I Did it!

I just wrote my last two stories for the Picture Book Marathon. Phew! It was much more of a 'marathon' than I thought it would be.

But I stuck it out and did it! I'm glad I did and I'm SOOOOOOOO very glad it's over.

Phew.


Time for bed!

Hallelujah!

It's the last night of the Picture Book Marathon for me. I'm ssssooooooo glad! I have two stories to write tonight and then I'm done.

It's been a good experience and I'm glad I did it. But I'll be more glad to be done with it!

We're getting there

You can see my "Addendum" added on when the hubby needed more time. I get great pleasure from crossing off the days!

I do have to say that overall, ignoring the fact that I still have a new toilet sitting in my living room, I think we're doing good. I've handled him being gone well. I'm proud of myself.

But I'll still be glad when it's over.

Don't take away my Frosting!

A couple years ago I was talking to a dear friend of mine about a new church responsibility she'd been given. It had a HUGE work load and I worried she wouldn't be able to meet all her life obligations. I suggested she might have to give up teaching piano lessons and got a very lukewarm response. She didn't want to give those up.

I've thought about that lately. Her piano lessons were a joy to her-- like the frosting on the cake of her life. She loved doing it and they brought her great joy and fulfillment. To me it seemed like an easy thing to give up, but to her it was part of her life's blood. I get that now, I truly do. People look at me and my often crazy life and think (or say) "you shouldn't have so many animals." But my birds (and dog and tortoise) give me great pleasure. I find a lot of joy and fulfillment in carrying for my animals. So while it would be better to not have so many (the floor would be cleaner, but then, hey, that's why we have a dog!), it would take away one of my sources of happiness.

We don't always know what things bring joy and light into another's life. It often is something you don't understand or wouldn't find fulfilling (like bird rescue). Everybody needs "frosting" on their life. Just remember that the next time you feel a great need to offer some course correction advice to your friend/family member/daughter (hi Mom!). Joy comes in many forms and ways.

Could be worse than birds for me. I could be the lady in Salt Lake who is so dedicated to playing the role of Ventress from Star Wars Clone Wars that she shaves her head a couple times a week. Um, yeah, she can keep that, I'll keep my birdies.

"What About Bob" humor therapy

Some days ya just need a little Bob to help you laugh!

---

Dr. Leo Marvin: Are you married?
Bob Wiley: I'm divorced.
Dr. Leo Marvin: Would you like to talk about that?
Bob Wiley: There are two types of people in this world: Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't. My ex-wife loves him.
Dr. Leo Marvin: [pause] I see. So, what you're saying is that even though you are an almost-paralyzed, multiphobic personality who is in a constant state of panic, your wife did not leave you, you left her because she... liked Neil Diamond?

Bob Wiley: I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful... I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful... I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful...

Dr. Marvin: Talk about weird

Bob: Talk about weird... well, I get dizzy spells, nausea, cold sweats, hot sweats, fever blisters, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, involuntary trembling, dead hands, numb lips, fingernail sensitivity, pelvic discomfort.

Coincidental Confirmation

Ever had a time when you were feeling particularly insecure about some aspect about yourself and then something happens that just confirms to you that you're insecurity is valid? You think, see I was right.

So here's the scoop. Thanks to lots of chaos and sickness in my life, I haven't felt particularly creative with my blog. It's felt rather boring at times and I've been stewing about it on occasion. Then BAM! Yesterday I went to my Blogger Dashboard and my fears about a boring blog were confirmed-- I lost one of my followers.

Man! I'm trying not to read too deeply into it. And I'm trying not to look too hard at my friend's blogs who have more followers, like, say 180. It's good. I'll value and appreciate my 14 followers now. I don't need 15 to be happy.

But please, oh, please the rest of you don't drop out, okay? Don't give up on me yet!

Things I just don't Understand

--ironing creases into jeans

--guys with long hair

--skinny jeans

--people who take their tiny dogs to the store

--comb overs

--sagging pants that show off undies

--flip flops in snow (brrrr!)

--blue hair

--massive sunglasses

I think these officially make me old.

