tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005388731700075932024-02-20T22:54:15.596-06:00Where Romance Meets TherapyThoughts as I journey into the land of publishing writing inspirational romance from a Christian counselor's point of viewJeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-69603742422891603382011-03-16T21:21:00.000-05:002011-03-16T21:21:27.845-05:00Don't Follow Me Here...<span style="font-size: large;">Instead, follow me over at my signature blog, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/">The Character Therapist</a>! </span><br />
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I post Monday through Friday at the above address, and hope to see you there!<br />
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<img alt="Wordle: signature" src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px;" />Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-46556446551766947952010-04-05T23:24:00.002-05:002010-04-05T23:27:42.481-05:00Kaye Dacus' A Case for Love Review and Giveaway!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3820666991_8e78b8cd98.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 311px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3820666991_8e78b8cd98.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Click over to <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/04/kaye-dacus-case-for-love-review-and.html">The Character Therapist</a> for my review and chance to win Kaye's latest release!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="padding: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); width: 67px; height: 51px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-57330756271102287312010-03-22T22:44:00.001-05:002010-03-22T22:45:44.130-05:00Chance to win a GREAT Easter book!With Easter just around the corner, I've got the best book recommendation for you! Click by <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/03/roseanna-whites-stray-drop-of-blood.html">The Character Therapist</a> to read my review and be entered for a chance to win <span style="font-style: italic;">A Stray Drop of Blood</span> by Roseanna White!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="padding: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); width: 59px; height: 45px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-73199329762543749842010-03-06T22:57:00.000-06:002010-03-06T22:58:20.661-06:00Faerie Drawing of ME!Y'all aren't gonna believe this! I was sketched into a faerie today by the most extraordinarily talented <a href="http://elizabethmueller.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-post.html">Elizabeth Meuller</a>! This made my day! Check out this picture she drew of me!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJQ10W2loy0iEQer82WOahO-Qy_5EwZlr3SoiOLYWGYn2L0H0A1kwhYKrvqPiZMbm3SK3vSug0WWp2CEdxYS3sNBXelhSu10g3olnyZRk2Z1VyLb5hddcrObBp6g5dgIBjgX_tLhrYy8/s320/faerie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJQ10W2loy0iEQer82WOahO-Qy_5EwZlr3SoiOLYWGYn2L0H0A1kwhYKrvqPiZMbm3SK3vSug0WWp2CEdxYS3sNBXelhSu10g3olnyZRk2Z1VyLb5hddcrObBp6g5dgIBjgX_tLhrYy8/s320/faerie.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've never looked better! :) Check out her blog if you get a chance. Thanks, Elizabeth!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 62px; height: 47px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-38184210376846294162010-02-18T20:16:00.005-06:002010-02-18T20:30:00.147-06:00Learn Your Parenting Style--or your Protagonist's!Hello all! My blog isn't exactly defunct, but while I'm focusing on building platform, that lends itself to spending more time on my other blog, <a href="http://charactetherapist.blogspot.com/">The Character Therapist</a>.<br /><br />Join me over there for<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> a NEW SERIES</span> on <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/02/t3-parenting-styles-overview-and-quiz.html">parenting styles</a>! If you missed my personality types or personality disorder series, you can buy them on my other blog for a low cost. But don't miss this one....of all the ones I've done to date, I think <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/02/t3-parenting-styles-overview-and-quiz.html">this one</a> has the most information for your manuscripts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/02/t3-parenting-styles-overview-and-quiz.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf1EYYv8jSw71kh6E2Vv7elS4yp2lLyhH7gIR6mMUXpFwf_3GD21OAEmabKjRFdRP5QRvYHNPjk7wO1gc-E0pXGqYbCUkzpHM-jjzl4_9Px0rL3OcvKOUt2BnxXtxSSJAuk1wndjOq2g/s200/ThursdayTherapeuticThought.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439773759211005298" border="0" /></a><br />See you there! If you aren't following me over there, you might want to, as posts here will be fewer and farther between. I miss you all!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 63px; height: 48px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-16780558486215959122010-02-10T10:53:00.001-06:002010-02-10T10:55:02.258-06:00Win a copy of Thin Places !!Click by over at <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/02/mary-demuths-thin-places-review-and.html">The Character Therapist</a> to read my review and win one of two copies!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 68px; height: 52px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-63078971189178790372010-02-01T23:26:00.003-06:002010-02-01T23:28:26.348-06:00Parent Pointers - Redefining Prayer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sageministries.org/Redefining-Prayer"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 72px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50XihT848C28ktahJvDTidLpqOK-ThOxiVc7kY1Lhtth5fFDheyAr7d-W4R30qurq7YurY6UvA-bwAndOE0_eTDEdAcCgVQpPI7Pb5gJF3wwcBqQFjx0VNVBCRKlrPF4tqjaXyKsi5dw/s200/ParentPointersLogoFinal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433513295939982930" border="0" /></a><br />This has been an exciting month! I had <a href="http://www.sageministries.org/Redefining-Prayer">another article</a> published by <a href="http://www.sageministries.org/Redefining-Prayer">SAGE Girls Ministry Online</a>. Click on the logo above to read it. Let me know what you think...my ideas aren't really too far out there. