A true Southern woman who knows any cook worth her gumbo always starts with a roux and who never wears white after Labor Day, Christa Allan writes women’s fiction, stories of hope and redemption. Her latest novel, Since You’ve Been Gone released in 2016. Her other novels include: A Test of Faith (2015), Threads of Hope (2013), Edge of Grace (2011), and Walking on Broken Glass (2010).
Her indie novel Because You Loved Me was re-released in 2017 (formerly published as Love Finds You in New Orleans), and a novella, Just Want They Want for Christmas (2015).
Christa is the mother of five, grandmother of three, and recently retired after teaching twenty-five years of high school English. She and her husband Ken recently moved a lifetime in New Orleans to Houston, so she could annoy her children in person.
And since Christa feels as comfortable talking about herself in third person as she does watching Elaine (of Seinfeld) dance, her daughter has provided the following info about her:
My Mom by Erin Simonson
This is a random list of things about my mother that I find intriguing, inspirational and admirable, sometimes funny and different. They are in no particular order!
When she eats yogurt (ice cream, etc.) she turns the spoon upside down just before placing it in her mouth (consequently, my niece Emma does the same, just with everything but yogurt).
She talks on the phone with one leg propped up on the other, rests the phone on her shoulder. I’m still trying to figure out the propping leg thing without falling over while managing to have a conversation.
Her husband, my step-father, is best known as Poopie – not sure why that is a term of affection – but it works for her.
She obsesses about her weight (although she looks damn good for a mother of 5!).
Took the time to edit, review and revise all of my college papers.
Always corrects people when they use inappropriate grammar – even goes so far as to e-mail people on websites to make sure that they know they’ve misused a noun, verb or adverb or had a misspelling (a very grave error for this former English teacher).
She could spend hours in the grocery store – especially those in Texas.
She has wonderful stories about her parents and childhood that I can’t wait to hear.
When drinking coffee, she always leaves her stir spoon on the counter creating a little circle of coffee.
Grandchildren are her pride and joy (and she keeps prodding me to give her more!).
Avidly reading the Bible everyday; she is God-fearing.
Fights for the love of her children no matter what the cost.
She and my sister Sarah (with Down Syndrome) fight like two old ladies.
Gets admittedly confused when attempting to read my political science papers.
Has 3 cats that she has a love/hate relationship with.
Is very directionally challenged – yes – even with a navigation system!
Somehow has the ability to type like a madwoman although she’s never mastered the correct typing positions – she’s one heck of a pecker!
Uses coupons at the grocery and will overstock everything if it has saved her a few pennies.
Is creative and artistic but has NO organizational skills whatsoever!
Has a great, great sense of humor.
Does not believe in herself the way I do.
She is beautiful – on the inside and out.
Has struggled to maintain a relationship with her children.
Loves Hawaii and if she could afford to fly her children (or maybe I should say grandchildren) or herself to and from – would probably move there.
Sometimes eats ice cream for dinner.
When sitting comfortably, her legs are always tucked underneath her – sometimes in ways I can’t quite figure out.
Buys the newspaper for the crossword puzzles.
Answers every question with “Google it” – I truly believe she could be their spokesperson!
Loves her computer except when it does not listen to her needs!
Sings “Little Rabbit Fu Fu” to Emma and Hannah at every opportunity.
Wrote a most beautiful speech at my son’s funeral and is the reason for the quote on his headstone “A tiny whisper in the breath of eternity.”
Always, always remembers me on Mother’s Day, (Andrae on Father’s Day) Bailey’s birthday and Bailey’s going home day, when no one else does.
My dad tells me that when she was pregnant with my twin sisters (Shannon and Sarah) he had to put blocks on her car pedals because she couldn’t reach.
Is shorter than all of her children (except for Sarah).
She rarely sleeps.
Is always honest and upfront.
Hates to do things for herself – so I always try to make sure I do them for her.
When watching movies she asks tons of questions.
Wonders if when she goes to the mailbox one day she’ll disappear, and if so, how will anyone find her or know where to start looking.
Loves to watch the Saints play – whether they are having a good season or bad.
Like the rest of the family, is an avid LSU TIGERS fan and watches every game even though she does not know as much about football as she’d like!
I believe her daily walks are her way of being close to God in the nature He created.
Loves, loves, loves office supplies – especially pens – which I should point out at this time, never take her pens – she loves them . . . really.
Probably drinks more coffee in a day than I do in a month.
At one point, she had a coffee maker, microwave and small refrigerator in her classroom. I feared that she’d never leave!
Touches the life of at least one student a year. She is brought to tears when they write her from college or from their professional life thanking her for the gifts she’s given to them.
Is an amazing writer.
Throws herself into a project regardless of what that project might be. If it is painting her house she is determined to do it 110%.
Is touched by the little things in life . . . not the big gestures.
Hates that she never learned Greek (I hate it too, I would’ve loved to know it).
A good friend and better mother.
Wishes that her children had a better relationship with their living grandparents regardless of her relationship (or lack thereof) with them.
Has the greatest handwriting – I am totally jealous of her cursive!
Her ADD, even on medication, keeps her moving, moving, moving.
She rarely just sits to breath. She always has to be up and moving.
When cooking/baking, etc. leaves a mess from one end of the kitchen to the other.
She reads a lot of books and is always ready to make an awesome recommendation.
Would rather drink Coke Zero or coffee than water.
Inspires people she does not even know. I am constantly sending her blogs to college friends and they (one in particular – Stephen – is amazed by her).
Is a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She tries so very hard to keep up with technology but often gets left behind. Though I’ll admit her blog is awesome and she’s managed to do computer things I never imagined possible!
Supportive of her children, her husband, her friends and her students.
Gives without the expectation of anything in return.
Has a smile so beautiful it could light the world.
Loves Louisiana.
She is a Republican with strong Republican values.
Loves to go to Pappasito’s when visiting Texas.
Strokes my hair when I lay on her lap and it is the best thing ever!
Has always been supportive of her African-American son-in-law, especially when no one else was.
Keeps her students on their toes. Never takes any crap from them and is always armed and ready with a comeback should it be necessary (and it often is).
Is a bit of a smart ass (though that is one of my very favorite things about her).
Rarely complains and is thankful for all the things she has in life.
Misses her mother and father dearly
Makes the best cheesecakes.
Has this crab dish that only she can make the way I like and always makes it for me when I ask.
Not sure what she does to them, but her salads are the best!
Is loving, compassionate and kind to herself and others.
Attempts to play golf, and it is the cutest thing ever (yes Mom – adorable – her favorite phrase).
Is self-conscious in a swimsuit though her tummy is flatter than Britney Spears’.
Loves Seinfeld and Austin Powers (yes, all of them).
Her idea of a day of relaxation is a great chair, a great book and a great Starbucks triple grande vanilla latte with no foam.
Owned tapered jeans for much, much longer than anyone should’ve allowed.
Sometimes buys kids’ shoes…for herself
Believes that you shouldn’t drink your calories.
Thinks that Orlando Bloom is hottest in his elf character for Lord of the Rings.
Doesn’t understand my and my sister’s obsession with the Godfather (or any other gangster movies for that matter).
Devoted to writing in her journals. I imagine the words on the pages are like the poetry of her life, deep, wounded, with love and compassion.
Is a wonderful teacher and is in awe of the big, beautiful schools in Texas (especially this new one built in Cypress – I think she often forgets it is Texas – Friday Night Lights didn’t originate out of thin air!).
Writes beautifully.
Drives too fast.
I believe she could return to school and be an excellent attorney, although the truth is that her true calling is teaching.
Cannot sit still in a movie.
She is inspirational.
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