Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Dreamweavers: Editing Rewards
The Dreamweavers: Editing Rewards: "Editing is usually said with a shudder among my writer friends. Although, I do have one that LOVES it. I don't judge, I love her anyway. I'..."
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Dreamweavers: Feel Like Blogging Today
The Dreamweavers: Feel Like Blogging Today: "So, I'm writing. I took about a week off. The voices were quiet after we had to say good-bye to my dog, Sirius Black. He died young, but liv..."
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
RIP
Sirius Black
10/1/08 - 1/19/11
Rest in Peace big dog.
I tried to fit a lifetime of love
into two short years.
10/1/08 - 1/19/11
Rest in Peace big dog.
I tried to fit a lifetime of love
into two short years.
Sirius Black
I wish I could figure out how to load a picture from my iPod to my blog. But I can't, and honestly, I don't care that much right now.
Today, I had to say good bye to one of my best friends. My dog, Sirius Black. He went in for exploratory surgery because of a lump on his side (see previous posts). They couldn't get him through surgery.
I was told that doc probably knew from the beginning, when they opened him, that it was a losing battle, but worked for an hour or more to try to change that outcome. He dreaded the phone call, and put it off as long as he could.
I knew when the kids said it was the vet's office, that something was wrong. It was too early for them to call me.
"I don't think I can save him."
I had just dropped the kids off from school. I gave them the choice to go back with me and say good bye. Carter stayed home, but the rest came with me.
They had Sirius cleaned up, and waiting for us. We were there when he left this world. All along the way, I gave the children choices. They could be there for everything, or just a few things. They did what they could.
I believe that heaven is full of animals. They're loyal and trustworthy. They love without condition. They are what we should all aspire to be. How could the gates not open for them?
There are reminders of him all over. He was here just this morning. He was playing with Zeus. He was nuzzling me. He chased squirrels from the yard. He has...he had a way of launching himself from the deck that was amazing. His ears were the softest I'd ever felt. His tail curled in an almost pug-like way.
He was amazing. He was adorable. He was well loved, and he was mine. He will be missed.
It's snowing hard here today. I tell myself the angels are crying for me as they welcome him home. He gets to see an old friend, Kenai. He gets to meet a new friend, Kodi. Kodi and Sirius will get along splendidly, and they can all play together now, I wish I could see it. I hope there's a ball.
Today, I had to say good bye to one of my best friends. My dog, Sirius Black. He went in for exploratory surgery because of a lump on his side (see previous posts). They couldn't get him through surgery.
I was told that doc probably knew from the beginning, when they opened him, that it was a losing battle, but worked for an hour or more to try to change that outcome. He dreaded the phone call, and put it off as long as he could.
I knew when the kids said it was the vet's office, that something was wrong. It was too early for them to call me.
"I don't think I can save him."
I had just dropped the kids off from school. I gave them the choice to go back with me and say good bye. Carter stayed home, but the rest came with me.
They had Sirius cleaned up, and waiting for us. We were there when he left this world. All along the way, I gave the children choices. They could be there for everything, or just a few things. They did what they could.
I believe that heaven is full of animals. They're loyal and trustworthy. They love without condition. They are what we should all aspire to be. How could the gates not open for them?
There are reminders of him all over. He was here just this morning. He was playing with Zeus. He was nuzzling me. He chased squirrels from the yard. He has...he had a way of launching himself from the deck that was amazing. His ears were the softest I'd ever felt. His tail curled in an almost pug-like way.
He was amazing. He was adorable. He was well loved, and he was mine. He will be missed.
It's snowing hard here today. I tell myself the angels are crying for me as they welcome him home. He gets to see an old friend, Kenai. He gets to meet a new friend, Kodi. Kodi and Sirius will get along splendidly, and they can all play together now, I wish I could see it. I hope there's a ball.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Update on: What's Drowning Out the Voices?
Took my little guy to get his eyes checked today. The verdict: he needs glasses - and an eye patch.
One of his eyes is a little lazy, so he'll be training it by playing pirate. The doc said there were two lines my guy couldn't even see. Who knows what my little man's been missing?
He also needs glasses for reading, the eye muscles are weak and working really hard to focus. I have the same problem. When my eyes get too tired, the words blurr together: my eyes cross. His special reading class is at the end of the day. When we're working with him: end of the day. His eyes are shot, and he's working overtime to focus the words. No wonder he's having a hard time.
