tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46580124470172525192012-02-16T06:13:57.811-08:00apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-59982841659907745512012-02-14T11:03:00.000-08:002012-02-14T11:03:22.746-08:00

Every year for Valentine's day, my Mikey finds some quirky way to present me with my box of chocolates. Years ago, I opened my eyes to find myself staring right at it as it nestled on his pillow. I went straight from dream-land to treat-land, popping two or three before I even crawled out of bed. What a yummy, decadent way to start the day, even though it would soon dissolve into the normal chaos

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-48438305307428029572012-02-07T08:57:00.000-08:002012-02-07T08:57:12.572-08:00

When I was 9 years old, I wrote a formal letter of protest to my elementary school librarian because the Little House on the Prairie books were shelved under fiction, rather than biography where I rightfully thought they should be. Mrs. Watson (I remember her still--an ancient woman who had those really skinny fingers and big knuckles so that her rings slid all around) gently explained that Laura

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-25610367293961904202012-01-19T07:17:00.000-08:002012-01-19T07:46:58.381-08:00

 I wasn't going to watch. Really. After last year, watching the confetti rain down on Scotty McCreery, each shred of it representing an ill-cast vote, I told myself, "I don't care. I can't go through that again. I can't go through months of wasted anguish and hours of conversation, facebook posts, blog posts, texting, squabbling...I have better things to do with those 2-3 hour a week--and that's

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-30375798814255987682011-11-29T08:48:00.000-08:002011-11-29T08:48:00.599-08:00

Something fantastic happens on my television during the weeks between Thanksgving and Christmas. The screen fills with B-List actresses--Jennie Garth, Jennifer Grey, Nancy McKeon, the oldest Full House sister, Tori Spelling--each with her own harmlessly hunky guy. They put on quirky hats and frolic in HollyWood snow. Suddenly, Cananda becomes Seattle, Colorado, New York, Michigan, and even

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-62376863152710801012011-11-21T21:03:00.000-08:002011-11-21T21:40:00.388-08:00

Failure is a big word. And, so final. You can't be in the midst of failure, because it's final. You never know until the buzzer's buzzed. Up until then, you keep going, right? Think about the last two games of this past World Series. Game 6: back-and-forth, extra innings, tie it up and move ahead. Not until the 3rd out in the bottom of the 10th did we know who failed. (Rangers, sigh). Game 7: it

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-82192959250368358282011-11-16T09:00:00.000-08:002011-11-16T09:00:03.589-08:00

I had to have "the talk" with my sons this week. No, not that talk--Miley Cyrus and 6th grade Health class took care of most of that. This was the one-month-to-deadline talk. It's the talk where I inform them that, for the next couple of weeks, dinner is what it is, and we're all pretty lucky to be eating anything at all. So if I say I'm making spaghetti and we end up having elbow macaroni mixed

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-29965644528924192112011-10-26T21:34:00.001-07:002011-10-31T12:38:12.417-07:00

Only an author would take comfort in such words. And for me, if all goes according to plan, in about six weeks I should have all the little bits of my current story all spelled out, ready for the triumphant "THE END" at, you know...the end. Yep. December 15--marked on every calendar I own with a big, red "D." It's not going to be pretty.Traditionally, for me, that long, long journey to "The End"

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-26745370545013916192011-10-20T20:17:00.000-07:002011-10-21T04:48:10.248-07:00

This weekend is LifeWay's Fall Fiction Event, where Christian ficion authors all over the country will be sitting just inside the doorway of LifeWay Christian stores all across the country signing their latest release. And I'll be one of them.Before my first novel, I--like most pre-published authors--dreamt of The Book Signing. Hordes of people lined up at the table...outside the door...around

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-72136809242807922992011-07-10T12:10:00.000-07:002011-07-10T12:10:01.176-07:00

Tomorrow night, instead of sitting around the big square table with my Monday night writers group, I'll be sitting at a big banquet table with my husband, my Tyndale House editors, and a slew of writing industry Who's Whos at the Christy Awards. By the time the evening is over, I may or may not be a Christy Award-Winning Author. So...last week, I got an email saying that all winners would be

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-64370863845289695692011-05-25T08:26:00.000-07:002011-05-25T09:07:55.331-07:00

I am not a person without opinions. I'll fight to the death to defend my peanut butter (Jif Natural), will mercilessly mock Lady Gaga, and there's a certain well-known, well-loved novel floating around out there with a title I can't pronounce without a sneer. Seriously, don't get me started. And yet, here I am, watching the last two Idols standing, and I just...don't...care. Scotty and Lauren. Oh

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-78967683516559768412011-05-12T11:26:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:29:46.427-07:00

