? I thank you and I’m sure that all of the recruits on the receiving end of your love thank you too! I assure you that they won’t think, “Oh…it’s just a letter.”

May God bless you abundantly for sharing your gift of time!

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now!

Knock-Knock

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 17:42:00 +0000

Photo Credit: mconnors from morgueFile.com

Over the weekend, my seven-year-old daughter came up to me with a knock-knock-joke. I thought it was going to be like every other knock-knock-joke, but it wasn’t. This one was different and it went like this:

Daughter: Mom, will you remember me in a second?

Me: Yes.

Daughter: Will you remember me in a minute?

Me: Yes.

Daughter: Will you remember me in a day?

Me: Yes (wondering where all of this is going…)

Daughter: Will you remember me in a month?

Me: Yes, of course.

Daughter: Will you remember me in a year?

Me: Absolutely, I will!

Daughter: Knock, knock!

Me: Who’s there?

Daughter: Hey! It’s ME! You said you would remember me!

Me: (tickling her just to hear her sweet laughter) YOU! You got me! All jokes aside, you know I will NEVER, NEVER, EVER forget you!

Daughter: I know, Mom. (smiles, giggles, and runs off to play)

One of the readings at Mass over the weekend just so happened to be about Jesus never forgetting us. It was from Isaiah and it’s one of my favorites. I just love the simple song that Carey Landry wrote, inspired by Isaiah 49:14-15.

“I will never forget you, My people.
I have carved you on the palm of My hand.
I will never forget you.
I will not leave you orphaned.
I will never forget My own.

Does a mother forget her baby?
Or a woman, the child within her womb?
Yet even if these forget,
Yes, even if these forget,
I will never forget my own.”

Isn’t it such a great feeling when someone remembers you? That somehow, in some way, you made a difference in their life or day and they remember you. I love it!

In fact, just last week, I received the sweetest little note from Ms. Wilson, the librarian at St. Philip’s in El Campo. St. Philip’s is the very first school author visit I did back in November and I will never forget it. Her precious note indicates that she won’t forget it either. I’d like to share her words with you today:

“Hello! I hope your new year has been outstanding so far! I just wanted to thank you again for coming and reading to our students! Also, I wanted to say thanks for your donation to our school. I used the funds to purchase a book called, “A Woman in the House (and Senate): How Women Came to the United States Congress, Broke Down Barriers, and Changed the Country.” My thoughts were that it’s a book about women doing important things, and you (as a female author) are doing important, special things, too! Thanks again so much, and let me know when your next book comes out!”

Yes, this absolutely made my day! She remembered me and she let me know.

Do we let others know how special they are to us? Do we assure them that we’ll never forget them? Are we blessed to have one or two or twenty special people in our lives that we will always remember? Then, let’s tell them. Let’s show them.

I’m often reminded of how short life is. There isn’t an unlimited amount of time to spend with those we love so dearly. There have been too many sudden deaths lately that I’ve heard about. It makes my heart ache for the loved ones left behind.

There was one death recently of a man that I never actually met. But, I couldn’t help but notice the endless outpouring of loving facebook posts about him. His visitation even had to be held at our local community center! Wow! That in itself speaks volumes.

His name was Bobby Nicholson Sr. (aka Coach Nic) I read soooo many beautiful tributes about him that it’s impossible to share them all here. However, what I took home was the fact that his life genuinely touched thousands of people. He coached. He mentored. He inspired. He educated. He influenced. He cared. He led. He loved.

Apparently, he also gave the very best motivational speeches ever! It sounds like he was an absolutely AMAZING man who left an unbelievable legacy of Cobra pride and helped shape and impact countless lives along the way. I hear he had a great sense of humor and gave equally as great hugs. I pray for all those who miss him deeply.

In the words of Isaiah…so many will obviously never ever forget you, Coach!

In the midst of sadness, I look for comfort. I find some peace in the fact that when this incredible gentleman and others who have left this earth approach the Heavenly Gates, Jesus will be waiting on the other side.