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 68px; height: 52px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-83547731626352223972010-02-01T10:41:00.001-06:002010-02-01T10:41:30.312-06:00February CFOM article!My first article with <a href="http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/">Christian Fiction Online Magazine</a> has been published! Click the magazine cover below to read my <a href="http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/blitz_therapy.html">Therapeutic Thought on Triangles</a>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/blitz_therapy.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 402px;" src="http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/covers/cover_Feb10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Doing the happy dance....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 62px; height: 47px;" /></a><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><br /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-46959762723351493282010-01-21T11:46:00.001-06:002010-01-21T11:48:45.905-06:00T3 - Beaver/Melancholic Personality Type<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/01/t3-beavermelancholy-personality-type.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpNxbjt4ImFVgqhhs-Cbq3nl6cuiexew_QHxw057QlnmhVzjBHg_bFk1aJnpd9cN16qho_8PDCofUYj45vbOuqlIvYemGb5trvo4_da54GVtbwV7P-C6Dl9N2VkDSrEjmpD2o88Lu8zk/s200/ThursdayTherapeuticThought.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Check it out at <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/01/t3-beavermelancholy-personality-type.html">The Character Therapist</a>!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 67px; height: 51px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-42625909859670181212010-01-19T12:11:00.001-06:002010-01-19T12:12:51.854-06:00Treatment Tuesday - Fictional Therapy Session How-To<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/01/treatment-tuesday-fictional-therapy.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGbIS-1dY9eAJZ5a-sbOfvag8_7m55VVTDwzdjBq44uozsIh_VMrtSFuOj1OMMtwFDPJVlu1pUAgzo80qxbnlHz5dVrsHGXF0cUPn9ADzISjeqgITkKWZke6butDI3wWeps4Sq0EafZs/s200/TreatmentTuesday.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/01/treatment-tuesday-fictional-therapy.html">The Character Therapist</a> gives her first how-to lesson on writing fictional therapy sessions. Check it out!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 53px; height: 40px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-38962333799657912892010-01-18T06:00:00.003-06:002010-01-18T13:19:45.977-06:00CJ Darlington's Thicker Than Blood - Real Problems, Realistically PortrayedI recently finished <a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/">CJ Darlington</a>'s debut novel, <span style="font-style: italic;">Thicker Than Blood</span>, just in time for her blog tour this week! CJ's novel won the 2008 Operation First Novel contest with the <a href="http://www.christianwritersguild.com/">Christian Writers Guild</a>, and after reading it, I can certainly see why.<br /><br />Here's a short blurb:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?</span><br /><br />Before I don my therapist cap to do my psychological review, just a couple of general statements about CJ's story world and writing. She really has a knack for sharing pertinent detail. I say pertinent because it's certainly not boring detail that she weaves effortlessly into her prose, but detail that just transports the reader straight into the pages.<br /><br />I also really appreciated<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/images/book-covers/thicker-than-blood-250.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.cjdarlington.com/images/book-covers/thicker-than-blood-250.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> the way CJ introduced me to a profession I knew absolutely nothing about. She digs into many facets of antiquarian book traders--of which CJ knew tons about because she was one!--from buying at trade shows and estate sales to internet sales and the managing of a book store. I love how CJ used a small, interesting fact of her trade to really spin the plot on it's side. (Of course, I won't tell which one...and you learn tons of them throughout the book...so you'll just have to read it.) :)<br /><br />Now, let's talk about characters with real problems, and how CJ portrayed them very realistically. By Chapter One, you know her heroine, Christy, has a little problem with drinking. Given the situation, though, you might be tempted to excuse her. But as the book progresses, you realize that her problem is much more serious. Alcoholism really is a way of life, and CJ does a great job of showing the reader how Christy's past, present, and future fall victim to the choices and decisions she made. Being under the influence of any kind of drug alters your perceptions of everything, from what constitutes a "good" relationship to what looks like a good business arrangement that you later regret.<br /><br />The key to creating such a flawed character really is in CJ's consistency. Christy's first thoughts when faced with any kind of hardship or stressful situation is to turn to the bottle for courage. This is so true to life! Alcoholics reframe their addiction and think things like the bottle will give them courage they wouldn't have otherwise. Christy falls prey to this line of thinking more than once--she's consistent.<br /><br />CJ also blows the lid on abusive relationships and co-dependency. Abuse can come in many forms, not just physical. Emotional abuse--mind games, threats, using manipulation--are extremely common in relationships today. Christy's relationship with Vince is a testament to many women out there who go through the exact same thing every day. It's hard. It's scary. But kudos to CJ for showing that a woman can break free. Yes, it requires falling down and dusting yourself off. It requires striking out into the unknown. But it can be done!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/images/cj/cj-standard-150.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 196px;" src="http://www.cjdarlington.com/images/cj/cj-standard-150.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was pleasantly surprised at the character arc for Christy. I thought it was going to be one of these ultra-convenient spiritual transformations during a church scene. HA! The only time I was actually frowning while reading this book was during the preacher's oh-so-timely testimony. I'm not going to tell you how Christy "sees the light," but it sure wasn't during the church scene. :) So refreshing! Christy has come a long way, through so many hard knocks, to just lay down and pick up something as simple as a relationship with a Lord she has had no firsthand experience with. So again, kudos to the writer, who made her conversion believable.