It's the point where really, any sane person should be able to see justice and reason in the victory of any one of the remaining four. Unfortunately, sanity isn't always the ruling factor for the average Idol fan--myself included. But here we are in the final stretch, and now it's all about strategy. Not talent, not future career, not defining yourself as an artist, but what is it going to take

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-67874373741766402132011-05-05T06:14:00.000-07:002011-05-05T07:11:09.752-07:00

Knowing I'd have the house entirely to myself for the first hour of Idol, I treated myself to Hostess Cupcakes--you know, two-to-a-package, chocolate iced cakes with sweet cream filling and a little swirl of white on top. It seemed fitting, given the theme of the evening. Two cupcakes, two songs. A treat for tonight--a treat from my (not-so) long-ago childhood. I guess I could have had Zingers or

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-32795203437517969312011-04-28T08:14:00.000-07:002011-04-28T09:13:44.275-07:00

Remember when Tuesday nights belonged to Idol? Then, a little show named Glee came along, featuring young talent that deserved a clear 24-hour separation from the amateur hopefuls nervously grasping for glory in front of millions of judges plus three. This week, we had he premier of The Voice. Only those who watch absolutely NOTHING on NBC are ignorant of the show. Even if you didn't tune in on

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-87557265077212351412011-04-21T06:32:00.000-07:002011-04-21T08:43:09.295-07:00

Hey, y'all! Yes, I know, I haven't re-capped the past two weeks because I've been a traveling girl. Arlington, DisneyLand, New Mexico--planes, trains, automobiles...all that. So I've been living off re-caps myself, though I did manage to catch last week's results show that sent Paul packing. In fact, I watched at my sister's house, in the company of my adorable nephew Bryan who is a huge Scotty

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-60312344279289056792011-03-31T07:44:00.000-07:002011-03-31T08:22:01.187-07:00

Somewhere, Stefano is moping, because he totally wanted to set a tiny ballerina on fire, but the producers wouldn't let him. But that's just another piano burned behind us, so let's move on...Last week I made the case that Motown week generally made for good performances, because the songs are good. Same goes for Elton John week, but with kind of a rhinestone twist. Motown hits were manufactured

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-59155966112134756042011-03-23T20:46:00.000-07:002011-03-24T05:38:38.022-07:00

There's exactly one reason why this week's show was miles and miles beyond last week's.It's not because Paul busted out his guitar, finally setting free the invisible marionette he's been walking around the stage. (oooh, is that it? behind your couch? chilling thought...)It's not because the A.I. stylist worked magic with the straightening iron. (Haley...Lauren...Casey...)It's not because the

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-15209940845864921482011-03-16T20:29:00.000-07:002011-03-16T21:48:00.417-07:00

Wild thing(ba-da-ba-da-da) That's the song I'd sing(ba-da-ba-da-da) Like Paul, I'd make it all...groovyWild thingSo, this week the Idol hopefuls sang songs from the year of their birth, and no other single television broadcast makes me feel so old. This is the first year when some of the contestants are actually younger than my oldest child, thus marking the time when my grasp on all that is cool

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-37341351332167807612011-03-10T08:25:00.000-08:002011-03-10T08:25:00.611-08:00

This is my first blog of this AI season--for lots of reasons. First, I never invest much thought until after the semi-finals. And second, I've found myself a million times more excited about the judges than the actual singers. Really--if I could choose where I could spend the next 2 hours, it would be either (A) sharing a taco salad with Steven Tyler or (B) brushing J Lo's hair. I didn't know if

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-77728565530679519912011-01-28T18:21:00.000-08:002011-01-29T09:12:48.377-08:00

I didn't really intend to take a week off facebook. It sort of took a week off me. All this past week, I've been nose-to-the keyboard with a grace-time deadline extension, and one day, no wireless on my laptop. That meant no more checking in every paragraph or so to be humiliated by my fellow writers' progress. No more snippy snippets about life's irritations. No funny little jokes that might

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-46147183395793290512010-12-21T06:12:00.000-08:002010-12-21T06:38:42.535-08:00

Today, December 21, I've been married for 21 years. Our wedding fell exactly 4 months after our first date. It was love (I mean, luuuuv!) back then, and it is today. We chose this date from a mixture of passion and practicality--it fell in the middle of Christmas break, giving us time to settle in as newlyweds before going back to teaching; it came at a time that would make it easy for family

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-21416947335514411832010-11-28T17:30:00.000-08:002010-11-28T17:45:58.678-08:00

Throughout December, I'll be sharing some of my favorite Christmas stories in the form of Advent Season devotionals. What an honor to share my memories!Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your owrk and in everything you put your hand to.[Deuteronomy 15:10] -- NIVWhat a treat it was, shopping with my mother and her

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-21958315593939498662010-08-20T07:12:00.000-07:002010-08-20T07:36:41.646-07:00

