You know how sometimes things can take a serious turn in a person’s life? Sometimes those things just aught not be posted on a public board – and so I don’t, but this “thing” has been going on in my family that’s caused me to turn inward for a while.
In the broadest possible terms, the result has been that my son has moved out to live with his dad. It’s been a turbulent and very emotional time, and so I have been quiet here on the net. I feel though, that rather than trying to go on as if nothing has happened, I should let you all know that I am not on top of things like I normally am.
I am still here, just distracted. So please give me a little grace in the next few weeks while things settle into a normal.
Sometimes it's nice to see life from someone else's point of view. I am a mother, writer and amateur photographer. This is what the view looks like from where I am standing.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Monday, May 02, 2005
Doctor Update
I never told those who might be interested what happened with the doctor. I just got busy with other stuff and sidetracked.
I did go to the doctor and after hearing what I'd been going through, he took a listen to my ticker and told me that my heart was fine. Apparently, when you have a sensitive Autonomic Nervous System, your heart rate speeds up when you breathe in and slows down when you breathe out. Mine is very sensitive. When I asked what the ANS is, he told me that it's the part of your system that governs the workings of your internal organs, the reactions that your skin goes through when you are scared, touched, embarrassed etc. It also is what controls the beats and regulations of your heart. The ANS is what they measure when you take a lie detector test.
All of this clicked for me. I have always been hyperactive reactive and would startle easily (many jokes in my life on watching me jump) and when upset, my whole chest and neck would radiate red (I realize everyone’s does this to one degree or another, but mine was on the extreme end). I haven't been in physical danger since the abuse stopped. I haven't had the "crisis management" style of living that lead to the skin turning colors lately.... but now it's manifested in this stage of my happily-married and steady life into heart palpitations.
What did the doctor do? He told me to deal with my stress. I am so glad he didn't try to put me on meds, or send me to get a bazillion more tests done! But I am learning a valuable lesson about dealing head on with what's bothering me and in finding effective ways of coping with what stress does to my body.
I have billing to get out today, so I can’t spend as much time lingering on an update as I would like. I will be back though. Thank you to all of you who read my blog and said a prayer or helpful thoughts in my direction.
I will leave you with one cool thing I saw this morning. A robin has found a patch of dead grass near our house (the spot where the concrete steps sat, until the cement patio outside our back door got laid). Well it’s been coming back and forth grabbing hunks of the grass to build it’s nest. It was very cool to point it out to the girls and share a very girly “Aww” moment.
I hope your day is going well, reader. Thank you for taking time to spend some of it with me today.
I did go to the doctor and after hearing what I'd been going through, he took a listen to my ticker and told me that my heart was fine. Apparently, when you have a sensitive Autonomic Nervous System, your heart rate speeds up when you breathe in and slows down when you breathe out. Mine is very sensitive. When I asked what the ANS is, he told me that it's the part of your system that governs the workings of your internal organs, the reactions that your skin goes through when you are scared, touched, embarrassed etc. It also is what controls the beats and regulations of your heart. The ANS is what they measure when you take a lie detector test.
All of this clicked for me. I have always been hyperactive reactive and would startle easily (many jokes in my life on watching me jump) and when upset, my whole chest and neck would radiate red (I realize everyone’s does this to one degree or another, but mine was on the extreme end). I haven't been in physical danger since the abuse stopped. I haven't had the "crisis management" style of living that lead to the skin turning colors lately.... but now it's manifested in this stage of my happily-married and steady life into heart palpitations.
What did the doctor do? He told me to deal with my stress. I am so glad he didn't try to put me on meds, or send me to get a bazillion more tests done! But I am learning a valuable lesson about dealing head on with what's bothering me and in finding effective ways of coping with what stress does to my body.
I have billing to get out today, so I can’t spend as much time lingering on an update as I would like. I will be back though. Thank you to all of you who read my blog and said a prayer or helpful thoughts in my direction.
I will leave you with one cool thing I saw this morning. A robin has found a patch of dead grass near our house (the spot where the concrete steps sat, until the cement patio outside our back door got laid). Well it’s been coming back and forth grabbing hunks of the grass to build it’s nest. It was very cool to point it out to the girls and share a very girly “Aww” moment.
