Busy Bee

I think it's safe to say I've been a bit busy lately, as I've been finishing up my first issue of Texas Family Magazine. I have to say I think it is going to be really great. We have put a lot of work into it, and it will show.

I went down to Houston again to film a couple more segments for that television show. I still don't have clips from any of my segments, but I will eventually. When I have them, you'll get them.

While I was down in Houston, I visited the Children's Cancer Hospital at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and interviewed kids who are being treated there. It definitely put my own problems in perspective when I sat down with these kids - kids who are dealing with things even adults would have difficulty handling. It was good, though, and I think when you read the story you will have a very good idea of what it is like for them. That was my goal, at least.

The Great Beyond

I'm learning today that apparently everyone in the entire universe has a MySpace page -- that is, everyone in the entire universe other than me. I've always been kind of anti-MySpace, personally speaking, but now I'm feeling like there's this whole other world out there I didn't know existed ... and I'm being left out. :(

Anyway, I did come across a great picture of my handsome brother and my beautiful niece, and since I've never put my brother on here, there's no time like the present. :) I'm not sure if it will come through because of my bang-up job getting rid of red eye, but they both have gorgeous blue eyes!

A Whole Lot of Recipes

I think this is a neat little aside - I just sold a bunch of my recipes to the Tri-County Electrical Coop publication in Hooker, Oklahoma.
You all know I love to cook and bake, and part of that love is being able to share it with others. All my recipes have been published before, but selling them in one batch is neat because it means for the next year and a half or so, all those Oklahomans will get a regular dose of me! My first recipe, or, rather, trio of recipes, are in the October issue - cinnamon sugar, salted, and plain roasted pumpkin seeds.

How the Other Half Lives

While I slave 12 hours a day to put food in her bowl, Snickers just chills.

I guess that's how we roll around here ... :)

Truth or ...

Is it truth or the inside of a bologna sandwich? That's for people to decide for themselves, but it's hard to deny this stuff is interesting.
I went to a Mind, Body, Spirit Expo this weekend, and one of the things I tried was a computer sensor chakra reading. Some of it was personal, but one thing of interest is I have a great deal of purple/lavender and through that section a big white swath. Purple represents a strong connection to the spiritual. The white, I was told, is my ancestors, who are communicating with me, guiding me to make the right decisions. It also is a result of being prayed for a lot. Both of these I know very well to be true, but it was neat to see it in front of me - on a computer screen - instead of just in "my world."

The second thing I did was have a picture of my aura taken. This is something I have always thought would be cool to do! I came out an Indigo. (Interestingly, my favorite color since childhood has been blue-violet - like the Crayola color - and my office is lavender.) I had no idea what "Indigo" meant until I searched. Again, whether you believe this kind of stuff or not, it’s hard to deny it’s interesting:

Indigo is the most recent aura color to arrive on the planet. Indigos are ushering in a new energy, a new consciousness, and a new age of peace and harmony. Indigos are here to live as examples of a new higher awareness. Honest, aware, highly intuitive, psychic, independent, fearless, strong-willed, and sensitive. Indigos are old souls who know who they are and where they've come from. These assertive individuals are born with their spiritual memories intact.

They are highly evolved, extraordinary individuals, who may hold a genius-level IQ. These individuals are bizarre, sensitive, honest, strong-willed, and aware of themselves as well as those around them (almost to a fault.) On the negative side, they can be stubborn, refuse to admit their faults, occasionally reclusive, and overly sensitive. Indigo is dominant in the auras of people who act as catalysts, who accelerate the spiritual and psychic development of everyone they encounter.

You feel like no one "gets" or understands who you are. You are "tuned in." Are highly creative in the arts, music and/or literature. Always need to know WHY, especially when being asked to do something. Are willing to step outside the box and challenge the system. You are a great BS detector and do not like people who lie and who do not come from integrity. You are easily zapped of energy, due to the fact that you are a bright Light and others want to take yours. You are easily susceptible to lower energies attaching themselves to you. Have deep empathy for others, yet an intolerance of stupidity. You are empathic and it's challenging for you to block it out. They feel a burning desire to do something to change and improve the world. May have trouble identifying their path. You have a innate ability to manifest whatever you desire. Have had psychic experiences, such as premonitions, seeing angels or ghosts, out of body experiences, hearing voices. May be electrically sensitive, such as watches not working and street lights going out as you move under them, electrical equipment malfunctioning, and lights blowing out.