<br /><br />Last but not least, CJ digs into family member estrangement. Any number of events could cause members of the same family to close off from one another. While misunderstandings are probably the most common, CJ's scenario works just fine. A very believable watershed moment sets the stage for these two sisters to walk down the paths they do. There is a certain amount of palpable awkwardness when the two sisters meet up for the first time in 15 years. It's not all hunky-dory and tears and hugs. Piecing back a family takes longer than that. It's really a very poignant reunion...eventually. CJ doesn't spoil it by making the connection too soon, in my opinion.<br /><br />If you don't want to read the book after all that, something's wrong with you! While it's not a romance, there is a little romantic thread (although from a romantic side--I sure wish there had been more. I also wish there had been a little string-tying in that general direction...but perhaps there will be a book two?) amidst quite a big suspense thread. Ultimately it's a story of redemption and hope you won't want to miss out on.<br /><br />You can buy the book from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414334486?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414334486">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9781414334486&event=AFF&p=1137091">CBD</a>, <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?r=1&ean=9781414334486&afsrc=1&lkid=J28727503&pubid=K217645&byo=1">Barnes and Noble</a>, or <a href="http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=1414334486">Borders</a>. You can also reach CJ at her website, <a href="http://www.cjdarlington.com/">http://www.cjdarlington.com</a> or her blog, <a href="http://www.cjdarlington.blogspot.com/">http://www.cjdarlington.blogspot.com/</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 66px; height: 50px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-67353571609484238262010-01-14T12:16:00.004-06:002010-01-14T12:20:38.821-06:00T3 - Golden Retriever/Phlegmatic Expose<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/01/t3-golden-retrieverphlegmatic.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpNxbjt4ImFVgqhhs-Cbq3nl6cuiexew_QHxw057QlnmhVzjBHg_bFk1aJnpd9cN16qho_8PDCofUYj45vbOuqlIvYemGb5trvo4_da54GVtbwV7P-C6Dl9N2VkDSrEjmpD2o88Lu8zk/s200/ThursdayTherapeuticThought.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />It's <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Personality Type Expose</span> </span>over at <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/01/t3-golden-retrieverphlegmatic.html">The Character Therapist</a>! Come find out about the Golden Retriever/Phlegmatic!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 58px; height: 44px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-3799675304448978272010-01-12T06:00:00.000-06:002010-01-12T06:00:08.356-06:00Treatment Tuesday and a Little Aside<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGbIS-1dY9eAJZ5a-sbOfvag8_7m55VVTDwzdjBq44uozsIh_VMrtSFuOj1OMMtwFDPJVlu1pUAgzo80qxbnlHz5dVrsHGXF0cUPn9ADzISjeqgITkKWZke6butDI3wWeps4Sq0EafZs/s200/TreatmentTuesday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425750042618026306" border="0" /></a><br />I realize that most of my posts on this blog have essentially been directing you to my other blog, <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/">The Character Therapist</a>. The reason for this--for those who don't know--is because I recently moved BACK to California and took a new full-time job as the director of clinical services for a non-profit there.<br /><br />I've been so busy learning the ropes and getting adjusted to working full time (after having been a stay-at-home mom almost 2 years) that when I come home, I barely have enough motivation to keep hammering out my Character Therapy posts as well as the various articles I write for publication monthly.<br /><br />So this is the reason for my absence on this blog, as well as my absence from commenting on many of yours. I miss you all. I do. But this is what I have to do for right now.<br /><br />If you want to stay in touch with me, then come on over and follow me on <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/">The Character Therapist</a>. I frequently write back to my commenters there, and often have mini "sessions" with authors who write in Tuesdays, which is a lot of fun. Today, I'm working on explaining to writers how to write bipolar in your manuscripts in believable ways, so click on over.<br /><br />Again, I miss you all so much. I miss your comments. I miss writing! But I know this is just a season!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 67px; height: 51px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-8767107218908488052010-01-10T13:45:00.003-06:002010-01-10T16:11:14.753-06:00My First Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Maps/124-40.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 365px;" src="http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Maps/124-40.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>Yesterday, Humboldt County, CA, experienced a 6.5 earthquake. You can see how this compares with the other minor earthquakes experienced on a daily basis by most of California at <a href="http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latest.htm">this website</a>. That huge blue block at the top of CA...that's the one that hit us.<br /><br />I've been through several of the minor ones, so this was not my first quake. Most are a gentle rumble, a slight sway. But my first time living through a moderate (yes, 6.5 is only moderate!) quake, I thought for sure I was going to die. Not trying to be melodramatic. I honestly thought it was the end.<br /><br />My daughter and I were sitting on the couch when it happened. It started gently, a little rumbling and shaking. But then it honestly felt (and sounded) like a Mack truck slammed into the left side of the house. You should try tamping down your horror while trying to put on a happy face for your child as all your glasses come crashing down in the kitchen! I shielded Madelyn with my body, because I thought the living room windows might crash on us.