I hope your day is going well, reader. Thank you for taking time to spend some of it with me today.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
the NoteBored
Hey all, sorry I haven’t put anything up in a while. Been busy writing and playing in my personal playground, The NoteBored. You are welcome to stop by and see what I have been up to by clicking here: http://rittinger.admiralxp.com/index.php and seeing the new collaborative project of the “Market” forum. If any of you who troll through from Blog Explosion, Blogazoo or Blog Clicker are writers, trying to get published, and you are looking for a place to pool your resources, then you have found the jackpot!
I run a peer-review, writers workshop. You’re invited to the party!
Some things to know about The NoteBored:
1. It’s a moderated, family friendly forum with all the adult content behind a hidden forum, accessible only through a private message to me (Deanna) in order to open it up.
2. It’s password protected to insure that your first publications rights are still intact should you want to publish anything you submit for review. That means that you need to register if you want to see any of the forums that are behind the Front Porch.
3. If you participate in the Writer’s Workshop, you must also do your share of reviews. We will sport you the first one free, after that, return reviews for the ones you get. This keeps the boards active and fair.
4. If you don’t like to write and would rather just have a place to shoot the breeze, we have forums for that too. We have current events, debates, tech and gaming talk … or simple rambling. All are welcome.
Come and join us! I look forward to meeting you!
I run a peer-review, writers workshop. You’re invited to the party!
Some things to know about The NoteBored:
1. It’s a moderated, family friendly forum with all the adult content behind a hidden forum, accessible only through a private message to me (Deanna) in order to open it up.
2. It’s password protected to insure that your first publications rights are still intact should you want to publish anything you submit for review. That means that you need to register if you want to see any of the forums that are behind the Front Porch.
3. If you participate in the Writer’s Workshop, you must also do your share of reviews. We will sport you the first one free, after that, return reviews for the ones you get. This keeps the boards active and fair.
4. If you don’t like to write and would rather just have a place to shoot the breeze, we have forums for that too. We have current events, debates, tech and gaming talk … or simple rambling. All are welcome.
Come and join us! I look forward to meeting you!
Friday, April 08, 2005
I know someone famous!
If you go here:
SciFi.com
You will see the latest news on a man I went to Highschool with. David Goyer. He was a few years older than I and won't likely remember me, but darn, how cool is that?
We were in the same drama group and he was with the cool crowd... he certainly made good, didn't he?
SciFi.com
You will see the latest news on a man I went to Highschool with. David Goyer. He was a few years older than I and won't likely remember me, but darn, how cool is that?
We were in the same drama group and he was with the cool crowd... he certainly made good, didn't he?
The appointment is set
The appointment is set
Okay, I did it. I called my doctor and made the appointment. It’s for the 14th. I still think that my troubles are from the caffeine I have been drinking.
You see, caffeine is a diuretic. Diuretics drain your body of potassium. Loss of potassium is what causes the heart galloping. The potassium is the element in your system that conducts the electrical impulses, the electrolytes. Your heart is governed by the electrical impulses that cause it to contract.
(This is of course based on what I have read, and not from what a doctor has told me.)
But a very dear friend of mine demanded that I “verify” that that was the case.
My husband ratted me out to his co-worker and my good friend, and she also asked if I’d set the appointment. So… there you have it. I am glad I said something, because my first inclination was to not say anything at all. Partly out of fear of what they’d say, partly out of dread of the doctor visits and tests that they’d run. I feel my heart squeezing even now at the thought of the cost.
If I had figured out what my problem was, and weaned myself off the caffeine before I had mentioned it to Bill (or here in my blog) then I would have avoided this whole thing.
Ah well. One day at a time and all that. I won’t go shopping for tomorrows worries. The ones that live in “today” are plenty to keep me stressed.
On to other things, I have two flash challenges I am going to try to submit for today (flash being that you are given a topic or a prompt and then you spend an hour or so writing a short story – Fun!).
They will have to wait for naptime though. Spring break means my own kids are here and the daycare kids. Too many interruptions to be productive, plus, a gal has to have her priorities in the right spot… play after the responsibilities are done.
Okay, I did it. I called my doctor and made the appointment. It’s for the 14th. I still think that my troubles are from the caffeine I have been drinking.
You see, caffeine is a diuretic. Diuretics drain your body of potassium. Loss of potassium is what causes the heart galloping. The potassium is the element in your system that conducts the electrical impulses, the electrolytes. Your heart is governed by the electrical impulses that cause it to contract.
(This is of course based on what I have read, and not from what a doctor has told me.)
But a very dear friend of mine demanded that I “verify” that that was the case.
