Too Tired for Kisses?

When you have a teething toddler - life can be a bit exhausting.  I haven't had a good night's sleep in the last week and the days are filled with tantrums and wailing at the top of one's lungs (both of us!). 

So when my head hits the pillow, and the baby is asleep, it is vital to get as much rest as possible. 

Except for last night. 

Last night my husband turned to me, held me in his arms and kissed me.  He kissed me like when we were dating.  You know, those kisses that go on forever and curl your toes?  God, I love those kisses.  It was wonderful, romantic, exhilarating and definitely worth staying up for.

I'll be exhausted today, but walking around with that dumb smile on my face - like a teenager in love!

So today's question is...

When? Where? How? Who (without revealing too much)?  was your best kiss ever???

I can't wait to hear from all of you...

BTW - Due to tiredness, I've fallen behind in my visiting...I'll be catching up this weekend, so don't worry!  I'll see that amazing post you put up this week, I promise! ;)

Writer's Campaign - 1st Challenge Questions

Well, it looks like the 12 finalists will be announced shortly.  I was honored to be asked to judge a group of entries and pick my favorite from a list of four - the one I chose becomes one of the 12 finalists and wins a prize! :)

There were so many great entries, and so many entries with 20 "likes" or more, not to mention over 50 comments on their post...I dream of that...I dream of getting there.  Thank you to all of you sweet souls that took the time to read my flash fiction piece, comment to me, offer a critique - I truly appreciate it! :)

As it is, I just plug along - writing, trying to make it interesting and hoping it is good.  And so I wait for the next Challenge, I wait and wonder...will I be better next time?

Let me ask you...my MC cursed in my story - is that a "No-No"?  I write Adult Fiction and I didn't think strong language was against the rules (I didn't see that posted anyway), but if I'm making a fatal error; someone please fill me in! ;)  After reading about 40 of the other entries, I realized no one else seemed to have cursing and I don't want to break any blogger laws.  Once again, thank you for your time - your interest - and your continued support!

Have a rockin' day!

WIP - Vengeance Witches

 This is what I am currently working on, it is a story about three sisters - triplets that look identical except for the color of their hair; a trait that is passed on to their sons.  I hope you enjoy this first posting of my WIP.

I've heard the stories 'bout them boys and their mammas, wonder if they're true?  We'll soon see, won't we? I've only got 'bout 10 more miles to go, if I can make it there by sun up - well, I just gotta make it there by sun up, no one can see me like this.  Who knew my simple evenin' would turn out this bad? Shoot, cain't win fer losin'.  I hurt ev'rywhere, I'm so tired; I gotta rest just a bit.  If I lay my head down fer a spell, I'll have more strength to get there...just fer a spell.

Blackie just about tripped over the heap in the path, and lost sight of that 12 point buck.

"Dammit to hell!" he growled,

"Woudja watch it?"  Whitey came popping up outta a bit of brush 10 yards away and gave Blackie the look of death.

"You two done gone and lost that buck, ya know" Red said with his usual calm as he approached out of thin air.

"What is this?" and as Blackie was about to kick that heap of something, Red put his hand out.

"Wait, I swear it just moved"

Whitey ran over, kneeled down and let out a big sigh, "Shit boys, its a girl and she's been worked over real good - we gotta get her to our Mammas".

Red picked her up like she was nothing but a scrap of paper and carried her real gentle like out of the woods.

The door slammed open and hit the wall behind it,

"Dammit boys, why you always slammin' the door?" Euterpe shouted as she turned and heard Ruthie exclaim "Goddess bless us".  Tabiatha came running in from the back garden.

"What ya got there now?" Ruthie always could keep it together in a crisis, but poor Tabiatha was fanning herself something fierce.

"Oh my dear Goddess! Is that a girl?" Tabiatha wailed, "What did you boys do?"

"Mamma, you know we didn't; why would you even say that?" Red's soft-spoken answer was full of pain.

Oh the warmth and soft fur against my skin feels real nice. Fur? Where am I? Sitting up like a scared rabbit, I vomited onto the floor beside me.

"Shh, now. You're allright, and don't you worry - we're gonna make this all better."