<br /><br />The aftershocks, thankfully, weren't very serious. I think there were some 3.4s or something around there...but I was too shaken to feel them. Maddy didn't have socks and shoes on, so I told her to stay on the couch while I tried to clean up the glass shards that were all over the floor. She just ate her Nilla wafers and drank her milk as she watched me. She didn't cry at all!<br /><br />I immediately called my husband, who was fishing on the Trinity River with a buddy, and let him know that had been a massive earth quake. He got off the water right then and came home, but that was a 2-hour drive from inland California. The power was turned<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://nimg.sulekha.com/others/thumbnailfull/california-coast-earthquake-2010-1-9-23-33-48.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 215px;" src="http://nimg.sulekha.com/others/thumbnailfull/california-coast-earthquake-2010-1-9-23-33-48.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> off, and sirens and ambulances were going off all over the city from the time it happened to the time my husband got home. It was like something from a movie. Creepy and scary. Had to keep Maddy out of the kitchen even though I swept up, because the flashlights started catching the shiny pieces of glass that I hadn't seen with my naked eye. The floor and counters didn't fully get cleaned until this morning.<br /><br />[The picture above is of Eureka Natural Foods, a local grocery store here. Can you imagine what everything else must look like? We haven't ventured out yet to check things out.]<br /><br />I am blessed to have wonderful neighbors. Everyone was out checking on everyone else. My neighbor came over to smell for gas and then he just turned it off as fire trucks began driving up and down the streets, waiting for people to flag them if there were gas leaks. He checked out heater to see if it was run on gas or electricity. Unfortunately, the fan blower runs on electricity...so the house got cold. Maddy slept with us last night to make sure she stayed warm, but that meant Allan and I got no sleep as she tossed and turned and sighed and bumped her head. Lights came on about 2:30 a.m. or so...and then the heat. So I brought Maddy back to her room and was able to get about 5 hours of sleep eventually.<br /><br />But this experience has taught me something. You never know when you<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lakecitylighthouse.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Jesus_hugs_in_heaven.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 333px;" src="http://www.lakecitylighthouse.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Jesus_hugs_in_heaven.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>r final moments will be. I felt like I came as close to death yesterday as I ever have. It was my "first time," so to speak. And to experience this with my daughter, desperately wanting her to be able to live a full and happy life, was nothing short of terrifying. The important things come to life and flash through your mind: my husband, my daughter, my parents. How I might never see them again. How I would miss them.<br /><br />But I know where I'm going, people. I know that had yesterday been even more serious than it was (say, if I had been standing under the kitchen cabinet, for instance, when the glasses came crashing down), I know where I'd be. I also know how important it is to tell people how much you love them every single opportunity you can.<br /><br />You never know when it might be your last time.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 67px; height: 51px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-36395544490715791312010-01-07T09:55:00.002-06:002010-01-07T09:58:46.965-06:00T3 - Personality "Types" Overview<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/01/t3-personality-types-overview.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpNxbjt4ImFVgqhhs-Cbq3nl6cuiexew_QHxw057QlnmhVzjBHg_bFk1aJnpd9cN16qho_8PDCofUYj45vbOuqlIvYemGb5trvo4_da54GVtbwV7P-C6Dl9N2VkDSrEjmpD2o88Lu8zk/s200/ThursdayTherapeuticThought.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424027203740550098" border="0" /></a><br />Starting a new series to aid you in character development. Come take the tests approved by <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/2010/01/t3-personality-types-overview.html">The Character Therapist</a> and join in the fun!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 64px; height: 50px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-22398137896305615592010-01-05T06:00:00.000-06:002010-01-05T06:00:01.603-06:00Treatment Tuesday - A "Dethroned" Firstborn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMhfYBLrAC1VgFguXG_kMoECOtk-tTYJUefRlo6sxyBGx0yjjJoLXx0ZMUNFLWCin3_PW3jB2FE-GyJxAgrAFdTa5vqOI69HlvgmqqM4IJ64cy0VFV46s23cIf6oT_HH4LEFH2XZIc70/s200/TreatmentTuesday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423143151169835058" border="0" /></a><br />Looking at birth order today in a fantasy novel. But newsflash: it's the same no matter what genre. :) Check it out at <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/">The Character Therapist</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 59px; height: 45px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-13016948979205643032010-01-02T06:00:00.002-06:002010-01-02T06:00:02.493-06:00No Kiss Blogfest Fun!Since <a href="http://sherrindak.blogspot.com/">Sherrinda</a>'s, <a href="http://katieganshert.blogspot.com">Katie</a>'s and <a href="http://reflectionsbykrista.blogspot.com">Krista</a>'s <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Kissing Day Blogfest</span> was such a big hit, Frankie over at <a href="http://frankiediane.blogspot.com/2009/12/no-kiss-blogfest-is-coming.html">Frankie Writes</a> decided to do a <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">No Kiss Blogfest</span>--where we post our great "almost kisses" from our books. The only rule so far as I gather is that the lips can't touch.<br /><br />So without further ado, here's an excerpt from my book, <span style="font-style: italic;">Blessed Beyond the Curse</span>, in which the hero and heroine are about to dance in a fundraiser spoof of <span style="font-style: italic;">Dancing with the Stars</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br />“You want to go over some of the basic steps?” He itched to get started, needing to see where her skill level was. She nodded, her eyes big as she took in the camera crews.