A "real" writer

Today is a big day in my writing career--it is the first day a story I have written is being published, and I was paid to write it.  Appropriately, it is a story on agronomy.  My husband was even surprised by that. :)
I've had plenty of columns and stories published over the years; I've just never gotten paid to do it.  Even our publisher was surprised when she asked me how much I had gotten paid in the past and I answered that . . . well, I didn't.  My American News XY columns were written on a volunteer basis on my schedule and I was happy with that.
Reaching that point that I am now getting a paycheck for what I love to do--well, honestly, it feels like getting paid to eat cupcakes.  Having this first experience attached to my hometown newspaper is just the homemade chocolate icing on top.
I truly believe that small town newspapers are important to communities, both by keeping their community members connected, and keeping those who have moved away informed on what is happening in their hometown.
I love my new job copying editing for the Bowdle and Eureka newspapers on Monday afternoons.  I can't beat the commute--to my office--or my co-workers, who have been patient with me as I learn the newspaper ropes and office software.
Writing, of course, is my first love, but I am easing into the writing as my family schedule allows and I am thankful that I have been allowed to do that.  So far my family hasn't even noticed my writing, so it must mean things are going alright. :)
I'll try not to neglect my blog, but if my posts lessen because of it, I do apologize.
Might I suggest a subscription to The Pride of the Prairie or The Northwest Blade?

Sneaky Snacker II

It seems we have another Sneaky Snacker in the family, only this time it isn't candy wrappers under the recliner.

It's a trail of bite marks in the apple. :)  It's too big for mouse teeth, so it must be Rachel.

I'm not too surprised as her favorite treat at the grocery store (as well as her sister's) is a cucumber!

If you're going to snack, snack healthy!

And leave some behind for your family. :)

Melius' Most-Read: Fancy Nancy

We had a vocabulary lesson in our family shortly before Christmas.

We had been experiencing many frosty days.  One day, Landen was out with his dad and commented on the hoar frost.  (Spelled H-O-A-R.)

David told him that there was no such thing and that it was just called frost.

When David later related the story to me, he was surprised when I assured him that his son did, indeed, know what he was talking about.

After looking up the spelling and definition, he finally believed both of us.  (It refers to advanced age, as in hoary, or white, hair.)

Wouldn't you know, on the front page of the paper the next day, there was a photo of a tree with HOAR FROST in the caption!

These kind of things tickle me because so often I don't feel like I bring many marketable skills to the farm operation.

So, when I can enrich my husband's life with a new vocabulary word, I feel like I have contributed. :)

We were once again blessed with some beautiful hoar frost on our trees this morning.

See?

That brings me to our most-read selection for this week:

the Fancy Nancy series.

I love this series because the author uses big, fancy words, while providing their definitions both in context and at the end of the book.  

I look at these fancy words as broccoli sprinkled in the fettuccine.  On the side, they may be ignored.  But, mixed in, they are devoured and enjoyed by young readers.  Reading alone builds vocabulary, which has been the case with Landen.  Jane O'Connor just gives this skill a little extra boost in her books.

The girls in my family love Fancy Nancy, and I think you will find the Fancy Nancy series EXCEPTIONAL as well.

Sunday afternoon . . .

Our Sunday afternoon brought us

THE THRILL OF VICTORY

Nathan narrowly won his age division at our local free throw contest.  He won a basketball and will now advance to the region contest.

But, then came

THE AGONY OF DEFEAT

The Pack broke the heart of my Packer Backer Landen.

Even I stepped away from my book and was emotionally involved by the end of that game!  Oh, how I wanted to reach through the TV and change the score.

But, moms can't do that.

It's very unfortunate.

It's all part of growing up.  Wins and losses.  Victory and defeat.

And, after a little while, we realize it's all good.

And there's always next year.

Ice skating

With the temperatures becoming milder for a few days, Rachel and I decided to get out those Christmas skates.  After her first try on Christmas Day, she said it was "too hard."  After a couple of practices with me, however, she has decided she likes it.  Yay!  

We couldn't convince her bigger siblings to join us last night, so we went out skating on our own.  The creek is a great place to practice and just a short walk from our house.

