It's Saturdaaaaay.................

It was a beautiful day today! The sun was shining, the dogs were barking and the weather was great.

I got out for a little parole by myself for a tiny bit today, but enough to declare it mental health escape day. I think it did a lot of good for me even for that little bit. The two older boys have been arguing (duh) and the baby has been cuddly and cute yet clingy. And, well, as I have mentioned before, Jessie is 15. And a 60 pound lap dog. And a roof meowing cat. And customers. And the surgery thing. And there is that whole around the house stuff as well.

Oh, well, I'm not in the best of health or moods tonight so I will cut it short. Have a great night and God bless!

It's Saturdaaaaay.................

boy's!

So, it was that quarter of the year when I shave the boy's heads in some semblance of handsomeness. The haircuts. Thank heavens Niki still has such cute curly hair! I only have to make sure that it is short enough to stay out of his eyes. Timmy used to only allow the barber to do his hair, but then he retired about a year after we started going. (I think it was due to Noah)! Noah has not had a straight or even hairdo in his life. He isn't wiggly, obstinate or disobedient: He's ticklish! He cannot stop laughing which in turn I think saves him from having the stylist very upset with him. So now I can no longer bear his tresses upon my shoulders. I take him in. It is the best six bucks I could ever spend! Since the barber has now retired (sorry about that Frank) Timmy does not want the girls to do his hair in the girl places. He wants me to do it.

Man I was so close to getting out of it! Oh, well!

Anyone who knows me will know that I enjoy my children very much. But, if Noah comes in one more morning bouncing on the bed and helping up his two year old brother at 6 in the morning and loudly proclaiming that it is time to wake up, I'm going to scream. Time change, take me away. My oldest used to do the same thing before the teenage years kicked in and anything before noon was considered inhumane!

Question: What are your plans for the holidays?

Excuse # 11 : The stars are not lined up quite right!

"What light through yonder window breaks?"

Weeeellllll............

Well, I did start out by saying a writer writes, sometimes. Sorry I wasn't on the ball the last couple of days. I did try the one day, but after I typed everything in the battery gave out and I lost it all. This site has a wonderful auto save feature and it had apparently saved, "hello".

Today was pretty good. No, I did not send out those manuscripts yet, this was my 'manly man fix the house with very little energy' day. Put a drawer face back on, a strip on a closet door, Vaseline on the toilet flap in the tank, (don't ask!, just don't!) and little panda shoes on little Nik feet for the three thousandth time today. Obviously they are too loose and if I cannot tighten them, panda bears are going to become extinct in our house.

Speaking of bears, I learned today that Koalas are not bears, they are marsupials! Imagine that! Probably the entire world paid attention to that fact except me. I retract that statement slightly, I knew they were marsupials, I just didn't make the connection to them not being bears. Who doesn't love a cuddly koala bear, huh? Can I still say that or will that offend if they evolve and learn to read?

Reading! My son can spell beautifully! Give him a word and he will not only sound it out, he will tell you the rules as to why letters are silent and so on! He says he cannot read, though. No matter how much I encourage him and try to convince him, he doesn't understand that if he can do that, he can read. I know it will take some adjustment on his part, but for heavens sake I cannot wait for him to discover the joy there is to be had in a good book.

Question: Why do we limit what we think we can do to that which is expected of us? Why not exceed all expectations?

Excuse for the day: #10 - Mr. Clean and Mr. Fixit cannot multitask when recovering from surgery!

"Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!"

Humpty Dumpty

*+*+*Good evening!*+*+*

I got a phone call from friend of mine yesterday and thought I should clarify: we were not playing all out football, people! I did not go from laying on my side to insanity! I tossed it to Noah, who tossed it to Timmy who then tossed in reverse. I didn't even have to run after it or pick it up with my little curly haired golden retriever getting it for me. He kept telling me thank you for letting him get it for me.

I love that kid!