<br /><br />“Ignore them. Focus on me.” Joshua escorted her to an unoccupied corner of the floor. “So we’ll be dancing in a closed position. Like this.” He stepped close and slid his right arm around her back to rest on her left shoulder blade. Her skin was cool to the touch, but oh-so-soft. A slight bit of pressure from his fingers brought them closer.<br /><br />She raised her left hand to rest on his right shoulder and put her left hand in his right, which he held out from his body in a horizontal ninety-degree angle. In her heels, their position was just so they could look over each other’s shoulder.<br /><br />“That’s great! Our line is perfect, actually.” He cleared his throat to begin his instruction. “The most basic waltz step is a box step. I’ll step forward with my left while you step back with your rig—”<br /><br />“Let’s just give it a whirl, shall we?”<br /><br />He frowned. He had just known she was going to pull something like this. Let her fall flat on her face, then.<br /><br />“Fine.” His mouth thinned. “I’ll just count it off.” How could one woman be so aggravating and so tempting at the same time? “One, two, three, one, two, three…”<br /><br />She followed his lead without missing a step, their feet in between each other’s just as his dance instructor had taught him. A little relief worked its way into his shoulders. At least she could do the basic step.<br /><br />He moved on to more complex steps, and his relief gave way to amusement. Kathy was far better than the average beginner. No wonder she had been smug earlier. It didn’t take much effort on her part to dance with him, and she still got her end of the bargain. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Clever girl.</span><br /><br />“I think someone was holding out on me,” he said close to her ear, before continuing to count aloud to keep time, since they didn’t have any music. <br /><br />“Mm-hmm,” she said. After a while, she cocked her head to the side and he saw the question in her eyes before she asked. “So who was this Malinda you cancelled on tonight?”<br /><br />“Curious?” Joshua answered her question with one of his own.<br /><br />“I’m simply asking because I feel bad for her, that’s all.” She closed her eyes like a queen might do when talking to one of her subjects, her lashes fanning out on her cheek.<br /><br />Joshua supposed it was his turn to tell the truth. “Don’t. She’s my younger sister, married, two months pregnant and exhausted. You did her a favor.” Lindy was no doubt ecstatic over being relieved of her sisterly duty.<br /><br />Kathy tucked her chin in, her brow furrowed. “Then what was all this about a ‘special relationship?’”<br /><br />“Siblings are a special relationship.” He couldn’t help his own smile at her look of disdain. “But honestly? I wanted to give you a taste of your own medicine. You know—sort of like how you led me to believe you had a date tonight.”<br /><br />She harrumphed, turning her head to look the other direction, which was the best show of aggravation she could manage while being held as close to him as she was.<br /><br />Joshua took the opportunity to whip her into a promenade and then into a spin. The dance itself was exhilarating, of course, but dancing with her was even more exciting. They were a fluid pair, each an extension of the other. <br /><br />As he altered his footwork to pull her into a dip, she did the same to accommodate a backward lean, elongating her body. His gaze traveled the length of her exposed neck, his pulse a staccato drumbeat in his ears. His desire to kiss her very nearly made him lose control in front of all the other dancers.<br /><br />After a brief interlude, Kathy turned her head to glance up at him, as if to ask, <span style="font-style: italic;">Why aren’t you pulling me up?</span> When she focused on the look in his eyes, though, her own widened in…what? Fear? Surprise dampened his longing, and he sprang into action, helping her right herself before releasing his hold on her. She busied herself with smoothing her dress, her eyes flicking what Joshua interpreted as mistrustful glances his way.<br /><br />Would she be afraid if he kissed her? That would be a first for him, but wasn’t that what the apprehension in her eyes said? He cleared his throat in order to shut out his questions and break the awkward silence between them. “I think you might be better at this than I am.”<br /><br />“You’re a very good partner. I just let you lead,” She spoke much faster than her usual Southern pace. Her hand on her chest revealed her breaths rising in time to his own. <br /><br />“Ah, well, it’s about time.” Maybe a joke would lessen the uncertainty in her regard. Sure enough, he was rewarded with a partial grin.<br /><br />“Just don’t get too attached to the experience.” She ran a hand underneath her hair, lifting it from her shoulders and allowing it to fall back into place. <br /><br />Joshua spoke without thought. “What if it’s already too late?” As soon as the last syllable left his mouth, he wished the cufflink on his shirt had been fitted to his mouth. The timing of his first blatant flirtation couldn’t have been worse.<br /><br />“Sounds like you have a problem on your hands, then.” If he hadn’t been sure before, he was now positive Kathy was treating tonight as strictly a business transaction, not a date. The problem lied in that he hadn’t counted on finding himself at the other end of that spectrum. Tonight was a date, even if it had come about unconventionally.<br /><br />He also hadn’t counted on the feel of her in his arms. The silken skin of her back, the softness of her palm. They toyed with his memory so much so his hand wanted to move to touch her again. <br /><br />His brain overrode the impulse, and he shoved them in his pockets instead.<br /><br /><br />Don't be fooled...this almost-kiss wasn't as one-sided as it might have appeared. Kathy wanted it every bit as much as Joshua did, which is why she was so scared. But you'd have to read the book to know why she's scared....gotta leave you hanging a little, right?<br /><br />Hope everyone had a blessed New Years. I won't be on the blogosphere much today, as my family and I just moved into our new place YESTERDAY! But I look forward to reading as much as I can during my breaks.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 65px; height: 49px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-89524107309586436032009-12-31T06:00:00.000-06:002009-12-31T06:00:08.736-06:00T3 - New Year Resolutions: Some Friendly Cautions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.taylorfoam.com/taylorfoam_com/nss-folder/pictures/2010_prop.