Ring out, ring in.

The end of the year is coming to a close. Last year, as I reflected on the past, I was so glad that I hadn't known how hard it was going to be. I feel the same way this year. I'm trying to be hopeful for the coming year, but the truth is, you just don't know what the future holds.

This year, what I'm hoping for is literary success. I am entering a "First Chapter" contest during the LDS Story Makers conference. I have two stories that I will take and let me just say, I WANT TO WIN SO BAD! Who knows? It's possible.

There will be a grand prize, then first, second and third place prizes. Of course, I want that grand prize, but I would love to make any of those places. I have learned so much this year. Just the fact that I found a new love in writing is huge, but I have written a book, (over and over! lol) Started another, got accepted to a writing course, won the Peach Day's writing contest, and have made lasting friendships with other writers that I cherish. My cup runneth over in this area of my life.

I won't even go into the "Losing weight" area.

I will say that I hope to be healthier and happier in this next year, so that I can meat each and every "growing experience" with stamina and perseverance.

I thought about making the goal to quit swearing but I need at least one sin. I don't want to be translated after all.

So my prayer is that all of us, whoever you are out there, make this year the best you can, rising to the occasion and continually picking yourselves up by the bootstraps. That's what I intend to do. Good luck and Happy New Year!

Insomnia

Insomnia. Sounds like a great title for a book. He he. But it can be a cruel taskmaster too. All my life I was a good sleeper. As a kid, I never woke up for anything. A rock band could be performing in the next room and I wouldn't know it.

As I have aged, I've become like my mother who was a very light sleeper. It used to be so frustrating as a kid, because on Saturday mornings I loved to watch cartoons, and guess where the family room with the TV was. Yep, above mom's room. She could hear a pin drop from miles away. She had radar that the Russian subs would covet.

Now, here I am, in the same boat. In the last three months it has become terrible. I can fall asleep easily, but not stay there unless I take something. I know insomnia goes hand in hand with depression, which we have already decided is a temporary resident in my head. I have started taking Wellbutrin, and am still trying to decide if I like it, but it is helping. I still have insomnia though.

I have taken Melatonin which works to a degree but leaves me feeling twitchy and groggy in the morning. Especially now that I am taking Wellbutrin. I took AdvilPM for a while and I really liked that. I tried AmbienCR but my insurance wont pay for it so once the samples were gone, too bad. The doc did prescribe regular Ambien, but it doesn't work. The doc also gave me another drug which isn't even FOR sleeping. It's some heavy duty antidepressant I've never heard of, and it made me feel terrible and I didn't sleep. Oh, and get this, Wellbutrin causes insomnia! I just can't quit laughing about that! (At least I can still have a sex life!)

I skip taking something every so often to try and clear my system, but I just can't go without sleep day after day. I have made an appointment with a hypnotherapist and am hoping that it will work since nothing else has. You start to get desperate, you know?

I'll let you know what happens, if anything does! Like sleep. The things we do to sleep. Poor Heath. I feel so sad about that. He just wanted to sleep. I SO know that feeling!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Just a quick note to wish you all a Merry Christmas! We here are wrapping gifts, and getting excited to visit family. We are loving the snow. There is nothing better than a white Christma,s and as far as I know, a HUGE snow storm will hit us on Christmas Day! Yay!

If that does happen, I think we'll stay home. I don't want to drive in that! I think I will like a day of actually staying home with just my little family. In 14 years of marriage, we never have, so I kind of hope the weather is terrible! lol

I love my Neil!

This is it! Tonight is the big night! I get to see Neil Diamond in person for the first time! Ya, it may be cheesy but I have loved Neil since I was a kid.

The only problem is that there is a huge snow storm hitting the Wasatch Front today, but don't worry, that doesn't stop me. I know how to drive in the snow. It's the other crazies I worry about. But I'm careful. I drive slow and leave huge spaces between me and other cars. I wish I had a more rugged "snow" kind of car.

I'll tell you all about it when I get back. Luckily, I have family down there. There's no way I'd drive home!

Line upon line

It continues to surprise me how much I still learn on a day to day basis. Things about my kids, my husband, about being a mother and all the other little things we learn as we go through our day. But lately, in my writing.

The lessons I love are the big ones. It seems we resist certain things, thinking we know best. I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me. I'm a wonderful resister, but when I do that, I think of the saying, "What you resist, persists." So true, so true.

I have been writing my book, "The Guitar" on a daily basis. I am writing it in first person but wanted to add perspective from another character in third person. Most published writers and agents would tell you to pick a perspective as stay there. I resisted. I thought I needed that third person perspective to make my book better. How will people know what is going on otherwise?

So, now I humbly admit, through trial and error, practice and learning, I have deleted those chapters. (I actually moved them to a file where I save deleted sections of books I write) I have found that I can write this book and have it be even better if I do it like a professional. Funny huh? Anyway, I am really excited with the changes I've made and I think it will be even better now.

So, the moral of the story is.....be pliable. Be able to bend, adapt, and try something you are uncomfortable with. Try something new, teach yourself a new trick. It is possible for us old dogs to learn, you know.

It's official!

I have registered for the LDS Storymakers conference in April! WOOO HOOO!
I'm on my way! I also signed up for a Pitch session with Lisa Mangum who looks for new stories for Shadow Mountain and Deseret Book! I can't wait! This is my chance! I also plan to enter the first chapter contest, go the the Whitney Awards dinner, swim in the pool, meet new people, and make lasting friendships.

I have a feeling that this is one of those opportunities that can change my life.

So, an update on my psychosis! lol I went to the doctor, he prescribed me Wellbutrin, (because that is the one that sounded best to me and I have tried various others in the past and didn't like them), went to fill it and my insurance wants to charge me $80.00! And that is for the generic brand! I don't think so.

So I will take your advice, try the Bio-35, and hope it works wonders. The doctor did say he considered me only mildly to moderately depressed. Hmmm. That's good I guess. So, I'll let you know what happens. Oh, by the way, I called my insurance company, and they said that the eighty bucks was part of my prescription deductible. ARGGGGG! That's all I have to say about that. Don't want to use any four letter words after all.

Are you SAD?

This is the time of year I least like. I think I may have SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder. I have always had a hard time during the winter, not to mention my closest friend just moved to Ohio, my knee and foot throb in pain when I run, our finances are tight,and I have a messy house that no one wants to help clean unless I yell and scream, and a host of other things.

Insomnia, wight gain, sadness, irritability, low energy or fatigue, difficulty concentrating, memory loss. I have had all of these symptoms in the last couple of months on a regular basis.

