100 Things About Me

I’ve seen these lists make the rounds of people’s emails and blogs but have never done one myself. After seeing another one today I thought…Why not? Looks like it might be fun. Besides, it’s a new year and maybe it would be good to reflect on where I’ve been. It might help me firm up my goals on where I want to be this coming year. So here goes (only I shortened the list from 106 to 100…let’s see what you can come up with!

Feel free to copy this list to your blog and asterix the things you've done and add a few new things. I’m not using the exact same list that’s being passed around, as I wanted to add a few new things of my own, and left off some that other’s have added that didn’t fit for me. Leave a comment here and tell me about some of your adventures or leave a link to your blog.


1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Lived in Alaska
4. Visited a foreign country
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland and Disneyworld
8. Climbed a glacier
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a duet with a friend at church (or a solo if that fits you)
11. Ridden a horse
12. Helped an animal give birth (in my case it was a horse)
13. Been close to where lightening struck the ground
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Been a foster parent
16. Had a case of Shingles
17. Driven a car in Mexico
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Driven the Al-Can highway two times (from Alaska thru Canada to Washington St)

20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Ice Skated
23. Owned more than four different types of animals at the same time
24. Built a snow fort
25. Been sledding on the old time runner sleds
26. Gone skinny dipping (in our own private pond lest anyone is gasping)
27. Had a cougar in my car
28. Took a cougar to work
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Been on a girls baseball team
32. Sailed on a sailboat
33. Owned a cougar
34. Gone camping
35. Ran the mile in track in high school
36. Learned a foreign language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Taken an honor’s class in college
39. Camped in the woods
40. Roller skated
41. Gone fishing in the ocean, river, lake and pond
42. Spoken in front of a group of people (at least 50)
43. Paid for something for a stranger
44. Owned pond we stocked with trout with it’s own fish ladder
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Flown in a two person airplane
47. Painted at least one oil painting (several)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Had the mumps (while in college)
50. Gave the mumps to a loved one (my fiancé)
51. Been called for jury duty
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Met someone famous
57. Started a business (at least four)
58. Started or have a web site
59. Visited Baja
60. Served at a teen shelter for street people
61. Been in the Girl Scouts
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Led a high school youth group
65. Taught a Sunday School class
66. Joined a book club

67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (book!)
70. Ridden in a glass bottom boat
71. Eaten lobster
72. Lost a loved one
73. Been on a bucking horse
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Worked for a newspaper
76. Driven 100 miles an hour (in a Corvette on a straight stretch one time)
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (I thought it was speeding, LOL!)
79. Sold a piece of art (oil painting)
80. Published a book
81. Been involved in a law suit
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Been stung by a bee
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (I'm not sure on this one, but have come close.)
86. Owned a cell phone
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (includes fish)
88. Had the mumps (while in college)
89. Gave the mumps (or measles) to a loved one (my fiancé)

90. Worked at a saw mill

91. Ran a piece of power equipment (saw, drill, planer, etc)

92. Driven a school bus (used for church groups)

93. Driven a Cat and/or excavator (heavy piece of equipment)

94. Acted in a play

95. Attended a musical

96. Felled a tree

97. Slept over night in a car

98. Built our own house

99. Threatened someone’s life (when I was 3 yrs old, LOL!)

100. Taught a class at school

Blessings Poured Out

My new historical romance (inspirational) Love Finds You In Last Chance, CA releases Feb. 1st and my author copies arrived this week end. I stood in quiet joy holding my newest (& 2nd) book in my hands after opening the case. Summerside Press is such a wonderful publishing house to work for, and they do beautiful work. I'm excited about my new release, but also thrilled to share the first official review.

A few days ago I discovered Romantic Times Magazine (one of the largest print review publications featuring both secular and Christian fiction) had just released my review and rating. My book received a 4 1/2 star rating out of 4 1/2 stars, something that I understand is not common in the tough, competitive rating world. The review states the following:

RT Rating: 4½
Category: INSPIRATIONAL
Publisher: SUMMERSIDE
Published: February 2009
Type: Inspirational (Historical)

Ferrell has done her research and produced a well-written tale, set in 1877 California, with characters that show depth of emotion and spiritual clarity. She adds a touch of suspense with plot twists that tweak at the heart. Readers will definitely want to read more from this author.
Summary: Alexia Travers' father died suddenly, leaving her burdened with a heavily mortgaged horse ranch. Getting married would be an easy solution, but instead, she puts on men's clothes and sets out to make the ranch a success on her own. When Justin Phillips comes to Last Chance with his young son, Toby, the effort to save the ranch quickly turns into a competition between cowboy and tomboy. But when disaster threatens, they must work together to save someone they both love. Can two independent people learn to depend on God and on each other? (SUMMERSIDE, Feb., 320 pp. $12.99)

—Lindy J. Swanson

I'm honored and blessed by the reviewers thoughts and rating.

Also, Kregel has officially offered and signed a contract for the sequel to The Other Daughter, tentatively titled Past Shadows. It should release in the fall of this year and I'll begin edits and revisions later this month. I should have a firm title and cover design to share within the next 2-3 months.

So as you can see, I'm indeed triply blessed by all that's happening in my career at this point and so very grateful.