Full of energy, high self-esteem, an almost regal sense of entitlement. They react to unfairness and have little patience for rules, discipline, authority (authority without explanation or choice), or "old" structures. They are easily bored with assigned tasks, and see a better way to do things. They can read you like a book, and can spot hidden agendas or attempts to manipulate them. Many Indigos feel the strong need to help and be of service to others, even putting their own well being at risk. They can come across as fearless and ready to tackle things head on. They truly exemplify the next stage in human potential and are opening doors to the unlimited possibilities, which yet exist to be experienced. They are masters incarnate. They love and need the freedom to express themselves in whatever way they see fit.

Cooper's BBQ in Llano

The other day, I went to an awesome barbecue joint over in Llano - Cooper's BBQ. It was the kind of down home place you tend to find out about through word of mouth, and then only if you're very lucky. From the crowds there, though, I'm guessing word has gotten out pretty well.

What's neat about this restaurant is that, before even entering, you walk up to a big pit filled with all different kinds of meat, and you simply point out which one you want. "Sauce?" they ask. If yes, they dunk it in a bucket of sauce (literally) and then toss it on a tray. You take your now-dripping-with-sauce tray inside where they cut it up for you and you pick out sides, etc. Instead of individual tables, Cooper's has long picnic tables where everyone eats on butcher paper and shares loaves of bread and various foodstuffs. It was way cool eating like this because people just start talking to you. And these are great, down to earth, real Texas people, the kind that make me feel at home.

It's a beautiful drive, too, through the Highland Lakes.

Kentucky Story in Birmingham Magazine

I have a story out this month in Birmingham Magazine. It's my first time to be in this publication, which is a lengthy, really well-done monthly. My story is on Lake Cumberland in Southeast Kentucky.

Here is my two-page spread. The pictures are all mine, too - I was happy they were able to use so many of them. It was really quite pretty there.

TV Filming & Editor's Note Pictures

I spent the day down in H-Town yesterday, filming segments for a television show down there that I'm going to be doing every month. It was a pretty interesting experience. What's really interesting, though, is how much work goes in to it! So much, and then you get there, and boom! the segment is over!

I think it went pretty well, although I'm definitely curious to see what it looks like. Once we get videos, I'll post a link so you can check them out.
After I wrapped up the segments, we worked on getting my picture for the Editor's Note page. I had them snap some shots with my camera, too. Here are a couple of my favorites.

Texas Family - September/October 2007

The September/October issue of Texas Family Magazine is out. In this one, I have several pieces:
First, the main feature story is on Family Fun - how to bring fun in to the everyday. There really are some great ideas from my sources, especially one on how to make Saturday morning chores fun for the family!
For Deep in the Art of Texas, I wrote about the Creative Kids non-profit in El Paso. They do an amazing job of bringing art to the youth community, even going so far as to have art rooms for young cancer patients and for kids living in the projects.
In Talking Points, we address how to handle when parents have different parenting ideas, fighting between siblings, choosing a babysitter, and picking out kids' shoes.
Next time I post about a Texas Family issue, it will be my first as Editor in Chief! : )

My Deepest Condolences

My good friend's mom has just passed away. My deepest condolences and prayers go to her and her family.
Today, instead of just asking of God, I am thanking him for all I have, especially my family.

Introspection

Do you ever have those times where you find yourself stepping away from everything and just letting all the goings-on in your head go round and round?
I think all the time, and I mean ALL the time, but sometimes it seems like I need only to think, for a while. I go in to a hibernation of sorts, and then in hours, days, or weeks ... I emerge, with either some kind of answer or conclusion, or a sense of order, or at least a better feeling inside as to my path within all the chaos. I seem to need to do it to center or balance myself, like it's something essential for me to continue to press forward. I know I'm somewhat more sensitive than many (I am a Crab, after all,) but it seems like it moves beyond that, too. More spiritual, perhaps?
It reminds me of about ten years ago when I read the "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" book. It talked about how men need to hibernate on occasion and how women should let them be when they do. It said men will come out of the cave on their own when they are ready, and all will be right again. We should let them come back to us, instead of pursuing them when they retreat, it said. I'm pretty obviously not a man, but perhaps it is similar:
All will be righted when my head peeks out of my shell, and I begin to walk toward the sand ...

Low Key Labor Day

It was a pretty low key Labor Day for me, which I guess is a good thing. No big news to report - I didn't win the lottery or finish my book or run off to Vegas and get married. I did steam clean my tile floors, and well, that is pretty exciting.
I did catch a significant portion of the "Murder, She Wrote" marathon on Hallmark Channel. Apparently, so did an awful lot of other people because I had a ton of hits on my blog for people searching for "Cabot Cove, Maine."
But, do they aspire in life to be a hybrid of Jessica Fletcher and Nancy Drew, like I do? That is the real question. :P

Texas Coast Escape

I took a nice, little day trip down to the Texas coast this weekend. So much is happening down there as far as development goes. I guess that is both good and bad - I just hope there's at least one private spot left for me when I get to the place in life where I'm ready for it.
I got to stick my feet in the sand for a couple of hours, though.

