Monday, February 27, 2017

What's Saving My Life Right Now ~ from purses to organizers to book series to friends~

I love memoir.
Just adore it.
As a writer, poet and memoirist myself, 
I can't get enough of others' stories.
And that's not due to a voyeuristic streak or anything----
or even a love of biographies.
<Because biographies?  blech. >
Nope.
It's the need I have to get a sense of  how others structure 
snapshot - ing  their lives.
The ordinary-ness, the extraordinary-ness.
Just how other writers 
create a window into a moment 
---or even a day or a year ---- in the life
and make it not only readable, but gripping, is something
I can't get enough of.
Way more important to me  than what writers write  is how they write.
 I guess a post of my can't - live - without -  'em
 memoirs is upcoming? 😏

So what does this have to do with what's saving my life?
 It's all based on the amazing memoir of
Barbra Brown Taylor, Leaving Church.
 Taylor tells us when she was once 
invited to speak at a gathering, her host told her simply, 
“Tell us what is saving your life right now."
She says this is too good a thought not to revisit from time to time.

Most of us can easily articulate what's killing us, but few 
of us pay attention to what’s giving us life.
Anne, at MMD, has begun a 
"what's saving our lives now" party and of course,
I'm happy to join in with a few seriously life - saving items,
books, shows and hacks!

~ 1 ~ 
Let's start with this bag.
I know, not exactly crucial or  meaningful, right?
But as they say, it's the little things....

I thought, years ago, that as the boys got older, my bag would get smaller.
Hmmm, not so.
Now, it's stuffed with all things me.

~ 2 ~ 
Roomy enough to neatly house all my must-haves from keys to planners
< I adore this one, but it's way too pricey sooooo,
I'll stick with this one~

I really like a no - frills month at a glance planner...
I know the whole world is busy tapping their lives into their phones or whatnot
to stay organized.
I'm big on paper planners.
They work for me.

~ 3 ~ 
As does this monthly wipe off  wall calendar 
on which everyone's activities 
and appointments are color coded.

The Board Dudes 16X20-Inches Aluminum Framed Magnetic Dry-Erase Calendar, with a Marker and Two Magnets (CYG21)

I'm definitely an organizational items junkie!

 ~ 4 ~ 
Also in that bag, this awesome zippered pouch 
which contains all those small
items that float around the floor of the bag!

Customizable Medium Sized Cosmetic Case - Light Blue/Navy Damask Design


 ~ 5 ~ 

What else is saving my life??
GOOD friends who have my back, hold me in prayer
and are always there to lend an ear.
They're nearby or just an instant message away.



~ 6 ~ 
Long, brisk walks.....  short ones too.
Definitely getting o-u-t there everyday no matter 
what the temp or if there's precip.
It's necessary, I find.
For too long I never "found the time" to devote to
clearing my head --and exercise of course--through the walk.


~ 7 ~ 
No, it's certainly not high quality lit.
But at night huddled under a warm blanket....
which by the way...yup...another on the saving my life list.....
......is easy reading.
I've come to enjoy following the O'Briens' lives and loves and
trials and tribulations.

I don't carve out time to read during the day;
so nighttime, right before sleep,  is IT.
Chesapeake Shores is just what I needed since 
I think I'm only about a third of the way through 
all of the Shores titles.



Thank you for spending some of your precious time today
here at my home on the web! 

Have you signed up to receive my posts in your email inbox?
   If not, just click here to 
quickly and easily  so we can be in touch regularly!
You might wish to follow on Facebook as well.....



If you are shopping at  amazon and Target
why not consider clicking through my link
In this way, I will receive a small commission on the purchase.....
at no cost to you.
THANK YOU!

