Aren't We All Artists?!

   I am a little behind on my ideas for PicBoWriMo, but no worries ... I will have 30. In fact, last week I found my next book idea and got really excited about it! I told Jason at a moment we were making dinner (so, he was distracted) and he was mildly responsive. When I questioned that - he became over-excited. So, okay. A writer's work is never nearly as exciting to anyone else as it is to yourself. That's ok; an artist's work is often not appreciated until the observer sees the finished product, right. And after all, aren't all writers artists, as well?!

The Son of Neptune

   I just finished another book. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan. It is the second book in the Heroes of Olympus series. For lovers of Camp Half-blood and Percy Jackson this is perfect. Riordan has more stories and quests for the demigods. The first series was centered around Greek mythology, whereas this new series centers around Roman mythology and uniting the two together.
     In book one a new found hero winds up at Camp Half-blood and a new group of heroes embark on a quest for Hera. In Son of Neptune Percy finds himself at Camp Jupiter, the Roman camp for the children of the Roman gods. As he struggles to regain his memory, Percy travels with two underdog demigods to Alaska to break free 'Death' from the chains of Gaea's newly risen son.
     Lots of adventure, comedy, friendship, and youth discovering their own strengths. Great series for youth ... or to read with your youth. Too bad I have to wait til next fall for #3. Just a good thing that there are so many awesome books out there to keep me entertained.

Princess of the Midnight Ball

    I have rekindled excitement for reading again. Which I am thrilled about. I finished reading Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George. And now I have a few new books sitting on my shelf just waiting their turn.
     This book is a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, The Twelve Dancing Princesses. A king has 12 daughters. Every night they go to sleep with beautiful dancing shoes, and every morning the king discovers that their shoes have been worn through. The king wants so desperately to discover his daughter's secret that he offers one of his daughter's hands in marriage - which would give the winner succession to the throne - to any man who can discover their secret. In the fairytale the daughter's love to go dancing, whereas in this book the daughters are cursed to have to go dancing each night, but have no way of breaking the curse. Until Galen, an orphaned soldier enters the picture. He becomes an under gardener to the king and falls in love with the eldest princess. Hand in marriage or not Galen is determined to break the curse and save the princesses from their misery.
     It was a fun read; interesting to take a short fairytale and turn it into an over 200 page explanation and background. Good read for young girls.

NaNoWriMo = PiBoIdMo

     Every November novel writers take on the challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel from scratch starting on the 1st and finishing by midnight on the 30th. If you have the discipline and determination. It pushes them to take a kamikazee approach; take an idea and run with it without inhibition. It gives no time to over think your writing and second guess yourself.

    However, I write picture books. My books are 500-1,000 words and 32 pages long. So, I was looking for alternatives last year per a friend's advice in my writing group and we found one: National Picture Book Idea Month.  It started 2008. I started last year. Instead of us writing a novel we take the 30 days and generate a new idea every day. Some will stink and some, hopefully will be awesome! Some days we may only have a title and others we may write the entire story. Either way by the end of the month ... 30 new options. Which means: Yea!

    So, awesome. I did it last year and it worked out really well for me. So, I'm doing it again come November. I think it's just what I need to give myself a good swift kick in the butt and get back to writing again.

    

Alice the Fairy

      Remember the days of youthful imagination; where everything was possible and reality was something different entirely? That is what Alice is all about in Alice the Fairy. 

     Written and illustrated by David Shannon (same creator as the No, David books),  Alice is a little girl who runs around with a wand explaining to the reader how she is in training to become a permanent fairy. She makes leaves fall from trees, turns her dad into a horse, and can make cookies disappear. And that's just for starters.

     Alice is a true little girl to me. Although her teeth are a little creepy she has a vibrant personality of a small child who likes to dream big and see things better than they are. This book is not traditional story format, but rather focuses on the character. It's simple, yet fun to read to kids. I can just see my daughter being like this one day and look forward to reading it with her one day.

