Archives for November 2011

November Rain

November 18, 2011 by Amy 3 Comments

I knew November was going to be busy but I don’t think I was prepared for this busy. Between the eBook launch, work and extra stuff like birthday parties and concerts, I am completely whooped. And I have PMS right now which, if you know me, equals crying about how busy I am.

Last night I wanted to murder the dog and quit my job, in no particular order. Yesterday morning as I was working from home, the dog slipped in the house with mud all. over. him. So then he got it all. over. the house. There were mud tracks all over all the hardwoods, on my brand new cream carpet, IN MY BED (which wasn’t made) and all over my bathroom counter where he was trying to reach a piece of cake that Lexi had left there the night before. I think that was the final straw for me yesterday. Now I had to re-mop all of my floors, which by the way, I had PAID to have mopped the day before, wash ALL bed sheets and blankets and scrub my carpet clean. Did I mention I didn’t have time for any of this??

Emma’s sleepover is tonight and I’m not prepared in the least. There are still cups, plates, napkins and balloons to get. Pizza to order. Bingo to print out. I’m lucky I remembered to order the cake earlier this week.

In the meantime, Scott is super busy too. He’s helping the church make windows of some sort and trying to help a friend lay tile. I want to go have coffee with my friends and somewhere fit in going to watch Breaking Dawn between all that. Oh, and there’s this little home study we have to do tomorrow afternoon.

In other words, PLEASE MAKE NOVEMBER STOP.

I’m hanging in there although I could use some serious prayers. I know this is just a season. Once I have this work thing licked in about 2 weeks and birthdays and Thanksgiving are done, December is going to feel like a treat. Two more weeks, folks. Two more weeks.

Taylor Swift Concert

November 17, 2011 by Amy 5 Comments

We’ve been planning this TS concert since the summer but then Taylor got sick and postponed. My girls super-duper love Taylor but I got an extra bonus when I found out Danny Gokey was her first opening act in Charlotte. Last minute, though, Lexi decided not to go. I still cannot explain why. She has yet to give any kind of explanation. So my niece happily stepped in her place and we were off.

The meet and greet with Danny was before the concert and it was odd because we were the only four there. We were in a small room. And to be honest it was fast and a little awkward. Normally Danny is super outgoing and talkative. I’m not sure if it was the kids or that his manager was in the room or he could sense that I got totally nervous. I’ve met Danny more times than I can count now and I really wasn’t nervous beforehand but I got super nervous when I saw him. I just know he was either nervous or something because he wasn’t quite as bubbly as he has been in the past. Anyway, he was still super gracious and took pictures with us and signed some stuff for us.

Remind me to burn that shirt and all it’s fluffiness, please. I promise my waist line is in there somewhere.

Danny opened and was superb. He sounded really solid but unfortunately was only given time for four songs. NeedtoBreathe was next. I saw them at Knights Castle after a baseball game a few years ago and that didn’t even compare to hearing them live in an arena. They sang all my favorite songs and were just a joy to listen to.

When Taylor came out, it was already passed the girls’ bedtime. They were slouching further and further down their chairs. But when she came out, they were beside themselves. Emma kept holding her arms close to her and smiling and alternately giving me hugs. You could see the pure joy on her face and it was a great moment.

Taylor is unbelievable in concert. The only other person I’ve seen that compares is Reba McEntire. Superb performer. Amazing sets. Amazing costumes. And really? Taylor sounded amazing.

A great, great night for us.

Future Classic: The Chicken Pot Pie Crust

November 15, 2011 by Amy 7 Comments

OK, so this is going to be funny. Hang in there.

This all started with this tweet last night:

And I was exhausted! But super proud of myself for thinking about dinner the night before. All it needed was the crust which was already frozen in a disc in the freezer. I even remembered to sit it in the fridge before I went to bed. Last night I asked Scott if he thought he could roll it out and put it on and have it in the oven 30 minutes before I got home from the office. He’s really good about cooking if you tell him what to do. I asked him if he wanted instructions then or wanted to do it over the phone while I was at work today. He brushed me off and said, “No, let’s deal with it tomorrow.”

This morning I emailed him instructions telling him lots of details like to sit it out on the counter so the butter would get to room temperature and put flour down and make sure to put slits in it, etc, etc. He never asked any questions.

So this afternoon I get a call while I’m talking to my manager. I ignore it. When I’m done, I call Scott back and he starts in on an aggravated (but not mad) rant. “This dough will not roll out right! It keeps breaking apart! Is it old or something?”

I said, “No, I just made the other half of that batch like 2 weeks ago and it was just fine. Maybe you put too much flour on it?”

Scott says, “No, I didn’t. Even before I started it was falling apart. I rolled it back in a ball and tried again but then as soon as I touched it, it fell apart. So I just picked it up in pieces and laid it on top. I just wanted you to know when you saw it.”