When they say, “Knock-knock!”…Jesus won’t say, “Who’s there?” Instead, He’ll say, “Of course I remember you! I could never forget you! Come on in!”

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! No Sips for 2 weeks, but I’ll be back soon! Bye for now!

95 Reasons

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:56:00 +0000

"Gabriel & Elah" artwork by Evelyn

We all have reasons to smile each day. Even on days we don’t think we do, there are surely some blessings that we’ve forgotten about. However, last Friday, I had 95 reasons to smile…all at one time! Yes, I received 95 of the most beautiful, thoughtful, and loving thank you letters from the sweet students at William Wood Elementary. I had visited their school the week before for an author reading. They wanted to show their appreciation through priceless notes and pictures that they had written and drawn especially for me.

If you ever want to feel loved, take some time and read a book to children. Interact with them. Ask them questions. Let them ask you questions. Encourage them. Inspire them. Let them encourage and inspire you. I’ll never forget these letters.

Of course, I’m going to share some excerpts with you today! I will certainly keep their unique spelling and punctuation just so you can enjoy the cuteness as well:

Thank you for writing “Gabriel’s golden key.” I had a very good time. I loved the majic trick! It was brilliant
I really appreciate you coming and taking your time and efferot. I realy look forward to buying your book. Thank you so much. I loved your book.
I really enjoyed your magic and your reading. it was awsome! Thanks for visiting. I’m still planing on getting your book. But I really enjoyed your visit. And your presentation.
You inspired me to be an author.
Your book is so fun and fantastic. You rock. I am bying your book. I want to take a picture with you!
You inspire me to wright books and I love when Elah jumps out of the book into the glas of water.
Good job for making the book called Gabriel’s Golden key. You are the best for comeing to Willam Wood Elemetery and tell us all about yourself. You are the coolest reader ever too.
Thank you for coming to our school. We all had a great time! You’re the best auther I know.
I love your book and I encourage you to write more books. I also love your magic. I loved Elah. She was my favorite.
Your book is amazing and inspiring.
We loved you telling us about your book. Gabriel relates to me in so many ways and Elah she was amazing. I also loved your Brittish accent.
Your book was fantastic because you were the arothor of the book.
I love your book. I hope you come back.
I can’t wait until you publish your next book!
You are the best author in the hold wide world and that book was the greatest book in the wold.
You are a star! Your cool!
I really loved your book and how you put Christianity in it. Thank you for putting your time in coming to our school. We love you!
Thank you for donating the book to our school.
Thank you for coming to our school and presenting your book. We love you dearly. I hope you keep persuing your dreams of being an author. Gabriel’s Golden Key is the best book I ever layed my eyes on and hope I can by your book cause it’s a really good book. Never reavel your magic secrets, Ms. Magican!
You are the best author in the world and I loved your Bridish accent.
I wishe you can come every day!
I will give you 200 dollers for your book!
I love your bridis ackint. You are funny and nice.
I luv you a lot.
You are awesome and I thank you for your time.
What I like most about the book is the 7 Angeles.
Thank you for coming and telling your famous book Gabriel’s Golden Key. I loved your book. What I loved is the pictures and words and magic and fun. It was amazing! Sincerely, your body gaurd
I had a blast! I loved the accent you had. It was marvlous. Your book is really, really good. I don’t know if I want to be a author when I grow up. It seems like a lot of work. I loved it when you visited yesterday!
You inspier me to wright and read. I loved it! I hope to see you again! I’m very happy you came. Thank you!

And, THIS ONE (sniff, sniff with tears of joy):

My favrite part of your visit was…YOU! I love you! I love yoor book!

So, that’s just a taste of the 95 reasons I had to smile last Friday, Sunshines!

What I love most is the fact that these 95 reasons didn’t include anything they had to buy for me. It was free. It was heartfelt. It was genuine. It was unforgettable.

What reasons do you have to smile today? There doesn’t have to be 95 reasons, but surely there is at least one? Right?