Love this!

Ah, such Beauty

Ah, my bed. I love it. I'm so happy to have it. Such a nice pillow. And my blanket-- yes, I sleep with a Pooh bear blanket. I have for 14 years. Ah, one of my closest friends! ;o)

An Awesome Discovery

Pepsi with sugar! I'm so excited. I may have to buy some more. They also have Mountain Dew with real sugar and the old time design.

Signs of Sickness

All the medicine on the kitchen counter. Nasal spray, salt spray, sore throat spray, ibuprofen, benedryl, tylenol, cold and flu drink, vitamin C. Lots of meds to help us survive.

Sorry the picture is blurry. I'm too lazy to take it again.

Still Sick

Can't think of anything creative to say. I'm already to crawl back into bed but it's a late night for the hubby which makes me single mom.

Tally ho.

For Today

Let's see: what can I not do today? Oh, the possibilities are endless! All around me I see things I can brazenly ignore and neglect. Where do I even start with the myriad of things that need to be done but that I'm not going to do? It's almost exhilarating!

I should do this more often. I can make a "Not To Do" list. Wow! I can cross off things by the minute:

"Ooh, I didn't do that one." "Nope, not that one." "Didn't even touch that one." "Hey, completely forgot about that!"

So exciting! I've never realized that not doing things and crossing them off my list could be more satisfying than doing things and crossing them off. Man, I'm feeling brilliant today!

Bird Drama

Yesterday I did the unthinkable: I cut the flight feathers on my cockatiels. I've had both of them for two years now and I've always let them fly around. Lately the male cockatiel, Frankie, has become more and more difficult and extremely naughty. I spend all day chasing him off places he shouldn't be. When I put him back in his cage, he shrieks and screams.

Once we got the new green cheek conures, Frankie's unruliness reached new lows. I ended up clipping the flight feathers of the conures because one of them actually tried to make a break out the back door (about gave me a heart attack). Last night, before I could change my mind, I corralled Frankie and clipped him-- right after he made me bleed profusely by locking his beak onto two of my fingers. Once he was done, I clipped Keddy, my female cockatiel who has become a terrible follower of Frankie's bad behavior.

Today I only have one flighted bird-- the canary Pavarochi who never comes out of his cage. I should hope things will be calmer. When some of the birds were flying, the other non-flying ones kept trying to join in. Now no one can fly.

And in a lot of ways, it breaks my heart. I know Frankie loved to fly. I do hope the move mellows him and makes him kinder-- instead of crushing his spirit! I feel bad about it until I bump my poor bruised and bitten fingers against something and then my sympathy wains some.

Welcome to the zoo!

Birthday Bonding

It's my daughter's birthday today. She's sick, I'm sick, the toddler is still sick, and the son feels left out because it's neither his birthday nor is he sick.

All fun and games around here.

Don't Ya Just Hate it....

when you manage to burn down an entire building and wipe out 100 super heroes because you were doing a load of laundry in your dreams?

Makes it tough to wake up happy.

Cute times two= six birds at home

These are the latest additions to the zoo here. The bird rescue I work for will have taken in 12 birds by next Monday night. 12! It's crazy! Most of them are conures. This is the pair I took. They are green cheek conures and fairly small- between a cockatiel and a parakeet. So far, so good. They are fully flighted and have taken to flying to my shoulder and hanging out there.

Anybody interested in adopting some birds?

Been Thinking

Having my son and dealing with his emotional issues and defiance has truly helped me to be a better teacher for the teens at the detention center. I am always using the same techniques with them that I've learned to use with my son. It's been super helpful.

For example, if one of them is arguing with me, I repeat what I say twice (maybe three times) and then I stop. I sit/stand there, cross my arms, and smile at them. End of argument.

Yesterday's writing class was big-- 16 kids! 4 new ones. The one teen I've had a problem with was really good yesterday. He wrote, he participate, he actually created some sentences for our group story. When the class was over, he came up to me and asked if I thought he'd been good. It was cute. I told him I thought he had.

