New Blog

I have a new blog at:


http://www.storiesbystacy1.blogspot.com/

This blog has been discontinued. Please refer to new blog on Monday, 19 October 2009. Thank you. Have a great day.

Blessings,

Stacy

Latest Information

This blog will only be added to periodically. Instead, for writing information, please refer to three different sites:


http://www.storiesbystacy.com/

http://www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/

http://www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Greetings from Stories by Stacy

Hello! It's been a while. Sorry to not be here yesterday and add a posting to this blog. However, I'm here now.

I am mostly settled in my new home in Omaha. It's been fun (not sarcastically speaking, but I'm serious) setting up a new home and combining two households in one. This is the first time my husband and I've been under the same roof. Therefore, it's quite nice. I not only love my husband, but I like him. So, it's been a while in coming but here we are.

Omaha is a great deal better than I anticipated and I had positive thoughts about the place beforehand. It's pretty, green, and hilly. I love the people, the community in which I live, and so on. It's a slower pace than Denver and I definitely love that facet. It's also nice to be near more Christians and patriots. Everyone is friendly and when you let a driver over in front of you, they actually wave and say thank you.

It took us a month to get some of our furniture (and we're still waiting on the last round to come in on Friday). But, the wait was worthwhile. The house is a sacred place and quite peaceful. It's a retreat and that matters more to me than anything else.

We got a kitten named Sinan (pronouced See-naw-n) on Sunday and have been enjoying him very much. He's a huge ham. He has no fear. He's vocal, follows us around, and comes when called. He's a lover and purrs loudly. It looks like I've got a good helper.

I really have not had time to miss Denver yet and I think that's a good thing.

My dad is coming out to visit next week, so I'll be a little out of the loop again. Sorry about that.

It looks like I have four books I'm working on at the moment, as far as writing goes:
1. A book on 1 Corinthians. It's a bible study, devotional, reference, journaling type of book. It's meant to be done individually or in a group. Non-fiction.
2. A book on journaling. I actually call it journalblogging. It's a combination of journaling and blogging where you get thoughts out on paper or in a blog. It forces us to realize that we miss most of life every day because of busyness. We need to slow down and try to process what we experience, think, feel, be intentional about living, plan and seek our goals every day or we miss life. We forget what's important. Non-fiction. It can be done individually or in a group.
3. Zeagar. Fiction. Sci-fi.
4. A book about if walls could talk. It's set in the future and is going to be an epic love story about a construction worker who helped built the arch in St. Louis. The construction worker is purely fiction, but I want to do a series about 'Building America,' and how everyone has a story and these stories build America as well as the hands that build the landmarks. Fiction.

Also, I need to edit and get ready for publication:
1. Cammi's Story
2. Demarcations

How are you? What's new with you? Let me know.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

I'm Back

Greetings from Omaha.

I'm back and will start to blog again tomorrow afternoon. Thank you for your patience.

By the way, I have a new kitten. He's an orange tabby, named Sinan (pronounced: See-naw-n). Sinan is a good lion name. He acts like a lion and looks like one in a way. Sinan means spearhead. So, get ready for tales of the adventurous one.

How are you? What's new with you? Drop me a line and let me know.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

See You in August

I will try to write some blog postings whenever I am able. However, plan on me taking a hiatus until August. Then, look out! I will blog daily once again.

I'm moving at the beginning of July and will take a while to set up my house. Then, I'm going to join some time off with my best friend and hubby before our lives get quite busy. Moving from Denver and going to Omaha.

I hope all is well with you. Take care.

Stacy Duplease

If by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

If I could be half as good as a mom as I am a dog owner, I don't think I'll be half bad.

My beagle, Zack, has a very good life. I hope to offer that to my kid.

Do you have any 'IF' thoughts to share?

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Fathers and Parenting

With Father's Day coming up and all, I want to start to think about Dad's and parenting. Where would we moms be without our husbands in parenting? Where would we be personally without our own fathers?

For those who are single moms, or whose dads and no longer in the picture, we do have a husband and a father--in heaven. He can be our all and the all for our children.

So, I ask the question again. Where would we be without the fathers and father figures in our lives personally and where would our children be without them?

What are your thoughts? Let me know.