 We had a beautiful sunset for our evening skating session.

We skated until we dropped . . . and it was time to serve supper to the non-skaters!

 Today we went out again before lunch.  (That's her silly face.)  She skated on her own a little bit today, too.  The double blades help a lot.  Before long, I'm sure she will be skating straight lines and circles just like the rest of her siblings!

Melius' Most-Read: Everyone Poops & Potty

That's right . . . we all know it's true.

Suggested by a friend when one of my sons was slow to learn that part of potty training, this book has been read countless times and continues to appear often--even though all members of this family have mastered use of the toilet.

While we're on the subject, this little purple potty training board book was the face of Rachel's experience.  We read this many, many times beside the froggy potty.

Sometimes you just need a little literary motivation in life.

A birthday in heaven

A little boy joined our extended family seven years ago.

A first-born son for Rick and Katie, who would later become a big brother.

We didn't know our time with him would be so short, but what a blessing that time was.

Happy Birthday, Luke!

(Photo by Jan Melius)

Words

Did you know I love words?

Not so much spoken.  Too many spoken words tend to overwhelm me.  But, maybe that is just because I usually have more than one mouth speaking words to me at the same time.  :)

Written words are my favorite; I can savor them, revisit them, and remember them.

I'm feeling particularly reflective on this Sunday evening, so it's a good time to share some of my favorite words I've read these past few weeks.

First, from a Christmas card from a friend:

"Laura--Wow!  Did you ever imagine all the joys and blessings life would bring us?  We have much to be thankful for."

Amen, friend.  Amen.

Second, from my uncle's Christmas letter:

"The other events of the year were less grand in time and travel but make day to day life on this earth amazing."

I know he will be so thrilled to know he made my top three favorites.  Isn't that just a great sentence? And they say I'm the writer in the family. :)

And, finally, from the 2nd reading today (1 John 5:4):

"And the victory that conquers the world is our faith."

I am going to make that my verse for 2015.

Here's to reading many more poetic and wonderful words in the year ahead!

Melius' Most-Read: Princess Me

Teresa received an autographed copy of Princess Me as gift when she was born.

We still love this book and how the poetry flows throughout, as well as the imaginative illustrations.

It's not your typical "princess" book, but shows every little girl is a princess to her mom and dad.

Melius Christmas

We celebrated our Melius Christmas together this past weekend.

As they say in the small-town newspaper social notes, "a good time was had by all!"

Happy Epiphany!

Happy Epiphany!

This day is the last day of the Christmas season, when we celebrate Jesus' visit by the Magi.  

Although it is liturgically correct to still have our Christmas tree up in all its glory, I think this is the first time I have actually had it up for all 12 days of Christmas.

I could go with liturgically correct, busy putting other things away from vacation, or not wanting to go out in frigid temps to haul in the ladder to the attic.

Let's go with liturgical. :)

Happy New Year!

Happy, healthy New Year, everyone!  

Today it is back to real life after a most amazing Christmas break.  From Christmas at the Capitol to Christmas with our families to skiing at Terry Peak with our friends last week--it was all an absolute blessing.

Our first day in the Black Hills with our friends and their families was COLD, so the kids (and David) built a tunnel, played cards, and we all went to a movie in the afternoon.

The next day, we were ready to hit the slopes at Terry Peak.  Rachel even took a lesson by herself.  I was so proud of her!  I am sure by next time she will be passing me up just like her sister.  She was also proud of herself, having a "lesson" and her "teacher" who taught her how to "make pizza" with her skis.

Teresa was old enough to take a group lesson and in no time was skiing with her Dad like crazy.  I have no photos of the boys.  They were on the other side of the mountain before I got out there!

Teresa and David allowed me to ride the chair lift with them.  They waited for me more than once on the way down, which was very nice of them. :)

Dad & Teresa after Day 2 of skiing

Even though skiing really isn't my thing (even though I wish it was), it was so fun to watch our kids take off with it and I wouldn't have changed anything about our week.  

We had great friends, great weather, great food, and a GREAT time all together.