As I re-read through these letters again and again, I’m smiling and feeling thankful. I’m grateful to God for this journey and for the beautiful people I’ve met - young and old and in between - all while sharing my book!

I can’t thank you enough, Ms. Dana, for initiating this memorable project with your students! I have 95 reasons to THANK YOU! Keep sharing your light with all those around you because you really do shine, my friend!

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now!

95 Letters = 95 Reasons to Smile!

I "Wood" Love To

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 23:31:00 +0000

Photo Credit: cohdra from morgueFile.com

Love, love, love. This month of February is synonymous with love. Tis the season for red and pink, chocolate-covered strawberries, hearts, roses, jewelry, stuffed animals, balloons, and more chocolate-covered chocolate. Happy Valentine’s Day, Sunshines!

February also marks 5 years since I’ve been doing something that I absolutely LOVE! That love is writing and this month is my 5-year Sips of Sunshine anniversary! So, it’s my blogiversary! My Sipsiversary! My Sunshine-i-versary! We can call it all kinds of things, but I’m excited about it and I just want to thank you for celebrating with me!

Thank you for encouraging me, for supporting me, for reading and sharing my blog posts, and for paying it forward by inspiring others in your life. You’ve also been amazing cheerleaders for my new children’s book, Gabriel’s Golden Key, and I can’t thank you enough for that!

Since it’s my anniversary, I found some scoop that I thought I’d share. The traditional anniversary gift for 5 years is wood. The modern gift is silverware. The gemstone is sapphire and daisy is the flower. So, wait, before you go out and get me a wooden clock, some silver flatware, a sapphire necklace, or a huge bouquet of daisies, I want to express my love…to a couple who taught me what love is. Yes, that couple is my precious mom and dad!

My sweet parents are celebrating their 45^th wedding anniversary this year! Woo-hoo! Happy Anniversary to you both! Thank you for being a beautiful example to me and all those around you. I pray that God blesses you with 45 more years! I so love you!

Guess what the traditional anniversary gift for 45 years is? Yep! It’s sapphire, just like the 5^_year gift. Cool, huh? I don’t own any sapphire and I don’t think Mom does either, but I did a bit of research on the lovely gem.

Here is some of what I found: “Sapphire is a very hard stone and its history dates back to biblical times. It is thought that the tablets containing the Ten Commandments were made from sapphire. It was also thought that the earth rested on a huge piece of sapphire which in turn reflected the sun and gave the sky its bluish color. Royalty has worn sapphire to symbolize wisdom, holiness, virtue, and good fortune. Suggested sapphire gifts include rings, pendants, earrings, and bracelets.”

So, Dad…looks like Mom needs some jewelry! Or, maybe dinner, a foot massage, cleaning the house, dishes, and a bit of laundry will do! And, Mom…Dad mentioned a trip to the Coushatta Casino? However you choose to celebrate, know that you mean the world to me and I’m so blessed that God chose you to be my parents! I’m a lucky, lucky lady to call you Mom and Dad!

Since love is in the air, I wanted to also share a fantastic reminder from Mikey:

A group of professionals posed a question to a group of 4 to 8 year olds. They asked, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So, my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay." Danny - age 7

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka - age 6

"There are two kinds of love, our love and God's love. But, God makes both kinds of them." Jenny - age 8

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But, if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8

Wow, huh? We can learn a great deal from children!

On this 5^th Sipsiversary of mine, you might ask me to be your Valentine. And, I will gladly respond with a little pun to celebrate my 5^th year of blogging. I “WOOD” love to! Hee hee!

Thank you for continuing this journey with me! Here’s to writing many, many more Sips…and books! It’s a fun ride with you by my side! For an anniversary gift, please don’t worry about getting me that set of wooden spoons, but I’d love for you to hop on over to Amazon and do a review of Gabriel’s Golden Key. You rock! Thanks again!

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Happy Valentine’s Day!

On Days of Doubt

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:40:00 +0000

Photo Credit: anitapeppers from morgueFile.com

Last week was absolutely amazing! It’s a bit surreal to me that I was blessed with the wonderful opportunity to share my children’s book, Gabriel’s Golden Key, with almost 800 children last week during my author visits! Nearly 800 children in just ONE week! So cool! So very, very cool!