Taking the Plunge

     Yesterday my husband and I went on a hike. Although we enjoy hiking together we have not been able to venture out on many trails this summer due to rather busy and conflicting schedules. However, it was refreshing to get back out into the canyon. We went to the Wind Caves - which is where he took me on our second date. It is a 1.3 mile hike one way and opens up a pretty view at the top. It's nice to work the legs and glutes, but my favorite part is all the random talking we do on these little adventures. It was a beautiful day.
     On the way back home we decided to stop at 3rd dam and take a few jumps off of the bridge into the river below; he loves cliff diving; I love water. (This is one of our reverting back to childhood moments). But HOLY COW! The moment my body plunged into that current my whole body felt as if it might never be warm again. So freaking cold! It was seriously and literally shocking! I did jump once more, but merely for picture's sake (I do love pictures!) and decided to enjoy a sunny rock after that. Jason, however was more than happy to jump again and again; he has little reserve at moments like this and I admire his youthful inhibitions.
     I, on the other hand just wanted to be warm again. It was like that moment you come in from the snow and put your fingers or toes under warm water to defrost them and it feels as if the warmth is attempting to bite those appendages off. I hate that feeling. Jason likes that feeling (weirdo), so it makes a little more sense. But good for him. I did get some fun pictures and promised to do it again with him next time - hopefully on a warmer day.
     The good thing about it being so cold ... doctor recommended for the 'boys'. 

Time for Change

    Lately I have been feeling so blah about myself. I feel overwhelmed and underaccomplished. I am a slacker with my writing.  I haven't read a book that was more than 32 pages in months. My workouts suffer ... not so pleased with how I fit my jeans. I am too tired to do much housework and new recipes lately. And we still aren't pregnant.
     RUT!
     So, I'm gonna do something. And I am not awesome at follow through, so I am really going to push myself. But I guess I have to because today I ordered a BBT thermometer for tracking my ovulation, I finally ordered my author cards (Yea! They look awesome!), and my Insanity workout will be here in 5-7 days. I have to be insane to do that, cause it looks intense. However, 60 days and I get a t-shirt! Oh, and better health and energy as a perk.
    I am ready to rock and roll! This should be fun.

Annual Checkup

     I went in to get my annual health physical this morning ... and took my husband. Interesting, I know, but since I already had an appointment we wanted to discuss our test results and possible baby options; kill two birds with one stone and all. Good news: I'm in good health and all seems to be hunky dory (Jason got his about a month ago and in excellent health).
     Next Step: now we get to go see a Urologist. We have done my woman testing. Now for the man testing. And I get to take my temperature every morning when I wake up and before I get out of bed (that's going to be hard to remember right away) as one of my many 'homework' assignments. Then we check back in a few months. Hopefully these things work, cause insurance will not cover much more beyond where we are at.
     It sucks the issues some of us have to deal with. But we will do whatever we need to to become the parents we are destined to be. 

Tacky the Penguin

   When I was a little girl I was in love with children's books. Now that I am a 'big' girl, so to speak, I am still in love with children's books. So much so that it is my dream to publish one someday - hopefully in the very near future - but that is another story for a different day.
   I have collected hundreds of picture books. Though we do not have children of our own as of yet to read them to that certainly does not stop me from reading them to myself. And to my husband some nights.
   So, I would like to weekly share my findings. Shed some light, if you will, on some fantastic bedtime reading material for the tots that you might not know about. Or maybe you do.
  
   Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester. Ill: Lynn Munsinger.
   When I was 20 years old I lived in North Carolina and was at a friend's house for dinner. She pulled out this book and read it to her children, and in turn, us all. I have loved Tacky ever since. Tacky the Penguin is about 6 penguins who live together on an iceberg. 5 of them are very proper and regal and reserved, as you would think birds who always appear to be wearing tuxedos would be. Tacky wears a Hawaiian shirt and does absolutely nothing proper and regal and reserved. Just the opposite, in fact. Tacky is loud and strange and very unique.
   The thing with Tacky, however is that it is the odd things about him that make him so different from the other penguins that are the very qualities that make all of the difference in these books and eventually turn him into the hero. In this particular book (Yes, it's a series, sort of), his uniqueness saves him from the hunters. In others he helps to impress the penguin emperor, help his group win the talent show, and even save scout camp from the bear. And in each one he is a pleasure to follow and discover even more of his quirks. Kids love his zaniness. So do I. Tacky proves that you don't have to be like everyone else, or anyone else, for that matter. What matters is that you are true to yourself.
   Tacky books are awesome to read aloud (make sure to do the voices) and some of them even have a quirky song to sing. For whatever reason I have not met many people who even know of Lester's writings, but they are missing out. Tacky has not won any awards, but you don't have to have an award to prove you're fabulous!

