Rock or Fish? Haiku

Photo by Angie Quantrell

 

 

See the face?

Swimming amidst the wet sand.

Rocky bed for fish.

- Haiku and Photo by Angie Quantrell

Meet My New Book ~ First Steps in Missions

First Steps in Missions, Ideas and Activities for Preschoolers and Teachers

 by Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

I'm honored to announce the release of First Steps in Missions, Ideas and Activities for Preschoolers and Teachers, Volume 22.

What? You already have a copy?

True. It was available in late summer. I was barely available. Thank you for going on without me and getting your copy!

My honey and I were eyebrow deep in cleaning, packing, sorting, storing, and donating our belongings. Why? We sold our home. I should say, God sold our home. In 3 days.

That was a quick sale and left us with no free time to do anything. Except move.

Never fear, we are not homeless. Many of you have already seen the pictures. We are full-time RV'ers living in a solid (though you can feel it move when walking inside), warm (we hope), and quite spacious RV with our 2 crazy kitties. The excitement and adventure is fantastic! Let's just not mention the period of adjustment, shall we?

In the midst of this transition, First Steps in Missions was released. I'm very excited to see this work in print.

In honor of this project, I am going to take a monthly walk through each chapter and area of the world, choose my favorite activity, and flesh out additional ways to use the activity with preschoolers. So much fun!

Coming soon: September fun in the Philippines.

If you would like your own copy, I'm thrilled to direct you on the right paths. First Steps in Missions, Volume 22

Thanks for stopping by!

Hello, Friends!

by Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

Welcome!

I should say (to myself) welcome back!

Here is a photo of what's kept me from my KID KANDY and picture book posts. It has been THAT crazy.

So, forward and onward. Come on over and join me at my Book Blab Blog. Try saying that 3x fast in a row.

Let's read some books!

Happy Autumn!

It's the RV Life for Me

by Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

We live in an RV.

That's recreational vehicle for you wondering about the abbreviation. Our tenement on wheels is like the Big Green Rolling Turd in the Robin Williams movie RV. Without the backed up sewer, ripped off awning, and Class A drive-and-walk-around feature.

Our RV is the type you drive in, unhook, set up, and drive away.

The Quantrells are on an adventure.

Phase 1: Complete - The house is sold. Closed. Done.

Here's a chance to say "Thanks" to our 2 fantastic realtors, Stephanie Blehm and her son Kenny Blehm! They did a fantastic job. And they survived Kevin. I mean our process. Wink, wink.

Sorry, Kenny. Mabel thinks your card is tasty!

Phase 2: In Process - Live full-time in RV. Settle cats and selves in for the winter. Learn to grocery shop often for not much at all (no space). Wear the same clothes all the time (no space). Store rubber stamping supplies (no space). Eat outside with guests (no space).

Search for property and research choices.

Phase 3: In the Future - Build small home (tiny is too minute) on out-of-town property.

Our lives in a nutshell.

It's been great so far. Things did get a little tense every now and then (sorry, honey). We relieved ourselves of many possessions. That felt good. Now we can see what we really need to survive.

An outdoor catio is a definite NEED. Poor kitties have adjusted well, but opportunites for exercise in the RV are limited. And, well, I just need them-who-love-outside-time to be out in the fresh air. Soon, babies, daddy will have it all done. It's going to be great! I'll post pictures when it's complete.

Pumpkin season is here, and despite the lack of space indoors, the big beautiful world beyond the RV walls has plenty of space to display my favorite seasonal produce.

Anyone else out there living in an RV? Who else loves kitties, pumpkins, and fall? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy to See This!

Happy to see this new article, Into the World, in Missions Mosaic.

It has been a whirlwind summer!

Selling our home, moving into an RV, fixing the RV set-up, sorting belongings, giving away stuff, acclimatizing the kitties to living in said RV, learning how to cook in an RV, . . .

The list is much longer, but just that much lets you know why I have been lost in cyberspace.

On to fall. The dust is settling, and in just a few more days, we will have only 1 home to care for.

Writing is back on the menu, boys! (Can you name that movie reference? Comment below!)