The woman talkin' to me has such kind eyes, I've never seen such kind eyes..."I'm just gonna lie back down for a minute" I mumbled - I think - and then I'll tell her how kind she looks...but I can't make my jaw move...I'm so tired...I think I'll...

"Oh Ruthie, Euterpe! The poor girl just made a mess all over the floor; send in one of the boys to clean it up.  I've got to brew some of my tea for her stomach, she's definitely got the head sickness"

"Of course she's got the head sickness! Are you mad? Whoever hurt that poor child, nearly beat her head in!" Euterpe was real good at stating the obvious.

"Euterpe, you don't need to shout." Tabiatha whispered.

"Both of you quiet! She needs to rest, shut your mouths" Ruthie always got right to the point.

"I'm goin' out to the herb shack, start the water boilin'" Tabiatha said as she brushed past Euterpe and out the back door.

"Water's already boilin', like I'm uninitiated in how to care for someone been worked over like this poor girl has..." Euterpe's tirade dropped to a mumbled whisper with the glare Ruthie shot her.

"Red! Get a bucket and come in here and clean up this poor soul's mess.  Be real quiet like, I don't want you wakin' her up - she needs lotsa rest, you hear me?"

"Yes, Auntie Ruthie"

Red grabbed the cleaning supplies and snuck into the healing room.  He wanted to make sure he didn't bother the small, frail girl either - he wasn't stupid, he knew how important rest was at this point.  He made sure he didn't make a sound, he cleaned and focused on getting it all up so the smell wouldn't make her vomit again when she awoke; but he made the mistake of looking up - that is all it took, just the one look. 

Goddess, she looks like a forest fairie sent from you.  She is so small and beautiful, even through the swelling and cuts and bruises you can see she's like perfection underneath.  She doesn't look like she could be real - how to hell could anyone do this ugliness to something so pure?  Red had a feeling deep down that this would be the first time, in a long time, when he wouldn't regret or second guess the vengeance mission the Mammas were bound to send them on.

September 11 = Patriot Day

Today, 10 years ago, I held my 3 month old daughter and cried as the news predicted the beginning of World War 3. I panicked when my husband was leaving for work, he would have to drive through downtown L.A. and everyone was saying we must be next. I sat, transfixed, watching the 24 hour news channels - getting more and more depressed and angry. I participated in vigils, I held signs on street corners, I wanted revenge!

Then our President, the man we are all suppose to be able to believe, lied to our Congress and to us and took us into a war with no purpose - except settling an old score for his daddy.  A war we have been promised is going to end, but seems to have no end.  A war that takes our service men and women away from their families, some never to return.

10 years later I'm still pissed off about 9/11, I'm pissed at the people who think that controlling by fear is ever an acceptable means to an end...both foreign and domestic.

So what does it mean to be a patriot?  Are you a patriot if you follow along and never question the authority of the land?  I don't think so.  Our country would not even exist if our ancestors had gone that route.  The way our Congress is behaving and the manner in which a certain past President acted toward the American people would have our founding fathers rolling over in their graves.

For those of you, readers, that are United States citizens - how do you feel about this dark day?  And for those readers not residing in the United States, your perspective is so much more broad - what are your thoughts on this day?

I can't wait to read your thoughts...

Deep Questions? Or Self-Pitying Speculations??

When I began puberty I also began to have migraines. Debilitating migraines that make it hard to stand without puking all over the place, impossible to open one's eyes in any light, severe dizziness/vertigo, and a general wish for death. When I was in my 20's I would call in sick (barely) and stay in bed all day...suffering. I thought I had it so bad! ;)

I had such a migraine today. But I have kids. And so, there is no lying in bed all day; there can be no self pity - no silence and darkness and a cease to all movement. That is an impossibility with a 5th grader, a kindergartener, and a 15 month old.