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 144px;" src="http://www.taylorfoam.com/taylorfoam_com/nss-folder/pictures/2010_prop.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>To set the record straight, I'm all for resolutions. I just don't think they should only be inspired by a new year. The date should be irrelevant to when you want to make an improvement to yourself.<br /><br />However, it's pretty accepted that January 1st is some magical date to "start over" or "wipe the slate clean." So to that I say give it your best shot! But I have a few cautionary words as well.<a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">1) Make your goals realistic.</span><br /><br />If you're completely addicted to Starbucks, live/work three blocks from one, have a friend who works there or any combination of these three, then your resolution to abstain from Starbucks is pretty unfeasible. (Not to say there aren't extremely strong-willed individuals out there, but I'm just speaking in generalities as I so often have to do.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">2) Don't always fo</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">cus on BIG goals.</span><br /><br />Goals don't always have to be the long-range, big time stuff. The best accomplishments, in fact, could be a series of small goals you achieve. But if you only think about the big picture, you could miss this opportunity to triumph!<br /><br />It's a great idea to break big goals into smaller ones anyway. That way, you're not overwhelmed with the idea of having to graduate from school. You just work your way through individual classes first. Losing the first 5 lbs can be the hardest when the amount you're aiming for is 50 lbs.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.yorkblog.com/flipside/hats.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.yorkblog.com/flipside/hats.jpeg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">3) Figure out your rewards ahead of time.</span><br /><br />What's the fun of actually accomplishing your goals if there's no reward? Sure, there's that inherent, philosophical idea that you did what you set out to do. That might be enough for some of us, but it's not at all enough for others. Some crave recognition, so maybe you should blog monthly about how far along you are in sticking to your resolution. Some crave a physical reward, such as divinely expensive chocolate, Kindle books, or manicures (oh, wait...this post isn't supposed to be about me!). Reward yourself for staying true to your goals...and do this on a regular schedule. It might work for some to treat themselves weekly instead of monthly. You know yourself.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">4) Don't wait until </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">January 1st, 2011, to jump back on the wagon.</span><br /><br />There's nothing magical about January 1st! If you don't meet your goal, just get back to it as soon as you can! There is this supposed formula that it takes 28 days to break a habit. Well, in 28 days, you're still in January! Many, many, many resolutions are broken during the very first month (I tried to find the exact percentage, but it's late and I'm tired and the internet fairies weren't forthcoming).<br /><br />Treat an occasional lapse as <span style="font-style: italic;">a temporary setback</span>, not something to throw your hands up, gnash your teeth and wail about. If you went 10 days with no Starbucks, but on day 11 couldn't fight the aroma calling to you in your sleep, then just start back on day 12. One coffee in 10 days won't send you to the dark abyss. It's better than 10 coffees. The same could be said with getting off your diet, smoking a cigarette or compulsive shopping.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">5) Be purposeful in your resolutions.</span><br /><br />Don't just sporadically come up with something you think you'd like to change. Really give it some thought. According to psychologist Richard Wiseman, who led a study about failed resolutions, "If you<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kunthy.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/ar119895516288958.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 312px;" src="http://kunthy.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/ar119895516288958.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> do it on the spur of the moment, it probably doesn't mean that much to you and you won't give it your all. Failing to achieve your ambitions is often psychologically harmful because it can rob people of a sense of self control." Even more so, when we fail at our resolutions, we can often feel even worse about ourselves than we did before we made the resolution, and that's no place anyone wants to be.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCE FOR SUCCESS:</span></span><br /><br />So, now that you know better how to prepare for your resolutions, I thought I'd add some sure-fire ways to increase your chance for success.<br /><br />Breaking goals down into smaller steps is definitely the number one thing to do. This increases your chance of success to 35% (according to Wiseman's study). If you add the reward system, the success rate goes up. If you add telling your friends, keeping a diary (or blog) of your progress, and focusing on the benefits of succeeding (not focusing on the downside of <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> succeeding), then your success rate goes up to 50%!<br /><br />So keep these things in mind when making your resolutions!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Here's wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 67px; height: 51px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-15827411920494812242009-12-29T06:00:00.000-06:002009-12-29T06:00:07.349-06:00Treatment Tuesday - Personalities of Doctors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2RpvF0giemplfbCAVNywNjnStHw9r6_YdSNgX1kTQMC0gF29rcwfRi9CF4kdGvSLKIcqRjoQC501OffWdjyQgG1e9oioLNfNQ-HHXKQH6-JgoY13zmhafx3Qg6HMRbdxkyie6FKAzMs/s200/TreatmentTuesday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420537798616025362" border="0" /></a><br />Digging into the Myers-Briggs types associated with doctors today...so stop on by <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com">The Character Therapist</a>!