I didn't want to admit that I'm broken (to a degree), due to a stubborn nature, but I am human too. In fact, I went to my doctor last week because I knew there was something wrong. He tested for Diabetes, thyroid problems, and I don't know what else. It turns out that everything is normal. Hmmm. He wanted me to take a depression questionnaire which I flatly refused to do. (politely, of course) I was not depressed. Depression is for poor, white trash, right? (harsh, but many people think that way) Now I know thats not true. My mother suffered from depression, but that is what we are taught now a days, right? That depression is something we choose? That if we are depressed, we need to get over it. Learn to deal with life. Quit feeling sorry for ourselves.

A part of me always thinks that, even though I know it's not true. I automatically think, there is nothing wrong with me. I can deal with my problems, I don't need a band aid.

Well, I think maybe I do, I guess. For a little while anyway. And before anyone starts offering all sorts of advice, I already exercise on a regular basis, (When my knee and foot let me, that's another thing I'm depressed about! ha ha), I've tried all sorts of natural remedies, self hypnosis, prayer etc... Sometimes, you just need drugs! lol I'll probably use something until spring. I do so much better in the sunshine. I need to get to a tanning booth, I think. Cancer or depression. What a toss up.

Chaos!!!!!

Socks under the coffee table, pajamas under the kitchen table, backpacks thrown on the couch. Coats on the stairs, forgotten dishes in the kitchen, dirty socks on the bathroom floor. Missing ornaments from the tree. Clean laundry falling out of the basket, waiting to be folded. Curling irons, brushes, combs, empty toilet paper rolls lying forlornly next to the bath tub.

Uhgggg! Can't someone else clean up once in a while? Shoes everywhere, half drunk baby bottles, piano music on the floor, Wii controllers strewn about, unmade beds! Doesn't this bother anyone but me?

Pee, poop, pee, poop. Can't someone besides me clean up after the damn dogs?!

Sorry. But in case you haven't noticed, I'm surrounded by chaos, and today, it's getting to me.

Yea for Stephen King

Stephen King. I really like him. I went through a phase where I read almost all of his stories. My husband had to talk me into reading my first one. His books were where I'd drawn the line, even though I'd never read a word he'd written. But Bry brought home "The Talisman", told me it was great, and that it wasn't scary at all.

Finally, when I'd run out of things to read in the house, I picked up that book. It was a riveting story, not a scary thing in it, and I was hooked.

I'm reading a book he wrote not too long ago called, "On Writing". Yep, he wrote a book about writing, and can I just say, it is a page turner too. I love it. I love his style, his sarcasm, his humor. I don't love some of the colorful language he uses but I do like everything else.

He talks about how as a child, he always loved the scary movies and stories. I have always been the same way. Not gory, but the kind that make your eyes water. That's my physical response, and no, I'm not crying. I just get this eye watering thing going when I'm scared. I love it!

Anyway, I have learned quite a bit about writing from reading his book. It's the book my writing class is reading, and we'll discuss it in January. So if you're looking for something good to read, check out one of his books. You just may love it!

So, there it is. A shout out for Stephen King. Just a normal guy like the rest of us. Who woulda thunk it?

The Guitar

I have started a new book, and I have to admit, I love it! It amazes me how much better I have become with my writing. What they say is true, if you do it, you'll improve. This new story is more for adults, where my first book was more for kids.

It's about a beautiful guitar that's cursed. It seduces it's owners into believing they can't live without it. That they need it to be successful. Like a drug. It gives them what they most want at the time but destroys their world without them even knowing it.

The main character is a musician that falls right into the guitar's trap. The guitar can't be burned or destroyed, so the story is of the woman, how she finds the guitar, and how she escapes the terrible web she gets caught in. There's romance, betrayal, mystery, murder....all that good stuff.

Does it sound good? Would you want to read it and find out what happens? I hope so!

#1 song on the day you were born.

This was really fun! I got this in an email but thought you all would enjoy it too.

Go to this website to see what song was number one on the day you were born. Mine was "Momma told me not to come" by Three Dog Night. I hope that title isn't true!! =)

Anyway, click on your month and then your day and the years to choose from will pop up! Let me know in comments how it turned out! Love you all!

http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm

What do you think?

I have a question for you out there. Do you think rock music is wholesome and if not, is it detrimental? I was just thinking about this because I have a couple of new favorites. I have listened to their music for a while but they have just taken the forefront in what I like. They are Beyonce and Nickleback, well, and Pink too. So I was sitting here at my computer rocking out and I looked over at my four year old and he was rocking out too. It made me laugh.

My parents hated rock and still do. So it got me thinking. Would I listen to Nickelback or Pink if the prophet were in the room? Umm, NO! So, what does this mean? Is this a "caffeine" discussion? One of those topics that walks a thin line?

Now, I must not think it's too bad because I have no intention of stopping my rocking anytime soon! Dang! So what does that mean? Am I destined to always be a sinner? Be rebellious? Caffeine is bad for your body. What is bad for your spirit? I often think of that scripture where is says, "I would give all my sins to know thee." Hmm. Would I? I'm not sure.

What kind of person says that? One who likes his sins, I guess. At least I know I won't roast in hell alone. Lisa and Yolanda will be there with me! =)

Tis the Season!!

I fixed the dilemma I had. I just made putting up the tree and decorations our family night. Ya, I know, that's what most people do anyway but at our house Bry is not usually home early enough to help.

So, this year, even though I was so tired by the time we had family night, and almost decided not to do it, we did it. It was LOVELY to not have to do it alone! In fact, I made Bry and Jake do most of it! By the time we had the lights working and on the tree, it was bed time.

I decorated the top half with my breakable ornaments after the kids went to bed and today, the kids will finish the bottom. I don't know how we'll keep Wyatt away. There is no room for a gate or anything so we'll just have to be diligent. The room is so full already that the tree had to be squished in front of the front door. Almost! =)

So, here's to us! The brilliant women of the world! Merry Christmas! I've got the spirit back!

Humbug

What is wrong with me this year? I can't quite figure it out but I can't seem to get myself excited for the season. It's the first of December and I don't even feel like putting up the tree. It's not that fun anymore because I know I'll have to do it all myself. The kids help but they are too little to do some things. I don't know. Maybe it's just me.

Bry is busy doing things that need to be done an it just seems like I get stuck with it every year. "Stuck with it" sounds terrible, doesn't it? But that's just where I am.

Maybe it will get better as the season wears on.