My husband ratted me out to his co-worker and my good friend, and she also asked if I’d set the appointment. So… there you have it. I am glad I said something, because my first inclination was to not say anything at all. Partly out of fear of what they’d say, partly out of dread of the doctor visits and tests that they’d run. I feel my heart squeezing even now at the thought of the cost.
If I had figured out what my problem was, and weaned myself off the caffeine before I had mentioned it to Bill (or here in my blog) then I would have avoided this whole thing.
Ah well. One day at a time and all that. I won’t go shopping for tomorrows worries. The ones that live in “today” are plenty to keep me stressed.
On to other things, I have two flash challenges I am going to try to submit for today (flash being that you are given a topic or a prompt and then you spend an hour or so writing a short story – Fun!).
They will have to wait for naptime though. Spring break means my own kids are here and the daycare kids. Too many interruptions to be productive, plus, a gal has to have her priorities in the right spot… play after the responsibilities are done.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Spring Break
This is spring break for my kids and I just haven’t been in front of the computer as much this week. So if you have been wondering where I am, well there you go.
Yesterday we went to the zoo, three other mothers and me. This group had large families like I do. Now, I like the zoo. I like that you can spend a day in the sunshine, get pictures of the kids, frozen moments in time. But almost always, someone gets lost. Never for long, usually it’s because one child or another either ran on to the next exhibit in their enthusiasm or assumed with the group when we did move on. Always we have a near scare. I started to hyperventilate when I added it up and realized that there were 18 children. In fact, if you had told me that I could go to the zoo with 18 children and not loose anyone AND have a great time I would’a said you were nuts. But we did have a wonderful time… and I did get some fun pictures.
On another note, I have been having some health issues that have started to concern me. In the past, I have had heart palpitations or irregularities. It’s like my heart would stumble around for a few beats, find it’s rhythm again and then would be fine. It never hurt, it always passed and then I wouldn’t have an episode again for a long while.
This month, it’s been happening every day. Usually there wasn’t any pain, just that curious sensation of stumbling or speeding up, short of breath, like I’d been running when I was just sitting there. Occasionally in this last month, I would get a tightness or pressure in my chest, usually during stressful situations. At this, I told my husband about them. He was worried and told me to see a doctor. I haven’t yet. I am chicken and afraid of what they will say. It’s easier to say “I have daycare kids coming.” Of course, I just blocked out a day to take my own kids to the zoo, shouldn’t this heart thingy be more important?
Ya think?
Now ask me if I have done it yet.
*sigh*
I did look up my symptoms in this big medical book and I think I may be reacting to too much caffeine. So, I am going to lay off the coffee and diet coke, eat more bananas for my electrolytes, and see if that makes a difference.
Yesterday we went to the zoo, three other mothers and me. This group had large families like I do. Now, I like the zoo. I like that you can spend a day in the sunshine, get pictures of the kids, frozen moments in time. But almost always, someone gets lost. Never for long, usually it’s because one child or another either ran on to the next exhibit in their enthusiasm or assumed with the group when we did move on. Always we have a near scare. I started to hyperventilate when I added it up and realized that there were 18 children. In fact, if you had told me that I could go to the zoo with 18 children and not loose anyone AND have a great time I would’a said you were nuts. But we did have a wonderful time… and I did get some fun pictures.
On another note, I have been having some health issues that have started to concern me. In the past, I have had heart palpitations or irregularities. It’s like my heart would stumble around for a few beats, find it’s rhythm again and then would be fine. It never hurt, it always passed and then I wouldn’t have an episode again for a long while.
This month, it’s been happening every day. Usually there wasn’t any pain, just that curious sensation of stumbling or speeding up, short of breath, like I’d been running when I was just sitting there. Occasionally in this last month, I would get a tightness or pressure in my chest, usually during stressful situations. At this, I told my husband about them. He was worried and told me to see a doctor. I haven’t yet. I am chicken and afraid of what they will say. It’s easier to say “I have daycare kids coming.” Of course, I just blocked out a day to take my own kids to the zoo, shouldn’t this heart thingy be more important?
Ya think?
Now ask me if I have done it yet.
*sigh*
I did look up my symptoms in this big medical book and I think I may be reacting to too much caffeine. So, I am going to lay off the coffee and diet coke, eat more bananas for my electrolytes, and see if that makes a difference.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Point Of View Pick of the Month *March*
I admit, I blog surf. Some people channel surf when they are bored, I blog surf. I have come across one that I adore!