Four years ago Timmy managed to knock out his two front teeth and now, he has somehow managed to lose half of one of his upper teeth and we find out tomorrow if it was adult or baby. I asked him if it hurt and he said it did somewhat. When I asked for the phone and the phone book to call the dentist, he suddenly felt the pain subside and healing began. I'll see how much it will cost to just go on and have them all pulled and put in dentures!

I was not aware machismo started this early. Timmy will not and has never shown fear or any sign of weakness that he can tell. Noah is still young. He will tell me in a heartbeat that something creeped him out or scared him. I love that age. Nik is too brave to be scared, I think. Our dog tried to take his toy to chew on the other day and he conked him on the muzzle and said, "No, mine!" and the dog walked off with his tail between his legs. It was hilarious watching this two year old be in command of this huge dog!

I wrote nothing, not even my to do list today. I barely stayed awake today.


Question: What is the dumbest thing you ever did that made you a smarter person today?

Excuse #9 : I took the day off, who am I to argue with what God has put in place.



"Una vida vivida en el miedo es una media vida vivida!"

Pigskins abound!

Hi, all! I hope that you are having a wonderful Saturday as am I . I awoke in such a great mood and so did the boys. I have to walk daily to prevent blood clots and such so we went on a walk and then I stood in place while we tossed the football around (neither of them will have careers in the NFL, don't feel threatened). Nik on the other hand has deadly accuracy and a great arm, I think football or soccer or baseball is certainly in his future. I know if he used a ball instead of toy cars or shoes, the windows would be happier.

Okay, since I didn't get any suggestions the other day, I will assume I am on my own. I know some of you have been having problems with leaving comments, so let's see what we can do.

First, you must become a member of the Blogger website which is located somewhere on the right hand side here. Next, you become a follower (you don't have to, but I would feel better) and then click on the leave comment button just under the blog of your choice. I hope this works. I haven't had to do it, but, I am told this is the most effective means to do so.

I overdid it today, I know. Football was probably the last thing I should have been doing but I feel so bad not being able to do all of this with them for all of this time and then it was so beautiful outside....

I am submitting five copies of my manuscript this week and could use all the prayers in the world. Some thing's gotta give. I just think there is a better way to get my book published than what they have listed in their contract. It is insanity.

So, for the next few weeks, I think my goal is going to just be to push what I already have than to try to create more. I think part of the problem is that with everything hurting and then being so hectic, I just don't have any spare creative juice to go around!

I haven't heard from the 24 Hour short story contest yet, but as soon as I do I will let you know how it went. I think there is still two weeks before they announce any winners. I look forward to the winter contest, though. It's easier to write when the backdrop can be any level of the winter weather and whatever setting you would like.

Nik is letting me know I have been sitting (yes! SITTING!) too long with this hunk of plastic.

Today's question: Who do you want to win the Superbowl, whether they have a chance or not?

Also today, excuse #9: I just decided against it. I felt like I could do that and not feel too guilty. I have to buckle down and the excuses will soon turn to questions and reasons and thoughts, I know. But, for now, I have to help myself remember to breathe some days. And putting this off is unfortunately one of the easiest ways of gaining myself a little sanity everyday. It is hard to concentrate on a single story, thought, or idea for any amount of continued time when someone is always over your shoulder. Especially when you are 250 pages in with different time lines and 8 characters. You kind of have to be able to concentrate a little more.

Have a great time today!

"There's no crying in baseball!"

Good night8

Well, I"m doing a lot better today. I am actually sitting down here and there for short periods and not screaming at the end. So, the urge for poetry is getting stronger and stronger. I actually think that maybe I'll pull out a pad of paper and pencil and see what happens tomorrow.

Question: Any body out there?

Excuse #8I'm thinking....I'm thinking...I'm thinking....

"Stay with me, baby!"

This is gonna be short...

Hey-ho. I'm tired. I'm sore.

Question of the day: Is it the 26th of October yet?