So...I get this email:"I challenge to present the hard PROOF for your Christian CLAIM that Jesus Christ is the truth, etc! (John 14:6)"And, I thought I'd share my response. Would love to hear your thoughts--where I went right, where I (gulp!) went wrong, and how you would respond to the same challenge.My response:Dear E--There are three reasons why you are asking me this question.One, that you

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-15614304600192000072010-07-27T06:07:00.000-07:002010-07-27T06:31:45.405-07:00

...actually, it stretched over several days. But anyway--so, at least a month ago I got my notice to renew my driver's license, and I spent all of the intervening time reminding myself to do so. In Texas we can renew on line, just a matter of logging in. No lines, no hassle, no problem. So, of course, I didn't do it. Instead, I was at the DMV first thing on expiration day, standing in line, only

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-30240420005071531752010-07-23T18:41:00.000-07:002010-07-23T19:13:04.340-07:00

It has been an unusual birthday. Private and inauspicious. I'm turning a boring number (I prefer odd, prime numbers--this year I'm 44: even and repetitious), and I actually never gave it much thought. Except to request a very specific gift. A stapler. Last year's unfortunate choice of dinner in quite possibly the worst Italian restaurant outside of a hospital setting meant that I didn't have too

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-59519154854254716532010-05-27T18:55:00.001-07:002010-05-28T09:30:38.210-07:00

For those of you who have read Saturdays with Stella, you know what a treasure she is to us. And, if you subscribe to my newsletter, you know that, just over a year ago, we inherited another dog...Joe. Joe belonged to my father-in-law, Wayne, and when Wayne passed away last year, Joe became part of our inheritence. He is, in many ways, like Wayne. Gruff and stubborn, he moves around with a

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-81296795259642384692010-05-25T20:27:00.000-07:002010-05-25T20:49:07.820-07:00

...that's right. Idols. With an "s," because this year, it's a Sophie's Choice kinda vote. Do we stick with the girl who seemed destined for confetti since auditions, wobbled a bit in the final rounds, and came out a-swingin' and a-singin'? Or, do we put our money on the dark horse who kept a steadily increasing pace--even if he choked a bit on the last stretch?I'm at a loss.Often, when we get to

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-49761392276845483632010-05-18T20:59:00.000-07:002010-05-18T21:22:13.908-07:00

I'm an unashamed fan of the Idol journey. Really. And I have my favorite seasonal landmarks. Hollywood Group Sing week. The last week of semi-finals when the final top 12 are sent on. Then, it's sing, sing, sing, blah, blah, blah. And then it's the top three, and the judge's pick the song! Yay!!I can't help but sense just a twinge of producer favoritism here. And, yes, I'm an American Idol

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-91481916491576348782010-05-17T07:47:00.000-07:002010-05-17T08:38:05.352-07:00

Once upon a time, many years ago, I worked with most of my best friends. We all taught at the same school, just a few lockers between us. Now, one is retired, I have resigned, one still slugs it out, and two have moved two towns over. So, we try to schedule regular dates at an in-between location. Just a quick check-in. Lunch at Mamacitas where we each get our favorite half-order of nachos, and a

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-73557985277723397022010-05-13T18:47:00.000-07:002010-05-13T19:17:17.663-07:00

(Due to travel schedule and lack of wi-fi, I didn't get an American Idol rund-down posted. But, let me assure you, I was right!)Three facts that pretty much sum up my mother: She watches Fox News, she takes pictures of special occasion cakes, and she's the wisest, godliest woman I know. This story tackles two of those three issues.For the most part, it's pretty cool that my parents have a

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-71821021712047281252010-05-08T21:42:00.000-07:002010-05-08T22:12:37.784-07:00

It was a great idea, a great honor, a great movement...all of that. I was among the throng eager to have Betty White host on SNL. Excited enough to set my DVR. Got myself all set up with my post-shower ice water and wet-to-dry straightener and make a night of it. And the monologue was hilarious--funny send-up of the facebook campaign (back in my day we used to "poke" each other, but it was

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-14720959080126250702010-05-05T04:37:00.000-07:002010-05-05T04:50:54.784-07:00

So, I have to admit I was a bit distracted during last night's Idol...packing for a trip to Chicaco...and I'm writing this Wednesday morning in the airport trying desperately to remember any of the performances in any detail. I remember Aaron being lost and overwhelmed, Casey being (sorry) terrible, Crystal being beautiful, Big Mike being obnoxious, and Lee just making the previous 50 minutes all

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-68566389345741728762010-04-27T20:29:00.000-07:002010-04-27T20:55:57.804-07:00