Many of you have asked me what I do at an author visit, so I thought I’d take the time to share that with you today. When I visit a school, I like to break it up into two or three sessions, depending on school enrollment and according to age: (K & 1^st), (2^nd & 3^rd), and (4^th & 5^th). The sessions are 30 minutes each. I love the library or classroom setting where the kiddos can get cozy and sit on the floor together as I share a few chapters of my book.

Of course, I like to throw in a few other fun attention-getting-extras in addition to reading my story. Then, we have some Question & Answer time and I donate a book to the school’s library. I send home order forms with the children so they can purchase their own book – either the paperback or hardcover version. A special golden key comes with the autographed copy as well and the kiddos LOVE that! Do I use my golden pen to sign the books? Why certainly! Plus, for each book sold, I donate $1.00 per book back to the school library. Woo-hoo!

The children probably don’t realize how much inspiration and encouragement that I receive from them during each author visit. Their eager, attentive eyes follow my every move as I walk back and forth reading the words and showing them the illustrations, while “getting into character.”

During a recent school visit, I received one of the best compliments that an author can get! A precious little boy named Bodie told me that for "Favorite Book Character" day at school, he dressed like Gabriel from my book. YES, I held back some tears! He absolutely made my day!

The students exude such joy during my visits and I truly feel it in my heart and soul! Their happiness and laughter light up the library or classroom and I love it! I treasure the time I have to motivate children to read and follow their dreams. I cherish the chance to instill a love for reading and encourage them to never give up. I always share that it takes a great deal of patience in any worthwhile journey.

What I also adore are the questions they ask: How long did it take you to write this book? What inspired you to write it? Will there be a second book? Are you going to make a movie about this book? (LOVE the big dreams out there!) Who is your favorite author? What is your favorite book? Can I do your make-up and hair? Can I design the clothes you wear to author visits? Yes, I get ALL KINDS of questions.

Anyway, sometimes this author adventure catches me by surprise when I stop to think about it. I’m humbled by the fact that God used me as a writing instrument to share His love. I believe that He wanted me to be an author and I just answered…yes.

Mixed in with the excitement of any new adventure will be days of doubt – days when we doubt our gifts and talents, abilities, mission, plan, or purpose. There are days when we might doubt just about everything. So, it was timely that I received this reminder from Mikey and I knew it must be shared! Here goes:

Use ME?! ME? The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember...

~ Noah was a drunk.

~ Abraham was too old.

~ Isaac was a daydreamer.

~ Jacob was a liar.

~ Leah was ugly.

~ Joseph was abused.

~ Moses had a stuttering problem.

~ Gideon was afraid.

~ Samson had long hair and was a womanizer.

~ Rahab was a prostitute.

~ Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.

~ David was an adulterer and a murderer.

~ Elijah was suicidal.

~ Jonah ran from God.

~ Naomi was a widow.

~ Job went bankrupt.

~ John the Baptist ate bugs.

~ Peter denied Christ.

~ The disciples fell asleep while praying.

~ Martha worried about everything.

~ The Samaritan woman was divorced (more than once).

~ Zacchaeus was too small.

~ Paul was too religious.

~ Timothy had an ulcer.

~ Lazarus was dead!

And, there you have it! God wants to use YOU! God wants to use ME! God wants to use US! Yes! He does. So, let’s continue to make ourselves available…even on days of doubt.

Oh, Oh, Oh!!! Drum roll please! The lucky winner of the $100 for doing an Amazon review of Gabriel’s Golden Key is…Genevieve W. Congratulations to you!

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now!

Do, Do, Do A Review!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 15:35:00 +0000

Photo Credit: DodgertonSkillhause from morgueFile.com

Hey! That title sounds like a song, chant, or cheer, huh? Do, do, do a review! Do, do, do a review! Anyway, I’ll get to that in a minute. (Keep reading if you like money, too.) I saw a funny post online the other day and it said something like, “I’d truly love to be a Pinterest mom, but instead, I’m more of an Amazon Prime kinda mom.” I loved it because, well, because that describes me. I can order something and receive it within two days? Yep, I’m in! I’m totally in!