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 74px; height: 58px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-66454084965414455652009-12-28T13:06:00.002-06:002009-12-28T13:11:12.450-06:00Parent Pointers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sageministries.org/PARENT-POINTERS-The-Benefit-Of-The-Doubt"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 69px;" src="http://www.sageministries.org/files/images/38903-s.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />January's focus for Sage Ministry Online is "Media = Becoming a Christ-Conscious Techie in a Technology-Consumed World." You can see my article for parents about giving your child the <a href="http://www.sageministries.org/PARENT-POINTERS-The-Benefit-Of-The-Doubt">Benefit of the Doubt</a> when it comes to setting boundaries with them regarding their technology usage.<br /><br />Hope you parents out there find it useful. Would welcome any comments or discussion about my particular views.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Q4U: What do you see as the biggest technological danger to young children today?</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 58px; height: 44px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-6833572984424672552009-12-23T12:03:00.003-06:002009-12-23T12:07:35.651-06:00Merry Christmas!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://wendyusuallywanders.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/jesus_manger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 259px;" src="http://wendyusuallywanders.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/jesus_manger.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here's wishing a wonderful Christmas to everyone! May you be blessed as you remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.<br /><br />I'm going to take a break for the holidays and will be back in action next week. <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/">The Character Therapist</a> is finally taking a break, as well, so no Therapeutic Thought this Thursday.<br /><br />Merry Christmas!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 68px; height: 52px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-91297192498183145432009-12-22T06:00:00.000-06:002009-12-22T06:00:03.064-06:00Treatment Tuesday - Down Syndrome & Foster Care<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmzEUt8DTxVUlCKKtZXCWyyFlK61IxKY0MHPc6nlvGd2StRyTe7qIK6lQZATaMMjAhlsWvCJZ-TISa_89_drFVOcnlLJJup6vKb3EtoieXWHLspOg9X2hBI2KlnGtJxv7n0Cj01K1Zyg/s200/TreatmentTuesday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417947516731432258" border="0" /></a><br />Today's assessment focuses on foster care and Down Syndrome, both of which could easily slip into your own manuscri<a id="publishButton" class="cssButton" href="javascript:void(0)" target="" onclick="if (this.className.indexOf("ubtn-disabled") == -1) {var e = document['stuffform'].publish;(e.length) ? e[0].click() : e.click(); if (window.event) window.event.cancelBubble = true; return false;}"><div class="cssButtonOuter"><div class="cssButtonMiddle"><div class="cssButtonInner">Publish Post</div></div></div></a>pts! So check it out at <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com">The Character Therapist.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 66px; height: 50px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-69300227818765796052009-12-21T06:00:00.002-06:002009-12-21T10:46:42.357-06:00Official Kissing Day Blogfest!Okay, writers, readers and guests! It's the <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Official Kissing Day</span> for blogs everywhere as we give a <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Writer's Tribute to</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;">MISTLETOE</span>!! The following is an excerpt from <span style="font-style: italic;">The Character Therapist</span>, my current WIP. I don't really think you need a lead in. You'll pick it up. :)<br /><br /><br /><br />Charlotte helped herself to a cup of hot water provided by the hotel in the back of the room. While she was steeping her Earl Grey tea bag, a cough issued behind her. Charlotte whirled around to see a snarl of a grin on Jorja Patterson’s face.<br /><br />“Lottie. Fancy running into you, of all people.”<br /><br />Jorja's use of her father’s pet name for her was Jorja’s way of throwing the gauntlet down. Charlotte stirred her tea with measured calm. “Jorja.” So many other names would have fit better, though, like home-wrecker, adulteress—<br /><br />“I was real sorry to hear about your mama. Just tragic, really. How’s she doing?” Jorja’s honey-sweet drawl was razor sharp, cutting Charlotte to the quick faster than any gang member walking the streets of Atlanta.<br /><br />Charlotte would sooner spit on the doorstep to her mother’s nursing home before she talked about her to the one woman responsible for it all. It took two to tango, but no doubt Jorja had wagged her little finger—or shaken her caboose—at her father until he’d come running, throwing their family into utter chaos and pain.<br /><br />She deposited her teacup on a round, linen-covered tray, the thought of drinking it now souring her stomach. “Good-bye Jorja. And, uh, good luck covering the conference.” Charlotte allowed just enough superiority to creep into her tone that Jorja’s impeccably made-up face twitched. Her ex-stepmother was close to forty, but her botoxed face and lipoed body was that of a twenty-year-old.<br /><br />“You might have landed the opening story, Lottie, but there’s a lot more of Brock Corbin to go around.” She lifted a brow. “I should know.”<br /><br />The inappropriate innuendo Charlotte had come to expect from Jorja would have normally made her roll her eyes and turn away. But instead of her usual response, a balloon began to inflate in her chest, filling her up and spilling out her mouth with a gust of laughter. “Like I said, good luck with that.”<br /><br />With her ex-step-mother’s hawk-like eyes tracking her , Charlotte made a beeline to the front where Brock was sitting. Her neck burned hot as she bolstered her courage to do what needed to be done. He glanced up at her approach and stood to say hello.<br /><br />Charlotte didn’t say respond as she dropped her bag in the chair next to the one he had occupied. She didn’t so much as hesitate as she reached up, grasped Brock’s tie to pull him down a few inches, and lay a kiss on him Jorja wouldn’t mistake for a chaste kiss hello.