Country night is traditionally my least favorite of the Idol theme nights, because usually there's this odd parade of acts better suited for Knotts Berry Farm than the national stage. I'll never forget the moment Mandissa walked out wearing denim capris and a ratty straw hat. For the life of me, I can't remember what she sang, but I knew the minute she wore that hat she was a goner. Weeks later,

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-88829262536720197532010-04-20T23:03:00.000-07:002010-04-20T23:42:20.594-07:00

So, this is Idol Gives Back week, and I think if I could choose exactly what Idol was to give back, it would be the hour of my life spent watching this week's show. OK, 36 minutes thanks to the DVR (only because I watched Crystal 3 times). During the live broadcast I was riding around various unpopulated streets giving a driving lesson to my fifteen-year-old twin sons. But, really, no matter how

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-45658581611932503752010-04-20T07:11:00.000-07:002010-04-20T07:14:00.248-07:00

...my quiet time today, and I don't mean that I got caught up in the flurry of morning routine (as happens). I mean, I was on the brink of saying: Gym? or Bible? And as fantastical as that may seem, gym was about to win.Then I thought, No--I can give my reading passage a quick skim, say a quick prayer, and still make the 8:30 water aerobics class. So, I sat down with Bible and coffee, flipped to

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-35715780298295523172010-04-13T17:27:00.000-07:002010-04-13T18:25:12.569-07:00

So, what does a guy have to do to be counted among such musical recording greats as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Barry Manilow, Randy Travis, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Lionel Richie, and -- oh, what the heck--Miley Cyrus? Apparently, you need to lose a singing contest. Ladies and gentlemen, Adam Lambert!!!Now, I know a couple of weeks ago, I likened Miley's mentoring capabilities to that of a duck, and I

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-73773477709511442332010-04-12T21:20:00.000-07:002010-04-12T21:42:51.180-07:00

Releasing today! Unbelievable...my fifth novel. I say unbelievable, because it wasn't long ago I had no idea I wanted to pursue a life writing Christian fiction. No idea. I knew I wanted to write...something...but the only Christian novel I'd ever read was Christy--a book that is almost required reading for Christian girls, and rightly so. And now--what a difference a decade makes!So, with a new

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-73765273793866041982010-04-06T18:42:00.000-07:002010-04-06T19:50:01.010-07:00

A song for Timanilow(in honor of Lennon/McCartney week)Hey, dude, don't make it bad,Take a bland song, and make it blander.Remember, Randy and Ellen are smart,And you can ignore Simon and Kara Hey dude, don't be afraidYou were made to guest-star on DisneyThe minute your texting votes don't come inYou can begin to be a guest star Enter: Bagpipes I remember this them from 2 seasons ago, and it was

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-32259291566857593712010-03-30T19:37:00.000-07:002010-03-30T20:02:22.464-07:00

You know how when you're watching a lava lamp? And there's that great gloopy moment when one glob sinks to the bottom and the other gloop bloops up? I feel like that's what happened tonight. We saw Siobhan take the glob-dive of her career thus far, and Lee just bloopy-bloop-bloop up to the top. It was, in some ways, a nod back to the old days (think, pre-Jordin Sparks), because those who did well

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-7795748210149033862010-03-24T19:22:00.000-07:002010-03-24T19:58:58.395-07:00

It's going to be a long summer for all those Idol fans packing themselves into outdoor venues and theme parks, county fairs--whever this year's crop can find a place to rest their weary voices. Compared to last year's line-up (Kris! Adam! Allison! Danny! Anoop! Lil! Matt!--not bad...7/10 from memory!), this year's looks a little, um, thin? Pitchy? (zzzzzzz Crystal! zzzzzzz Siobhan! zzzzzzzz Tim

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-67142524089777999532010-03-23T18:37:00.000-07:002010-03-24T05:00:51.722-07:00

First, mad props to my friend Allison who compared Tim Urban's performance to Barry Manilow, thus bringing me to christen him "Timanilow." Patent pending. Just saying.So, nothing like a nice, specific genre for the contestants to choose from: Top Songs. I guess it's a chance for us to see what kind of music the contestants gravitate toward--what kind of artist they want to be. If that's the case,

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-3147727776645794982010-03-19T20:26:00.000-07:002010-03-19T20:46:19.315-07:00

I had a lovely afternoon "date" with my youngest son as we went to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Now, I went into this movie at a total disadvantage--I hadn't read a single one of the books (written by Jeff Kinney), and my Charlie had read them all. Still, it was my "turn," as hubby took the boy to see Percy Jackson, Lightning Thief a few weeks ago.I think I got the better deal!Diary of a Wimpy Kid

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-83844410957329664192010-03-16T19:29:00.000-07:002010-03-16T19:46:49.136-07:00

