Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Roots

A couple weeks ago I was approached via email by an online diary magazine to possibly add my book to their online bookstore.  I was thrilled, but moreso by my dad...the eternal farmer!  I sent them my book to review, but found out today that they aren't going to add my book to their bookstore because there weren't enough stories about the farm in my book.  Disappointed to say the least....

I only lived on the farm until I was 9 years old, so that's not a lot of time to fill the pages of a book.  I emphasized that growing up on the farm gave me the foundation for everything else in my life and especially the self-assurance I have of myself as I grew up as an adopted child.  And how my affinity for that place is as strong today as the day we left. ...and how warmly reaffirming it was to go back last year for my first book signing and receive the same acceptance, love and support I had received all those years ago as the first internationally adopted child in that community.  It warms my heart and builds up the reverence I have for my hometown even more. 

So, despite the minor rejection today, I know what growing up in a small farming community...on that diary farm...provided me as a child growing up....self confidence, self esteem and acceptance.  I don't take any of that lightly and I'm forever grateful and blessed.  I hope you have a blessed week and hope you take a minute to remember a fond memory of your childhood that helped shaped your life...be still in that moment and let it fill your soul.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Happy Memorial Day!!

Happy Memorial Day!! (for those in the States)  I hope you are enjoying a relaxing, yet fun-filled weekend with family and friends!  And, I hope you and your family take time to remember and honor those that served this country to allow us to live in freedom!  Let us not take for granted the sacrifices brave men and women have made to defend and serve each one of us.  They have given SO much and we should honor and remember them not just this weekend or tomorrow, but everyday we wake.

So, thank you to ALL those that have served!!! Thank you to their families and all the special caregivers that provide so much love and support!  We ARE blessed to live in the land of liberty, the land of freedom!  Blessings to ALL branches of the military this week!!!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Spring into Summer

Did you get your May flowers?  We had limited rainfall in April, but I did have irises, peonies and roses bloom earlier in the month.  Now, everything has died out getting ready for the heat...the blazing heat of summer!  I almost feel like we didn't really have a spring because we didn't get much rain and there weren't many 70 degree days (which would have been nice).  It's already in the upper 80's and will continue to go from here through the end of summer.  And the end of summer is more like the end of October for us here in Texas.  Crank up the AC!!

Wherever you are, I hope you've had an enjoyable and cooler spring...planting gardens and flowers, manicuring your lawns and taking time for long walks.  School is almost out for many kids and summer fun...vacations...picnics...pool parties...await!  Will it be simply be hot here in Texas, blazing hot, or unbearably hot this summer?  We're about to find out!

Whatever the weather brings, I'm looking forward to more new and exciting opportunities to come with the book!  There have already been some unexpected and delightful opportunities arise over the past several months and more to come!  So stay tuned!!  It's been a fun adventure and I look forward to opening more people's eyes to the life of an adoptee and hopefully inspiring more adoptees and their families through my story.  We all have a journey and I've been blessed to hear many of yours through reaching out to me after you've read my book, at book signings or just contacting me via email.  Thank you for sharing your stories!  Blessings to you the rest of this "spring" week!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Four!

Went to my first PGA tournament today, the Byron Nelson.  It's literally been in my 'backyard' for several years (when I lived in Valley Ranch), but I never made the trip down the road to watch the tournament.  Most years, it's been hot and very humid so it was a good reason to avoid it, but today it was in the low 80's and windy, so it was perfect.  I'd still take 70's degrees to make it "just right" for my taste, but it was still great weather and no humidity...thankfully!

It was fun to watch them tee off, scramble to save bad shots and drain birdies.  Of course, watching on t.v. all these years, you don't realize you're going to be walking 10 miles all over the course to check out all the holes or to follow your favorite player(s).  It's definitely a haul!  And after already working out this morning with tired legs I'm surprised they held up in sandals (with no support) on pebbled sidewalks.  One player actually shot over our heads to avoid some trees we were standing under to make it to the green.  And at the 18th hole, 5 out of 8 players in a row hit their ball in the gallery to the right just a few feet away from us.  It must have been the wind.

It was a fun experience but a little too quiet for me.  I like to hoot and holler for my team when they make a good shot.  When I play golf with my dad and sister, my sister always has to tell me to be quiet because I always want to shout and cheer when I (or they) make good shots.  High five!