<br /><br />It wasn’t until Brock’s mouth opened under hers with a surprised strangled sound that Charlotte wondered what the heck she was doing. She was already trying to figure out how she could explain Brock shoving her away to Jorja when one of his hands threaded around her waist to pull her closer while his mouth slanted on hers. Just as Charlotte’s knees began to buckle, Brock used his other hand to hold on tight, the folder occupying his attention earlier now pressed against her back.<br /><br />Charlotte had no idea how long they stood there, kissing like leading actors instead of fundamental strangers, but it wasn’t long enough. All she knew was that when Brock raised his head, his eyes were curiously alight.<br /><br />“So…um…is that your way of wishing me luck, or saying your sorry for getting me into the mess in the first place?”<br /><br />As she stepped away to adjust her blazer jacket, Charlotte risked a quick glance back at Jorja in time to see her eyes narrow.<br /><br />“Oh, the kiss?” She turned back to Brock. Interesting how she could sound so glib about it, like it hadn’t been completely bone-turning-to-Jello good. She congratulated herself. She had to make Jorja think things were far more normal than they were. She tossed her hair over her shoulders and smiled at him for Jorja’s benefit. “All you need to know is that it was spur of the moment, urgent, and necessary. I figured it would be better to ask for forgiveness later than permission first.” That certainly would have lost the impact for Jorja.<br /><br />Brock ran a hand through his hair, drawing Charlotte’s eyes there. “Was there an apology in there somewhere? It’s not like I’m used to getting accosted by females.”<br /><br />“You better get used to it.” Charlotte pointed out the French doors to the mob of women. “They are going to descend on you in less than five minutes for the first session. Are you ready?”<br /><br />“I was just going over my notes before you distracted me. What was the urgency?”<br /><br />Charlotte almost laughed. She had momentarily sidetracked herself, as well. Seconds after their mouths had touched, Charlotte forgot about Jorja. She forgot about the Hilton, the conference, Mack, and the <span style="font-style: italic;">Journal-Constitution</span>. All she could think about was the dry warmth and fit of his lips against hers.<br /><br />She had to put some distance between herself and this man, if only to gain perspective for the article she had to write. She couldn’t very well turn in a story about the sporty clean smell of aftershave that teased her nostrils. Or the darker rim of olive that surrounded his irises, irises that were regarding her intently.<br /><br />She decided on the truth. “I needed someone to think you and I are an item.”<br /><br />One of Brock’s eyebrows raised. “Glad I went with it, then.”<br /><br />“Me, too.” Her lips still buzzed with how glad she was.<br /><br />“So, am I going to get that apology or not?” Though his words were demanding, his tone was playful, teasing.<br /><br />One last peek assured her Jorja was still watching the show. “I don’t believe so.” She stepped closer, letting her eyes follow the progress of her hand as it ran under his jacket lapel, smoothing it down. Then she moved to his tie, needlessly straightening it, before her fingers found their way to the hair at his nape. She stroked the softness there by his neck, reveling in the feel of his hair. She hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted to touch it until now.<br /><br />Brock shifted his weight from his right foot to his left, his eyes sliding shut. “Why, uh, why not?”<br /><br />She stood on her tip-toes to reach the thicker hair at the back of his head, the hair that just brushed his collar. While she fanned her fingers, she stretched to whisper in his ear. “I was taught that you shouldn’t apologize if you don’t really mean it.”<br /><br />Leaving him with one mussed hairstyle, two incredulous eyes, and three minutes to spare, she turned to walk off.<br /><br /><br />Hope you enjoyed my excerpt. Don't forget to check out everyone else's kissing scenes around the blogosphere!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >Oh, in case you missed it...</span><br /><br />I'm going to be a new columnist on <a href="http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/">Christian Fiction Online Magazine</a>! Starting in February, I'll be doing my signature <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com">Character Therapy</a>...so if you have questions about your characters or plot feasibility, email me and you could be one of the lucky monthly winners to be featured in my column on the magazine! You'll get links back to your website or blog, so this could be great exposure for your breakout or high concept novel. So what are you waiting for? :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 58px; height: 45px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-35999634457868312422009-12-20T22:46:00.003-06:002009-12-20T22:48:49.021-06:00Kissing Day Blog Fest Tomorrow!Hopefully I'll be seeing you all here tomorrow for the Kissing Day Blog Fest! Everyone's posting their kissing scenes in honor of the Christmas seasonal tradition of mistletoe. Go by <a href="http://sherrindak.blogspot.com/2009/12/post-your-link-for-official-kissing-day.html">this website</a> and register your link so we know to visit your blog and read all the yummy deliciousness of kisses and near-kisses!<br /><br />See you tomorrow!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 57px; height: 43px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300538873170007593.post-26810156411715098152009-12-17T06:00:00.000-06:002009-12-17T06:00:10.743-06:00T3 - Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AwMefp7XR7T4SaeSVOGP5NVQ2kyLwQsF493caA4PHaOQ7RcW8JCnMpXsBmPzJ9LKuj5WW2JJ6QcQrONH4D9SKGzUqbKIl9IjnVrPqOO6GugQ8niLE8gao846puZYkDpkt44UPgDtonk/s200/ThursdayTherapeuticThought.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415340541666075698" border="0" /></a><br />The last personality disorder is on parade today at <a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com">The Character Therapist</a>. It's one heck of one, too. I should know, as I have more tendencies toward this one than any of them. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/724913/signature" title="Wordle: signature"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/724913/signature" alt="Wordle: signature" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 68px; height: 52px;" /></a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.com1