Apparently nothing can bring me out of blog darkness like American Idol. And, no, I didn't post during the auditions, during Hollywood week, or even the semi-finals, because during those early weeks, getting attached to a contestant is kind of like making eye contact with a puppy in a pet store. Much as you might want to take that puppy home, chances are it'll never be a part of your life,

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-33550557641763376412009-10-31T19:32:00.000-07:002009-10-31T19:44:26.284-07:00

I am currently living my favorite hour of the year. Sure, anybody can have a favorite season, or a favorite holiday, but I can narrow my favorites to a single sixty-minute unit. Falling BackI feel sorry for those poor Arizonians who don't get to experience the twice-a-year time shift. Sure, there's a little bit of excitement that first evening after Springing forward when it's, like, 9 o'clock

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-9046734510122453152009-09-28T06:33:00.000-07:002009-09-28T06:47:41.059-07:00

I finally got the chance to see Julie & Julia (ok...weeks ago) and while, yes, it was great to see all the impressive cooking--all those rich, complicated, detailed delicacies on the screen, I was impressed with another aspect of the movie altogether. Some people say they left the theater incredibly inspired to cook, I was much more fascinated with "Julie's" capacity to blog. Every day. Just

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-60579325960147769952009-08-24T06:25:00.000-07:002009-08-24T06:28:36.934-07:00

Ah…..7:15 am, and the whole house is quiet. My boys—all three—off to school. Now, to tell the truth, the house has been quiet at 7:15 am all summer long, but that was when they were all snoozing away until the digital clock read double-digits. But this morning, they were all up before me, showered, dressed, gelled, fed and brushed, only to sit nervously on the edge of the couch waiting to pick up

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-75219534085841984112009-08-14T21:35:00.000-07:002009-08-14T22:00:58.093-07:00

I have been looking forward to seeing this movie since the first little Hollywood blip slipped about it. So, in a rare display of eagerness, I was at the Friday afternoon matinee--along with about 20 other women. Ticket price: 5.25--roughly what I paid for the Starbucks balanced in my carefully-carried over-sized purse. (don't judge me)Now, reviews have not been kind to the movie, and I can

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-24898825743322548892009-08-05T19:59:00.000-07:002009-08-05T20:21:06.671-07:00

So, it seems this week I've been answering almost all of my emails with an apology for the delay in response. See, for the past two weeks I've been taking a course in writing instruction, and while it is engaging, enriching, fascinating and fulfilling, it's also exhausting, draining, mind-consuming and depleting. It's also, however, finished, and this evening I embrace the first evening in a long

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-76892407550001087432009-07-22T20:13:00.000-07:002009-07-22T20:37:52.415-07:00

First of all--Happy Birthday to Me! (pic is my birthday cake from last year--decorated by my sons...notice "MOM" spelled out in Twizzlers...) I've never been a big birthday celebrator--not much of a party girl--but I thank the Lord for the blessings He has given me this past year, all the wonderful opportunities to connect with readers and friends and family. So, thank you, all of you Crossroads

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-58649474748681280022009-07-18T08:20:00.000-07:002009-07-18T19:51:32.275-07:00

Flipping through what passes for TV journalism today makes me long for those simpler times when our family gathered to watch Walter Cronkite every night. And, I mean every night. If mom's dinner was ready to hit the table at 5:30, we ate silently with that familiar soft baritone in the background. No hitting "pause" on the DVR, no catching the later re-broadcast on another cable network. And

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-68407741241571971272009-07-16T08:13:00.000-07:002009-07-18T19:55:11.234-07:00

Eileen will be cooling off with Colleen Coble's Cry in the Night...but this week's give-away is just as cool. In fact, it's a romantic summer treat from brand-new author Betsy St. Amant.Return to Love by Betsy St. Amant is a delightful read featuring two of my favorite creations: Penguins, and hunky musicians. Ah--nice. There's also a nice shot of Christmas to give an escape from the summer heat,

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-3806051732676397182009-07-12T17:51:00.000-07:002009-07-14T05:20:22.941-07:00

This week, my son Charlie turns 11. It's a rather anticlimactic birthday. It lacks the first double-digit excitement of turning 10, and it doesn't have the cache of 12. It's a bridge year. One more year of elementary school, one more year before church youth group. A non-age, really. Eleven. The most syllables he'll have until he turns seventeen, but that's really reaching for something

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-26653621236357503392009-07-12T17:18:00.000-07:002009-07-12T17:37:47.532-07:00

I spent last week visiting with my sister, Roi, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. We were there for the 4th of July (an evening of swimming and fireworks and luscious bbq ribs, mmmmmm). She has a lovely home overlooking a lovely yard with velvet-green grass and a sapphire-sparkly pool. The house itself sits in a neighborhood built on the far edge of town, smack in the middle of what can only be