Excuse, just can't do it. #7

"I think I can, I thought I could." I was wrong.

Goodnight, all.

Sweet Dreams!!

Hi! Okay, formalities out of the way, what is with the pills on the market out there? One that guarantees a great nights sleep. Side effects: heat attack, stroke, memory loss, blindness, dementia or swollen tongue or throat resulting in death. Sweet Dreams!

Another promises great eyelashes, just make sure you keep the aspirin close so when that cute paramedic trying to restart your heart sees you he won't say, "Hey, good thing she took those aspirins to help with the heart attack, it would be such a waste to lose such perfect eyelashes!" I know society has this huge stone around our necks trying to tell us what we should look like, who we should be, how we should be.... But, if he's Mr. Right, don't ya think he might forgive a slight tummy bulge and thin eyebrows? Otherwise, you have wasted your money for no real reason at all. If you need any real proof, accidentally drop your fork and when he bends, count the plugs that he had put in a few months ago to impress the ladies.

I guess we only have to catch one, though, right? Then, women go through even more to try and keep him. If you have to turn backwards flips to keep him, again, you can't get plastic surgery for your attitude or personality.

Yes, more time on the couch, on my stomach with these awful infomercials. Yes, more time not writing and instead trying to just not turn into a turnip or some other vegetable. (Not potato, they're bad for my blood sugar).

I have, for some strange reason, have had the urge to write poetry again. While I have some published, I haven't thought about it for some time. But, that's good. That means the gerbils up there are still moving around (maybe not using their little wheel yet, but moving and alive).

So, question: How far would you be willing to go for a guy, and would you admit that that is the reason why you were altering your appearance?

My excuse:#6 My hand was fused to the remote and thus, unable to type.

"You've been nipped and tucked...You're a turkey!"

Some days,........

Hi, all. How was your day? I, for one, worked too hard (thanks for the distraction, Linda) did too much despite my oath to take it easy, and probably ate too many veggies today. It could have been worse, regional Mickey's Donuts. Or White Castles. Or- I better stop, I'm getting hungry and I am not going back downstairs to make anything.

Well, I at least did a document recovery on my current tids and bits writing. I did not put anything down, but at least it's a start. Contrary to popular belief, I do want to finish one of my books, I just have been away from it for so long that it seems such a daunting prospect to take on. I know some of the tricks like an outline (which I never do) a brainstorm page, (which I always lose) and also the ever popular, just wade into it and burn out in a day or two. I've done that many a time and am sure this one is not working for me. If you have any ideas, feel free to bombard me with them.

Question : I understand flies help to decompose, but what earthly good has anyone found yet for mosquitoes!? Please tell me if you know.

Excuse #6 : I can't think for the cravings and hunger pains! My mind is a blur! Procrastination always brings on a huge appetite!

Night!!

I am leaving you with a little food for thought-Taco Bell, Olive Garden,etc.... (ha-ha)

I Found it!

Okay, so the computer was in the car. Don't ask and I won't lie.

Now, did any 0f you have boys? And if so, do they always eat this much!? My goodness! Seriously, I fed them lunch and fifteen minutes later one of them turned to me and asked when were we eating lunch and the two others looked at me expectantly!

I need a refrigerator lock and a lower electric bill!

I actually considered writing today. The pain has gotten so that I can now sit upright for a couple of hours of the day (total, not in a row). I write these blogs on my stomach now when the kids aren't around of course. I would be a trampoline in a minute!

I want to add in a question of the day, if I may.

What do you hope to accomplish today? Is it work related, not eating that bedtime snack, some goal or other that has to be done in baby steps or something you think no one but you is interested in? I want to know. I do.

Today's excuse: #5 I'm in too philosophical a mood to consider the surreal. (ha ha)

Missing my weekly Church Boost

Sitting in church was just not going to happen today. If I'd have had my fifteen year old here, it might have been feasible, but alas, no. I missed having service, though. It gives me a boost that lasts throughout the week. Do any of you feel that way or am I the weird one out as usual?