This gets the Point of View Pick of the month:
http://thompsonclan6.typepad.com/thompsonclan6/
It’s called “This Full House” and the lady who writes it has a wonderful sense of humor. Please, click the link above and find out for yourself why she is my pick of the month.
*My sides hurt from laughing so much!*
This gets the Point of View Pick of the month:
http://thompsonclan6.typepad.com/thompsonclan6/
It’s called “This Full House” and the lady who writes it has a wonderful sense of humor. Please, click the link above and find out for yourself why she is my pick of the month.
*My sides hurt from laughing so much!*
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Horizons
Ah well, Smokelong Quarterly sent me a rejection notice.
Smokelong Quarterly is a higher tier of mag (for my ability) to send it out to. I send stuff to the higher rungs first, collect the rejection notices and then go to the next level. The thing I need to remember though, is that my name and my stories are going under their nose fairly often. I will keep trying and in that process, hopefully, develop a kind of relationship based on the quality of stuff I am sending them. One day, they will see my name and say to themselves “Oh look who sent us something again! I wonder where she will take me today.”
This isn't a slam on the other pubs out there. It's more about circulation, and which mags the agents pick through in looking at new talent.
In a fit of optimism yesterday, I sent a production company my story that's in the November 7th issue of Ultraverse.us. They are a brand new company producing their first DVD, sort of a portfolio, really. They were looking for a short sci fi script that they could use to highlight their talent, and attract bigger investors.
If they like the short story, I would then become a student of the art of writing a screenplay and adapt it into that format for them. A learning experience for all.
I have yet to hear from them. They may say that it’s not a good fit for what they are trying to do. And if they do, that’s okay. Know why?
Because yesterday, I dared to dream my horizons bigger than the were the day before.
THAT makes me near giddy.
Okay, I know I am a strange sort of person. It’s a good thing people like me anyway.
Smokelong Quarterly is a higher tier of mag (for my ability) to send it out to. I send stuff to the higher rungs first, collect the rejection notices and then go to the next level. The thing I need to remember though, is that my name and my stories are going under their nose fairly often. I will keep trying and in that process, hopefully, develop a kind of relationship based on the quality of stuff I am sending them. One day, they will see my name and say to themselves “Oh look who sent us something again! I wonder where she will take me today.”
This isn't a slam on the other pubs out there. It's more about circulation, and which mags the agents pick through in looking at new talent.
In a fit of optimism yesterday, I sent a production company my story that's in the November 7th issue of Ultraverse.us. They are a brand new company producing their first DVD, sort of a portfolio, really. They were looking for a short sci fi script that they could use to highlight their talent, and attract bigger investors.
If they like the short story, I would then become a student of the art of writing a screenplay and adapt it into that format for them. A learning experience for all.
I have yet to hear from them. They may say that it’s not a good fit for what they are trying to do. And if they do, that’s okay. Know why?
Because yesterday, I dared to dream my horizons bigger than the were the day before.
THAT makes me near giddy.
Okay, I know I am a strange sort of person. It’s a good thing people like me anyway.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Real Job / Side Job
My “Real” job:
Today, I had one parent bring me hot flavored tea (yum) and another parent bring me cupcakes… (double yum!) Yeah, today is a good day… perks and everything.
I had three new clients sent to me by the gym across the street (moms who are looking for care for their little ones so that they can get some exercise in) and so, I sent them flowers for the referrals.
They called me today to say thank you for the flowers and to let me know that they need more fliers (wahoo!). Soon, I will have my new logo finished, and I will take the template over to the nearby printers and have a bunch made up… along with a nifty new stand to rest them in.
My side job (that makes no money yet):
I sent out two stories to 5 publishers yesterday. It’s called sim subbing, and all the ones I sent it to said they don’t mind simultaneous submissions in their writer’s guidelines. Cool.
I have three stories I need to review yet, two stories of my own I need to edit and progress I need to make on my novel (I will get it finished one day, I swear it). In between that is the normal daycare, housework, and then my own family I need to take care of (which includes yet another three loads of laundry *sigh*).
I need this fantasy life I have built with my writing. I need to immerse myself in a land of make believe where anything can happen. My life has so many “have to’s” just like everyone else in the world does, that the chance to make “something” be anything I want it to be, is a real ego lift.
I also need the time of editing, that sharpens my mind and stretches my abilities. I desperately need to feel like I am growing and not going stagnant. I need to see that growth in measurable increments. That’s why I send those stories out to get published. I need to know that I am getting better, that more and more of what I write is getting accepted.
I do this because I need to grow. It’s that or die.