AND
The cub needs glasses for distance. I asked the dr to explain the numbers. He said at 25 cents, 50c, or even 75c, you can get away without wearing the glasses for distance. He's sitting at 1.75 and 1.25. So, all the work they've done on the board. All the times the teacher has flashed a sight word in front of the kids, my boy may not have even known what he was looking at.
I'm not sure how to feel. Part of me wants to jump up and down because we may have found a stumbling block, and now we're going to blast it out of the way. Another part of me, the mean part, is yelling, telling me I should have done this sooner. Telling me I've made my kid struggle when he didn't need to. Either way, in the next couple weeks, my boy should be able to see better, distance and reading. Then watch out. He's gonna soar.
One of his eyes is a little lazy, so he'll be training it by playing pirate. The doc said there were two lines my guy couldn't even see. Who knows what my little man's been missing?
He also needs glasses for reading, the eye muscles are weak and working really hard to focus. I have the same problem. When my eyes get too tired, the words blurr together: my eyes cross. His special reading class is at the end of the day. When we're working with him: end of the day. His eyes are shot, and he's working overtime to focus the words. No wonder he's having a hard time.
AND
The cub needs glasses for distance. I asked the dr to explain the numbers. He said at 25 cents, 50c, or even 75c, you can get away without wearing the glasses for distance. He's sitting at 1.75 and 1.25. So, all the work they've done on the board. All the times the teacher has flashed a sight word in front of the kids, my boy may not have even known what he was looking at.
I'm not sure how to feel. Part of me wants to jump up and down because we may have found a stumbling block, and now we're going to blast it out of the way. Another part of me, the mean part, is yelling, telling me I should have done this sooner. Telling me I've made my kid struggle when he didn't need to. Either way, in the next couple weeks, my boy should be able to see better, distance and reading. Then watch out. He's gonna soar.
What's Drowning Out the Voices?
For me, writing is listening to the voices in my head. Lots of times I hear the conversation between the characters, and I race to get it all down.
But right now, worries are drowning out those voices, fogging up the scenes I might otherwise see.
Worry number one - my dog Sirius. If you go all the way back to the beginning of this blog, you can meet Sirius when he was six months old. He's nearly 2.5 now. He's a pretty miraculous dog, and we've got another hurdle. Last month, he developed what we thought was an abscess. We treated it as such. It took twice as long to heal, but it eventually did. Sirius has been healed up for less than a week, and the lump is back. It appears that something inside is draining, and filling some pocket.
Unfortunately, we don't know what that thing is. I was trying to raise money for the ultrasound the dr wanted, but it appears now, that they're going to have to go in. I'm sure the doc would love to not go in blind, but...
I guess you get the picture. This isn't going to be a cheap fix, and we don't even know what we're looking at yet.
This is the first dog I've ever had that's chosen me. He follows me everywhere. He comes when I call. He seeks me out for comfort, and he brings me comfort. I have more invested in him in the 2 years we've had him than any other dog we've had - and not just the monetary investment. There's more of my heart wrapped around his than any other pet I've had.
I worry about his health and comfort. And yes, about how I can afford to see to his care right now. Will he be okay? Will I have to say good bye after such a short time with him? Is he in pain? All of these things and more I worry over.
My second worry is my youngest. I put him second, not because he's less important than the dog, but because his issue isn't as serious.
He's struggling in school with math and reading. Basic skills that he needs to have, and I don't know how to help him. He has improved since the beginning of the year, but something still seems off.
I'm getting his eyes checked. I'm going to make sure he can actually see the numbers and letters, but after that....who knows.
I've seen him reverse letters, seen him bring letter sounds from the middle of the word and place them at the beginning. Sometimes this can be normal, but it worries me. What if he has a specialized learning style? Sight words that he should have had in Kindergarten can still be a struggle for him. He can get one word today, then struggle with it tomorrow.
My oldest daughter had speech issues. We needed a speech therapist to unlock something in her brain that we just couldn't. The information was in her head, she just couldn't get it out. I feel like maybe my son's brain is locked, but instead of getting info out, we're having problems getting it in.
Here's what I know about my kiddo. He's smart. He catches on to how things work quicker than the other kids, then he uses it to his advantage. If he could do that with reading, he would.
The other thing I know about him; he's one of the sweetest kids you will EVER find. When he was only a few years old, he noticed a bigger boy had taken a toy from a smaller girl. My son came to her and gave her his toy.
I gave him pennies the other night when I cleaned out a drawer. He gave them to grandma and grandpa so they could buy stuff on their trip.