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-67899903488364963482009-07-08T20:55:00.000-07:002009-07-08T21:11:36.161-07:00

Whew! I'm a few days late posting for the give-away this week, since I've been out of town on a stay-ish-cation in my hometown of Las Cruces, NM. Great visit--lots of fun--but sketchy internet access at my parents' house. I'll have more observations from the road in the coming days. But, with no further ado...the winner of Speak Through the Wind is Edna! Congrats!This week's book is like a

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-19061287326862416322009-07-05T13:44:00.000-07:002009-07-05T14:01:54.984-07:00

We're traveling in New Mexico this week, a bit of a family vacation. Thought I'd bring you all along on a few hi-lights and insights of the road.The drive from San Antonio to Las Cruces, NM is a very familiar one to us. We make it 2-3 times a year. I have every last rest stop memorized. Besides one little mishap a few years ago when high wind resistance resulted in running out of gas (now,

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-42409510610510161172009-07-03T00:00:00.000-07:002009-07-02T15:31:31.131-07:00

Today is my sister's birthday--Happy Birthday, Barbara!!! Now, chances are she'll never read this, as she's living the country life in Wyoming, but she deserves a shout-out anyway...She and I have an on-going joke stemming from the fact that she doesn't like to own up to her age. Like, at all. She's a few years older than I am, but every year we decide that we're drifting closer and closer.

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-90484841654777894052009-06-30T20:21:00.000-07:002009-06-30T20:39:51.507-07:00

The winner of Jenny B. Jones' So Not Happening is (drumroll please...) a King's Daughter! So, please send me an email with info, and I'll get this in the mail to you!This week's give-away is my own Speak Through the Wind--Book #2 in the Crossroads of Grace series. Now, since it's my own book, it seems a review would be in poor taste, but for those who aren't familiar with the story, here's the

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-4411915549440887142009-06-25T21:34:00.000-07:002009-06-25T21:57:06.529-07:00

I was just going into my sophomore year of high school when MTV first planted its flag on the green-screen moon. I remember it being a premium channel, and begging my father to pay to have it added to our cable. I even offered to take a cut in allowance--but my kind-hearted daddy would have none of that, and by the middle of my Junior year, there it was, in all its weird 24-hour glory. I remember

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-63415862122627401122009-06-24T20:29:00.000-07:002009-06-24T20:56:20.640-07:00

So...lots of great comments about our high school selves--all in great enthusiasm for Jenny B. Jones' book So Not Happening. And, I have to tell you, the reason I connected so much with this book (and there's another one coming...yay!!!) is totally due to the fact that the main character, Ella, is on her high school newspaper staff. With a fantastic opportunity for investigative journalism, and a

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-85406433143812739162009-06-23T06:55:00.000-07:002009-06-23T12:12:24.097-07:00

Congrats to Elizabeth--winner of Riven.This week's give-away takes us in a whole different direction. It'll make you turn back the clock as quickly as you turn back the pages--back to high school, in fact. But, Bella Kirkwood in Jenny B. Jones' So Not Happening is soooooo not what I was in high school: she's everything I wanted to be.Here's the blurb:New York's social darling Isabella Kirkwood

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-16208564190957886232009-06-19T21:41:00.000-07:002009-06-19T22:03:42.502-07:00

I am horrible with holidays. Really. If the entire world didn't remind me to get my Christmas shopping done, I never would. I've been known to forget my own birthday, as well as having been totally taken by surprise by those of my own children. So, these media-driven, Hallmark-created fauxdays? Hopeless. Not that we don't observe Father's Day. But, trust me, it's nothing to build a 7-minute

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-20240964602442867622009-06-15T20:32:00.000-07:002009-06-16T06:10:51.093-07:00

First of all...the winner of Rose House is......Edna!! Congrats, Edna--this is a great book.OK, this week's book comes to us from an author to whom all Christian novelists owe their gratitude. Jerry B. Jenkins blazed a huge trail with his Left Behind series, creating a path for others to follow. His novel, Riven, is a departure from that series, and let me tell you, this is a big ol' fantastic

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-66560551401177611172009-06-14T14:07:00.000-07:002009-06-14T14:22:24.108-07:00

...Might seem like a strange title for a mid-June post. Allow me to explain...we just got a new calendar. Yep. Until a few days ago, hanging in our kitchen was some winter scape and a row of boxes for December, 2008. I'm not exactly sure how it happened. Maybe I got too busy in the pre-Christmas shopping to pick one up? Maybe because we were travelling over the official New Year, so I wasn't out

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-32670369415924852202009-06-10T19:48:00.000-07:002009-06-10T20:03:42.027-07:00