We have made progress in recovery. Nik has discovered that he can put my head on his lap and he can sing to me and read me books (on my head of course). It is so sweet (unless he forgets his dittie and then you see mom able to jump up very quickly).

Anywho, I actually sat up in a chair for a while today and enjoyed the breeze outside. I couldn't do it for too long, but it's better than it was.

I am using my daughters computer since I cannot locate my little one. It is an EEpc and it is tiny and it is lost in the house somewhere (probably with all the socks).

That brings me to reason #4: I can't find my computer to type. (almost as bad a smy dog ate it)

IT'S SATURDAY!!!

Well, another day gone by and three weeks left of convalescence. Geesh! I now have a constant couch buddy system. The baby on my head or on my side, the cat (Lillian) at my feet in a huddled ball to avoid being trampled on, Noah behind the couch in the window seat, and Timmy on the floor in front of me watching 'The Shakiest Gun in the West'.

Gosh, you wouldn't know that we didn't live in a one room shack with the way they 'support' me. Timmy's a really good cook, so he likes to make breakfast. Noah and Nik like to eat it. I try to get them to help clean it up. If wishes were kisses....

Today's excuse: I am feeling too 'fenced in' to let my mind roam and create! (Good one, huh?)

Egads and Hummel...

Okay, so I have to go to Norfolk tomorrow for a doctor's appointment. Geesh! Not looking forward to the ride. Eh, but it is a necessary evil. I swear they use the scales as a form of torture. Anyone who dreads getting on the scale makes sure that all kith and kin are at least five hundred feet back and in another room behind a closed door before they will ever step on a scale. At the doc's, let's not only record what the evil device says, lets face it towards the open hall so that all who may care to see may look and do a silent eye roll as the numbers make them think of rocket science!

Oh, well. It shouldn't be too bad. I am definitely getting a venti-mocha vanilla coffee with whole milk and whipped topping, though. Darn those scales!

Excuse #2: I was too mind boggled by the scale and the outing itself to write anything.

It's Hump day

Well, made it out of surgery allright. Now I just have to somehow get the kids to realize that their trampoline/maid is down for the count for a little while. My fifteen year old of all people has stepped up and really helped out a lot.

Sorry I did not write for the past few days, when you have this much pain medication in your system, you should have enough sense not to write knowing you will have no idea until you've pushed send as to wha you wrote.

Today's excuse: I'm recovering from surgery and can't sit in a chair for a few days.

Hey, that is almost close to a legitimate excuse if it weren't for the fact that I was able to write this blog, though!
''

Crunchieees!!

My two year old is feeding me colossal crunch cereal and, he is such a sweetheart, he is sharing each soggy little piece with me. Awww. Well, I guess it could be worse, it could be... No, half eaten pieces of soggy cereal are right up there. But they are given with such love. Now he is trying to close the computer qawoei with a;osi4h his asdjfapoij foot. (His typing, not mine) Okay, this may not be a long one today, just rambling on a bit.

He is relying on that cute blonde curly hair and chubby cheeked smile to get him out of trouble, and it's working. He knew it would, hence the knowing smile.

Well, as far as procrastination goes today, I reread the short story I sent in and found that it wasn't half bad, the other half...eeegnhh. I guess I'll be trying again next time.

I was offered a new contract for a new children's book! That was awesome, I just wanted to try a different publisher this time and things are going sloooowwwwllllyyyy.

Oh, no!! He's back wi8th the cereal! AARRGGHH!

See ya!

Today is .....

The day has come. I am (I am sad to say) as dumb as my mother was when I was fifteen. It's official.... My fifteen year old says so. I can't wait to get my intelligence back in a few years or so. I know there is nothing surprising or very interesting about this statement to the general public, but to a mom, it always seems to come as a shock. Even if you've already been through it before. But then you get to blame the older one for modeling such erratic behavior. Who thought up this divine joke for me? Two teen aged daughters at the same time and three boys under the age of ten by myself?! IF you truly can't die until you've finished all of your work, I will tell the AI bots that bring me breakfast in bed a millenia from now all about you.