I said, “That’s fine, honey. We’ll still eat it.” And it really was fine. It was 5:00 by this time and I was stuck in traffic. I really didn’t care what it looked like. And I was super proud of him for doing it without grumbling. On the rest of the way home, I was just thinking about what a good guy he was and when I cut my piece out of the pie I would enjoy it so much more knowing that he had done that for us. Yadda. yadda.

Then I get another phone call before I get home. Scott says, “Was that sugar cookie dough you had in a cylinder tube in the freezer?”

It dawns on me immediately what he’s done. “Yes. You didn’t use that did you?”

Yes. He did. He didn’t read the email carefully so immediately went for the first frozen thing in aluminum foil in the freezer. Little did he realize I had already put the pie dough in the fridge so it was already thawed for him. He said he even checked the freezer up and down when it was flaking so badly and still didn’t see anything.

So he says, “It tastes pretty good though. I figured it out when I took a bite and it was so sweet.”

Holy cow. Funniest thing EVER.

Top Ten Signs of an Emotional Affair

November 15, 2011 by Amy 2 Comments

Are you unsure what an emotional affair is or wonder what one looks like? The following list is an excerpt from my eBook Entangled. It’s not an exhaustive list of ways to recognize if you’re in an emotional affair and there are many more details in the book. But if these spark something in you, I want to highly encourage you to read Entangled.

You think about him all the time.
Your daydreams are consumed with him.
Songs make you think of him. You may or may not share lyrics.
You write poems or stories reflecting feelings or fantasies.
You think of him when you dress or fix your hair.
You confess dreams or feelings for each other.
When you’re not together you remain connected. Your spouse is unaware.
You desire to see him or being where you know he will be.
You refer to each other as girlfriend/boyfriend or office wife/husband.
You wish you’d never met your husband or you fantasize his death.

You can check out more about the book at the site EntangledBook.com

This list is linked with Top Ten Tuesday over at ohamanda.com.

Entangled: The River

November 14, 2011 by Amy 4 Comments

God gave me something really cool this weekend regarding Entangled. Well, lot’s of things but I want to share this one. You’re going to have to read an excerpt of a chapter though to get the gist of it. The following is from the beginning of the Love chapter.

A flower, watered by the rain, grew on the side of the riverbank. When the rain stopped, it reached through its roots to the river. The flower bloomed like never before. In time, the river dried up and the flower wilted until the rain came back gently. However, the flower was the same as the others now, never blooming as it once had when fed by the river water.
That was the gist of a metaphorical short story I wrote the year after my affair ended. It defined how I felt about what had happened. Scott had been providing what I needed to survive. When his “love” felt like it ended, I started looking elsewhere to survive. This new person, the river, made me feel like I never had before. But that was temporary. Scott eventually began pouring his love out again and I could bloom once more. At the time I wrote the story, I just knew I would never feel complete.

I went on to talk about how our source of love should be from God and not man. I used the verse in John 15 where it talks about Jesus being the vine and us, the branches.

Now, before I sound like some disciplined saint, I have to be honest and say I have not been reading Scripture lately like I should be. Sure, I listen to sermons and music and read books but haven’t sat down with the Bible like I should be. All my extra time has been spent on launching this book. It’s no excuse, but true.

Last night my Bible opened to Jeremiah 17 and of course I recognized 17:9 so I decided to back up a bit and read what was leading up to that verse. And look!

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7, 8 NIV

I mean, are you for real? The same weekend I launch this thing he gives me a picture of the EXACT thing I had written years ago, for sinful purposes, at that. Another beautiful reminder of how our source of love is only in Christ. I love that it says in a year of drought, it never fails. Yes! When we have those times of drought when our marriages and relationships are suffering, if we are getting our love needs met through Him, we will not fail. In fact, the beginning of the passage says we’ll be blessed.

God is so cool.

If you want to read more from Entangled, please hop over to the site!

Entangled: The Morning After

November 12, 2011 by Amy 8 Comments

Well, it’s the morning after launch day. I didn’t think I would feel different but I do. Free. Light. Peaceful. Loved. Grateful. While in many ways, the journey has just begun, I feel like my obedience is complete. If I were Moses, I think I’m at that part where he raised his staff over the water. It’s a scary, but simple thing. But also the difference between death and a miracle. The rest of this is up to God. I fully expect to see my own Red Sea part. There are already hearts being touched. My greatest hope is that people cling to truth and our darkest places are revealed and replaced by God’s love.

A few people (that aren’t my mom, sister or best friends) took the time to read it yesterday. Some shared privately how it was affecting them. Please pray for those ladies. Many are stuck in that maze. I thought I could share a few thoughts from others today:

‎"If you want an example of what it is to be ‘Bold for Christ’ read Entangled and let the healing begin."- Katrina Harman Roper CEO Sheriff Snacks LLC A ministry for deputies and those they serve.