In the corner of my living room sit 4 of those huge storage containers. What's in them? Pictures. Old photo albums, framed portraits, loose photographs. All inherited from my in-laws' home months ago when I had every intention to get them all sorted, filed, albummed and re-distrubed to hubby's brothers. I still have the intention, and now I have a deadline--next weekend. But that's not what this

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-19695423132207146542009-06-08T19:37:00.000-07:002009-06-09T06:13:02.117-07:00

Congratulations, Carly--you're the winner of Ten Thousand Charms. Quick side note--a few evenings ago, I had the opportunity to just sit in a Starbucks and talk writing with my lovely friend Elizabeth, and I ended up talking about this book a lot--kind of like revisiting an old friend. So, Carly, I hope you enjoy!!This week's give-away will take you down an intriguing, intertwining path. It's

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-59057480550627816042009-06-04T12:38:00.000-07:002009-06-04T12:50:10.371-07:00

When I was teaching, this day had a whole different meaning...It's somehow not nearly as much fun anymore. Today, my kids were actually only in school half-day, and I was so tempted to just spend the morning lounging around, watching Regis and Kelly (with Anderson Cooper), just soak in those final hours of solitude and silence. In fact, I went so far as to get back in my jammies and crawl into

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-77476045475208500622009-06-01T19:46:00.000-07:002009-06-01T20:09:44.688-07:00

First of all, the winner of Stealing Home is turnermd1. So, turnermd1, please send me a private email so I can get your address!So, look at what we have. It's Monday, June 1st. I know summer isn't "officially" here until the 21st, but how can you not think of kicking off summer on the first of June? So, it's my goal this summer to get everybody reading...something. And, don't worry, not just my

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-59003206132623148902009-05-28T09:22:00.000-07:002009-05-28T10:02:25.860-07:00

So, turns out the woman who was reported "kidnapped" simply grabbed a fake i.d. and ran off to the Grand Floridian Resort in Disney World. Whil part of me realizes that she must be a sad, troubled woman, part of me is thinking..."Why didn't I think of that?" My feelings of sympathy are all mixed up with a pinch of envy. Maybe it's being on the cusp of summer, knowing we can't go this year. Maybe

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-68397084737655295292009-05-21T06:21:00.000-07:002009-05-21T06:38:08.807-07:00

First of all, Yaaaaaaayyyyy Kris!!!!! Now, that's out of my system. So, American Idol is not the only reality show I follow. I'm also a huge fan of The Biggest Loser. This year, what an inspiration to see the winner turn out to be not only a woman (3rd in a row!), but a 48-year-old woman at that. Yay Helen!!So, every season, I watch the contestants week after week, weigh-in after weigh-in, and

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-14138059453845476062009-05-19T19:56:00.000-07:002009-05-19T20:11:20.544-07:00

You know how sometimes you're driving down the highway, and you see a wreck coming up on the side of the road, and you know you're coming up on it, and you don't want to look, but somehow you can't help yourself--even though you know it might be awful? Like, you want to turn back, but you're caught up in the traffic, and there's just no going back? That's how I feel every year when we're down to

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-45111949436463745642009-05-13T15:17:00.000-07:002009-05-13T15:28:38.249-07:00

Eeeeeek!! Just realized we're just a few hours away from results show, and I didn't get a recap blogged. Blame it on the combined factors of a looming deadline, coupled with being out-of-town (visiting my lovely parents!!) where internet is just a bit wonky.Anyhoo, last night's show was awesome!!! My Danny-gag-reflex was subdued, though I would have put money on him choking out a few tears at the

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-75282105543721100522009-05-06T04:21:00.000-07:002009-05-06T04:51:40.626-07:00

Disclaimer: I did watch this episode under the increasing pressure of a looming deadline, so I apologize in advance for the disproportionate crankiness.I was soooo looking forward to this episode, because I'm a Rock-n-Roll girl at heart. And then--wham! Somebody in my family must have hit the channel button and switched us over to one of those childbirth shows on the LifeTime Network. But, no, it

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-9980268725526585022009-04-29T14:21:00.000-07:002009-04-29T14:41:04.455-07:00

And by "brat" I mean Simon---but I'll get back to that in a minute. I've just realized that the deadline looming o'er me almost made me forget to get my post on. The world would probably survive, but my power of prediction is a true source of pride, so I want my vision on eternal record. Even if I'm wrong. Or, as I like to think of it, even if America is wrong...like they were last week. Because,

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-78497755202614656282009-04-21T20:03:00.000-07:002009-04-21T20:18:28.324-07:00

So...a lot to talk about in one little post--partly because I haven't posted in a few days, and partly because it's one of those times when a bunch of stuff happens at once. Launch Party!! Last night (Monday) I had a modest little launch party for my new book, Stealing Home. I hi-jacked the first hour of my regular writers group meeting and treated them and a bunch of friends and family to snacks

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-49525309686476837972009-04-14T20:40:00.000-07:002009-04-14T20:51:28.467-07:00

OK, either these guys need to see more movies, or I need to just embrace the power ballad, because this was one hum-drum night of American Idol. In my humble opinion, of course. It was like one long soaring (sometimes souring?) note. And personally, I would rather have listened to all 4 judges give feedback and cut the Quentin Tarantino "coaching" -- but that's just me.So, a couple of questions..