Bry and I went over our budget this morning and man, was that depressing. I won't go into details but I will say, I was right! I knew we needed to be depositing a little more each month and he didn't want to. I've cut spending everywhere I can without losing things like internet and some tv. But even Bry was complaining that there is nothing good to watch anymore! lol I've whittled it down to practically nothing!

Anyway, I do have money for Christmas gifts. I have that set aside so at least we can buy a few fun things for the kids but it will be a lean year. That's ok. I actually like it better that way. I have noticed that the older your kids get, the harder it is. Everything Jacob wants is over a hundred dollars. I wont spend that much. Sorry Charley!

So, there's my humbug for the day. It's probably just hormones. I'll feel better tomorrow. =-)

Life of the farm

On this Day of thanksgiving, I want to show you a few things I am truely grateful for. Our, little farm.

Dream Big!

I am taking a writing course with Longridge Writers Group. It has been fascinating delving into this world of creativity that I long to be a part of.

My latest assignment is to write an article between 750 and 1000 words. It was supposed to be on the easy side. Not something that took a lot of research. So I did that. But part of the assignment was to read a few articles that came in my handbooks.

This morning, I read an article on how Tom Clancy actually started writing. It was riveting. I couldn't lay it down. He was an ordinary guy, just like the rest of us. In fact, he was an insurance salesman!

They said one of the keys to his success was his talent as a researcher. He did all his own research and had the drive to really dig in and find what he needed. I so admire that. That is the area where I tend to be a little lazy.

Anyway, it just got me thinking. It all starts with a dream. What is your dream? Are you willing to work for it or are you someone who says, "It's just not possible."

I want to make my dream to be a writer come true. It's a long process, I'm finding out, but each time I have a success, it makes it all worth it. I feel it deep in my bones, and that is all it is, a feeling. I know I will make it if I persevere. I don't know that I'll be a huge phenomenon like Stephen King, Stephanie Meyer or those other big names out there, but I know that I will be a published author one of these days. Hopefully sooner than later.

Twilight........again

Well, I saw Twilight AGAIN! Not because I am fanatical about it but because all of my sisters and I have 5, were going and taking their teenagers to see it, and wanted us to come. We met halfway in Ogden at that Lovely theater Larry H. Miller built and enjoyed the movie once again.

I have to say, I liked it much better the second time. I noticed things I hadn't before and there was no expectation, so I could sit back and savor the awesome music and fabulous kisses.

This is definitely a story that gets your blood pumping. There were so many beautiful men and if there is one thing I am good at, it's spotting beautiful men!!

So, my son loved it. Talked about it the whole way home. I did stress the point though, that the relationship Edward and Bella have is slightly skewed and definitely unhealthy, for both of them. But what is good drama made of? Drama!

So here I am, sitting down to the computer in my comfy Levis, and gray stretch top. My feet are relaxed in my beloved Birkenstocks, and I am trying to think up my own version of great drama. Wish me luck!

What have you done?

I found this on Jenny's blog and thought it looked fun. It you want to do it too, just copy and highlight what you've done!


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the star
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35.Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37.Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67.Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77.Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Green with Envy

I saw "Twilight" last night with a couple of friends. I have to admit, in my opinion, it wasn't fantabulous but I did like it. I liked quite a few things about it. There were also a few things I think could have been better. All in all though, I really enjoyed it. I love a good romance.

The point of this post though, isn't to do a review of the movie. I was actually wondering how many of you other writers out there are absolutely green with envy. I admit, I am. I look at Stephanie Meyer and covet, (a little bit) her success.

I wonder if there is actually another untold story out there that would make it this big and could I actually be the one to tell it? Honestly, I doubt it. But there is another part of me that screams, heck ya!!

Why not? Just because I didn't major in creative writing, have no formal training, know only a few of the rules, and have barely started in the creative art of writing, there is no reason why I can't become rich and famous, right? Now that was an extraordinarily long sentence! What writer out there doesn't long for this kind of notoriety?

As I was chatting with the universe the other day, I begged for this same success. It answered back with, "Why? What is your motivation? Money, popularity? Vanity?"
I, of course, answered, "no, yes, no, maybe. So what?" It put me in my place. But I found myself pointing at Stephanie Meyer and saying, "Well, she has it!" Like a petulant four year old.

Do we always want what we can't have? Or don't have? Is Stephanie Meyer happy in her success or does she wish she could have her anonymity and privacy back? Hmm. Who knows? Anyway. Those are my thoughts on that! Be careful what you pray for. You just might get it. In this case though, I'd take my chances!

Bruiser

Well, what can I say? I'm a sucker. I want to keep one of our pups. I think it will be nice for cookie to have a companion too. But there is something about him. All of us feel it. I don't know what it is. I almost feel like we are supposed to keep him. He's not even the cutest one but we all feel drawn to him. Weird.

Anyway, we named him bruiser. He's half Shi Tzus and half Australian Shepherd. I have hear a lot of great things about Australian Shepherds and since this will be cookies last batch.......

So here he is. Our adorable new baby.

So beautiful, so sad

Some say that animals don't have feelings or souls. I often wonder if they aren't more caring than some humans are toward one another considering the wars and conflicts around the world.

Blessings to you my friends
Very touching
This series of photos tells the suffering of bird shocked by his mate's fatal injury.
His mate is injured and her condition is fatal.
He brought her food and looked after her with love.
Then when she lay still, he tried to move her.
Realizing that she would never come back to him, he cried in anguish.
He stood beside her, calling out in grief.
Finally aware that she would never return, he just
stood beside her body for a long, long time.
The photographer sold these pictures for a nominal fee to a leading French newspaper. The newspaper was completely sold out that day.Thousands of people across Europe and the US mourned for the little bird.

Suplication

Time races across the azure sky,
much too fast it leaves me there
looking on and asking, "Why?"
Some things I do not want to bear.

Blue moon, shrouded in mists of gray,
the dark develops in my mind
The morning is so far away
I reach for you, my heart, to bind.

Gypsy jingle, we in blue,
For on the boardwalk we have trod.
Into the sea of salt we flew,
nothing to hinder, hold or stop.

I see you in my ivory time,
the music floats on wisps of dreams,
I close my eyes and it is mine,
But then awake, it's gone, it seems.

Laughter rolling, moaning, cry.
Are these tears of joy or pain?
My heart lets go with just a sigh,
Some things can never be, again.

My baby is 13!!

My baby is 13 on Saturday. It is so strange. I can hardly believe it. I can still see him as a toddler bending to lap up a drink with duke at the water bowl.

He has always been vivacious and outgoing. Always ready to have have fun, play and be spontaneous. He is one of the funnest people I know.

