Getting To Know You
I’m not sure who knows this, but out of all the boomer babes, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting only one and that is Connie Pombo. If the others are only half the fun and full of half the wisdom, I can’t wait to meet them. Connie and I spent Thursday having lunch together at a little Italian place in the heart of Towson, MD, followed by perusing the Farmer’s Market held on the same street. The gorgeous fresh flowers, enticing fruits and veggies, and scrumptious pastries found us digging for money at most stands. On our walk home, we took time to sit on the shaded park bench at the court house to devour our almond croissants and talk non-stop about Connie’s ministry, book, baskets and speaking engagements galore. It was a lovely way to spend a couple hours.
But since I don’t have the pleasure of meeting all the boomer babes in person, I’ve chosen to get to know them through their books and newsletters. I’ve read a couple of Allison’s books, one fiction, and the other non so I feel like I know her. I’ve also received many long emails that tell me that if she talks like she writes, I can’t wait to sit down and spend an afternoon chatting. Who knows, maybe we’d need all day.
I’ve received several emails from Cheryl and would love to know how to get to know her better. I appreciate her for the warm, dedicated, helpful sister she is to Allison.
I’ve also read one of Eva’s books, but since it was fiction, I still feel like I need to get to know her better unless she was one of the characters in her book The Potluck Club. If so Eva, please tell me which one! I’m dying to know. I’m also following her journey with the next book and can’t wait to read and view it.
I receive Keri’s newsletter so I’ve gotten a peek in to her life and appreciate her peaceful, thoughtful ways. I also admire her love of family and relationships. Keri’s books are next! I can’t wait.
Now you’re probably thinking that I forgot Suzie, but I didn’t. You see, I just began her book, The Mom I Want to Be, on Saturday and had a hard time putting it down, but I had to eat dinner with my family, go to church yesterday, see a movie with my daughter, walk, pay bills, and have dinner again with my family. I haven’t had a second to pick it up again, but I can’t wait to do so.
Other than wanting to be a good mom, I had no idea what the book was about. I bought it to browse, and then give to my church library. My kids are basically raised. The youngest turns 19 this week so I thought it might not speak to me since the larger part of my parenting was done. Boy was I wrong. The book is beautiful. I’m getting to know the heart of Suzie and her mom and I love them. I have already shared the gist of her story with a friend and I believe it helped her see the light about something going on within her own family. You can break the chain of abuse as Suzie so eloquently shares. I have to run my daughter to the doctor for a check-up today and the book is already in my purse. I can’t wait to get back to it. And for the record, it’s a keeper. Unfortunately, our church library won’t get this one.
If you haven’t gotten to know the team of bloggers, I recommend you do. I’m enjoying these spirited Christian women. I recommend any of their books, newsletters, sites, etc. What a wealth of information they all have to offer.
Posted: July 30th, 2007 under Faith, Family, Food, Fun.
Comments: 18
Comments
Comment from Dotsie
Time: July 30, 2007, 10:36 am
Suzie, you are so kind. I just got back from my daughter’s appt. and got another few chapters read. I can’t wait to finish. Thanks for compiling your words for this book. I bet you get positive feedback all the time.
I also enjoy reading about your work with youth. I’ve just signed un to be a youth advisor at our church. Fun times ahead.
Comment from Connie
Time: July 30, 2007, 11:38 am
I just got back from my walk…hot, hazy, and humid, but I’m speaking tonight, so it was now or never! Dotsie, I think we got the most perfect day in Maryland (no rain and just enough sunshine!). You were so gracious to spend time with me, knowing your “boomer” schedule, so it was a joy beyond measure. I know the perfect retreat for us boomer babes…it has a rose garden, chocolate galore, and a five-star spa (any guesses?). It’s one of my favorite places…I was just there yesterday.
Hugs!
Comment from Dotsie
Time: July 30, 2007, 11:41 am
Let me guess…the Hershey Hotel. Count me in. I’m there. It’s only a little more than an hour away. Plus there are great outlets nearby too!
Comment from Tracy
Time: July 30, 2007, 12:32 pm
I’ve enjoyed getting to “know” each of you through your posts here. I met Suzie at Mt. Hermon this year, and felt like I was meeting a long-lost friend. She’s been an inspiration and encouragement to me for years through The Writer’s View.
I’ve gotten to know Eva Marie through a couple of her books - one fiction and one non - and “participating” in her journeys posted here makes me feel I know her, too.
Thanks to each of you for sharing your hearts and lives with us - for being a refuge from the busyness of life. You are all such truly beautiful, inspiring, hard-working, fun-loving women - and I thank God for you and your ministries and pray that He uses all of you to touch other hearts and lives.
Comment from Dotsie
Time: July 30, 2007, 12:58 pm
Tracy, how seet of you to offer these kind words. Do you have a Web site so we can get to know you better?
Comment from Tracy
Time: July 30, 2007, 2:51 pm
Dotsie - I have a blog at http://www.pixnpens.com - a gathering place for writers and photographers. Each week, we hold contests and offer prizes. I randomly rotate the contest focus between writing or photography - sometimes both. Starting in August, I’ll have guest judges to critique and decide on the best entry, so it will become a site to make us all better writers and photographers, and not just a popularity contest. Everyone’s welcome to participate. I think Connie entered one of the contests a few weeks ago!