Well, nap time will soon be over, I need to go switch the laundry over and see if I can get to any of those reviews before the kiddos wake up, or mine come home from school.
I hope your day is being productive, visitor. Thanks for stopping in and checking out how my day went.
Today, I had one parent bring me hot flavored tea (yum) and another parent bring me cupcakes… (double yum!) Yeah, today is a good day… perks and everything.
I had three new clients sent to me by the gym across the street (moms who are looking for care for their little ones so that they can get some exercise in) and so, I sent them flowers for the referrals.
They called me today to say thank you for the flowers and to let me know that they need more fliers (wahoo!). Soon, I will have my new logo finished, and I will take the template over to the nearby printers and have a bunch made up… along with a nifty new stand to rest them in.
My side job (that makes no money yet):
I sent out two stories to 5 publishers yesterday. It’s called sim subbing, and all the ones I sent it to said they don’t mind simultaneous submissions in their writer’s guidelines. Cool.
I have three stories I need to review yet, two stories of my own I need to edit and progress I need to make on my novel (I will get it finished one day, I swear it). In between that is the normal daycare, housework, and then my own family I need to take care of (which includes yet another three loads of laundry *sigh*).
I need this fantasy life I have built with my writing. I need to immerse myself in a land of make believe where anything can happen. My life has so many “have to’s” just like everyone else in the world does, that the chance to make “something” be anything I want it to be, is a real ego lift.
I also need the time of editing, that sharpens my mind and stretches my abilities. I desperately need to feel like I am growing and not going stagnant. I need to see that growth in measurable increments. That’s why I send those stories out to get published. I need to know that I am getting better, that more and more of what I write is getting accepted.
I do this because I need to grow. It’s that or die.
Well, nap time will soon be over, I need to go switch the laundry over and see if I can get to any of those reviews before the kiddos wake up, or mine come home from school.
I hope your day is being productive, visitor. Thanks for stopping in and checking out how my day went.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
It's 6:15 pm and the sun is STILL shining!
It's painting a beautiful orange light on the buildings and the tips of the bare stalks of weeds in the field behind me.
I just wanted to share my happiness that spring is coming - no matter the freezing temps!
I have to admit that it was weird to shovel the driveway last week to the sound of birds chirping... but the mourning doves have returned and they sit on the swingset outside, grooming and fluffing each other to insulate for the cold.
Happy Almost-Spring!!
Saturday, March 12, 2005
I just downloaded the Picasa software to go along with the "hello" software, and I love it! I am still learning all the ins and outs of it, but it merges with Gmail and my outlook to send photo's online, it will allow IM sharing of photos with those who also have downloaded "hello" software and it will publish your photos straight to your blog with a single touch of the button. The picasa software will allow you to edit the pictures and creat collages like this one. This software seems to be fairly simple to operate, intuitive in nature and nice rounded XP style buttons. I will post more when i discover more, but so far, this has my vote as a "must have" if you like to share photos with friends and family via E-Mail, IM or with a blog.
Friday, March 11, 2005
A view from the laundry room
Items found in the laundry today:
1 Barbie shoe (Is there a Barbie Highway somewhere that has only one shoe on the side of the road? I found the other one then. Maybe Barbie’s mom wonders what happens to lone socks in HER drier. If so, I know where THOSE end up too! *smirk*
2. Two Dimes (Any cash I find I find, I keep. Call it a service fee.)
3. One shredded tissue (Yep It’s cold and flue season – tiny pieces of tissue everywhere *sigh*)
4. One tube of now-melted-and-on-the-clothing-forever, red lip-gloss -- oh joy.
While folding this morning, child number 4 meets me in the laundry room.
Her: Mom, have you seen my blue shirt?
Me: Nope, until you are doing your own laundry, you are stuck wearing what ever you have that’s clean in your drawers.
(Meanwhile, I quickly calculate in my head how many years that is until she is in Jr. High school when that momentous event happens. I deflate, five more years yet – rats!)
She leaves in a slight huff and returns in a few minutes wearing child #2’s Purple turtleneck, it’s sleeves dangling past her fingertips.
Me: That is your sister’s shirt.
Her: It needs to be baggy to go with the pants, mom! (she holds up the shirt to show how low the jeans are riding)
Me: But it doesn’t belong to you!
I decide on a different tack to battle her, she is working herself into a good fight about how I always take “their side” and never let her do what she wants… it’s all there waiting just behind her eyes for me to say the right phrase to trigger it out of her mouth.
