In this issue of Charm, we did a Q&A about Women in the Outdoors, a branch of the Wild Turkey Federation. They’re having a scholarship shoot in October to benefit Angelina County students.
It sounds like a fun way to raise money for a great cause!
nowadays every person wants to go to US because it is a developed country and all the resources are available here.Another reason why people are attracted to go US is salary offered will be more.Here the technology is more advanced when compared to other
Instead of waiting for the tax holiday and being restricted by the exemption limits, I have been doing my back to school shopping online through bargains websites like unodeals.com. I have been able to save money on my purchases and did not have to pay
As I sit here typing this, it suddenly hits me how tired I am. Staying up late every night to watch the Olympics is beginning to take its toll.
I wonder if this is a secret Chinese plot to take over America… Wait until we’re all stupid from sleep deprivation, then attack!
It has been exciting, though. Just a few moments ago, Michael Phelps won his 8th gold medal! I can remember when everyone had the poster of Mark Spitz in his Speedo with his seven medals around his neck. Not that anyone noticed the medals… ha-ha.
I’ve noticed that quite a few Olympic athletes are over 30 — and some even over 40 — which gives me some hope that it’s not too late for me to get into fighting shape again.
After the 38-year-old Romanian woman won the marathon, I was so inspired that I decided I would begin training for a marathon. Then I found out that a marathon is about 25 miles longer than I thought, so there went that idea.
I wonder if blogging will ever become an Olympic sport?
If you’re out and about today or tomorrow (or looking for a reason to get out and about), head on over to Expressive Images in the Old Texas Plaza to check out Brenna Lee’s fabulous jewelry, t-shirts and accessories.
I went to her trunk show a few weeks ago at Morrison Supply and bought quite a few things. She has some unique, fun and interesting pieces, along with the popular and trendy stuff you see now.
Is anyone planning to brave the back-to-school shopping crowds during tax-free weekend?
I usually try to do my shopping beforehand, but this time I’m so behind that I will likely be out there with the masses.
My younger daughter, Lauren, is excited that she no longer has to wear standardized dress. We always had a hard time finding khaki and navy pants/skirts/shorts in town. Now that she’s in high school and can wear jeans, life will be so much easier!
On the other hand, it’s never been a problem finding khaki or navy shorts for my son, Austin. There seems to be so much more out there for boys.
I noticed while out last weekend that a lot of ’80s styles are back. Lauren bought some black-and-white Converse tennis shoes. Those were in style when I was in high school. We used to mix-and-match, wearing two different colors at once. But, my favorite pair was my three-color Punky Brewster-style high tops that I used to wear with my Dolfin shorts!
Anyone out there planning to get in line early to try to snag some LP football tickets?
I’ll be the there for sure. It will be easy to spot me. Just look for the person with the Starbucks I.V. drip and a stack of sleazy tabloids.
With my younger daughter, Lauren, starting high school this year, and my son, Austin, starting next year, I figure I need to get my hands on some tickets NOW.
Anyway, the last time I camped out for tickets was in 1984 when Bruce Springsteen came to Houston. If you had told me then that someday I would be doing the same thing for high school football tickets, I would have said you were crazy.
This past weekend I tried the Chicken Enchilada recipe that was submitted to Charm by Sheila Adams.
It was good!
Even Lauren, my picky eater, liked it and she doesn’t really like Mexican food.
I made a couple of substitutions to the recipe, out of convenience. I was out of Cream of Chicken soup, so I used Cream of Mushroom soup instead. And, I cubed chicken I bought from the deli, rather than canned chicken.
I think this would also be good with corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas, or with the seasoned flour tortillas you can get from Brookshire Bros.
I can’t wait to try the recipes submitted by Monita Cooke and Carol Kimbrough!
Anyway, this book club is not like any other I’ve heard about. A true literacy activist, Kathy is involved in getting books out, and getting people reading, any way she can.
She told me about this one instance where she and her fellow Queens brought gently used purses (some with designer labels, no less!) and put a book in each one, along with a note telling the finder to enjoy the book, then left them around Jefferson.