I hope you've had a good weekend and had the chance to experience something new.  If not, be open to new opportunities when they present themselves.  Blessings to you this week!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Reminder....

Just a reminder that you can purchase my book at www.kimfenneman.com or the ebook on Amazon.com!!  I ship domestically and internationally, so order your copy today!

Last month, I had a new article posted on Agri-View (in their Farmlife section) and I just wrote another article for an adoption agency's magazine.  I'll post if posted online.  They are also doing a review of my book, so will post that on my site, too, once finished. 

A lot of new things popping up again and I'm so grateful for the opportunities to share my story.  And, I love hearing all the feedback from people who have read my book and those who have come to my book signings and hearing their stories.  That's what it's all about...sharing, understanding, educating and connecting!

So, what are you waiting for?  Order your copy today!!!

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Happy Mother's Day!

To all of the mother's out there, Happy Mother's Day!!!

I hope you are enjoying your special day with loved ones and enjoying some well-deserved attention and pampering today!  Mothers do SO much each and every day and celebrating them for at least one day doesn't seem like enough.  But, I hope all the mom's out there are feeling the love today!

As for my mom, Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!  I hope you know how much you are loved and appreciated for ALL that you do....for everyone!  You have such a big heart and always try to help and be there for everyone.  You are the glue that keeps us all functioning together (as one big dysfunctional family...ha!)  You are the one we all turn to for advice, support, encouragement or just a supportive ear.  I enjoy the time we get to spend together and the 'grown-up' talks and laughs we share together.  And, I'm thankful for all the joyful memories of my childhood that you created, nurtured and are a part of!  Thank you for being MY mother!!

Blessings to ALL mother's today!!  Thank you!!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Hello, Testing, Testing....

If you've been following my blog over the past several months, you know I've done several book signings...but tomorrow night I am doing my first book signing and speaking (to hopefully a good-sized audience).  It's only 10-15 minutes, but that's enough to get me started for the first time.  I haven't even thought of what I'm going to say yet!  Yikes!  I guess I better start putting an outline together.

Am I nervous?  No.  If I were speaking any longer than 15 minutes, then maybe a little.  But, I think it'll be fairly painless.  It's been awhile since I've spoken in front of a crowd, though.  I used to have to do it for work several times a year at events.  The larger the ballroom the better for me.  I can stare at the back of the room and talk and I don't have to look directly at anyone.  But, talking in front of a room that is much smaller, almost classroom size where people are sitting right in front of you staring at you is a bit more intimidating.  But, tomorrow night will be much more casual so I think I'll be fine.  Wish me luck anyway!

Remember, if you haven't purchased my book yet, you can always go to my website at www.kimfenneman.com or you can purchase the ebook on Amazon...just search my name or the title, "Corn-fed with Rice on the Side."


Sunday, May 4, 2014

Happy May Day...Cinco de Mayo!!

Do you do anything to celebrate May Day?  When I was growing up in Iowa, we always use to do little May Day baskets and deliver them to our friends.  It was basically filling a Styrofoam cup with popcorn, candies, cookies, etc. and then delivering them without your friends knowing as a sweet surprise!  I miss that little tradition!  Of course, most of the time my mom and I would forget until the last minute (meaning, the day of) and rush to put together all the treats to deliver to my friends.  Maybe one of these days I'll bring that tradition back...down here in the south!

And, tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo...which is obviously a big deal down here in the south!  Lots of festivities going on but most of it around food...margaritas, tacos, enchiladas, tamaleas and on and on!  I could eat tacos everyday!  Several years ago I think I did eat tacos every week!  

So, however you've been celebrating over the past couple days I hope the weather has been warmer (here in the States) and that you've been able to take in the sunshine and blue skies!  It's definitely starting to feel like (spring)...actually more like summer already!  My irises have been blooming for the past several weeks and my dark pink peonies have been blooming, as well.  They are my favorite!!  So, although we didn't have many April showers (or at least as much as we needed), May flowers are blooming!

I've got my first Author Talk this week at my local library, so if you're local please come out and see me this Thursday.  Check out my website (www.kimfenneman.com) for more details!  It's the first time I actually have to get up and talk about my book in front of people. Yikes!  Gulp.  Wish me luck!  And, hope to see some familiar faces out there!

Blessings to you this first full week of May!!!