God is good to us all, it just seems sometimes he trusts some of us entirely too much.

oh, well

Bye. So much for motivation.

Me

oh, well.

Hello, all

Well, it's been a year. A long, sometimes turbulent, sometimes exciting and interesting year. The perverbial ups and downs were there, but knowing that more ups are to come than downs, it makes day to day a lot more bearable.

I haven't written for a week now, and I think that's okay. We spent the day in Omaha at the children's museum and went to his favorite restaurant, the spaghetti works. We were actually at the museum for 5 hours! They had a huge Clifford exhibit that the kids could play on.

I miss him...he would have had fun....

oooooo...

They move out at 18, right? Is 14 too early to start a countdown!?!?!

Writing with them is amazing. If my head leaves the pillow, they all wake up. If the phone rings, they all seem to answer and hold a conversation with me as if they are the ones who called me! IF my hands make a single tap on the keyboard, everyone needs to talk, sing, show me something or have glass in their foot! (I don't mind stopping for that one... I guess).

Okay so the Egyptian is watching the Israelites leave the city, what is he thinking?

No, it is not-"No, Noah, you may not get on the treadmill!"

Ah.....

Writing. Somehow I found time for writing! Between beds, laundry, vacation Bible school, teething, trash, etc..., somehow I found time to get Josie a little closer to the unnamed town and closer to her fate.

Now, about the other story. Anybody know any good Egyptian names? I know it seems odd, but the site is having a different anthology at the end of the year and will take submissions until October. Woo-hoo!

Anywhooo, it is now time for me to hit the hay and try to get a jump start on tomorrow.

I wish I could wake up and the entire house not discover it as soon as my head leaves the pillow!

Bye

before the parade passes by....

The Fair was here! The birds and the beasts were there. So were my daughters for most of it. They actually got to be in the parade for Redeemer.

Writing, writing, writing.....Oh, yeah! How does that happen, again? I remember, you get time to sit down and not have three boys climbing over you and then you think without being asked why is the sky blue.

I'll tyr again tomorrow.

Bye

Hmmm...

Well, I have slacked off and have nothing to write today. I am just not in the mood. I guess I should still write even though I don't feel like it, but I just can't. I guess I won't be writing tomorrow either. The County Fair is in town and the parade is tomorrow right in front of my house. Between church, the parade and kids who will inevitably end up hopped up on sugar from the candy they throw, I think we can cancel out tomorrow.

I don't know, is anybody actually reading this?

Oh, well......

Okay. I like the way this is going. I have gotten a new name from 'info'. Josie is a great name for the character because it gives you this saucy kind of Josie and the Pussycat feel while also being a touch masuline somehow.

I will put in an excerpt tomorrow because it is so very late tonight! I was able to edit at least today.

I always wonder how established writers ever get anything done. The ones that have kids must hide in their bathrooms on the side of the tub to be able to type for any length of time and concentrate! The one year old screaming ma ma through the door is enough to make me forget how to type half of the time.

Maybe someday he'll take a nap and I can try it then.....

TOO SIMILAR

TOO SIMILAR!!!!! AAARRRGGGHHHH!!! Since this is the tail-end for submissions to be in (actually past the end date) it was too similar to one they had previously accepted for the same anthology so they had to pass on it!

AH, well, se' la vive! I will just keep continuing on the work on the doll story for EQ and just finish it up.

Okay, can anyone think of anything scarier on a doll than Queen Anne's lace. Especially when the main character ends up wearing it.

Bye!

Well....

So, writing from three different sources and trying to combine them into one story was a bad idea. It's a good thing that Ellery Queen has no deadline!