Into the World

Here is something I'm happy to see, rewards from past labors. I love this magazine, Missions Mosaic, and am honored to write for Woman's Missionary Union in several different areas.

You might want to check them out here.

Missions Mosaic

Happy reading!

Back to the chaos.

I Work at Home ~ Encouragement from a 7 Year-Old

 

Comments from the peanut gallery...

by Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

I work at home.

I'm sure some people think I just goof off, sip coffee, play in the backyard, eat bon bons, and read great books.

It's true. I do those things. Occasionally. Or maybe even almost daily.

But I also work. At home.

Last week, my grands and great-niece and their adult caregivers (mom and Nama) hit the road to visit Owen Beach at Pt. Defiance Park near Tacoma, Washington. As the road trip one-way was about 3 hours, there was plenty of time to talk. This conversation came from the way-back seat of our van.

Nama: Audrey, are you talking to grandma (via Face-Time)?
Audrey: Yes.
Nama: Is she at work?
Audrey: No, she doesn't work. She just goes in her office.
Hayden: (Looking incredulously at Audrey) Nana does that! She works in her office. (Now looking at me) Nana, you write books in your office!

Long-distance-front-seat-to-backseat high five!

Yes! He gets it. I am working in my office. I do have a job. I don't make much money right now, giving credence to the term "poor starving author," but I am working.

This writer felt very pleased and encouraged by the voice and total belief in the voice of a 7 year-old boy. He believes in me.

Who encourages and believes in you and your life's work?

The Lily ~ Haiku and Photo

Lily from my garden


fireworks of flora



speckled bursts of joy

fireworks cool to my touch

enchanting lily


by Angie Quantrell

Ask for Help, And It Will Be Given

Great flyers from WMU and my friends in the Preschool Resources Department

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

Ask (for help) and it will be given.

This weekend I will be presenting two breakout sessions about writing at a retreat. I'm very excited to attend and enjoy the retreat, as the past couple of years my schedule has not allowed me to go.

Besides sharing with women, I was invited to bring my books. Isn't that nice? Of course I'd love to bring my books.

The problem was that I didn't have any up-to-date flyers or informational handouts.

What does Angie do? She contacts the professionals (and her good friends) at Woman's Missionary Union.

I asked and boy, did I receive.

We back-and-forthed messages for quite a few days. And because there was a tiny break in their schedule of deadlines, my friends were able to put together several lovely pieces for me to use.

The flyers and posters look so lovely and colorful, I just had to share . . . though it is odd and a bit disconcerting to see so many me-faces staring back!

Thank you, Clay, Teri, Robin, and Joye! You ROCK! You also made me look good. We can never underestimate the value in that now, can we?

National Haiku Poetry Day

Monet in the garden

by Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

National Haiku Poetry Day was on Sunday. I love wrangling words to create a 17 syllable story poem.

 

Cat in the garden

Ladybug is mine, Mine. MINE.

I can't have it? Fine. I'm gone.

Fine. You won't let me have it, I'm outta here.

 

Cat, photos, and Haiku are mine. Happy Haiku Holiday.

Read to Me

"Nana, read this to me."

I was happy to read a stack of 10 books to my 4-year-old granddaughter. This only worked because baby brother was fast asleep. Sister loves books.

Today, sister had another task for Nana. After busily writing on paper, she handed me her story.

"Nana, read this to me."

You can imagine I was a bit challenged. So I asked her to read it to me.

Khloe: I can't read.

Me: What is it about?

Khloe: Uhm, Lava Girl and Shark Boy.

Me: Ok. Once upon a time . . . Lava Girl and Shark Boy went on a picnic. They went swimming. They had a fun time. The end.

Khloe: No, you're not done yet.

Me: They had a flat tire and had to fix it.

Khloe: No.

Me: What else?

Khloe: (whispering to me) They help other people!

Me: Oh! Lava Girl and Shark Boy helped some people who had a flat tire. They helped fix the tire. Then they enjoyed their picnic. The end.

Khloe: (smiles and nods) Ok.

That was only the first story. She had another waiting in the wings. Nana was on call as storyteller.

I am pleased that she loves stories, writing, reading, and words. Literacy begins long before they reach school.

What is your favorite story to read aloud? I'd love to hear.