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-32963296197649719962009-04-13T07:51:00.000-07:002009-04-13T08:08:52.656-07:00

I am, of course, a fan of good historical fiction, and I'm also a huge admirer of Tamera Alexander's work. She and I sort of hit the Christian fiction scene at the same time, and I must say as I grow, I hope to follow along her path. She is a gracious, beautiful woman herself, and her books reflect that inner beauty. The Inheritance is a lovely tale of family--the struggle to put together new

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-1270878645019172242009-04-12T21:24:00.000-07:002009-04-12T22:31:29.630-07:00

Months and months in the making...and here I am with the fabulous Chris Vlasek who set music to my script for "New Beginnings" -- our Church's Easter program. It seemed like this weekend would never come, then it seemed like it wasn't far enough away, then it seemed like it was breathing down my neck. And the stage was bare, and the lights were wonky, and what seemed like a great idea last August

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-173001238982674302009-04-07T20:21:00.000-07:002009-04-07T20:39:07.901-07:00

So, what does it say about the business of my life that I can only manage to post my Idol rundowns? Here's hoping that, once Easter has passed (I'm directing our church pageant) I might be able to address a few more meaningful things. Until then... I'll spare all of us the singer-by-singer rundown for tonight, because I think the writing's on the wall for a couple of people tonight. Lil,

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-864363269298422132009-03-31T20:20:00.000-07:002009-03-31T20:43:35.039-07:00

I remember every Saturday afternoon sitting on my yellow polyester bedspread listening to American Top Forty. For two, three solid hours, song after song...even then I was all into predictions, always writing down which song I thought would be the top one that week.Go figure...What's fun about a night like this is you get a chance to see just what each of the contestants think about themselves as

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-39557986995121836132009-03-25T20:38:00.000-07:002009-03-26T06:19:23.283-07:00

I always love Motown week. They are, quite simply, some of the best, most iconic songs ever recorded. And, to me, they really are the songs that can divide true artists--those who can bring a new sound to an old song and still allow the initial vision of the songwriter to come through. It's easy to listen to song after song from this catalog and have the entire night come across as some cheesy

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-20982588381148553832009-03-21T14:08:00.000-07:002009-03-21T18:24:33.513-07:00

First of all, to fulfill my own Promise for Spring...Elizabeth! You're the winner of Kim Vogel Sawyer's book! Yay! So, email me privately and I'll get that to you...This is the first Saturday of Spring, and it's a beautiful one. It's the first one in a while where I had absolutely no commitments--no meetings, no family business. Nothing. And there's just something about waking up to an open day.

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-89690230052545548962009-03-18T05:34:00.000-07:002009-03-18T05:58:50.576-07:00

I remember being at a teacher's conference, waiting for a session to begin, and these two lovely African American women were in the row in front of me. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but they caught my attention when they said, "That sister had no business wearing that hat." I knew immediately who they were talking about. The previous night was "Country" night on American Idol, and Mandisa had

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-68330325980835211812009-03-14T20:29:00.000-07:002009-03-14T21:11:26.451-07:00

Take a peek...England-born Emmaline Bradford pledged her life to Geoffrey Garrett and then bid him farewell when he sailed to America. Although Geoffrey anticipated only a short separation, several years passed before he was able to send for Emmaline. By then the fiery flame of her youthful love had all but died. Shocked by the conditions on Geoffrey's Kansas sheep ranch, Emmaline wishes to

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-17752837352913081312009-03-10T21:11:00.000-07:002009-03-10T21:16:29.264-07:00

So... the ultimate 13 were kind of shoved down our throats since audition time. Honestly, is there a single element of Danny Lokey that we haven't been exposed to? The preliminary voting rounds were nothing short of a railroad. And the wild card? No true surprises there, either. But now with the narrowed field, it's time to invest!First of all, I loved the theme of the night, because even though

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4658012447017252519.post-8452210698545625262009-03-01T17:20:00.000-08:002009-03-01T17:30:37.525-08:00

According to the old adage, if March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb. So as I compose my first blog post, I have to wonder if it has lion-like energy, or lambish introspection. By the time I get to the end, I'll probably find it has neither--as it will be sent out into the vastness of the web, and probably read only by those clicking back in curiosity. In fact, having made no

apittmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299185568996281376noreply@blogger.com0