I enjoy many things about Amazon. I love the quick shipping. They have good prices. The selection is awesome. And, I’m thrilled that I can check out a ton of reviews before I order a product. Reviews. Hmmmmm. That’s something that I ALWAYS take the time to read, but never take the time to write one myself. If I look up ANYTHING – electronics, home and garden gizmos, toys, games, sports and outdoorsy gadgets, or health goodies – you better believe that I’ll read the reviews!

For instance, last February we were researching hotels and I forgot to select a decent star rating as a filter. So, ALL of the gems showed up, like this hotel jewel! Check out THIS review:

“They need to tear this place down because it’s unfit to stay. Take it from me and I’m not picky at all. There were many guests - cockroaches, rats, and cats to name a few. The shower didn't work and the floors and walls were filthy. I would never recommend this place to anyone. It doesn't even deserve a star. Whatever you do, do not stay here…RUN, RUN, RUN! Did I mention cockroaches? There were no bath towels and we even found bed bugs on our clothing. We felt unsafe. There was dog poop at the entrance of the lobby. This was the most disgusting place I had ever walked into in my life. The room reeked of old smoke, so thick that you couldn't breathe. The kitchen was dirty and the walls were yellow and sticky from the smoke. I was afraid to sit down in the place. Did someone die in there? You better lock your car and sleep with a weapon. The TV didn't work at all. The door wouldn't close unless you channeled your inner Hulk and slammed it as hard as you could. It was so noisy everywhere. If sleeping at night really isn't your thing, then this is the place for you. There was tons of mold and the mattress had wires sticking out of it. Our ceiling fan almost caught on fire and the elevator looked like a death trap. The balconies were tilted down as if they were sinking and going to collapse. Don’t even ask about the bedding.”

Needless to say, we did NOT stay in this beauty. Why? Because of the reviews, of course. Reviews can certainly determine what we buy, where we vacation, hotels we’ll stay in, what activities we’ll do, and on and on.

Reviews. We read them. We use them. We need them. We want them. I want them. Yes, I know that all you need is love, but what else I’d love are some book reviews from you, my lovely Sunshines! My publisher shared this - We encourage you to do everything you can to help spread the word about your recent publication. Probably the most important action that new authors can take is to obtain online reviews from your readers. Many sites implement a rating system to help readers choose new books. The more reviews and positive reviews you receive, the greater your chances are for success!

My life has been so richly blessed by all of the people and precious children that I’ve met at my book signings and author visits over the last few months. In my heart, I feel that my book has been super successful. Gabriel’s Golden Key has been so warmly received that I’m beaming with joy! I thank you for that and I thank God for that! Nonetheless, I think the online world really likes reviews to monitor success. Soooo, we’ll go with it!

A common question from the children is always, “Mrs. Kallus, will you be doing a SECOND book?” Of course the answer is YES! However, I need your help today by doing a review for my FIRST book. You’re awesome, so I know you will.

However, to make this whole review thing more fun, I’m going to bribe you…I mean…encourage you to take a few moments to do a review for Gabriel’s Golden Key by offering a chance to win $100. Yep! I was inspired by my children’s recent 100^th day of school. Everyone likes a dollar. But, everyone LOVES one hundred dollars! So, hop on over to Amazon and review my children’s book today! From all the reviews, I will choose a winner at random and announce the lucky guy or gal in next week’s Sips. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

To further entice you, I have a short little poem here to get you in the review mood:

All you need is love (and reviews),

A super quick way to share the good news!

A new book’s in town,

No need to frown!

Choose some stars – maybe five?

Type a few words to make it thrive.

Amazon loves it, so do I,

Do a review so I won’t cry.

Please, please do a review!

Thank you bunches and Woo-hoo!