He also has a tenacious spirit. If he wants something, he stops at nothing to get it. Unless of course he encounters an impenetrable wall known as "mother".

He is so kind to animals which is something I admire. He is currently keeping a baby chick in his room that he brought home from school. Obedience is not one of his strong points as I had specifically told him not to bring it home when he asked! lol

He loves sports and he's good at them without much practice. He just finished soccer and has started wrestling. He wants to play football in the spring. He loves anything he tries. He's played baseball, taken Karate and Tae Kwan Do and loved it. What a well rounded boy I have raised!

I love this kid!! He is beautiful, inside and out. I am so proud of the man he is becoming. I love his determination and fortitude. He has the world waiting. I can't wait to see what he becomes! Happy 13, my beloved!!!

How well my kids know me.

I found this on another blog. I really liked it and thought I would try it. K1 is my 13 year old boy, K2 is my boy and 9, K3 is my 6 year old girl, and K4 is my four year old boy.

They gave interesting answers I thought.

1. What does mom always say?

K1: Go do your chores.
K2: Do your piano.
K3: Go clean your room
K4: come here

2. What makes mom happy?

K1: When her kids are happy
K2: when the chores are done.
K3: Loving mom up
K4: a hug does

3. What makes mom sad?

K1: Being disobeyed
K2: having to yell
K3: When she misses me a lot
K4: If someone hits her (no one does, by the way)

4. How does mom make you laugh?

K1: Teasing me about Taylie
k2: talking funny
K3: tickling me and tells me funny jokes
K4: tickling me

5. How old is mom?

K1: 37
k2: 38
K3: 6
K4: 3

6. How tall is mom?

K1: 5'9"
k2: 6 feet
K3: like 3 inches
K4: bigger and bigger

7. What does mom like to do?

K1: Read
K2: have fun
K3: play with me
K4: play cars

8. What is mom’s job?

K1: writing
K2: printing out papers on the computer for Dad.
K3: washing the dishes and doing the laundry
K4: playing piano

9. What is mom’s favorite food?

K1: Olive Garden
K2: Italian
K3: all kinds
K4: pancakes and pizza and yogurt

10. How do you know your mom loves you?

K1: She tells me.
K2: she tells me.
K3: Cause she's my sweety.
K4: I don't know. Cause I went to primary.

Pretty cute. I'm actually 38, and 5'8". It was eye opening for me. It sounds like all I say to my kids is to do their chores! You'd think my house would be cleaner!

What a day

What a morning! It seems all my kids have gone through this 2 day flu. This morning, Gabe got up saying he threw up in his bed. Then I found out that it was his pillow and it was only a little wet.

Then he said that Heidi had put water on his pillow. I swear, that kids never tells the truth. He's only four though so I cut him a little slack. As the morning wore on, he claimed he wasn't sick anymore. So I gave him breakfast and as I loaded the dishwasher, he stood up, and started projectile vomiting!!!

I started screaming for him to run to the bathroom. He left a trail all the way there! Unbelievable!

I am so sad about this. Because not only do I have a sick child, but my dear friend Natasha is in town to pack her house up. She has moved to Wyoming as her husband got a job there. I was going to help her pack and clean. We don't get to see each other often anymore so this brought me down.

I have really missed her and have been pretty depressed about her move. It was really sudden and I have been in mourning. She is that friend that you call up every time you go shopping. We always went everywhere together and I REALLY miss it! I have no desire to even shop anymore! lol. But seriously, it has been super hard. It feels like someone has died. They are just gone, suddenly. I cry about it all the time. For a while I was really angry. I guess I'm just going through the stages.

Denial: She is coming back. There is no way in hell she would want to live in a camper for the next year in Wyoming for pete's sake!!

Anger: What the crap is she thinking? This is not right and she is making a big mistake!! How could she be so stupid?! I can't wait to say I told you so!

Bargaining: Please God, Bring her back and I will never sin again! I need her! Don't you care about me?

Depression: I cry all the time, no motivation. Try to fill up my time writing and playing Warcraft. Poor kids have an ornery mom.

Acceptance: I understand. She needs to be with her husband. Husbands take precedence after all. I would do the same. (NOT!! No way would I EVER live in a camper with 5 kids!) We can still keep in touch in all the usual ways. It will be OK.

I don't believe I go through these stages all in order. Or at least, I seem to feel them at the same time or backtrack. Needless to say. I'm grieving.

So, today I will go on as usual because I have to. Because that is what I do.

Writing a book

I went to my first Utah League of Writers meeting last night. I LOVED IT! It is going to be so helpful. There were a few new people there. We set up a new critique group as there are already two. I can't wait to start with that in January.

I learned so much, just from that short time we were together. I really liked everyone who was there and felt so welcomed and comfortable.

I'm in the process of re-writing many parts of my book. It has been a lot of fun but very hard work. Now when I read a published book, I appreciate it so much more. People have no idea the blood, sweat and tears that go into writing a great story!

Thank you to all who help and give me encouragement! I love you for it!

Too much!

The boys have been gone hunting since early Saturday morning. So, here I sit with just my three youngest. I have forgotten how hard it is with such young kids and no help. I knew I relied heavily on Jake and Seth but this has been a reminder. So here is a shout out to all the single moms out there! It's a hard job. It's also exhausting, draining, and depressing to do it all alone.

It doesn't help that I'm feeling hormonal, although Bry would ask, "When don't you feel hormonal?" Uh huh. Very funny.

So I wait for them to come home by doing laundry which was behind, cleaning up after puppies and messy babies, and not sleeping. Besides that, I have to feed the horses, chickens, turkey, dogs, and cats morning and night. Rain or shine. Not that that in itself is a bad thing but I can tell you, if I were single, the animals would go!

Here is a new one. I can't sleep. I get tired at night and go to sleep but can't stay there in la la land. I'm not worrying about anything, just awake and it's really hard to fall back to sleep. Cookie and her pups wake me up multiple times during the night and last night, my phone started pinging to tell me it was dying. Then, when my poor body starts to dream again, the pups start crying, or cookie starts barking at me to come let her out. She can't stand to be cooped up with them full time anymore. There are days she is LUCKY to be alive!!!! If I put her out to get her to shut up, she'll scratch at the door to come back in. I have tried to ignore her and leave her out there. Just to teach her a lesson. The lesson that she can't tell me what to do, but the scratching will seriously go on all night!

What do you do? I can't function like a happy person like this! *laugh* Oh well, all part and parcel to being a mother.