Texas Family Developments

Just wanted to let you know of a few developments with Texas Family Magazine.
First of all, we are revamping our website. One part of that is we are looking for moms who would like to blog for us so if you're a mom ... and you have something to say ... you know who to contact!! Also, it turns out we have a My Space page, if you're in to that kind of thing and want to be "friends." ... Keep in mind they both are works in progress.
Also, we have issued a press release announcing my new role as Editor in Chief. For your reading pleasure, here is my quote: “I am thrilled to be in this role with Texas Family Magazine, a role where I can be instrumental in providing a positive and relevant influence on the Texas parents who work so hard to educate, support, and love their children,” says Shearer.
“As our magazine continues to move forward and become more dominant statewide, I hope to improve continually the quality of our information and the ways in which we present it. I am grateful, particularly as a native Texan, to be part of such a wonderfully independent and proud statewide community that respects its unity and its diversity. I will strive to match that Texas spirit and find ways to enhance it with each and every issue of Texas Family.”

O'Reilly Factor Tonight

* Ellen did great. I served as her make-up, hair, and moral support specialist! : ) Here is the link.

My good friend Ellen is going to be on "The O'Reilly Factor" tonight on FOX News. The show will air at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Central Time. Ellen is the author of "Diary of a Dysfunctional Flight Attendant: The Queen of Sky Blog."

I'll be going with her this afternoon to the local Fox station for filming! Should be interesting!

Amelia Island Plantation, Florida

A couple of weekends ago, I visited Amelia Island Plantation, on the Northeast side of Florida, close to the Georgia border. It was beautiful, and while the resort itself is huge, the beaches are relatively quiet and not at all crowded.
The resort offers single family homes, condos, and hotel rooms. They also have shops, many restaurants, an awesome spa that takes a holistic, natural approach, a nature center, a fitness center, and lots and lots of activities, like horseback riding on the beach.
It was a nice research trip. Seems like a long time ago now, with all these new work responsibilities ...

Texas Family Magazine Editor in Chief

I have some big news! Really big news!!

I have been named the new Editor in Chief for Texas Family Magazine! I have been writing for TFM since the premiere issue and have been an Associate Editor there for about a year. Being Editor in Chief will bring many new responsibilities and will be both an opportunity and a challenge for me. The first issue I will handle in this position will be the November/December issue -- so look for it! I am very excited and am so looking forward to bringing my ideas to the publication. Expect great things!

Austin Sunshine Camps

The summer, it seems, already is drawing to a close, and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention an organization I have worked with quite a bit this year. It is the Austin Sunshine Camps, which are funded and run by the Young Men's Business League. Every year, they put close to a thousand at-risk and disadvantaged kids through a week-long, overnight summer camp. Filled with lots of fun activities, this really is these kids' only opportunity to have this kind of experience.

Each week a new batch of kids would come to the camps, all excited, some a little scared to be away from home. I volunteered twice with each group, helping with Carnival Nights and Canoe Nights. For Carnival Nights, I somewhat commandeered the face painting booth (first, out of a fear of being put near the dunking booth, then just because I liked it so much.) We painted rainbows, hearts, butterflies, and many, many other designs and had a lot of fun doing it. Canoe nights were fun, too. And dirty. Especially when the water guns, paddle splashing, and seaweed fights took place. It was like a little bit of kid fun for all us adults!

I really admire all the efforts of the so many people who choose to make a difference in children's lives through this organization. It has been a great experience for me, and from seeing the older kids who have been through the program, a great experience and learning tool for thousands and thousands of kids. I hope they continue to be able to impact so many children. While volunteering is strong, they are greatly in need of a new building to house the campers and to host their year-round Leadership Program, and I hope they soon find a way to make that happen.

More Stories

Some new stories of mine are out this August - A Coastal Maine family travel story is in Connecticut Parent, an article about instilling Work Ethic in kids is in Baltimore's Child, and a "Back to School Stress Busters" story is in Sonoma Family Life.

Best in Texas - Candy Coburn

For this month's Best in Texas Music Magazine, I profiled Candy Coburn. Candy is who I appropriated the term "31derful" from. It was quite timely that I interviewed her the week before my 31st birthday!

The story can be read through August here.