I sit here now still asking myself the question: How did I do it? How is it that I got out of bed at 6am, puked for about 10 minutes, woke up the kids, fed them breakfast, helped pick out their outfits for the day, double checked backpacks, and drove them to school (all while feeding, dressing and changing the baby). I then attended a 90 minute PTA meeting, puked some more, took some more medication, fed the baby lunch, got him to nap and went to pick up the kindergartner - took him to swim lessons - then went back for the 5th grader. I had to help with homework, deal with the Sears repair man that said nothing is wrong with my oven that won't bake, got dinner on the table, kids bathed and ready for bed - all by the time Daddy got home. HOW DID I DO IT? Well, I do it every day so I guess it is sort of muscle memory at this point! :D

So here is the question...

Why is it that some people, when faced with great adversity, rise above the challenge and continue to live their lives - as though they will not let anything effect their quality of life; while others wallow in self pity and cease to live any kind of life that does not revolve around creating pity in others about how pitiful they are?

Now don't get me wrong, I'm in no way equating my stupid migraine to those amazing people who fight cancer and refuse to let it win...it is just that my day today was full of pain and it got me thinking. What do you think? Do you have an opinion? Is this one of those nature vs. nurture arguments?

I'm still in my head about this one, and just thought I'd put it out there and see what you think.

Here is an amazing song about surviving...


And another inspiring song...

Insecure Writer's Support Group

I was turned on to this by Sarah Pearson at Empty White Pages.  She's a pretty awesome gal and I really enjoy her blog - so called me shocked when she posted about being insecure in her writing!  I guess it isn't just me! ;)

I'm gonna check it out, hopefully find some more great writers out there and develop some great, supportive relationships! I'm pasting this link into my blog, and if I followed the instructions correctly, hopefully it works!

Before I sign off on this post, dear readers, what are some insecurities you wrestle with? What is the hardest part of the endeavor for you? For me, it is the giving it to another's eyes to look at, you see I'm always convinced that the response I receive will be something like, "oh sweetie, this is a pile of crap!" So I often just let "finished" work just sit on my computer...paralyzed with fear to let someone actually read it. UUUGH! That is why I started blogging, I figure I'm facing my fear every single time I post. And dear readers, thank you! Thank you for being so kind in your feedback, for reading my posts and offering praise and for coming back again and again. I TRULY APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! :D

I've been given an award!

My dear friend and sis-in-law, Liz - over at Laws of Gravity - has given me the

I believe it's a "One to Watch" type of award for new bloggers with less than 200 followers - and I fit that criteria (even if she thinks I'm going to be ineligible soon, due to having OVER 200 followers...I'm far from that and SO APPRECIATE her vote of confidence!)

Thank you, Liz! (Actual post here.)  

The rules are:  

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have a super great time in the blogosphere!

So here are my top three picks that I am just LOVING right now!

1. Jamila Jamison at Flights of Fancy - her posts are fun and entertaining, and I usually glean some new knowledge...who could ask for anything more?!?

2. Mel Fowler at Adventure Writes - I've really enjoyed the technical info on writing and her 1st campaign challenge piece is AWESOME!

3. Liz at Home is Where the Cat is - Oh she had me with her post on Taylor Kitsch, too funny and very honest - everything I've read I've loved!

4. Crystal at Little Bundle of Contradictions - I'm loving her Sisterhood of the Dawn series...check it out!

Now I am going to attach a disclaimer here...Only Mel's website tells me how many followers she has, so hopefully I didn't completely screw this up!

First Campaigner Challenge

To one and all I send my love, I hope you enjoy this first foray into "forced" writing (in other words, I've never done this before!).  Hopefully, it isn't too dreadful; and I receive some constructive criticism - that is the point after all. :)  Here is my humble offering...


You Shouldn't Scream

The door swung open and the waves of heat brought the flies. 

I can smell the stink of rotting flesh, and I pray it isn't my leg; perhaps just a rat caught in the trap under the camper.

"What the hell took you so long?" I screamed, I should not have screamed. 

Now look at me, I'm stuck and don't know what I'm going to do without him.  What the fuck kind of person just up and leaves after doing this?  I'm here because of him, if I had a phone I'd call for help; but I'm stuck in Nowheresville with no electricity, plumbing or cell coverage.  It's got to be almost midnight and I'm an idiot.

What is that scratching?  What is outside?  I've got to check my leg, but I'm scared of what I'll see.  At least it's a full moon, that'll help me clean up this mess.