Until next time,



~Chris



BTW, I'm offering photo services and customized
photo packages for your blog or business!
< Subscribers receive a deep discount! > 


Sunday, February 26, 2017

What's on My Night Table? { Fiction, Dyslexia, Sacramental prep }


I've been reading a few  titles lately
that are seriously share worthy.... 
Can't wait to get started!





a tremendous amount.
This is my latest "find" on advocating for your
child and allowing your child to begin to become an advocate 
for himself and his own needs.
Yes,s there's some background info on dyslexia itself,
but The Empowerment Plan has really more 
of a focus on the ins and out
of the IEP, practical accommodations and 
attainable goals.
When you have a child with the gift of dyslexia, 
you're always on a  fast train to research and insight  and 
constantly update your knowledge base for newer, better, more efficient
ways to help, accommodate and intervene.
It never stops.
Whether you home school or brick and mortar school,
your work is never "done" when it comes to 
How to Help Make Life Less Frustrating For Your Dyslexic Child.
By the way, here's a post I wrote not 


Image result for new york city themed blog post dividers



Luanne Rice is one of my forever favorite authors!
Seriously if you don't know Luanne, check her out!
She typically sets her stories in Connecticut and/or New England right on the 
Long Island Sound....which is perfect for me....because we live 
directly across The Sound from her  characters...right on LI.
Perfect.
Really......go read this.
You'll love Honor and John and their
three girls and you'll laugh and cry with them.
Add a star if you ( like me!! ) are 100% Irish...
go see why!



Image result for new york city themed blog post dividers







I'm only a few chapters in on Liane Moriarty's latest and of course
I love it!
Her wit and uniqueness are gripping from page one.
Plus I love The Land Down Under where her books are set
...so there's that.



Image result for new york city themed blog post dividers





My youngest is getting ready for confirmation in May 
and we're big on Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle's
 staple for sacramental prep.
Highly highly recommend!


Image result for new york city themed blog post dividers




Thank you for spending some of your precious time today
here at my home on the web! 

Have you signed up to receive my posts in your email inbox?
   If not, just click here to 
quickly and easily  so we can be in touch regularly!
You might wish to follow on Facebook as well.....



If you are shopping at  amazon and Target
why not consider clicking through my link
In this way, I will receive a small commission on the purchase.....
at no cost to you.
THANK YOU!

Until next time,

~Chris



BTW, I'm offering picture services and customized
photo packages for your blog or business!
< Subscribers receive a deep discount! >


Image result for blog post dividers



Monday, February 20, 2017

Writing Services Offered ~ Editing, Proofreading, Ghostwriting & More


In addition to blogging here at Campfires and Cleats 
I offer an array of writing servies at print and digit media :
I

Having graduated at the top of my class with a BS and an MS in 
Education /English at St John's University 
in Queens, New York,
and pursuing post grad studies
 in journalism at  Columbia University, in New York City,
I've been writing and teaching for three decades.  
Nonfiction writing is my area of expertise, 
 notably within  memoir, poetry, travelogue, essay,
academic papers and creative nonfiction.

Writing Services Offered:
*Editing
*Proofreading
*Copywriting
*Transcriptions of recordings
*Ghostwriting print and ebooks
*Academic projects ~ dissertation, thesis and essay assistance
*Blog posts across many niches
*Article writing
*Brochures
*Press releases
*Product/movie/book  reviews
*Book Consulting ~ analyze your book/provide professional feedback.
< Contact me for other services not listed here > 



In addition to writing here at my blog since 2012, 
my writing has been featured at the following media outlets since 2008:

Digital magazines:

Southeast Homeschool Expo




Story Collections:









Product Details


Magazines:

Homeschool.com 










Additionally,  as a visiting journalist, 
I have  been entrusted with writing
for the following businesses and sites~

The NY Cosmos 

Provident Films










The Next Step:
Should you be interested in any writing services at all,
please contact me at campfiresandcleats@gmail.com
 to discuss details, time frame and pricing.
I'd be happy to arrange a <free> consultation for us to discuss
your vision  and your needs for the project at hand.
However, please bear in mind that due to 
my client roster and level of professional recognition, 
I only accept new clients who will work with me at 
a preferred starting rate 

 Higher rates result in even more research and going the extra mile!
And as the saying goes.....you get what you pay for.
Quite honestly,  you will be happy that you've hired me, 
when your project comes to completion!



Thank you for spending some of your precious time today
here at my home on the web! 

Have you signed up to receive my posts in your email inbox?
   If not, just click here to 
quickly and easily  so we can be in touch regularly!
You might wish to follow on Facebook as well.....


If you are shopping at  amazon and Target
why not consider clicking through my link
In this way, I will receive a small commission on the purchase.....
at no cost to you.
THANK YOU!

Until next time,


~Chris


BTW, I'm offering photo services and customized
photo packages for your blog or business!
< Subscribers receive a deep discount! >