“Emotional affairs almost ruined my marriage as they were happening on both sides of the coin. We did make it through them without the book, but it would have been so much easier with the book. A hardcopy of this book would go right next to Fireproof and the Love Dare to remind us of what could be and what we have accomplished together. This book is definitely a lifesaver for us.” – Mandy Reilly

“I spent the afternoon and part of tonight reading (its past midnight here), and … This story is … Moving, inspiring, and touching.” – Claire

“..already thru half the book…she says "women’s guide"…I think not…it is "everyone’s" guide” – Chris

“I have already read most of it – just finishing up and I love it. She is right on target. I’m on the pride and deceit portions of the book – fighting back tears – I’m glad God humbles us, but it is painful. Some of the things I’ve come to realize in myself is ugly to look at, but I know God is cleaning the junk out of me. I’m grateful she wrote this book – I don’t feel quite so alone now.” – Lisa Taylor

“I don’t feel quite so alone now.” That is powerful. What more of God could I have asked?

If you haven’t gotten your copy, head over to EntangledBook.com. Also, be sure to watch Facebook and Twitter for more review posts coming out today.

Entangled: Launch Day

November 11, 2011 by Amy 23 Comments

Entangled 01 - scripty font red

It’s 11-11-11 and that means Entangled is HERE!!!!

Get it Free

This deal has expired!

The site has been updated with all the buy links so hop over to buy it now OR GET IT FREE from 8am to 8pm today. Here’s how:

Post about the book on Facebook, Twitter or your blog. Here’s a few sample messages:

My friend Amy Bennett’s eBook Entangled is out today, find out how to get it free here: http://www.entangledbook.com

or

#Entangled eBook by @amyjbennett is out today, find out how to get it free: http://www.entangledbook.com

THEN email me at amyjbennett@gmail.com with the subject FREE ENTANGLED to let me know you’ve done so with a link to your post. I’ll send you a download link for the PDF. I can not offer the book free from Amazon or Barnes and Noble so if you really want it in those formats, you’ll have to go for one of the buy links 🙂

Read the Reviews

Several awesome people are blogging about the book over the next week so look out on Facebook and Twitter for links to their posts. Be sure to like Entangled on Facebook!

Today’s posts:

Cindy Beall
Modern Mrs. Darcy
Becky
Mother of Fashion
MelissaOh

Win the Paperback

This deal has expired!

Winners are:

Jan
Sonja
Allison
Darren
Katrina

How about another giveaway? I’m randomly giving away five copies of the paperback in addition to the eBook you get! Just leave a comment here and I’ll pick a winner tonight!

I can’t believe this day is finally here. Many mixed emotions will press the publish button this morning. As I was praying last night, God told me I wrote this book for Him but the message is for YOU. It is not an accident you are reading this. Go see what good things He has prepared for you.

Entangled: The Site

November 10, 2011 by Amy 2 Comments

Alrighty, folks, we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty. TOMORROW is launch day. And today you get to look around the site!

The site so far is going to be pretty much static but do you mind if I give you a tour? I think there will be many questions answered like the formats and news about an affiliate program!

Buy the Book

The buy links are in two places (BUT ARE NOT ACTIVE YET): the Front page and on the Buy page. There are 4 options:

Buy eBook Now: This is for those of you who do not have an eReader or want an immediate PDF download. Cost is $4.99.
Buy on Kindle: This is for those of you with a Kindle reader. You will be taken to Amazon.com to complete your purchase.Cost is $4.99
Buy on Nook: This is for those of you with a Nook reader. You will be taken to the Barnes and Noble site to complete your purchase. Cost is $4.99
Buy Paperback: If you find you prefer reading from a paperback or would like to have the resource at your fingertips or you’re my mom, you can order a paperback version for $10.98.

The Playlist

Once you read the book, you’ll see that on many of the chapters, I included a Theme Song. Originally, I had a few lines of lyrics from the songs that meant a lot to me but it turns out it costs you a lot of money to do that so we went with titles. Please be sure to know that many of the songs lyrics were very specific to what was happening in the chapter you were reading. As the site indicates, you can listen to them all for free through Spotify.

Resources

On the site, I have a few things that I hope will help. Books that I mention in the book, blogs that have been helpful and eBook related items.

Scripture

I have an entire section dedicated to the Scripture I used in the book. My healing was a very spiritual process for me so those are really important to me. I list all of them and then provide links to printable versions. They are also listed in the back of the actual book.

Finally, on the share page I give readers ways to get free sample chapters or free copies of the book and also provide images for people to use. You’ll notice I have the launch day special listed and one more thing we haven’t talked about: the affiliate program.

If you are planning to share the book on launch day to get your free copy, I highly recommend you sign up as an affiliate first. It’s super easy and every time someone buys a copy through your link, you get 30%. This is just my way of getting the message to as many people as possible and thanking you for doing it.

So go look around. In less than 24 hours, I’ll be updating the site so the buy links work and you’ll finally be reading Entangled!