How can we encourage the fathers in our lives? How can we show them we know how blessed we are because of them?

What can we teach our children about fathers?

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Clouds and Motherhood by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Clouds are Hard Times, Difficulties, Challenges, Anything that Tarnishes:
As a mother-to-be, I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to go through the clouds of life and try to be the best mom you can be. How is it even possible? Then, when you fail to be the best mom you can be because of the hard times, how do you move forward and try not to beat yourself up too much with guilt?

How do YOU do it? Let me know.

My plans of handling the clouds while being a mother:
Granted, plans often go astray. But, I hope to not cover up the clouds of life, but show my child how to live through the hard times and carry on with life through them--no matter how difficult.

I don't want to shelter my child too much. They need to know life is tricky and can hurt. However, there is a fine line in not wanting to give them paranoia or stress.

I'm starting to get nervous just thinking about the responsibility of motherhood. I guess prayer and God's guidance are a huge factor here.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Followers, Comments, and Emails

If you read this blog, please:
* Sign yourself up as a follower (in the margin of this page, it gives you the opportunity. Use a fake name and a fake picture if you desire privacy.).
* Add comments at the end of each blog posting. I want all of my blogs to be interactive rather than just have me flapping my trap.
* Send me email comments if you desire to: storiesbystacy@gmail.com

Thank you! My bloggings are not supposed to be about me, but about life in general and about you.

Stacy Duplease

Marking, Remembering, and Making Memories by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

How do you mark or make memories in your own life? And what do you do as a mom and for your child?

For me, it's going to be journaling, blogging, letters, and writing novels.

As a mother, it's critical to give your child a lasting legacy. Not only does it help them feel connected to you, but it helps them to see where they fit in this thing called life. It lets them know how important they are and it sets them up to be dreamers.

As a mom-to-be-someday, I hope to teach my child the importance of making memories, marking them, and remembering them from time to time.

What do you do to remember your important life events?

We're on this planet for such a short time. It's important to leave a mark and try to leave the world a little bit better in the lives of those we meet. It's another lesson I hope to instill in my child.

What are some of your favorite memories? What dark memories do you have that made you the woman you are today?

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

How Did You Know You Were Pregnant?

Care to share your stories?

Sharing Stories & Prayer Requests

Anyone have any good stories they want to share about your children or being a mom or about your children? Tips? Advice? Words of wisdom?

Let me know. Send me a comment or an email. Comment at bottom of this blog or email me at: storiesbystacy@gmail.com. Also, let me know if I can share them on this blog.

Prayer Requests:
Do you have any? Let me know. Again, let me know if you want to share it or keep it private.

Blog Queen (Or Blog Nut, depending on how you look at it.)

I am now finished adding blogs. I hope not to add any more because this is more than a full-time job keeping up with each of these. I want to touch on the topics most important to me, though, and help people to see life from a fresh perspective--and let people know they aren't the only one who... (You fill in the blank.)

Please check out whatever blog tickles your fancy.

My main blog is and will always be:

www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/

My daily blogs are:
www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.speclitstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday Blogs:
www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.writingstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Mondays and Wednesdays Blog:
www.momstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays and Thursdays Blogs:
www.journalstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.marriagestoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.usastoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

From the Crazy Writer and Blogger,
Stacy Duplease

Welcome Mom!

I just wanted to welcome my Mom to this blog. I cannot wait to share this with you, Mom! Welcome and I love you.

I'm Back, Schedule, FYI, and Mom-to-Be Thoughts

Hello. I've returned from the writer's conference and vacation and am refreshed. I'm dragging today as I try to get back to the daily grind, but am refreshed internally and spiritually, if that makes sense.

My New Schedule for This Blog:
I just wanted to let you know my new schedule for this blog. I will update this blog every Monday and Wednesday.

FYI: Moving and Business
I'm moving from Denver to Omaha at the beginning of July so am a busy lady. Also, I'm starting two new companies in the process: Stories by Stacy, LLC and Publishing by Stacy, LLC.

Mom-to-Be Thoughts
Every since I was little, I've wanted to be a mom. It's a higher calling to me, just like my writing. It's more than being a who--a mom. It's raising a child to stand firm in faith in spite of the world we live in. It's making sure the world has at least one good person in it, if you know what I mean. (If you don't, watch the news for about five minutes and you'll see what I mean.)