It was a good class. I talked with the center director as I was leaving and he reported he had heard really good things about the class and how it was going. I was relieved to hear that. Most times the staff watch and listen and never once have they offered any feedback at all. I've gotten one "course correction" and that's it. I often wonder as I watch them watching me and the class if they like what's happening or if they don't. They are very hard to read!

So I'm still thrilled to be teaching and thrilled that at this point in my life, I can far better handle the needs and issues of the teens than if I had done it prior to having my son. Teens don't frighten me as once as they did! It's great.

Surprise!

I took the sick toddler to the doctor this morning. Surprise! He has two flaming ear infections! That means he takes after his dad and hides the signs of infection. Plus because of how much mucus he has in his body, it's very likely he also has RSV. So we'll be watching his breathing carefully. He's on antibiotics and some meds to help with the mucus. Plus Vicks vapor rub and saline spray and a humidifier. Yep, we are a sick house.

All fun and games around here until someone loses an eye! ;o)

Mama needs some comic relief

Having a Moment

I'm having a moment where I'm feeling not coping well, not creative enough, not functional, and completely not sure how to survive another night with the hubby not coming home at all till after 10 pm.

Sigh. Such is life.

Being a Writer....

is TOUGH!!!!

Who else do you know you pours their heart and souls onto paper and then sends it out for rejection?!? (Well, maybe artists).

Sigh. Rejection stinks.

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?

I was there!

Paul Cardall's Monday night concert was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! The best part was when they showed a slide show of Paul's journey toward a heart transplant. The pictures got more and more discouraging and we realized how close he came to death.

And then, Voila! A healthy and strong Paul walked out onto the stage and the entire audience jumped to their feet and applauded, screamed, and cheered. I was one of very many who wiped away tears as I clapped as hard as I could.

We've loved Paul's music for years and I've loved reading his blog for the past year. I prayed so hard that he'd live. God truly granted a miracle for him. And you should see him now! Wow! It's such a thrill and a Terrific lesson in hope & endurance.

Here's Paul's comments on the concert plus some pics: http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/2010/02/reflections-on-concert.html

Still dreaming of Spring.......

OK, so maybe these are a bit "summer-ish" too, but I'm still thinking of warmth! And sunny blue skies. And lots & lots & lots of green!

Mouse Trap Adversity

When life gets you down, fight back!

New Recipe

White Bean & Chicken Chili

In a Crock Pot, add:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 onions, chopped

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 4-oz cans of roasted green chilis, drained

1 T ground cumin

2 15-oz cans of white beans, rinsed & drained

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Stir well.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, stirring twice.

I simplified this recipe some to make it easier. I cooked mine on high for I think 3 hours. It takes super good served with cornbread. Every one in my family liked it! Woo hoo!

Indentured Servitude

My son walked into the kitchen this morning for breakfast and looked at the table.

"Where's my bowl?" he said loudly. (It's his job to get his own breakfast supplies out each morning.)

I arched an eyebrow. "The maid hasn't gotten it out yet," I said wryly.

He looked at me in surprise and then realized I was kidding.

And then got his own bowl out.

A New Recipe

Spaghetti Verde

Bring a large pot of slightly salted water to boil. Add 12 oz whole-wheat spaghetti and cook as package directs. Add 8 oz of asparagus (trimmed to 1/2 pieces) and 4 oz of sugar snap peas (trimmed & halved) 3 minutes before the pasta will be done. Add 1 cup frozen peas last then drain.

While pasta is boiling, heat 1 T of olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup minced shallots; saute 2 minutes. Add 1 medium zucchini (halved & sliced), 1/4 tsp salt & pepper; cook 5 minutes until zucchini is crisp tender. Add 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth.

Return pasta & veggies to pasta pot. Add zucchini mixture and toss to mix & coat. Sprinkle servings with chives & Parmesan.

I really liked this one. I couldn't add the shallots, but I'm guessing they add a lot more flavor. It's very healthy & tasty.

