Red Dirt Rocker

Red Dirt Rocker
Y/A novel by Jody French--Inspired by the adventures of musician- Forrest French

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The U.P.S. Man is Santa Claus??

I'm going to go see Santa at the Mall today with the G-babies...I had a friend say, "you LIVE with Santa!"  (My husband is a U.P.S. Man)...I told him, "no, I live with THE GRINCH!"  Poor Monty---he comes home every night this magical time of the year with a "ba-humbug," look on his wind burned face!  Delivering all Santa's gifts, and working 13 hour days out in the blustery weather---can't blame him.  Yep, for the past 24 years that he's worked for U.P.S.  I'm always on my own, every holiday season, cooking, baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating, etc.,---I tend to forget what his handsome, weather-worn, face even looks like this time of the year!  Bright side---the overtime he makes helps us to buy the gifts that some other hard working U.P.S. man will deliver this season~

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

"I Think I Can...I Think I Can"...

I watched my precious Grand son, Eddie Jett from 4:00p.m. until 2:00 a.m. yesterday---well, technically today too!  He finally went to sleep around 1:30 a.m..  I forgot I had to sub at IGC Middle School until this morning, early. Jumped out of bed and got ready in 25 minutes.  (For a girl, that's pretty fast.)  I will get out of school at 3:15, and then get my other precious Grand babies, Landon, who is 2, and Clara Jane, who is 5 months old.  I'll have them until 8:30 tonight.

Alright Grammie---"I think I can...I think I can...I think I can..."  I'm tired.  Man, I'm getting old.  But no one better than to grow old with than my family!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Signing my Publishers Agreement contract today for my book, "Red Dirt Rocker"

Good morning Sunshines!


After 2 years of writing, rewriting, and countless days of, "the ideas are flowing like wine," to countless days of,  "I cannot get motivated to put a sentence on paper", (or on computer screen), I am beyond thrilled to announce, that today, I am signing a publishing contract for my original, young adult book, "Red Dirt Rocker."  A book that I've written around working full time and part time.  A book that I have written around keeping three precious, busy bee, Grand babies, all under the age of four years old.  A book that I've written while still being a hands on, there-when-they-need-me, mom to three wonderful children.  A book that I've written around being the household accountant, cook, maid, errand runner, and  wife of a U.P.S. man that usually works over fifty hours a week.  A book that I've written after forty seven years of living on this earth.    

I've definitely realized this year that you're never too old to still be a dreamer, to learn something new, or achieve a goal you've been pondering .  Take all the good, and all the bad,  take all the heartwarming and heartbreaking times of your life, and either rejoice greatly in those times, or learn quickly how to put a spin on them for the best.

Start a journal, pick up your old art supplies, try a new recipe, sing a new song, play that instrument that's collecting dust in the back  room, ride a horse, get a puppy, take a short run, kiss your kids... kiss the U.P.S. man---(well... I can, he's my husband--he still might appreciate it though), heck...write a book!!!   YOU CAN DO IT!!!

I guess I shouldn't sound too preachy on the motivation stuff---I'm still snuggled in bed as I type this morning!  Time to rise and shine though, and  sign this contract that I never, ever thought I would finally be signing.  To put it in the mail today---to continue to work diligently, proudly, and gratefully.  Time to continue having faith that my hard work will pay off.  Time to keep moving forward...always time to keep dreaming!

Have a great Monday ya'll!!

Oh yes...and time to go grocery shopping too...we're out of everything! :)  It's a glorious, glamourous life~

Sunday, December 4, 2011

The Movie "Courageous"

Me, Monty, Forrest, and some of his friends from Sunday School just got back from seeing the movie, "Courageous".   My eyes are swollen from the tears that drained from them during the film.  I absolutely give it two "tissue boxes" up!  The sleeves of my long sleeve shirt are still damp from wiping my eyes.  So glad it was a thermal...more absorbent.

If you are a child on this earth that has a father...yes, that's everyone, then you will find this movie beyond touching.  Children with doting fathers, absent fathers, part-time fathers, with "father's you've never met", fathers, etc., will find it to be a heart-string-pulling, compelling movie.

Don't expect, "Star Trek", effects, "Die Hard", action or "Rocky-like," sequels.  Do expect to smile, laugh, shed a tear,(or a couple hundred), and be inspired by the thought provoking, beautiful, small budget, story .  There should be more movies made like, "Courageous."

If you don't catch it at the theaters, please check it out on DVD when it is released.

"We were meant to be courageous"~~






Friday, December 2, 2011

  I'm having a busy day at Coweta Intermediate Grade Center with the fourth grade students.  I just love that age. They are still sweet and innocent, but mature enough to handle lesson plans on their own.  What a wonderful, well behaved class I have today.

Don't tell anybody, but I'm even getting some good editing time in on my book, "Red Dirt Rocker"----The students have been so cooperative that I have been able to re-read a couple chapters and make some edits.  I can't imagine it ever really leaving my hands and going to final print...I am always trying to improve it with each read through.  I received my contract yesterday and will be signing and notarizing it on Monday!!!  I am so thrilled!!

Woo-hoo!  Paarrty!!  Cake and ice cream anyone??  Speaking of cake...I made Paula Deans, "Gooey Butter Cake" for Thanksgiving---as she would say, "YUM!"  I added some chocolate and butterscotch chips to the recipe, and was given a big pat on the back from the family for it.  Paula's recipes are always a "no fail" choice.

Gotta get back to the kiddos.  So blessed to be able to work with young children.  They are our future.  Today, in the fourth grade hall at Coweta IGC---the future looks very bright!

Keep coming back and check for the excerpts from my book, "Red Dirt Rocker."  I promise they are coming!  Have a great day all!