I am also going through my book again, completely re-writing parts of it. That has been fun and thank heavens for WoW. There are night's I get on the game and can sit and talk to my dear friends there. I played with a girlfriend last night after the kids had gone to bed, who lives in Texas. She's a professional ballroom dancer and teacher. I adore you Holly!!

Anyway, that's my wonderful week so far! Hope I didn't depress anyone out there in cyber space.

Happy Halloween!

I am finally getting to Halloween stuff! I wanted to wait to post so I could share some fun pics with you all.

I took my kids to my sister's house. All the sisters were there and we had this huge group of kids trick or treating together. It was so fun. We all dressed up too. It's not too common for adults to dress up just to take the kids out and we all showed up in costume. Guess we all share the same sick mind! Anyhoo, here are some of the fun things we did!

A blah week

I need to write SOMETHING as I am so tired of looking at my picture! Nothing exciting has happened that I feel like writing about though. So.....

I have felt a little sick all week. I haven't worked out since last Tuesday. I feel really tired, nauseous and head achy. Not too bad but bad enough that I want to sit in bed and do nothing.

I can't get my new hair cut to look like the stylist did. It's maddening.

I am reading "The Stand". It's ok. Not that well written in my opinion but the more you get in to it, the harder it is to lay down. It's a good book for Halloween week.

Bryan avoids me. I must be ornery.

The house is a mess and it doesn't it concern me.

I hope I start feeling better soon!

New Do

So, I got a new do today. LOVE IT! My sisters who live in Farmington have all started going to this new stylist. Every time I see their hair after she does it, I am amazed. Finally, after seeing the third sister's hair look so good, I decided to try her. I am going for the Victoria Beckham look. I have always liked it and have been trying to grow my hair out for it. It's almost there. My own stylist just doesn't get it right. This gal, wow. She is a brilliant stylist and really has the touch. I will keep going to her even though she is an hour away from my house. I loved her!

If you don't like it, don't tell me! he he

Rude people

Oh my word!I can't believe how rude some people are! I just called to cancel a credit card. The guy kept pestering me about wanting to close it. He asked my if I had any other cards and I told him I had one more that I was paying off. He asked why I wanted to keep that one and not this one. I told him it was because of the 0% financing on the other.

So get this, he said he'd reset the 0% on this one so I'd keep it. I told him they should have done that when I called asked them to, two months ago!!! I have one bill I am trying to pay off and then that card will not be used either!.

The guy was so belligerent that he ended up hanging up on me at the end! I wasn't even being rude or raising my voice or anything. I just kept saying, "can I please just close this account?"

Amazing! He acted as though I were personally offending him for wanting it closed. Weird.

Now I can't even remember what I was originally going to write about! lol. Anyway, if I remember, I'll write another post! Have a good one.

Big fat lie!

I haven't written anything because I didn't have anything new to say. Nothing exciting has happened except for the normal stuff. You know, dealing with kids who constantly do things they aren't supposed to and then lie about it.

It's funny, you know because most of the time, I know exactly "who done it" and yet they persist in their lies!!! It is infuriating! The new punishment is an automatic 100 line writing assignment for lying.

I keep telling the kids that it's better to get in a little trouble for what they did wrong than a lot of trouble for lying about it! We'll see. It's a constant, everyday battle and the 13 yr old is just as bad if not worse than the 4 yr old!! ARGGGG! Thank heavens for Warcraft!

New Babies!!

Due to considerable requests, I finally took pictures of my new pups. They are adorable and squeaky loud in the middle of the night. Their mother never leaves them either. In fact, half the time I have to pick her up and carry her out to go potty. She just doesn't want to abandon them. Or she doesn't trust us! It couldn't be that!

So here they are...Larry, mo, curly, and Doreen! Actually, I don't know what to name them. I don't plan on keeping them. Well, maybe the little girl. I'm a sucker after all.

The little brown one is the only girl. There are three boys. I had thought there were only 2 but I was wrong. So, there are 2 black, one dark brown and the little girl who is a normal brown. All little Border Collies! At least that is what they look like to me. The Shi Tzus mother and Australian Shepard father made cute babies though.

Cute! Cute! Cute!

Dang!!!

Don't you hate it when you get the feeling you should do something, you ignore the feeling only to be taught a lesson in disobedience! Oh ya, I love that!

This morning, I decided it was time to get rid of the mountain of gray hair adorning the top of my head. I have these cute rugs on my bathroom floor and as I started, I thought, I should move these.. But then, I wasn't planning on dripping on the floor. After all, I have been doing this for years now.

What do you think happened? Yep, you're right. And not just one drip, but 5!!!! As I squeezed the bottle, a stream went flying over my head! Don't ask. All I can think is, when it rains, it pours!!!

Lesson learned! Next time, I will follow that still, small voice that I frequently ignore. I mean, what does he know anyway?

Or I could pay buckoos and have someone else do the dying. (By the way, this is not a picture of me!)

Yea for shopping.

There is something very therapeutic about shopping. I don't know many women who feel differently. For me, It makes me feel happy if I'm having a bad day. I don't know why.

I'm lucky though, that I don't have a "problem" with shopping. It's the thing that saves me! I frequently go through my clothes and throw things out. Clothes that are too small, too big, or that I haven't worn in ages.

It gets to the point where I open my closet and don't have much to choose from to wear. So, today, I went to my friendly neighborhood Walmart and bought a few new things. I don't spend tons, because I don't shop at Dillards, and I don't always look fancy, but I do have good taste.

I only had 2 pair of pants that fit, so I bought 3 more today. What a difference a few new outfits make. I love the new "Signature" Levis they sell now. Anyway, I am wearing a new, darling outfit, that fits! The secret to Walmart is, don't dry it in the dryer!

You do get what you pay for after all.

New Babies!!

I haven't taken pictures yet but we had puppies last night! There were five born but one was born dead. At least I think it was. I finally fell asleep. She had them during the night.

They are absolutely adorable! Two little girls and two little boys. 2 brown and 2 black.

Even though she is a pure bred Shi Tzus, she mated with a pure bred Australian Shepherd. I don't' know how they did it but the pups look like little Border Collies! SO cute. I'm tempted to keep one. They were born the right size for her to deliver but who knows how big they'll get.

Cookie did so good. She must have been exhausted by the time she was done. She looks a mess today but I'll give her a couple days before I bathe her. She never leaves them and is such a good mommy. I'm proud of her.

Well, that's it. Off for now!

A sad story

I got a letter today from Gabe and Wyatt's birth mom. We have become good friends and I really love her. I can look at her situation and my heart goes out to her. Maybe I'll write a novel someday about her story.