My new Theme song

(sung to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin")

I am flexible

I am flexible

Yes, I am

Yes, I am

I can change my pl-ans

And it will NOT kill me

No, it won't

No, it won't

I made that up last night and have been singing it to myself since then. It's helping-- especially since it's a holiday and the kids are home and the hubby is gone working on his dissertation all day.

I am flexible

I am flexible....

Finding Hope

Baffling

Sometimes I say things and people laugh. I think "hmm, was that funny?" I guess so. Because people laugh. Good thing I don't often tend toward paranoia otherwise I'd wonder about all these laughing people.

Sure does make life interesting though.

The Infinite Power of Hope

Happy Valentine's Day!

Give everyone you meet the gift of LOVE!

Dreaming of Spring......

The Power of Peace through Prayer

This week has been a challenging one for me. Several people whom I love very, very dearly have been struggling through some intensely dramatic trials. It has been heartwrenching to watch. That along with all the other craziness of life has made it difficult for me to keep functioning this week. I've often walked zombie like through the day.

Today I woke up feeling exhausted and drained. I knew I had to get up and get moving so I could teach my writing class, but I felt like I had nothing left, nothing to give my students. I cried for a bit then pulled myself together. I also realized I could not make it through the day alone.

I humbled myself enough to send off three quick emails,two to dear, dear friends & one to my mom, asking them to pray for me. And then I prayed all the way to the detention center.

It worked.

At the end of today, instead of feeling wasted and empty, I feel uplifted and peaceful. I feel the love of my Heavenly Father and the support of my family. I'm so grateful I know the power of prayer. I'd be so lost without it. I hope you all understand the priceless gift we have to reach out for help, love, and guidance to our Father in Heaven and receive it. The scriptures talk about feeling like you're on the wings of eagles. I feel that right now. My prayer is all of you will feel that way too and remember you are a beloved child of God.

Random comment

Today is 2/10/10. It's cool, huh? It's fun to say the date a whole bunch of times: 2/10/10, 2/10/10, 2/10/10.

Just wanted to share that with ya.

I am that Mother

I was asked to help with both of my school kids Valentine's day parties this Friday. They are both at the same time. So I told the other mother in charge of the party for my daughter's class that I'd bring cookies for the kids to decorate.

I bought 3 boxes at Walmart.

I am SO proud of myself!

Toddler Crisis Hotline

Operator: Toddler Crisis Hotline, how may I help you?

Toddler: MWaah! Blaaaahaw! Eerreewww! Ow-side!

Operator: Oh dear sir, that sounds dreadful.

Toddler: OW-SIDE blaheck mawaahhh meerrelflll Mom!

Operator: Your mother won't let you play outside in the ice?
Toddler: Unh-uh! Don wan it!

Operator: That's terrible, sir. I am very sorry.

Toddler: Isa snow blahhh! Mwaah! Mwaah!

Operator: Feel free to share with me all your feelings.

Toddler: Don wan it!

Operator: I'm here to help you, sir!
Toddler: NO!!! Ouside! Ouside! Ouside! No wan it!

Operator: I'm afraid I can't help you go outside.

Toddler: NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Operator: Please be calm, sir.

Toddler: WAAHHH! MWAH!!! NO!! OUSIDE! OUSIDE!

Operator: Sir? Please? You're too loud!
Toddler: NO! (click)

Operator: Phew! That was the fourth phone call like that this afternoon!

"Hold On" by Nichole Nordemann

One of my all-time favorite singers and a song I feel like many of my sweet friends need to hear just about now.

God's love is always there for us. He will never leave us alone.

We are never alone. YOU are never alone.

Pre P.S.

Just as I was about to hit "Post" on my previous entry on crying, I got a text that broke my heart. My first response was to hold it in. "Don't cry. Don't cry. You just did your makeup. You didn't put on mascara but you'll still look terrible."

Then I had to laugh. And so I let it out. I'm crying right now. I know I'll stop eventually and the tear spots on my shirt will dry. And I'll retouch my makeup. I have a mom's lunch in a bit and I might end up crying there too.

But you know what? It's okay to show that I have sadness and weak moments and that I can bawl myself to pieces. That is part of being a woman who is alive.