He wants to please us. He sees how excited we get when he reads something. What he's giving us is his best. If he could do more, he would, if for no other reason than to please us.
This brings me back to my worries for him. I hope they find something in a vision test that makes a difference for him. If not, then my mind wanders into learning disabilities, the first one being dyslexia. My other worries; is he going to be held back? Or fall behind. This kid can soar, I know it, but some thing's tethering him to the ground. I would hate for that tether to turn into low-self esteem, because that's the hardest rope to saw through. I worry for his future. He needs these skills.
I worry that, as a mother, I've missed something, or done something wrong, and that he's struggling because of it. I pace and pray, searching for the answers. He amazes me and he's stuck. I hate it.
So, my writing the last day or so, I'm not feeling it, the worry is a boulder, blocking out the voices. The scenes. I feel so muddled and mixed up, it's hard to see the big picture right now.
On the plus side, I've walked through worse, and come out the better for it. I'm sure this time will be no different. I just have to reach the other side.
But right now, worries are drowning out those voices, fogging up the scenes I might otherwise see.
Worry number one - my dog Sirius. If you go all the way back to the beginning of this blog, you can meet Sirius when he was six months old. He's nearly 2.5 now. He's a pretty miraculous dog, and we've got another hurdle. Last month, he developed what we thought was an abscess. We treated it as such. It took twice as long to heal, but it eventually did. Sirius has been healed up for less than a week, and the lump is back. It appears that something inside is draining, and filling some pocket.
Unfortunately, we don't know what that thing is. I was trying to raise money for the ultrasound the dr wanted, but it appears now, that they're going to have to go in. I'm sure the doc would love to not go in blind, but...
I guess you get the picture. This isn't going to be a cheap fix, and we don't even know what we're looking at yet.
This is the first dog I've ever had that's chosen me. He follows me everywhere. He comes when I call. He seeks me out for comfort, and he brings me comfort. I have more invested in him in the 2 years we've had him than any other dog we've had - and not just the monetary investment. There's more of my heart wrapped around his than any other pet I've had.
I worry about his health and comfort. And yes, about how I can afford to see to his care right now. Will he be okay? Will I have to say good bye after such a short time with him? Is he in pain? All of these things and more I worry over.
My second worry is my youngest. I put him second, not because he's less important than the dog, but because his issue isn't as serious.
He's struggling in school with math and reading. Basic skills that he needs to have, and I don't know how to help him. He has improved since the beginning of the year, but something still seems off.
I'm getting his eyes checked. I'm going to make sure he can actually see the numbers and letters, but after that....who knows.
I've seen him reverse letters, seen him bring letter sounds from the middle of the word and place them at the beginning. Sometimes this can be normal, but it worries me. What if he has a specialized learning style? Sight words that he should have had in Kindergarten can still be a struggle for him. He can get one word today, then struggle with it tomorrow.
My oldest daughter had speech issues. We needed a speech therapist to unlock something in her brain that we just couldn't. The information was in her head, she just couldn't get it out. I feel like maybe my son's brain is locked, but instead of getting info out, we're having problems getting it in.
Here's what I know about my kiddo. He's smart. He catches on to how things work quicker than the other kids, then he uses it to his advantage. If he could do that with reading, he would.
The other thing I know about him; he's one of the sweetest kids you will EVER find. When he was only a few years old, he noticed a bigger boy had taken a toy from a smaller girl. My son came to her and gave her his toy.
I gave him pennies the other night when I cleaned out a drawer. He gave them to grandma and grandpa so they could buy stuff on their trip.
He wants to please us. He sees how excited we get when he reads something. What he's giving us is his best. If he could do more, he would, if for no other reason than to please us.
This brings me back to my worries for him. I hope they find something in a vision test that makes a difference for him. If not, then my mind wanders into learning disabilities, the first one being dyslexia. My other worries; is he going to be held back? Or fall behind. This kid can soar, I know it, but some thing's tethering him to the ground. I would hate for that tether to turn into low-self esteem, because that's the hardest rope to saw through. I worry for his future. He needs these skills.
I worry that, as a mother, I've missed something, or done something wrong, and that he's struggling because of it. I pace and pray, searching for the answers. He amazes me and he's stuck. I hate it.
So, my writing the last day or so, I'm not feeling it, the worry is a boulder, blocking out the voices. The scenes. I feel so muddled and mixed up, it's hard to see the big picture right now.