Still waiting on someone to give me THE name. The name that will make me like my character again.

Also, I sent off a second story to the Bloody Carnival. Ewwww! That does sound gross doesn't it?

I also contacted my editor regarding the second children's book. Haven't heard from him yet, but probably won't until Monday anyway.

Got any ideas about cowboy sci-fi? No idea on my end.

Bye!

Ay!

Well, not much writing getting done today. I had one sick little guy with a goo gab o' teeth coming in and nowhere to go but my lap. I tell you, I was glad for the cuddle.

I am determined to catch up tomorrow, though. Oh! And I heard of another contest in September that you only get twenty-four hours to write the story after you receive instructions on what the content is, etc.. I thought that would be cool so I signed up!

Hope you all had a good one. Be glad teething is a thing of the past (depending on how old you are)!

I did it....

I did it! I submitted for the first time in over two years, but I did it! Granted, it is a horror magazine, but I'm flexible (note, not moldable).

I actually think this blog thing is helping. I wish there were more people reading it, but, oh well. I guess it takes time.

Even if it isn't all that exciting, knowing someone out there is reading it makes me feel more accountable. Like I have to write. I also use it as me 'cool down' time when i have finished writing for the day.

Wait, I guess I very well couldn't write a blog about my daily writing if I wrote it before the writing actually took place, could I?

Next is more work on the Mr. Ellery Queen submission!

Bye!

Another bean on the plate....

Okay, making huge progress, here. Wrote for another three hours today. I forgot how much I enjoyed doing it.

I guess when there are only so many hours in the day you just don't get time to miss doing anything. Especially when you come to value the concept of not doing anything.

I also have started a short story for a different magazine with a sooner deadline. I thought that if there was anything to get my feet wet with it would be this. It is for a horror magazine. This should be fun!

Since I have no name suggestions yet I think I will just give them tentative names and go from there.

Wish me luck!

Let's try this again!!!

Okay! I found it! I know it sounds lame, but I lost my blog! I tried blogsphere, blog spot even blogging daze, nothing! But, here it is!

Please forgive me! I actually did write on at least three of the days. SO that is better than having done nothing for over a year.

I thought 'Baby Steps' from "What about Bob" would be a good start. So, I am going to do and Ellery Queen submission. Most people I have talked to don't realize that he was a he, not a she. But, then again, the name Ellery is misleading.

Does any one want to give me a suggestion for the name of the Town my character Marta will be going to for the stealing of her soul?

Go ahead, give me your best!

It is one third of the way done and I still don't like her name, even. So suggestions on that would be fun, too!

UUUGGGHHH!!!

Okay, this is farther than I have gotten in over a year: I pulled up the file from my documents and left them open! I even scrolled down to re-read the title! I'll freely admit, I did this fully intending to do the writing. But, being in a car with four kids for a week so far while camping and at a church convention does not exactly put you in the frame of mind to write, let alone think! EWWW! I just killed another bug on the screen!

I am currently at a KOA in Kentucky and the connection is horrible. I barely got this message to go through.

Okay, so the next step is to just get into this slowly, write? (ha-ha)! I think I'll just do a grammar and spell check tomorrow on the 1000 words and see how it goes.

Heck, maybe I'll be at a KOA that has a connection speed faster than a pack mule fully loaded crossing the ocean!

Wish me luck! I should be able to relax and get some kind of writing done on a vacation, right?

Lazy! Lazy! Lazy!!!

I am now stooping to new forms of procrastinating. But, with your help, I want to change that. Okay, here's the plan: I edit or write a thousand words a day, I blog. I don't edit or write, I still blog but profess my failure to you. Please be kind!

I was told by my husband that I could do this. I already have a children's book published (There's a Gorilla in the Library), but the one he believed in is actually a sorta sci-fi-sorta not book. I have to finish it. He died one year ago next month and that was our promise. Whoever went first, finished it.

I need some support, guys!!