Permission to Cry

I had a dear, sweet, lovely friend tell me yesterday she couldn't stop crying. It was obvious she was feeling down on herself for not being able to control her emotions.

My response: Sometimes life just stinks and you need to cry.

That got me thinking. There are some days when I am so distraught and upset, but I fight the urge to cry with all my might. Truly, it's like trying to keep a beach ball underneath you in a swimming pool-- almost impossible, completely pointless, and totally draining.

When I give myself permission to cry, I find that it's not as bad as I feared it would be. I have only once ever cried so hard that I couldn't stop right away (I had a migraine afterwards). Usually the fear of crying is worse than the process of actually crying.

Here's your permission card:

When you need to cry, cry. Let it out. It will make it easier to move on.

Picture Book Marathon Update

I'm a week in and I've already used one of my "freebie" cards-- I didn't write on Sunday and I didn't do two last night to make up for it. Some of the stories are great and I'm excited about them; other stories are okay and will probably need a lot of work to make them passable. Some will be published, others probably not.

My biggest problem is that I keep waiting until bedtime to write them. By them I am so exhausted that I don't have much desire to write. Perhaps today I'll write earlier and that will help.

Overall, I'm not feeling too creative or chatty. I've had company for the past week and a half. It gets kind of draining! Not that I am not thrilled to have my family here! I am! It just throws off everybody's schedule.

Hope y'all are having a great day!

Egg-cellent....

from the internet, of course. from another blog, of course.

Oh! Oh! A dream come true!!!!

Pajama jeans! I love it! I must have some! How exciting! I will use lots of exclamation points!!!!

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2010/02/06/2010-02-06_pajamas_in_her_jeans.html

I should like to go to bed now

I believe I spent my energy level for today.

Can I go to bed?

Now?

And will someone bring me dinner in bed and then I can wake up to a clean house with perfectly well-behaved children and loads of energy. And maybe a Pepsi.

Sound good? Ah, I knew you'd agree.

A Fabulous Quote

"Our Father in Heaven has given us, His children, much more than any mortal mind can comprehend. Under His direction, the Great Jehovah created this wondrous world we live in. God the Father watches over us,fills our hearts with breathtaking joy, brightens our darkest hours with blessed peace, distills upon our minds precious truths, shepherds us through times of distress, rejoices when we rejoice, and answers our righteous petitions."

President Uchtdorf, "The Love of God," Ensign, Nov. 2009

Llama Drama

We've been reading "Llama Llama Red Pajama" a lot lately at our house. I'm loving the phrase:

Please stop all this llama drama and be patient for your mama.

I'm feeling the need to use that a lot.

and not just with my kids! ;o)

PB Marathon

Last night I wrote my very first bedtime story, and I can honestly say it is the best bedtime story I've ever written! ;oD I'm so proud!

a Writing First

The day came today. I kicked someone out of my writing class. It was tough! This kid was SO obstinate. I gave him many warnings and suggestions. I think I did everything short of writing down his work for him!

It didn't work. He wouldn't do anything.

Finally I gave him an ultimatum: do the work or go back to your room.

Three times I had to repeat it. He didn't respond. So I told him: you're done, go to your room. I had to repeat that three times. Finally after the third time, he opened up his notebook and grumbled something at me.

"No," I told him. "You are done. You cannot sit there and not listen to me and expect I'll keep giving you chances. You're done."

At this point one of the staff members intervened to send him to his room. Man! It totally took the mood of the group from happy to tense.

It was not a hard assignment but the three new kids could not handle it. They could not function within the easy guidelines I gave them. I'm already rethinking my strategy for next week. Another different thing is more than half my kids are Spanish speakers; I've never had that happen before! Some of them write in Spanish which is fine with me.

I told my class today that every class is an adventure. It never matters how many kids come in or out, the class is always different. I never know what to expect. I really like the class now-- well, at least I liked it more last week! Three weeks ago I hated the whole group! ;o) Now it's better though I'm worried about these three new kids.