I think what matters in this life are--in order:
* My relationship with God and living the faith actively.
* My relationship with my husband.
* Kid will be added in this slot when they arrive. (Still not pregnant, but am planning to be and hopefully soon.)
* My writing.
* My relationship with family and friends.

It's not about money or things. They are not what matter.

As long as I keep things in their proper order, life is easier and more fulfilling. However, it's hard sometimes to keep this in mind.

I've always wanted to be a mom. I hope not to ruin my child and want to help prepare my child to handle the world and how to overcome it. I want them to know what really matters and what doesn't.

How about you? Have you always wanted to be a mom? What priorities do you want to teach your child?

Also, tell me... How did you know if/when you were pregnant?

Stacy Duplease

Rejuvenate

Reminder of Vacations:
I'm going to be out of touch from Wednesday, May 13 to Tuesday, June 2nd and will start to check email and get back into the swing of things on June 3rd. I'm going to the Colorado Christian Writing Conference (CCWC) in Estes Park and then going on a road trip with my husband.

Rejuvenate:
I remember times when I couldn't afford to go on vacation or take the time. However, I would lock myself up at home and be intentional about taking some time to rejuvenate and re-center myself. I call these my mini-vacations. Every week, I try to do this one day at least. I discovered long ago if I don't, there's too much of a cost to be paid. I get frazzled, emotional, stressed, and start to make mistakes with writing, editing, relationships, job, etc.

I even take mini-vacations by having a stack of postcards by my desk of different places around the world. When I need a break from my work, I flip through the postcards and find a place to explore in my imagination for a few minutes. It also helps me to relax and get focused.

I also have learned when you do go on a real vacation, make it a real one. Don't turn it into work. If you go on vacation, go on vacation. Play. Have fun. Laugh. Relax. Don't have it so full of stuff to do that you forget to rejuvenate.

That's what I plan to do. I want to get the maximum rejuvenation I can. I want to play.

So, why don't you give it a try and go on a full-fledged vacation or a mini-vacation--even if it's for a minute or two?

When I Return:
I look forward to starting some blogs on letters to my unborn child. I also will start to write my book, January's Lasting Legacy about motherhood and expecting. I also cannot wait to share the stories I have of moving to another state after living in Colorado all my life. I'm sure I'll have some tales to share.

Take care.

Stacy Duplease

Cherished, Set Apart, and Sacred

Moms, I hope you feel cherished, set apart, and tapped into the sacred after your Mom's Day yesterday. I hope many memories were made.

I'm not a mom yet, will hopefully change that soon, but cannot help but think about the blessing and sacred nature of motherhood. In fact, I can't think of anything more sacred in a woman's life than motherhood. Biblically speaking, we can come up with several things that show this is simply not the case. However, go with me for a moment and see what I mean.

A mother is entrusted to make the baby, form the baby, carry the baby, deliver the baby, feed the baby, and care for the baby. That's before the baby ever talks. Nobody else can do these things but the mom. Hence, it's sacred. It's a blessing. It's a wonder.

The whole pregnancy thing alone boggles my mind. How do our bodies know to do that? Everything you eat, drink, breathe, do, and say are all experienced directly by the baby. What a remarkable responsibility.

What a blessing motherhood is. It is something meant to be cherished, set apart, held sacred, and remembered.

Fun

As women in today's society, I think we almost think it's a sin to have fun. If we have fun, then we're probably neglecting something. Or, if we aren't busy, we think that it's a sin because we don't think we should stop for a few minutes. How silly can we be? Neither one of these facets are true.

So, I ask you. When was the last time you had fun? Fun in the way you like and not fun in the way someone else likes? I hope you're doing some of that today. If not, plan on it sometime in the next week. After the writing conference, I plan on having two weeks of fun. (Don't worry. I won't ask when the last time you took a vacation was.)

Have fun. Enjoy life.

Happy Mother's Day

I just wanted to wish all of you a Happy Mom's Day. Blessings to you.

Happy Mom's Day Weekend!

I pray that your Mother's Day is wonderful, blessed, and full of making memories.

Mothers are special people and deserve to be spoiled rotten. Know that you're in my thoughts and prayers. All of you.