She has recently begun volunteering with the homeless, by teaching a life-writing class. As she was telling me about the feedback from the people in the class, and how empowering being able to write about their experiences is for them, she was so visibly moved that she even made me cry! She truly lives what she preaches.
There’s so much more to know about this amazing lady, but her Web site does her way more justice than I could in a blog entry, so I encourage you to check it out!
At the very least, drop by her store when you’re anywhere near Jefferson. You won’t be sorry you did!
The inside of Beauty and the Book. Kathy made me an honorary member of her club, with an official T-shirt and certificate. I laughed at the shirt designed for their ever-growing number of male members, which reads, “Got Wood?”
Author Kitty Chappell (left) stopped by to meet Kathy. The ladies were so gracious, they insisted I be in their pictures with a copy of Charm. As if writing a magazine is anywhere near as tough as writing a book!
I had such a great time in Jefferson. I’m embarrassed to say I hadn’t even heard of the town until I was researching a place to go for the Charm Daytripper feature. I went on a Friday afternoon, when it wasn’t too crowded, and really enjoyed myself. Now, I’m planning to go back with my family in October for an overnight stay.
Here are some pictures that didn’t make it into the magazine:
This gentleman taught me the difference between a mule, horse and donkey. His mule-driven carriage can hold a large group.
Walking ghost tours of the town are available. Last Halloween I interviewed a group of ghost hunters who like to visit Jefferson because it is supposed to be the most haunted city in Texas.
This is the inside of Auntie Skinner’s Riverboat Club. The club is open for lunch, and on weekend nights a live band plays. There is a large room in the back with a stage and a bunch of pool tables. Each October the club hosts a popular motorcycle run to benefit children.
A family enjoys a horse-drawn carriage ride along the brick streets of downtown Jefferson.
Remember this furniture? It always looks inviting, but in the summer heat, you’d better not be wearing shorts when you sit down on it! I love it. Jefferson Bottle Works sells it in different vintage colors. You can even get it with the Dr. Pepper logo on it.
This is a Veteran memorial wall in downtown Jefferson. Sadly, there were some recent entries on it.
The inside of Jefferson General Store. I found some interesting old-timey looking toys, like my drinking happy bird! You can also order vintage looking metal signs personalized with your own message. There’s an old-fashioned soda fountain inside as well.
I hope you will consider being part of our next issue, due out Oct. 30. There are plenty of ways you can contribute to Charm: sending in your favorite holiday recipe, telling us what you like to collect, recommending your latest read or favorite movie or answering the Mothers and Daughters question, “What is the best piece of advice your mother ever gave you?”
I’m a native Texan, and except for a few years in California and Colorado, while my dad was in the Air Force, and a couple of years in Louisiana, I’ve lived in the state all my life.
But, I swear the summers of my youth were not as hot as they are now!
I’m starting to think of crazy things to invent to keep cool. The two with the most potential so far are:
Ice bras
Shoes with fans attached to them
If anyone has any other ideas, please share! I really don’t want to spend the entire month of August indoors.
I just couldn’t stand waiting any longer, so I’m posting a sneak peek at our newest cover, which was shot by Donna Quarles at Donna Quarles Studio and Gallery. Feel free to send her an e-mail at donnaquarles@gmail.com and tell her what a great job she did!
The very beautiful and talented artists gracing our cover are, from top left: Jan Anderson-Paxson, Carolyn Davis, Catherine Albers and Jeanelle McCall (seated).
Look for your copy with your home delivery newspaper next Thursday. If you are not a subscriber of the LDN or the DS, you can come by either office to get your copy or pick one up at area (Lufkin/Nacogdoches) businesses.
Like everyone else, I have pump shock every time I fill up my car.
Unlike everyone else, I have a stepfather who is an executive at Shell Oil in New Orleans. So, whenever I see him, l do my stepdaughterly duty to try to make him feel guilty about the high gas prices.