On the plus side, I've walked through worse, and come out the better for it. I'm sure this time will be no different. I just have to reach the other side.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Apple's iPod Touch Turning Sour
Here I thought I was getting a sweet, crunchy red delicious apple. My ipod touch is pretty. It's sleek. It gets me online. Has neat features and gadgets. Oh yeah, sweet.
Unfortunately, that sweet taste has turned bitter. Like someone replaced my original apple with a mushy, sour, wormy, barely-good-for-baking apple. I'm ticked off and frustrated. I'm close to tears. It's even causing tension between my husband and I. I'm now asking myself if it's even worth it. Is having all these neat little tricks at my finger tips worth the contention? I know I didn't have this problem with my cute little Sansa. Their interface is nice. It's easy. It takes almost no time to figure out. I never spent DAYS at the computer trying to get the thing to work.
If I was Apple, and wanted to pull customers away from the competitor, I would make it as easy as possible for them to switch. This experience has left me with the feeling that Apple is arrogant. As if they're saying the days of frustration are worth it because they're so much better. "Of course you'll jump through hoops to use our software," says the little invisible devil- horned-make believe apple on my shoulder, as it laughs.
Some of my frustrations:
So far, I can receive email, but I can't send it. So, if you don't hear back from me for awhile, I've probably read your email, but I'm just not near my computer to reply.
It took me HOURS to figure out how to transfer ebooks, and not all of them have transferred because they're not in the right format. And the ones that did transfer, didn't all transfer correctly. Author names have disappeared, or been replaced with names I've never heard of. Way to go, that'll make it easier for me organize them. I'm so happy I jumped through those hoops and snapped at my children over Christmas now.
Did you know, you can borrow audio books from some libraries? Yep. You can and I do. Unfortunately, these go into my ipod under music, not audio books, even though there's a lovely little shelf for them. But they're in there, right? What's the big deal, you ask? The big deal is that you don't get the benefits of an audio book - like the handy little automatic bookmarks - if it's viewed as a music file. This means, if you leave the book/music to look at something else, you're on your own if you want to pick up where you left off.
Music has transferred - but I have no idea if it all did. I don't even know how to check. However, I know that my playlists haven't. I've spent all day trying to figure out how to get them to transfer, and it still hasn't worked. It boggles my mind that Apple would think that I'd never used other music software, never made playlists, or that I'd never want to listen to those playlists again just because I got an ipod. Yes. I'm so overwhelmed by its greatness that I've forgotten every other music experience I've ever had. Not. There was a reason I made those playlists, and I don't relish the thought of re-doing all of them, and you know what? I shouldn't have to. If you want my business, you should make it easy for me to switch.
I understand trying to retain my patronage once you've sunk your sticky claws into me, but at least romance me a little before you ... Well, that's a thought best left unwritten, but you get the idea.
So, Apple. Thank you for helping my husband excite me this year, then utterly frustrating me. I really appreciate it, because the holidays weren't stressful enough by themselves. You've helped make this one memorable. Now, I just need to decide how much more of my Christmas break I want to invest in getting this gadget to work as well as my $30 Sansa did, or if I can live with the disappointment of its under performance and limitations. At this point, I can't see myself switching to a mac book anytime in the future - not unless someone repeatedly clubs me over the head, erasing my memory of this experience.
**If anyone has solutions to any of these problems, feel free to share. However, the solution of taking it back, has already crossed my mind, so that one isn't necessary.
Unfortunately, that sweet taste has turned bitter. Like someone replaced my original apple with a mushy, sour, wormy, barely-good-for-baking apple. I'm ticked off and frustrated. I'm close to tears. It's even causing tension between my husband and I. I'm now asking myself if it's even worth it. Is having all these neat little tricks at my finger tips worth the contention? I know I didn't have this problem with my cute little Sansa. Their interface is nice. It's easy. It takes almost no time to figure out. I never spent DAYS at the computer trying to get the thing to work.
If I was Apple, and wanted to pull customers away from the competitor, I would make it as easy as possible for them to switch. This experience has left me with the feeling that Apple is arrogant. As if they're saying the days of frustration are worth it because they're so much better. "Of course you'll jump through hoops to use our software," says the little invisible devil- horned-make believe apple on my shoulder, as it laughs.
Some of my frustrations:
So far, I can receive email, but I can't send it. So, if you don't hear back from me for awhile, I've probably read your email, but I'm just not near my computer to reply.