And the kid I kicked out? Today was his first class. One down, six classes to go....

To hear the angels sing.....

Absolutely beautiful! Brings tears to my eyes! SOOOO grateful we have a living Father in Heaven who loves us more than we can even begin to comprehend. I wish I could give that knowledge to every person in this world.

A Little Trick I Learned

(I published this on the other blog I help maintain and wanted to share it here)

Years ago I read a book by George Durrant called "My Best Day So Far." From reading it, I've learned a little trick I've used for my life and am now teaching my kids. Every time I do something I tell myself "Well, that was the best I've done with that."

When my daughter, who takes after my hubby & I with her perfectionism, gets frustrated her craft projects turn out poorly (according to her high standards), I ask her "Have you ever done it before?" The answer is always "No." "So," I tell her, "then it's the best you've ever done." Slowly she's getting the idea to celebrate her attempts rather them condemn them.

Whether or not it's your first write or your third rewrite, if you look at the facts, it IS the best you've ever done simply because you've never done it before.

Sometimes you may need to get a bit creative: "This is my best picture book today/this afternoon" or "This is the best story I've written on South American dragons." When you narrow your focus, you can honestly pat yourself on the back for doing the best you could. Will it be the best you can ever do? Who knows?!? That forward focusing viewpoint can only lead to frustration.

Today is the day you are living in and your current project is what you are focusing on and since this is all you have truly in your control, it is the best you have ever done!

So when those doubts come creeping in and you can't help but think of someone else, stop yourself and acknowledge the success of what you are doing, right here, right now.

And feel free to apply it to all areas of your life. Heaven knows you need more acceptance and approval and less criticism! Enjoy it!

La Langue de L'amour

Ah, love is in the air and the radios are filled with ads of how to best romance the one you love. Jewelry, flowers, pajamas, jewelry & flowers, more jewelry, tickets to shows.... take your pick of your dream gift.

This year, I am making it easy for my hubby. I have told him far in advance what I want for Valentine's Day. Though I usually don't want anything, this year is an exception.

I want a new toilet.

You see, my toilet and I are both turning 33 this year. We are both showing signs of aging, though I will admit I look much better than the commode. It's time for a replacement.

I've found over the years that if I ask for home improvement projects as gifts they are far, far likely to get done than if I just wait for enough time in our schedule to do it. A few years ago I got new room & closet doors for our anniversary and Mother's day. I got a new banister for Christmas, plus my craft room. They all look very nice in our house.

I'm already thinking ahead to my birthday this summer. A new shower? Getting rid of the wood paneling in the basement? It's a tough call. Good thing I have a few months to think about it. Until then I'll just worry about the new potty: white with a smaller tank so it's more "Green."

Ah, yes, love is in the air in our house.

Ah-CHOO!

Have another cold. Sneezed a lot yesterday. Feel wiped out today. So glad nothing is on the agenda besides laundry and writing another picture book. So far I'm right on schedule.

Today's looking like a good day for a nap.

Motivational Deficiencies

It's after 10 am and I'm still in my pajamas (okay, so really that's not that big of a deal). I've gotten nothing done. I sent my kids out the door for my neighbor to drive to school. I've spent the rest of the time online-- checking emails, etc., buying magazines and then trying to find something that costs $1.01 so I can get free shipping on Amazon, requesting books from the library, letting my toddler play by himself while I piddle around online. It's been a leisurely morning. I probably should get to work doing something.....

Maybe.

By the way, I did get my first picture book written last night. 1 down, 25 to go.

It's Groundhog Day!

It's Groundhog Day!

Middle Aged Barbie

(from the internet, of course!)

Let the Games begin!

It's February 1st and the start of "Picture Book Marathon." I'm ready, doing the little happy foot dance thing that kind of looks like a boxing shuffle but not really. I've got some ideas cranking and I'm raring to go.

28 Days, 26 stories.

It's me and the open road with a notebook and a pencil/pen! Woot! Woot! I'd better go get a new notebook and write "Picture Book Marathon" on it. Any reason for a new notebook is a good one!

Love it!