Anyway, I had sent her a copy of the story I wrote for Peach Days that had won first place. She told me today that she has passed it around to some of the other women who are there with her at the point of the mountain. (the prison down in Bluffdale, UT) and that they all really liked it. Some even cried. I thought that was so cute! So, now I'm famous! he he!

I hope things all work out for her some day. She is having a terrible time with losing all 5 of her kids. She takes full responsibility and it is very painful for her. I am so grateful to be able to have Wyatt and Gabe and hope they can have a relationship with their birth mom someday. She has a good heart and wants to do what's right. She was dealt a sad hand from the very beginning. Her mother started her using drugs when she was 13. It was a lose-lose situation. Say a prayer for her.

Well, have a good night all!

A big S on my forehead

OH MY WORD!!!!!!

Can I just say I almost lost all my computer stuff! I had a site called "popular screen savers" come up. It looked great! They had adorable screen savers so I downloaded it! Yes, I have STUPID written all over my face!!!

To make a long story short. It gave me 2 trojan horses, and a nice, friendly virus that I have been battling all day!!!!

It had gotten so bad that my book I was editing wouldn't even let me save it! I copied everything on to an external hard drive and went to work. I am SO proud of myself. For those of you who know me, I am NOT computer literate but I have been learning.

I was able to fix the problems with a little help from Tash and I THINK I fixed it. We'll see but all my scanners, AVG, Spybot and Ad-Aware say I'm clean now. I sure hope so.

It was so terrible. It froze me up. Couldn't do anything. I even lost part of my story I was working on. You know, how it is,I was going back and fixing things up so they're better in a certain chapter. I had just written a part that was SO good and I lost it!!!

I did go back and try to remember what I had said after I got it working again but it's not the same. I'm sad but now I know better!!! At least I didn't lose all my editing I'd done! Thank heaven for small miracles.

The really stupid part is, my computer warned me about the site! But I thought I knew better! So much for being a know it all. From now on, I vow to humbly obey my computer's still, small voice.

For Lisa's Mom

My dear friend Lisa,

The heavens are weeping for you and your family on this day of sorrow. I am so sorry for what you now go through.

The sun, respectfully hides it's face as the rain descends. We say goodbye to your beloved mother as she leaves her mortal shell.

Even though I am sure she is more than content to be with your dad,she will miss you dearly. But finally, her struggle is over.

This is a song requested of me to sing at Bryan's Dad's funeral. I liked it's message.



Some trails are happy ones
Others are blue
It's the way you ride the trail that counts
Here's a happy one for you

Happy trails to you
Until we meet again
Happy trails to you
Keep smiling until then

Who cares about the clouds when we're together
Just sing a song and bring that sunny weather

Happy trails to you
Til we meet again

Who cares about the clouds when we're together
Just sing a song and bring that sunny weather

Happy trails to you
Til we meet again
Til we meet again


Good bye Arlene! God Speed! We love you!

Neil! Yea!

There is a saying I used to hear when I was younger. There are two kinds of people. Those who love Neil Diamond and those who don't.

I'm one who loves him! I have since I was a little kid. I play his songs on the piano, on my guitar and on my ipod.

I know all of them! I love that gravelly voice and I want to go to his concert like you can't believe.

I went online and tickets don't go on sale until Monday yet it's saying that there are only a certain number of tickets even available still. What's up with that?????

How can I get good tickets and most importantly, how can I get tickets that don't cost me an arm and a leg???

If anyone knows a way, PLEASE let me know! He may never come again!

Bryan is so NOT excited to see him. How weird is that?

Integrity vs. Stupidity

I find it extremely ironic that the IOC, just this week, has declared the Chinese gymnasts who were thought to be 14, old enough to have competed in this years Olympics. It's all in the timing. Hmmmmm. Strange isn't it?

Money talks I guess. I suppose our government thought it was more important to borrow money than to insure integrity.

I don't know all the details, I'm not super political and I certainly can't tell who is telling the truth all the time, but I can tell when people are being stupid. Maybe we have all been stupid in this. I don't believe one man is to blame. After all, it takes a village, right?

good mother vs. bad mother

I wonder. What makes a bad mother? I don't feel like a bad mother but I feel bad today.

My 13 year old son called me from school, claiming he was sick. Last year, his claiming to be sick caused a few arguments. It always ended up that he wasn't really that sick at all. He would stay home or come home early and have remarkable recoveries.

He struggles in some of his classes and can't afford to miss school. I told him I wouldn't come get him. In the most loving way I could, I told him that I just don't trust him as he has lied to me lately and been found out. He lied about being sick last year, quite a few times, and unless he is throwing up or has a fever, he gets to stay.

Now I do wonder if there is something else going on that makes him want to come home. Something else that is making him feel bad. I did ask about this and he said there was nothing going on.

He called a little bit later, but still before lunch and said that he had thrown up. I told him I didn't believe him and that he just had to suck it up and stay in school. I didn't want him to miss what his teachers were teaching.

He hung up on me. I should have been offended about this but honestly, I wasn't. I understand his frustration. I hated school. I never sluffed but I wanted to. As a child, I pretended to be sick all the time to stay home. I know how to make myself sick, how to appear sick, how to get people to feel for me. I've been there. But I want to teach my son something I had to learn as an adult and that is...you have to be accountable. You have to sometimes do things that are hard or undesirable. You have to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and be brave.

Now, I could be wrong. He may really be sick. If so, I'll eat crow.

Happy anniversary

Happy anniversary to me! I just realized I started blogging in September of 2005. It has officially been three years! Man, how time flies! I just can't believe it!

I want all my blogger friends out there to know how much I love you all! You have all been great. Especially during the hard times. It is so nice to sit down to my trusty computer and pour out my feelings to you all.

There are times when I think I shouldn't be so open, so revealing, but that is who I am. I can't keep apologizing for who I am, right? Hopefully my honesty can help someone else. I do admit thought, that I love it when you are all open. It is so nice to hear how you are really feeling and to know what is really going on in your lives. Good or bad.

I have friends that tell me things that are going on in their lives that are so interesting and I say, "You should blog about this!" But they don't. They don't want people to know. Sad I think.

Anyway, I love you all. Thank you so much for the support, love and friendship!

Here's to another fabulous year! Cheers!

I took my last post off but I did get some great comments from Jeri. It just took up so much room. If you are interested in reading the beginning of my next book, let me know and I can email it.