Okay, so that was a bit silly, but I still appreciate your time. I look forward to seeing who wins one hundred bucks next week!

Here are my upcoming author visits and book signings:

Jan. 31 - Author Visit at Nazareth Academy in Victoria, TX

Feb. 1 - Author Visit at Our Lady of Victory school in Victoria, TX

Feb. 3 - Author Visit at IEW in Inez, TX

Feb. 7 - Writing Academic Focus Night at Patti Welder in Victoria, TX

Feb. 9 - Author Visit at William Wood in Victoria, TX

Feb. 16 - Jackson County Library in Edna, TX (6pm)

Feb. 28 - Author Visit at Trinity school in Victoria, TX

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now!

Full or Empty?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:36:00 +0000

Photo Credit: andreeautza from morgueFile.com

There are many people in our world. Yes, and people can be so very different in their views, temperaments, attitudes, and personalities. Some of us can be easy-going, flexible, and upbeat, while others can be cantankerous, argumentative, and uncooperative. Let me interrupt for just a second – isn’t that a fun word? Cantankerous. I haven’t used it for a long, long time, but it’s a word full of letters and it basically just means crabby and cranky. Cantankerous. CANTANKEROUS! Anyway, as a word-lover, I thank you for allowing me to digress for a moment.

When we can, we prefer to hang out with people who are positive and uplifting, right? If given the opportunity, most of us would choose to surround ourselves with people who inspire, motivate, and encourage us. If given a choice, we’d pick a friend who views the glass as half-full instead of half-empty, right? We wouldn’t want to purposely seek out the irritable grumps in our world, would we?

Well, I just got a cute little story from Mikey that compares twins. So timely and I love it!

A family had twin boys whose only resemblance to each other was their looks. If one felt it was too hot, the other thought it was too cold. If one said the TV was too loud, the other claimed the volume needed to be turned up.

Opposite in every way, one was an eternal optimist, the other a doom & gloom pessimist. Just to see what would happen, on the twins' birthday, their father loaded the pessimist's room with every imaginable toy and game.

The optimist's room, he loaded with horse manure.

That night, the father passed by the pessimist's room and found him sitting amid his new gifts crying bitterly.

"Why are you crying?" the father asked.

"Because my friends will be jealous, and I'll have to read all these instructions before I can do anything with this stuff. I'll constantly need batteries, and my toys will eventually get broken," answered the pessimistic twin.

Passing the optimistic twin's room, the father found him dancing for joy in the pile of manure.

"What are you so happy about?" he asked.

To which his optimistic twin son replied, "There's got to be a pony in here somewhere! Woo-hoo!"

Oh, that story made me smile! A perfect example of half-full vs. half-empty!

So, I’ve seen a version of the following question in many places over the years and I wanted to share it with you. I was inspired by it so much so that I wrote a poem about it today. Here’s the question: “What if we woke up this morning and ONLY had the things and people in our lives that we had thanked God for yesterday?” Hmmmm…..would we only have the traffic light that finally turned green, the winning scratch-off ticket, or the passing grade on that final exam? Would we have anyone to share our joy with?

Here’s my poem:

FULL OR EMPTY?

How full or empty would our world be,

If we had only things we’d thanked God for on bended knee?

Would we have a home, some food, or money?

How ‘bout a job, some clothes, and our Honey?

Could we see with our eyes and speak with our lips?

Could we walk with our legs and dance with our hips?

Would our children be there to tuck in at night?

Would the sun wake us up with new morning light?

How full or empty would our world be,

If we had only things we’d thanked God for on bended knee?

Would we have friends and fam to call on the phone?

How ‘bout some ice cream on a cone?

Could we turn on the A/C or heater at whim?

Could we hit the gym or sing a hymn?

Would our parents be there to spend some time?

Would we find that lucky penny, dollar, or dime?

Would there be hugs, kisses, and love?

What about chances to thank God above?

Would there be stars in the sky for wishes?

How ‘bout mouths to feed and all those dishes?

I ask again, to reflect and think,

Ponder on this the next time you blink.