I also have a website at http://www.tracyruckman.com and I’m a member of shoutlife.
Thanks for asking.
And just after my last post, the mailman ran - and Allison’s book arrived! Wheee! I’ll probably stay up too late tonight reading.
Comment from Keri
Time: July 30, 2007, 6:57 pm
Dotsie,
Thanks for your kind words. I’m not as peaceful in real life as I may seem in my newsletter. so often I’m fighting chaos around here. Although I did play scrabble on the back porch with my son tonight–as the light faded we plugged in the christmas lights that stay out there all year, and lit a candle! He beat me, which is rare. He doesn’t realize how proud it makes me!
I’m up for a get-together, esp. one involving chocolate. 
Comment from Dotsie
Time: July 31, 2007, 3:26 am
Tracy,
Thanks for the links and telling me a little more about you. I will definitely go to your site and then email the link to my son. He’s in college getting a filmmaking degree. He’s also loves photography so you might have a new entrant.
Comment from Dotsie
Time: July 31, 2007, 3:30 am
Keri,
I understand that you mgiht not be that peaceful in person, but I know you are striving and that makes all the difference in the world. The thought of peaceful living doesn’t even cross some women’s minds.
Thanks for the visual of how you spend time with your son. It’s dear.
My daughter is home from college for about 3-4 weeks. Last night after having crabs on the patio as a family, she went off to do a jigsaw puzzle on the ping pong table in the basement. That’s one of her favorite ways to relax. I followed her and as usual, picked through the box to get all the certain colored pieces she was working on. That’s how I do puzzles. I help her. I’m not good at putting the exact piece in place. I love the lazy summer evenings and spending time with her while she’s around.
Comment from Keri
Time: July 31, 2007, 6:24 pm
Dotsie,
My son is a whiz at puzzles. My mom, when she visits, often does a jigsaw puzzle with the kids. Mom will sit and stare at it for hours, then Aaron will come up and put ten pieces together like that.
I also enjoy puzzles but don’t take the time to do them.
Also had to add an “amen” to your comments about Suzie’s book. I read an excerpt from it when I did the Mothers Day message at a church in New York. It is a great book and so helpful for any mom!
Comment from Dianne
Time: August 1, 2007, 3:16 am
Wow, this was interesting. I would have thought you ladies all hung out together - this blog always has such a spirit of unity! Like Tracy, I have to say thanks for opening your hearts to others here. I certainly have been blessed.
Comment from Dotsie
Time: August 1, 2007, 3:57 am
Keri,
My daughter is like your son. She’s a riot to watch. She gets in the zone. Funny, my Mom was the jigsaw puzzler in our family too. I always tell my daughter how proud Mom-Mom would be.
I’m almost finished Suzie’s book and I’m devouring it. There are pieces I want to share with several people I know.
Comment from Dotsie
Time: August 1, 2007, 3:58 am
Dianne, tell us a little more about you. This post is about getting to know one another. Thanks.
Comment from Suzie
Time: August 1, 2007, 5:28 am
Thank you, Keri and Dotsie. The Mom I Want to Be is a book that I didn’t want to write, and yet now I see God’s hand in it. It had nothing to do with my comfort or even my fears (of hurting my mom), but God’s heart for his girls who are hurting or trying to push past the past. The cool thing? My mom has benefited from this book, growing in her confidence, knowing that I see the “rest of the story”, not just our past. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have such hopes for this book, and yet the word simply hasn’t got out yet, but I’m trusting that God has a plan. I know He does.
Comment from Dotsie
Time: August 1, 2007, 5:56 pm
I am so grateful to hear what writing the book has done for your mother/daughter relationship.
Please tell me what you mean by not wanting to write the book. I’m curious.
Call me nuts but I had a meeting scheduled with an editor at Zondervan to write a book that I didn’t want to write and I turned it down. Was I crazy? I pitched one book and we somehow got around to another book that I wasn’t passionate about so I walked away.
Comment from Suzie
Time: August 2, 2007, 4:48 am
I want to write fiction, yet God keeps opening the door to non-fiction. This book delved into the past. I’m whole. The past is not an issue, and yet many women struggle with the past. I finally realized that God had many beautiful daughters on his heart, and that writing this book wasn’t about my love of writing fiction vs. non-fiction, or my comfort over delving into the past, but his heart for those wanting to find healing from a painful past, and who desire to give their children something greater than they received. It’s been amazing to watch him work. : ) I love that.
Comment from Dotsie
Time: August 2, 2007, 5:04 am
That’s lovely Suzie.
I must share that I need prayers for a friend today. Last night we got the tragic news that her son (26 years-old and only child) died suddenly (heart infection). I am heading to be with her today to help her plan the funeral and reception. Please pray for strength for her to do his eulogy. That’s all she cares about right now. I so appreciate your prayers for her. I was just getting things together to head out and went to pick up your book to put in my purse, but couldn’t dare do it. I’m sorry, but it’s the title and if she saw it, I’d feel horrible. I will get back to it next week.
back to Home
Comment from Suzie
Time: July 30, 2007, 9:44 am
Let me know where to send your chuch a copy, and I’ll happily do so, Miss Dotsie. : )
I think we all need to plan a Boomer weekend so that we can get together, hang out, play, pray, and connect. Maybe in 2008? Hmm?