Work For It

    I hear all the time: 'I really want ...' and 'I wish ...'. when a person has a dream. And then ... they do nothing. I see them just sitting there; 'it will come to me.' they say. Then complain when it just doesn't.
     I really want to be a writer. And I am working on it. And going for it, thanks to a great support system (thanks friends). But, more than that I want to be a mom. I grew up with the impression it would be one of those easy things that would just 'come to me' once I was married. I was misinformed. However, I am not just sitting and waiting for a baby to come to me. When we finally do become parents that kid is going to know how wanted they are for the effort we are putting in.
      Luckily in today's day and age there are a lot of avenues to help us along in our quest. I take specialty herbs, I follow doctor guidelines, I try the advice of others who have been there. I also have a  foot zoner. Today I went in to see a lady who is all about natural medicine, massage, and healing. It is interesting and fascinating. I am excited to see what she can do for us.
    I believe in modern medicine. I believe in alternative forms of medicine. I believe in the hand of God. Together these things combined with our beautiful marriage ... we are going to make awesome parents one day. Soon. Sometimes dreams don't just 'come to you'. Sometimes you really gotta work for 'em!
  

Bouncy Castle

     A couple of weeks ago Jason and I went to his childhood friend's house for our annual 4th of July Celebration. They live in a small town now and invite friends and family to have a big BBQ. Everybody eats, chats, and plays grass volleyball on a badmitton net while the kids run around trying to get in the game.
     This year they rented one of those bouncy castles for the kids. I have always wanted to play in one of those things,so I was eying it all afternoon knowing that, as always, I am an adult and those toys are for kids. However, as the evening wore on people slowly worked their way inside and the same thing that always happens happened ... we became children.
     My husband has this magnetic force about him that draws kids to him ... that is that they love to chase him around and throw things at him. He always plays back. And it never really takes long for me to get involved. It took seconds for us to be inside that bouncy castle (with permission) wrestling with those boys, chasing each other and chucking rubber balls back and forth at one other. And boy was it exhausting! Sinking with every step, running up the slide, tipping to the left on the way up the stairs, tumbling onto one another; Jason and me against the youngins. People, that is why kids have such awesome metabolisms: they are constantly getting a great workout - all in the name of play. When and why do we stop playing all the time just for fun?

  

Doctor Recommendation

     When you visit doctors and read tips on how to improve odds of conception you get a lot of random and interesting advice. Like ... first thing everyone says: have sex. Really?! That kind of thing plays into the process? Sigh. Some people really do deserve a 'Here's you sign' moment, compliments of Jeff Foxworthy. I mean, I know they think they are funny, but really?
     So, let's see ... then there are things like: avoid stress (if I could control that better I would've perfected that long before now), use specific herbs, sleep in total darkness, keep a healthy diet, drink Robitussin, no hot tubs (which the hardest one for me - I love a good soak), eat lots of broccoli for iron (which I am learning to like), and be specific with lubrications (most are preventative).
     My favorite was a tip directly from my doctor. She said to ensure that I get plenty of Vitamin D. The best way: Be Naked ... outside. Direct sunlight. Ok. Seriously, I was told 20 minutes a day sunbathing naked will do me great good -and anybody, really.
     Now, I am all for following doctor's orders. What I am not keen on is the fact that to our left: a home with teenage boys, to our rear: an older gentleman gardener and a home with 3 small children, to the right a man who tends to like to 'peep' anyhow, and in our basement: renters who come and go freely. And a very low fence. Hmmm.
     However, I do enjoy sunlight. Perhaps, now that the weather is pleasant again I can take advantage of the opportunity ... simply make a couple small adjustments.
     Just a little tidbit out there for any of you looking for doctor recommendations.

