If the Shoe(box) Fits . . . Be a Good Samaritan!

It's the Giving Season, y'all! That's right, I'm up on my soapbox, er, shoebox and I've got a message I think very worth sharing. Samaritan's Purse is a very cool charity that takes the message from the Gospel of Luke - the story of the Good Samaritan, you know the one: Jesus tells his followers to help those in need, whomever and wherever they are. You can learn all about them and about this special holiday effort here:
Samaritan's Purse: Pack a Shoebox!!

If you are interested, you can do what some friends of mine and I are doing - and what one very ambitious cousin of mine, my namesake Ella Neal, who along with her church is doing, a slew of shoe boxes - and pack up a box or two for a boy or girl who'll be thrilled to get it this season. Pick an age category (2-4, 5-9 or 10-14) and follow the printable instructions on the website as to what to pack and how to get it off to the right hands. Search by zip code to find a drop-off location during this "giving week" (November 15-22) or look for the address you can mail your box(es) to, and how to include the small donation ($7) to cover costs for Samaritan's Purse and participating churches and missions. It's not just because I love shoes, or because this is an economically feasible way for me to give this year, but something about this neat charity and their message really spoke to me. I think my 10-14 year old girl will be happy with what "Carrie Neal Land" came up with for her!!

It's a small thing, I know, but it was fun to do and feel part of something good and big. Speaking of, I found a great card that showed a "manger scene" of doggies with a very Big-like baby Jesus that was too cute to pass up - and included it as a note with my card, as the project guidelines suggest you do with your box. Maybe my girl will be inclined to write back and I'll have a pen pal, who knows? Whatever happens, and if you decide to participate, too . . . I hope you have a happy holiday season as it gets underway, goes along, and moves into the New Year. Best to you and yours!

As Always,
Carrie Neal

Inspired

Inspiration.

It has struck, my friends! I've got an idea and I am So Excited. No, scratch that. I'm Beyond. I'm totally kavelling beyond any heights Cher Horowitz ever reached! I've had that stroke of genius, an idea for a
book - let's call it a slice of life with a dash of creative license - and I've put pen to paper, er, computer . . . y'all stay tuned because with the support of The Boy and the help of a key partner in crime and penning, it's just going to be fabulous!

They say "Write what you know." Well, here goes. Game on.

As Always,
Carrie Neal

                                               
  . . .  The sweet smell of inspiration . . .

"Schmoga-Istas Forever"

*Warning and Disclaimer*: Schmoopy post of sorts to follow.

The Boy and I have noticed some kind of phenomenon surrounding us recently. I'm not sure - we, I suppose, I should say, are not sure - whether to call it a strange phenomenon, but it has certainly given us pause.

On enough occasions that we've literally been stopped in our tracks to just look at each other, at first just giving a mutually raised eyebrow of the "Did you just hear what I heard?" variety, then graduating to the seriousness of stopping mid-conversation to whisper to the other at the first chance "Are you hearing what I'm hearing? Did that person we don't really know just say that??"

Here's what I'm talking about. People everywhere we go say things to us. Things like, "Y'all are the most awesome couple we know." Or, "You guys inspire me. You make me feel like there's still a chance out there." Or, one of my favorites, and one that totally blew me away "You beat out my best friends in the world of fifteen years. I was in their wedding and have always thought they were the best thing going but then I met you guys. How long have you been together?" When we said three months, I swear I thought she was going to choke on her drink and spontaneously combust at the same time.

The thing is, the people who tell us these things are everyone from our own friends to random strangers. It's amazingly cool to hear and we have some theories as to why everyone from Bobby Donlan christened us "Atlanta's Fun Couple" to why our friend Tom says we make him want to write an ode to love (and I am pretty sure he was serious!). Mostly, we think it's because we're sweet to each other and it shows, and what we call being "Us" comes through. I don't think there's a science to love, but it is an art - it isn't hard but it takes work and we've both had it Not Good before, so we recognize that what we have now is So Good (though don't ask us about that other night this week when we both wanted to throw the other out of the car window, so don't get me wrong!). We're silly and do things like drink our beers out of plastic cups that say "Yoga Schmoga" on them, just because it makes us laugh; I'm also trying to become the better chef (a tall order because he has a super leg up in that department, but we like competition) and practice by cooking dinner almost every night and often lunch too, and he regularly scans the check-out counters for lip balms I've not tried and he brings me flowers often. We take care of each other.

I share all this with you, and write this post, because we have some real stressors in our life - but as The Boy said to me last night, our love life is good. The Schmoga-Istas are really good. And that, my friends, is a blessing, and it is apparently obvious to those around us and it is what bolsters us and will help us deal with the "everything elses" of the world that tap-tap-tap at our door. We'll handle it, I just know it, together.

As Always,
Carrie Neal

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Greetings and Salutations!

It has been nearly a year since I "launched" this new site and, shamwow, is there a lot to update and relate!

First, it is one of the best days of the year in "Carrie Neal Land," my birthday! In some ways, it is a difficult day but it has been made much sweeter by the onslaught of wishes and thoughts I've received in every form . . . modern technology is a blessing and to all of you who've called, texted, FB'ed, etc. I thank you from the very bottom of my heart!

Today would also be the start of year five of my very first website, CarrieNealLand.com. I decided that project had run its course and have archived it, and am on to new and different things and pennings, including this site! Now, it is where you will find the adventures and developments in not just "Carrie Neal Land," but related to the other ventures and endeavors, literary and *real world*, that make up my world. Stay tuned for all manner of exciting stuff!

I am still proudly representing Stella & Dot as a Stylist, and if you haven't already, you need to check out all of our gorgeous pieces for the girls in your life, at my e-boutique . . . http://stelladot.com/carrienealwalden.

I've also just gotten on board with a local "foodie" publication, Atlanta Cuisine (soon to be known as "Food & Beer Atlanta") and you will be able to find my musings there soon.

This update is to let you know that many fun things are in store, in Carrie Neal Land and for you, as friends, followers and "patrons." Look forward to talking to and with you all regularly from all of my new posts!

As Always,
Carrie Neal