So, I finally remembered to take my camera to one of Jake's soccer games so I wanted to post some cute pictures of him playing. I guess this means I am officially a soccer mom now! he he

Fairest

I just read the book "Fairest". It was an adorable story. I love stories that make you feel good. At the beginning, I almost put it down. I don't love the fantasy books that have tons of unusual names you have to wade through. This book had some, but not tons.

I was able to get into it a few pages in and really enjoyed it. It's a great book for teen girls. Especially those who don't feel pretty. (Which is all of us at one time or another).

Anyway, I love reading kids books. It gives me an idea of what my kids are reading. I don't think my boys will read this "girly" book but who knows? I read and write stories about boys. Why couldn't boys read stories about girls. All I have to say it boys are weird! Will we ever understand them?

Yesterday we blessed Gabe and Wyatt. It was WONDERFUL!!!! The whole day was fabulous! But, did I remember to take one picture????? I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!

I just didn't remember in the rush of the day and no one else did either. How terrible! I am heartsick! But it was beautiful and SO fun to have all our close friends over.

We had a big dinner after and some of our friends stayed later and it was great to catch up!

I had forgotten how fun it is to have friends over. I like my privacy and the older I get, the more I like to be alone but it reminded me how fun it can be.

So there it is!

Hey there!

Here I sit on a Saturday afternoon. I should be cleaning my house as the whole fandamly is coming tomorrow for Wyatt's blessing.

But true to nature, I sit here at my old friend, the computer. I love to browse your blogs and read about my friends. Although today, there aren't any new posts to read. ARGGG!

I would like you all to know that I finished self editing my book. I printed a copy and will have the kids and Bry give it a read through.

I got on line looking for writers conferences and of course, they were all last week! I hate that. Oh well, timing is everything.

So I will just say hi, get off this dang computer and get back to work!

Oh, by the way, I bought an ergonomically correct chair or kneeling chair. I'll let you know what I think.

Dang!

My adorable little Shi Tzus is pregnant. I am not happy about it. The father is one of the ugliest, worst mannered sheep dogs I have EVER seen. He is our next door neighbor's dog and truly, I hate him.

I know that hate is a strong word but let me tell you. He is so irritating and they don't even try to train him.

As soon as I pull in my driveway, he runs for the fence that separates our yards like he's a Rottweiler on the kill. He barks and snarls and torments my goldens to the point where Duke has a pulled muscle and can hardly walk anymore. (Duke is getting pretty old and just can't run).

They chase each other up and down the fence line snarling and trying to hurt each other. They have actually latched on to one another before through the fence. THey are so stupid. I do believe it is my dog who wins though. he he (Not that I condone this behavior)

They are not fenced in to their yards either. My dogs could leave anytime and never do. They are so good, obedient and well behaved. *smile* The neighbors dog never leaves his yard either. (unless he has a reason like Cookie, I guess) and did only to mate with her while she was out there unsupervised, doing her duty. So it is my own fault but I refuse to admit that out loud!

I'm not sure when she is due but it is coming soon as she is pretty Roley poly now!

Oh well. They will probably turn out adorable just to spite me!

Dooms Day

I have to say, I'm mad as hell at the way the government is spending our money! On the other hand, I do think they did the right thing in saving AIG.

I wish they wouldn't use our money or money we don't have but to avoid a scare similar to the one before the Great Depression, it needs to be done.

I had a discussion with Bry this morning. I told him that our "nest egg" wasn't earning enough interest in the bank anyway and that I wanted it out of there!

He, of course, is the level headed one in our relationship and says no. If everyone got scared and took their money out of the banks, they would all fail, guaranteed. That is was happened in the past. Everyone got scared.

Well, I AM scared. Our money will be worth nothing soon. All our American grain is promised to other countries and we (the US) owe money out the ying yang. How will we feed our country if this continues?

I ask myself, "Do we have a good enough food storage?" Nope. But my new goal is to get it in order. NOW. I am going to use some of our nest egg and build our food storage. What else will that money be good for if we don't use it now? he he

I hate to be a dooms day-er but my Dad and his wife were just here. They are the ultimate conspiracy theorists, (no offense Dad) but what they say is all fact too. You can look it up on the Internet. It's scary. Maybe more of us need to be more scared to get prepared.

I think we sometimes just hope life will go on as it is forever. The prophets have been telling us for years and years to be prepared. Are we?

My next door neighbors are completely prepared. So is my dad. Is it their job to take care of the rest of us who let it slide? Hell no!!!

It will be our own dang fault if we starve to death. Get your rear in gear! Let's get it done and be ready for anything! Especially those of us with kids who can't do it themselves.

New beginnings.

I have exciting news!!!!! The first thing is, I finished my book yesterday! WOOO HOOO! I have started editing it and it is so much fun! I have finally found my niche!

Also, I just enrolled in a writing course which I am very excited about. It will give me 7 college credits if I want them. I will work one on one with an instructor and can't wait to begin!

Third, I ran a mile this morning without having to stop! I know I have started this scene over and over again but this time feels different. For one thing, my foot isn't bothering me this time. That is HUGE! I am a little sore in the thighs but I did just begin after all! I feel great! Oh, how I LOVE to run!!!

So, there in my news. Everything is going great. Bry is feeling better and better every day, the kids love school, Wyatt's blessing is this coming Sunday and my Dad will get to be here for it. He lives in Washington and is here for a trip so that is why we are doing it now.

I feel we are being showered with blessings now that the storms are over.

Belly dancing.

I was cleaning out my drawers this morning. I do this every season to get rid of clothes I don't like or that don't fit or that I haven't worn in a year.

Well, I found my belly dancing scarf that I bought in Texas. It's sky blue and adorable. It has hundreds of jingles on it and I love it.

I was still in my under ware as I had just bathed but it added to the mystique. I turned my happy music on and started swinging my hips!

I realized quickly that this would be really good for my tight Psoas muscle. I noticed how tight my right hip was so I "Worked" it! he he.

As soon as my kids heard they came running in. They thought it was awesome and danced with me. After a bit, my hip really loosened up. I could hardly even do the Merengue when I started and by the end, boy, could I move! And I have to admit, I didn't look half bad!

The kids all wanted a turn and Bry just laughed. I don't know how to take that exactly except with good humor! I'll give him his own version later! *smile*

Anyway, It was great fun. Think I'll do it more often. I'd love to get good at it!

I have a friend who has just started blogging. I adore her! She is wonderful and could use all our great "girlfriend" support. Take a trip over to see her. Her blog is.... ballroomdancer-wog.blogspot.com

So, I went to the massage therapist yesterday to have my Psoas muscle rubbed. Yes, I called it the wrong name in my past post. It's called the Psoas and it's kicking my butt! It's getting better, slowly but surely.