The last time we talked I tried to convince him to give me his secret credit card that gets him free gas at Shell. He swears no such card exists, but I’m skeptical. Anyway, he then proceeds to tell me I shouldn’t complain about paying $4 for a whole gallon of gas as long as I’m so willing to pay $4 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
Ouch!
I’ll admit, I do have an addiction to soy lattes, a.k.a. “the nectar of the gods.” And, it just so happens they do cost $3.95 for the grande size I usually order.
Should I fall for his reasoning?
Or is there some kind of convincing argument I can use the next time he tries to pull the Starbucks card on me?
Angela Marcotte has expanded her business, adding a salon and day spa to her already established photography studio, Expressive Images.
If you’re in need of a day of pampering (and who isn’t?), you may want to take advantage of the Grand Opening special. For $200 you get a whole afternoon of pampering including haircut and style, massage, manicure and pedicure, lash perm and tint, photos and a light lunch. There might even be more that I’m forgetting…
Expressive Images is located in The Old Texas Plaza, right behind Target.
Yesterday at the ribbon-cutting I was remembering when I first met Angela, not long after I moved here four years ago. She was working for her Dad then and I was in my 10th year as a stay-at-home mom.
Now that our Aug/Sept/Oct issue of Charm is finished, we’re planning our Nov/Dec issue, so if you have any story ideas, now is the time to submit them.
Also, if you are interested in trying out a beauty product, answering a Charm Asks question, writing for our Mothers & Daughters feature, recommending a book or movie to our readers, sharing your all-girl road trip or telling us about a woman we should know, don’t hesitate to e-mail me at charm@coxnews.com.
The new issue of Charm will be put to bed tomorrow! Yay!
I think you’ll be excited about all the fun and interesting stuff inside. And, at 48 full-colored glossy pages, it will be an issue you will want to keep around for a long time.
Here are some things you’ll find in our next issue, without giving too much away:
A road trip to one of the country’s largest cities.
A look at some extremely talented women.
Some tasty recipes.
Movies and books recommended by people you know.
Fall trends.
A story about an amazing survivor.
A daytrip to a small town that is packed with stuff to do.
I started the week a little stressed, with so much to do to wrap up the next issue of Charm. I’m happy to say that it’s just about put to bed, no small thanks to our wonderful graphic artist, Sharon Henderson. She has been whipping out some amazing layouts! I think she does about three to my one…
Our cover shot looks really great! Donna Quarles at Donna Quarles Studio & Gallery pulled it all together, despite my insanity. Check out her Web site to see more of her beautiful work.
I think this upcoming issue is better than the last, but I’m even more excited about the issue after that. I guess that’s the way it works in this business. Once one is finished, you’re already on to thinking of stories for the next.
Speaking of that, please keep sending in your story ideas to charm@coxnews.com. I love getting them!
Have a great weekend. I promise not to neglect the blog for this long again :)
It’s late, but I stayed up to see my oldest daughter, Meagan. Even though she’s home from college, I haven’t laid eyes on her in two days because she is working two jobs and taking an online Calculus class in her “spare” time. She’s home when I’m at work, and I’m usually in bed when she comes home from work.
Right now she and her boyfriend of 2 1/2 years, Philip, are sitting at the breakfast table behind me while I’m sitting across a living room chair with my computer in my lap. Everyone else is in bed.
Meagan, a math major, is studying for a Calculus test and Philip is helping her and offering some moral support, even though they both just got off work.
They’re muttering in a strange language that includes words like “derivative,” “endpoints” and “domain.” Math is not my thing, and I don’t even try to pretend to understand what they’re doing.
Watching them work, and listening to them talk, just makes me smile. She’s on a tough problem, and he offers a suggestion, which she meets with some skepticism.
She says, “What if you’re wrong?”
He says, “What if I’m never wrong?”
Funny.
They amaze me. They work so hard. Anyone who says kids today are useless hasn’t been around the right kids.
I won’t say Meagan’s road to young adulthood has been an easy one. There were some trying times in her early teens. But, the daughter I see today makes me so very proud.
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