Hugh's Photo Challenge: Week 11 - Rust

Rust

 

evocative form

contemplation of purpose

usefulness transformed



 

 

Haiku by Angie Quantrell, 2-4-16

TJ's Household Challenge Haiku - Calendar

 

 

blank pages stretch on

 

imagine, dream, plan, journey

 

possibilities

 

 

Angie Quantrell 2016

Happy New Year (From the Kitties)

Today, as I began 2016 by working on a deadline, I had plenty of help.

 

Too much help, in fact.

This one, Mabel, jumped up right after sister, Monet, left.

 

I sense a new year trend in my office.

 

 

What work? You are doing that?



 

I think I should help you. Yes. Let me scooch right here.

 

Move? You want me to move?

 

Fine. I will sit over here. I'll just watch my sister.

 

Mom, what is in the basket? Can I get in the basket? Let me chew on some things in the basket.

 

What book? You need this book? I'm sitting on it . . .

 

And so went the day. There have been times when my mind was so focused, I didn't even see or hear the approaching kitty until she leapt in the middle of work. This was especially troublesome when her paws were wet and a touch muddy.

 

We have new S.O.P.

(standard operating procedures)

 

1. Be prepared at any moment to quickly and calmly gather all ready-to-mail papers in a pile and remove them from work counter.

 

2. Try very hard to hear the tiniest pitter patter of kitty claws on the wood floor. This will give warning of impending assistance on the work desk.

 

3. Give loves. This allows kitties to purr, shed fur, and roll around on paperwork. This also encourages kitties to vacate the project zone in a timely manner.

 

 

Paws up to 2016!

 

May your year be fulfilling, joyful, and overflowing with peace.

 

And may your clothes always bear fur from the administrations of 4-legged children. For that means you have provided a home to loving pets.

 

Happy New Year!

Writing Distractions

Blurry white buckets
Silently build pristine hills
Mystery mountains

~ Haiku, by Angie Quantrell 2015

This is what I am writing about now.

But I am distracted by this happening out my window.

Snow, lovely, snow!

Somehow snow and Phoenix do not mix.



The Stack (of Paper)

The completed manuscript with sources, sketches, and documents

This is what I've been up to. Instead of blogging.

There is not much time left in my days (weeks, months) after planning, writing, editing, printing, sourcing, compiling, emailing, packaging, and mailing this baby.

Oh, yes. This is my baby. The first half of a 12-month activity book for preschoolers and missions has been delivered (emailed and mailed) to my faithful preschool resource team at Woman's Missionary Union.

The completed manuscript package and its twin - the emergency copy that can be mailed if the PO loses the original

Now they get to do their huge part.

And I will continue on with the above steps for the second half of the book.

The writing life is grand.   

A glimpse of the chaos that is my office, including desk, side table, and floor

Deadline Brain

12 months worth of planning

This is what writing looks like. In real life.

This is the state of my desk.

And my office.

Huge deadlines are looming way too fast in my future.

Resources

So the brain is in deadline-mode, with occasionally forays into gone-over-the-edge and into needs-a-vacay zone.

Pray for me!

Here is something that keeps me going. Ahhh.

Chilling with Friends

Monet and Mabel are sisters as well as friends. And in the kitty world, they are also co-conspirators, hunters, fighters, sneakers, racers, destroyers, and makers of great messes.

But when their work is all said and done, as twin girls often do, they recline in similar positions. Most of the time, this is true. I've never seen two cats pose so identically.

Copycats.

This week I will be off running around with friends - eating and rubber stamping and chatting. I will also travel to the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference to see old friends and make new ones while learning more about the trade and career of writing. Due to all that gallivanting around, I will not be blogging.

Mostly I will be learning and listening and creating. A vacation and an academy for my mind, all at the same time.

May many blessings and wonderful times grace your home and family this week. Enjoy summer!

See you next week.

Pick Your Seat

My mom used to tell me that picking your seat meant I was digging my underpants out of my . . . uhm . . . they were stuck and I was helping them get unstuck.

In this case, picking your seat means that Mabel already has. And I'm not sure where I am supposed to sit to work.