I am almost finished with my book. I only have a couple of chapters left! It's strange. I'm afraid to finish it. Maybe some of you writers know what I mean. It means it's almost over. The editing can begin. Is it good enough? Did I leave something out I shouldn't have? Did I say too much? Is it interesting enough? I want people to not want to lay it down. Is it that kind of a book? ARGGGGGGG!

I like this stage of just creative writing. The hard work will have to begin now!
I am totally excited about it but dang! It's scary!

So there it is. Have a great weekend!

Body Worlds

Have any of you people out there heard of "Body Worlds"? It is an art exhibit that is coming to Salt Lake on Sept. 19. I am very excited. I plan to go and I can't wait.

I love the human body. Anatomy was my favorite class I have ever taken. Granted, I took it in the summer when I had no other classes to worry about, thus, I wasn't overwhelmed and had time to appreciate it.

I told the hubby about it. I got an emphatic "NO". He said to me, "You know I can't even watch ER without getting nauseous. What makes you think I could make it through that exhibit? No Way."

Hmmmmm. Dilemma. So I called the sisters and they also had seen the advertisements and want to go. I found a coupon for it in Wasatch Woman and will use that. Anyone else who is interested is invited.

Our bodies are miraculous. It is a miracle when babies are born "normal". I learned in my anatomy class that there are a million things that can go wrong during development that usually doesn't. It is amazing.

We ARE gods in embryo. We are incredible. This is one of the reasons I LOVE to watch the Olympics. Young men and women push their beautiful bodies to the limit of what human endurance can tolerate and we get to see it.

I don't think there are words that can describe how grateful I am for my body. We are temples and I will do my darnedest to keep mine in the best shape I can. It has been a struggle for me and I have a lot of habits I need to overcome and adopt, but it is possible. Almost anything is possible with our bodies if we believe and are willing to do the work!

The skin tag

Many of you have requested to read my short story that won Peach Days this year. I have posted it to the left. I will only keep it up for a week as it takes up a lot of room and I am too computer illiterate to know how to do it any other way. he he

So, the topic for today's discussion are skin tags. Ever heard of them? Yes, they're gross but a fact of life none the less.

They are little protrusions of skin that appear out of no where. They are sent from Satan to bother and annoy us. Some think they come as a part of aging. Maybe so, but Satan has a hand in it.

There are ways these pesky little varmints can be removed. The expensive way is to have your doctor cut it off, freeze it or some other procedure that your insurance wont cover.

There are ways though, to take care of it at home. I was looking up these methods yesterday on the web when I came across a few.

The first was to cut it off with fingernail clippers. I have a small skin tag on the front part of my shoulder just above my arm pit. It made it's debut just after my first child was born. I tried to cut it off then, but it bled like a sucker and grew back! Tenacious little devils!

So, I let it alone, conceding defeat. I have once again gained enough courage to attempt the impossible. I sterilized my fingernail clippers, closed my eyes and just DID it! It hurt a bit, but when I looked down, it was still attached. Even though the clippers were completely closed. The dang clippers were too dull to cut it. They just pinched it and that was all.

So, my little skin tag filled with blood and looked so much prettier than before! I got back on the computer. There had to be a better way. They suggested tying a thread around it to cut off the blood supply. It would fall off in a couple of days. I tried to get both Bry and Jake to do that. The pansies wouldn't even try!

Then I came to a page that said to use Tea Tree Oil 3 times a day. Diluted with water. That sounded easy enough, so that is what I am doing now. I will let you know how it all turns out.

We'll just see who is toughest here! Me or my Satan sent skin tag!!!

We've been healed!

Well, there is just good news all around!

We went to the pulmonary specialist this morning and the verdict is in. Bry has asthma! WOOO HOOO! We are so happy! Especially considering what we thought it was.

The mass of infection is almost completely gone. There is only a teesy bit left in the bottom of the lung.

They dosed him up with a heavy duty inhaler and some fun pills if he knows he's going to have an especially strenuous day. But other than all that, he's good to go! We go back in a month to get checked out.

The doc said it takes a few months to see how severe the asthma is and get it to where it's manageable.

We feel like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders. We get another chance.

On the one hand, it's good this happened. It has put priorities in order for Bry. There are things he wants to do now that he had been putting off. Things we value more now. But I am sure glad it's over!

Fixed again

There's hope for me to be a runner yet. This spring, I had to quit running. It was all of a sudden. Over night, I had started to have a terrible pain in my groin and nothing I could do would fix it. Even if I jogged across the street, the pain was unbearable.

Well, yesterday, when I was being adjusted by my chiropractor whom I adore, he suggested that it could be a tight muscle on the inside of my hip bone. I can't remember what he called it but but I think it was the periformis. He massaged it for me. It was terrible!!! It felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. He said it was normal, and that this muscle was hard to get to and awful to massage.

He taught me how to do it and so I have been rubbing it, actually on both hips, and decided to get on the treadmill this morning to test it out! IT WORKED! No more pain.

It was caused by sitting for too long at the computer with my hips and legs at a 90 degree angle. I could feel it coming on at the time but didn't know what it was. Weird huh?

So, I am still going to swim every other day because I think I can get pretty good at that and I enjoy it but I want to run again too. Now the only thing holding me back will be my left foot/heel.

I think things can happen for a reason. There is a reason I was meant to stop running this summer. Maybe it was to meet a certain lady at the pool who I told about my chiropractor. She's been struggling with her back and there is no one better than Brad at fixing those things.

Maybe it was to show me a great alternative to cross train with. Maybe it was to teach me to over come the water in the nose thing. Who knows? All I do know is that many good things have come from this struggle.

Let this be a lesson we all remember. Out of the ashes comes the phoenix.

It was an experience that I will always treasure. And I just want to say up front that I so appreciate my sister S for being there for me. She is ALWAYS there for me. Thank you! It means to world to me. She has always come to be there with me for every special moment. I love you!

So, Here it is........My poem, which is actually a song I wrote, won honorable mention.

My Short story......Won FIRST PLACE! Oh man! As soon as they announced my name, I started to cry. That response was NOT what I had planned. I had to walk up there and read my story to everyone and I had tears in my eyes and couldn't even SEE the page!!

I cried in parts through the story too. I was embarrassed by this but there was nothing I could do. I am such a boob!

My sister told me that the whole audience was crying through the story too. It is a touching story and that really meant a lot to me. That they felt it too!

Here are a few pics of the event!