It took me HOURS to figure out how to transfer ebooks, and not all of them have transferred because they're not in the right format. And the ones that did transfer, didn't all transfer correctly. Author names have disappeared, or been replaced with names I've never heard of. Way to go, that'll make it easier for me organize them. I'm so happy I jumped through those hoops and snapped at my children over Christmas now.
Did you know, you can borrow audio books from some libraries? Yep. You can and I do. Unfortunately, these go into my ipod under music, not audio books, even though there's a lovely little shelf for them. But they're in there, right? What's the big deal, you ask? The big deal is that you don't get the benefits of an audio book - like the handy little automatic bookmarks - if it's viewed as a music file. This means, if you leave the book/music to look at something else, you're on your own if you want to pick up where you left off.
Music has transferred - but I have no idea if it all did. I don't even know how to check. However, I know that my playlists haven't. I've spent all day trying to figure out how to get them to transfer, and it still hasn't worked. It boggles my mind that Apple would think that I'd never used other music software, never made playlists, or that I'd never want to listen to those playlists again just because I got an ipod. Yes. I'm so overwhelmed by its greatness that I've forgotten every other music experience I've ever had. Not. There was a reason I made those playlists, and I don't relish the thought of re-doing all of them, and you know what? I shouldn't have to. If you want my business, you should make it easy for me to switch.
I understand trying to retain my patronage once you've sunk your sticky claws into me, but at least romance me a little before you ... Well, that's a thought best left unwritten, but you get the idea.
So, Apple. Thank you for helping my husband excite me this year, then utterly frustrating me. I really appreciate it, because the holidays weren't stressful enough by themselves. You've helped make this one memorable. Now, I just need to decide how much more of my Christmas break I want to invest in getting this gadget to work as well as my $30 Sansa did, or if I can live with the disappointment of its under performance and limitations. At this point, I can't see myself switching to a mac book anytime in the future - not unless someone repeatedly clubs me over the head, erasing my memory of this experience.
**If anyone has solutions to any of these problems, feel free to share. However, the solution of taking it back, has already crossed my mind, so that one isn't necessary.
Monday, December 20, 2010
It's My Birthday, You Should...
totally vote for me today :) Still need votes for I VAMPIRE KISSED A GIRL AND I LIKED IT. Here's the link to the story, the voting polls- but you have to scroll down to see those. http://forum.devinwrites.com/post?id=4772819
Story also nominated for favorite title, so I need votes for both categories :)
Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!
Story also nominated for favorite title, so I need votes for both categories :)
Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!
Friday, December 10, 2010
It's the Winners' Round Babee!
Yep, it's that time!
If you remember, during the summer, I entered a flash fiction piece titled I VAMPIRE KISSED A GIRL AND I LIKED IT that won with the most votes in round one. Which automatically entered it in the winners' round this month.
The same story was also nominated for best title - yay!
So, what does this mean? It means I need your votes! This contest is based soley on how many people vote for each story. The one with the most votes at the end, wins. Simple...except, I don't know as many people as one of the other authors, I know, because I came in a close second with another story in round three.
I need your help. Not only do I need your votes - for story and title, I need everyone to spread the word, and encourage other people to vote for me too. It's simple and easy. Voting takes less time than it did for you to read this blog.
Here's the link: http://forum.devinwrites.com/post?id=4772819
this takes you to the page with my story. Scroll down and you'll find the two voting polls. Just click on my title, and you're done!
Easy-peasy-lemon-squeazy.
Alright guys, let's get to work - Thanks!
If you remember, during the summer, I entered a flash fiction piece titled I VAMPIRE KISSED A GIRL AND I LIKED IT that won with the most votes in round one. Which automatically entered it in the winners' round this month.
The same story was also nominated for best title - yay!
So, what does this mean? It means I need your votes! This contest is based soley on how many people vote for each story. The one with the most votes at the end, wins. Simple...except, I don't know as many people as one of the other authors, I know, because I came in a close second with another story in round three.
I need your help. Not only do I need your votes - for story and title, I need everyone to spread the word, and encourage other people to vote for me too. It's simple and easy. Voting takes less time than it did for you to read this blog.
Here's the link: http://forum.devinwrites.com/post?id=4772819
this takes you to the page with my story. Scroll down and you'll find the two voting polls. Just click on my title, and you're done!
Easy-peasy-lemon-squeazy.
Alright guys, let's get to work - Thanks!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
Taking a second to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
Hope it's a safe and joyous one!
Hope it's a safe and joyous one!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)