Prayers For Ginger

    You never know when something someone tells you could save a life; something you read in the paper, see on the big screen or hear in passing.
     We have the cutest little kitten. She is an 8-month-old calico that we rescued from underneath my friend's house. She bounds up and down the stairs, stalks our other cat (3 times her size) and jumps on him when he isn't looking, hides underneath a fake Christmas garland when she thinks she's in trouble, and follows you around the house if you are eating a banana hoping for some -she loves bananas! What cat loves bananas?! How could you not love such a quirky feline? Especially one who climbs on your lap purring away the moment you sit down after a long day. She's fabulous!
     However, for the past few weeks she has not been eating much. It seems that every time we go away for any length of time she gets sick.We figure she has separation anxiety. But it usually lasts a couple of days. This time she hasn't been getting any better. And every time I get her to eat she throws up. She's like a furry little bulemic model; it's been driving us nuts! So we took her in to the vet this morning. She got blood drawn for lukemia: negative, thank goodness! And then my husband mentioned something I told him a guy at Petsmart told me one day about his cat not eating because he was chewing on yarn and a wad formed in his belly making it difficult on his digestive system. So, they had to surgically remove it.
     The vet decided to show us signs that we would look for if that was the case ... when low & behold! He did see something. Apparently Ginger had also swallowed some sort of string and it got wrapped around the back of her tongue and has been dangling down into her belly. Immediately we had them do surgery to see how severe the problem might be. I had no hesitation, saying I will give my next paycheck to pay for it. Some people see animals they own as pets. To me they are part of my family. We give them homes, we feed them, clean up after them, provide them basic needs and toys. And love them. And, boy, do I love that cat!
     Right now we are waiting. The string (that I know not where she got it) was 8 inches long and ran from the back of her throat to her colon, slicing into her intestines along the way. I can't even believe it! Who even thought something like that could happen?! The poor baby hurting all this time and no one knew why.
     If she makes it through the next 48 hours she has a strong chance of a full recovery. We are fasting and praying now. She is a fighter. And she is just a baby still and needs to be with us for lots longer. We are maintaining faith that that's exactly what will happen. If you've ever had a pet you love ... send a little prayer for Ginger; our home already feels empty while she's away.
     So, two important notes: the whole kittens playing with yarn theory ... find another toy. Those laser lights are fun. And 2: The vet wouldn't have checked without Jason mentioning the anecdote. Jason wouldn't have thought of it without me relaying it to him. And I would never have even known about it without some conversation I had with a random guy trying to help me out. Sometimes that little bit of information you hear could save a life. I sure hope it has in this case!

Something Missing

    

My husband and I have been married a little over three years now. And very happy together. But there is something missing ... babies. Now, granted three years is not exactly a long time, however we got married when we were both 29 ... my eggs aren't getting any fresher! Seriously, though, we are not young ones just starting out; we have lived our 20s. We have played ... plenty. We have done the school thing. We have good jobs. We own our home. And we want a family. Unfortunately, just wanting something does not mean you get it. And contrary to popular belief: being ready to have a family and doing what needs to be done to get one does not mean the baby automatically comes. They should tell you that when you're younger.

Instead every month I have my moment of disappointment. And some moments last longer than others. And it's hard. I really want to be a mama. And we really believe and feel strongly that this will happen for us. Sometimes you just have to wait longer for the more awesome things in your life - I was 29 when I got married. And the wait was well worth it! I hit the jackpot with my other half. He is amazing. And he deserves to be a dad.
Perhaps soon it's our time. And hopefully soon it's our turn!

Grandpa's Lap

I only have one memory of my grandfather (my other grandparents all passed away before I was born). When he would come over to our house my little sister and I would get very excited and run down the hall to the wall of books - literally a wall lined from floor to ceiling with shelves of books. We would then proceed to each make a pile of chosen favorites and carry them down to the dining room. We would lead grandpa to a chair at the table, each crawl onto his lap and take turns reading our books to him as he sat there with us drinking his beer. And he would sit there until those piles disappeared ... or until our parents shooed us off to play elsewhere. It is only one reoccurring memory, but I treasure it with fondness. How sweet and patient he was with us. Every child should have someone to curl up and read books with.