One of us is going to be very comfortable. The other will probably slide off the chair.

Life with cats.

My Writing Partner (Cute Kitty Alert)

This is my girl. ONE of my gray girls, as the neighbor calls them.

She is my writing partner. Most days, as soon as my backside hits the chair, the cat joins me.

She gets the back half. I get the front. I'm the one in danger, though, of sliding off the front. This is mainly due to the slick covering and the mandatory highest setting so I can reach the keyboard. Which, unfortunately, means my feet do not really touch the ground.

Sitting down becomes a balancing act between not smashing the kitty, not slipping off the front of the chair, and not falling back and making the chair slip out from beneath me. (That has happened once, and it hurts.)

Hi, Mabel, my built in heating pad.

The best part, which I never think about unless my husband notices and tells me?

I walk around the rest of the day with a cat-hair stripe across my buttsy cheeks.

It's a new fashion statement. Gray hair on my head (thanks, Hollywood, for catching my style) and gray hair on my pants.

We girls color coordinate.

10 Tips on How to Survive and Meet a Deadline

In the midst of four important deadlines I realized that I use some pretty successful strategies to meet and survive pressing deadlines.

So here, in the middle of the chaos of aching neck muscles, sore back, numb backside, tired eyes, and messy house, I pause to share with you what gets me through to the end. I hope these tips help you as much as they help me.

1. Chunk it. When feeling discouraged and overwhelmed, break the assignment into manageable parts. Like "tonight I will complete the first week of activities" (I write curriculum). You could do one chapter, one topic, one idea, one unit, one scene - just make it a portion of your total work. If you are really pressed, divide sections of work according to how many days you have before the deadline. Do the required amount each day.

2. Spa water. I feel pampered when I add cucumber slices to my water bottle. Lemon, lime, and orange give the same effect. This strategy is two-fold. You drink a lot of water, which is healthy and keeps your mental wheels turning. You drink a lot of water and you have to get out of the chair to visit the restroom. Movement reboots the brain.

3. Say no. This is usually obvious, but I really have a hard time saying no. Especially when it's something I want to do or someone I want to help. I know myself. It's hard, but sometimes the word NO is the most important word you can use. No. There. I feel better. No more added responsibilities while working on this project.

4. Movement breaks. Walk one block, half a mile, three loops, whatever it takes. Put on the crazy music and work up a quick sweat. Stretch, twist, jump, swing around. Yoga could help also, though the last time I did it I severely injured my back (uh, beginner here) and was out of commission for several days' worth of movement. That being said, choose movements your body is used to. Until the deadline is fulfilled. Then try a new activity.

5. Chocolate. Yes. Lots. Of. Chocolate. In a variety of forms. No substitutes.

6. Ask for help. I bet there is someone who would love for you to ask them for help. You help them all the time, right? Return the favor. Let them pick up the kids at school, bring over pizza, throw dishes in the dishwasher, or start a load of laundry. Now is the perfect time for your kids to go on a play date. Somewhere. Anywhere. Not at your house. Nana and Papa would love a sleepover!

7. Reward yourself. Make a coffee date with a special friend for after the deadline. Book a weekend retreat. Promise you will buy that book you've been wanting or a new pair of running shoes. Treat yourself after you meet your deadline.

8. Relax your standards. Who cares if the house is dusty, the fridge is close to empty, and you are wearing clothes for the third time in a row? Everything will eventually get put back to order. Breathe.

9. Take a break. If you find yourself thinking and writing in circles (and that is not the assignment), stop and do something totally unrelated to writing and your project. Watch a movie. Call a friend. Go get ice cream (chocolate, see number 5). Break your brain rut by thinking of something else.

10. Pray. Really, this should be number one. From personal experience, I can say that without prayer, nothing comes together the way it should. Even then I've had to keep praying and sweat things out until the very last minute. God always comes through. He provided the opportunities for a deadline in the first place. He will keep you at it and help you make that date. Try it.

Find any you like? Let me know how they work for you.

Back to the deadlines.

Angie Quantrell works best when she has a deadline. Otherwise, the garden needs weeding, brownies must be baked, rubber stamps need exercise, and that stack of unread books magnetically sucks her in.