"OK...I can do this...OH SHIT!"

To be fair, I did not expect the maggots...I think the puking is justifiable.

Fuck! I've got to get out of here. 

I can hear breathing; no, it is SNIFFING!

Please! Not a coyote.  The fucker's tail hit the broom and the door swung shut.

I did try to not only complete the challenge, but the additional bonus challenge as well...let me know what you think!

if you like this story, please "Like" it on the Linkylinks; I'm number 139. thanks!

Labor Day in the U.S.

Today is Labor Day.  A day that has traditionally, for me anyway, meant BBQ and family time.  So on this auspicious day, we will do both - my in-laws will be here this afternoon and we will make our healthy fare of chicken, turkey, beef and veggie kabobs. 

I really love any excuse to get together with those I love and talk and laugh and make yummy food!  So these days are what I look forward to and what sustain me throughout the daily grind of the rest of the year.

Tomorrow we will be back to the grind, until the end of the month when I will celebrate another year of getting older...another perfect excuse to have those I love surround me with laughter, good conversation and fantastic food!

Fellow Campaigners...I have truly enjoyed reading your blogs and getting to know each of your unique voices.  I truly appreciate the comments and camaraderie I have experienced thus far, and I hope it continues long after this is over.

Please, gentle readers, respond to this and let me know
1. What is your favorite holiday and why?
2. What is your favorite food that is unique to that holiday (in other words, you only eat it on that day)

Thanks for your feedback, it's just another way to read a layer of you!

Let's Lighten Things Up A Bit...

I've been much too dark lately, I know this and I apologize to all of you wonderful people who have been reading all this downer stuff - commenting so nicely - and probably feeling like "Shit, when is she gonna stop?!?"  Well, that time is now!

My eldest and middle child started back to school yesterday, for my middle child it was his first day of Kindergarten.  Of course, I had planned to hang around long after the bell rang - my daughter had, after all, almost blown a blood vessel when I tried to leave her on her first day - but my son, he is a different beast all together.  As I stood there clasping his little hand in mine, he looks up at me and says "Mommy, why are you still here?"  Isn't he sweet?  I stifled my smile and said, "I'm here for you, when you are ok with me leaving; then I'll leave".  He dropped my hand faster than a hot potato and said, "I'm fine, Mommy - you can go".  So I left, and the tears slowly ran down my cheeks as I walked to the fifth grade classroom where my daughter was waiting to go into class.

As I approached her, I saw that she was crying; but my husband was there and she hadn't seen me yet, so I slowed down and moved out of her line of sight.  I know, it sounds bad - right?  I wanted to give him the opportunity to handle it and I knew that she would lose it even worse if she saw me (to be fair, we recently moved and so she is starting a new school as a fifth grader with no friends).  My husband was dealing with the anxiety; but the teacher came out, recognized the situation; then instantly fixed any and all problems...YAY TEACHERS!

I went and spent the next few hours chasing my littlest one around the house, cleaning where I could.  When I went back to pick up my son, the teacher pulled me aside.  I'm thinking..."Crap! What could he have possibly done?"  She then tells me that my son is (and I am quoting her here) "Probably the nicest, most well behaved boy I've ever taught" HOLY SHIT!!!  She then went on to explain what a "bucket filler vs. a bucket dipper" is (if you are as confused as I was, click here), and then told me that my son does this naturally.  She used words like "loving" and "kind" and "sweet" and "thoughtful" and "helpful", then the final coup de gras..."wise beyond his years".  I was floored.  It seems my son is a bucket filler and NOT a bucket dipper.

I have to tell you that I am exceedingly happy.  The book in question, "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud, is used at my kids school in conjunction with their anti-bullying education; it's a pretty straightforward book that gets right to the heart of the matter.  I am glad that I've been introduced to it, and I think perhaps it should be used in a more widespread manner.

So here is the point of this post (besides a bit of bragging on my part)...

Do you, gentle readers, know of other children's books that have an excellent message?  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, message books - and I especially love clever authors that hide their message in a fantastically entertaining book that children adore!

I can't wait to hear from all of you!

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