How full or empty would your world be,

If you had only things you’d thanked God for on bended knee?

Full or empty? We choose.

Half-full or half-empty? We still choose. Let’s choose to look for the pony! I’m in! Are you?

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now!

The Complain Train

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Spears Kallus) — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:49:00 +0000

Photo Credit: erdenebayar from morgueFile.com

I love to laugh and I love to make others laugh as well. I treasure hanging out with people who make me giggle. I enjoy reading things that make me chuckle too. So, it was perfect and timely that Mikey sent me this email funny:

The priest said, "Sister, this is a silent monastery. You are welcome here as long as you like, but you may not speak until directed to do so."

Sister Mary lived in the monastery for 5 years before the priest said to her, “Sister Mary, you have been here for 5 years. You may speak two words."

Sister Mary said, "Hard bed."

"I'm sorry to hear that," the priest said, "We will get you a better bed."

After another 5 years, Sister Mary was summoned by the priest. "You may say another two words, Sister Mary."

"Cold food," said Sister Mary, and the priest assured her that the food would be better in the future.

On her 15th anniversary at the monastery, the priest again called Sister Mary in to his office. "You may say two words today."

"I quit," said Sister Mary. "It's probably best," said the priest, "You've done nothing but complain since you got here."

So super duper cute, huh?! I loved it! It’s one thing for me to laugh, but when I finish up all my snickerin’, cacklin’, hootin’, and hollerin’, I find it fascinating if the joke is actually thought-provoking. And, this one prompted some thought. It got me to thinking about complaining.

Complaining. Hmmm. That’s something we all do. Some of us more than others. Some of us WAAAAAY more than others. Why? Complaining is draining. It is. Why do we even get on the Complain Train? Some of us hop on the train first thing in the morning. Some wait until mid-day. Others have a bit more self-control and get on the train only at night or every other day. Let’s be honest and say that most of us have been a passenger on the Complain Train at some point in our lives. Heck, some of us just live on the train and never get off! Ha!

We groan. We moan. We complain…about anything or anyone really…the weather, our clothes, our job, our home, our body, someone else, our kids, our spouse, our siblings, our parents, our neighbor, etc. But, complaining stops us from gaining. Yes, it can prevent us from gaining peace, contentment, joy, and happiness. It thwarts our ability to be thankful for what we DO have. The happiest people I know don’t HAVE the best of everything. However, they do MAKE the best of everything. I admire those people immensely.

We’re still in January, right? We’re technically still at the beginning of this new year and possibly still in the mode to modify some of our less-than-desirable ways? Maybe? Well, I have a little challenge if you’re game. Let’s take baby steps together and let’s be realistic. We probably won’t be able to stop complaining altogether. However, we can set ourselves a time limit for our complaining. We can set a time each day to get on the Complain Train. We can set a time to get on and, most importantly, we can set a time to get off of it.

Let’s say we board the Complain Train at 8:00pm. We can then pour out our complaints from the day, one after the other, on and on and on. To ourselves. To someone else. To God. Then, at 8:15pm (or 11:00pm – depending on the day! Heh!), we can get off of that train and vow not to get back on until the next day at 8:00pm. No complaining until we get on the train. That’s the rule.

It’s kinda crazy and a tad goofy, but the idea is to set a time limit to our complaining instead of residing on the Complain Train all day, every day. It’s not healthy. It’s energy-zapping for us and those around us, for sure.

Anyway, the Sister Mary joke provoked all that thought about complaining. Interesting, huh? Since happiness is an “inside job,” it will depend on the glasses we use. What we SEE in this life depends on how we LOOK at it. Will we complain or will we appreciate? The choice is truly up to us. The number of times we hop onto the Complain Train is up to us, and how long we stay there is too!

Ooohhhh, I have a HUGE challenge to put out there for the real dare-devils of the bunch: What if we don’t board the Complain Train at all for ONE WHOLE WEEK?! Is that even possible? Are you in? Just think about how much time that would free up for us to do the things we love!

Have a wonderful week, Sunshines! Bye for now!