Her: Did you ask her if you could borrow it?
Got her! There is no way she can wriggle out of that one, she is forever telling me how un fair it is that the younger one raids HER dresser.
Her: No.
I nod in satisfaction that I diffused that one quickly. I resume the folding and she notices the shirt that I now have in my hand.
Her: Can I wear that instead?
I look, and lo and behold, it is one that belongs to her anyway.
Me: Sure you can.
She snatches it out of my hand and makes for the downstairs bathroom to do her quick-change. I stop her half way there.
Me: Hey! What are you going to do with the shirt you have on your back?
Old argument about clothing being left where they stand…
She bats her eyes and smiles at me in her best “innocent” pretense.
Her: I am going to give it to you, of course.
Me: Good girl. You get to live.
1 Barbie shoe (Is there a Barbie Highway somewhere that has only one shoe on the side of the road? I found the other one then. Maybe Barbie’s mom wonders what happens to lone socks in HER drier. If so, I know where THOSE end up too! *smirk*
2. Two Dimes (Any cash I find I find, I keep. Call it a service fee.)
3. One shredded tissue (Yep It’s cold and flue season – tiny pieces of tissue everywhere *sigh*)
4. One tube of now-melted-and-on-the-clothing-forever, red lip-gloss -- oh joy.
While folding this morning, child number 4 meets me in the laundry room.
Her: Mom, have you seen my blue shirt?
Me: Nope, until you are doing your own laundry, you are stuck wearing what ever you have that’s clean in your drawers.
(Meanwhile, I quickly calculate in my head how many years that is until she is in Jr. High school when that momentous event happens. I deflate, five more years yet – rats!)
She leaves in a slight huff and returns in a few minutes wearing child #2’s Purple turtleneck, it’s sleeves dangling past her fingertips.
Me: That is your sister’s shirt.
Her: It needs to be baggy to go with the pants, mom! (she holds up the shirt to show how low the jeans are riding)
Me: But it doesn’t belong to you!
I decide on a different tack to battle her, she is working herself into a good fight about how I always take “their side” and never let her do what she wants… it’s all there waiting just behind her eyes for me to say the right phrase to trigger it out of her mouth.
Her: Did you ask her if you could borrow it?
Got her! There is no way she can wriggle out of that one, she is forever telling me how un fair it is that the younger one raids HER dresser.
Her: No.
I nod in satisfaction that I diffused that one quickly. I resume the folding and she notices the shirt that I now have in my hand.
Her: Can I wear that instead?
I look, and lo and behold, it is one that belongs to her anyway.
Me: Sure you can.
She snatches it out of my hand and makes for the downstairs bathroom to do her quick-change. I stop her half way there.
Me: Hey! What are you going to do with the shirt you have on your back?
Old argument about clothing being left where they stand…
She bats her eyes and smiles at me in her best “innocent” pretense.
Her: I am going to give it to you, of course.
Me: Good girl. You get to live.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Autopilot
I did it again!
*sigh*
The dishes are done, the laundry has been switched over (it’s never really done, just in various states of backlog…). Four of the five kids are brushed, prayed with and down for the night (the teenager won’t let me put him down anymore – go figure). I have found the floor (I knew it was under that pile of toys, backpacks, shoes, jackets and snow pants somewhere). I did the dishes *holds wrinkly fingers to the monitor to prove it* and restocked the coffee maker with it’s magic time-to-get-up ingredients and wouldn’t you know it… instead of putting it on “auto” to brew at 6:00 am for the morning – I turned it “ON” !
ON!
Again!
I hate being on autopilot.
Well, while the coffee maker has it’s days and nights mixed up, I am settling in to do the bills. I need to catch up the checkbook, enter in the credit card charges and all that jazz. I will see if I can race the washer in it’s cycle to the music of perking coffee and finish in time to get to some reviews that have stacked up. If I can get them done, then that leaves tomorrow to do some revisions on my own stories and maybe, just maybe I can shoo off another story or two to gather rejection notices like it were building it’s very own spring nest.
Somebody remind me to get the garbage out to the curb tomorrow morning? I seem to be in autopilot and with my luck I will forget.
*sigh*
The dishes are done, the laundry has been switched over (it’s never really done, just in various states of backlog…). Four of the five kids are brushed, prayed with and down for the night (the teenager won’t let me put him down anymore – go figure). I have found the floor (I knew it was under that pile of toys, backpacks, shoes, jackets and snow pants somewhere). I did the dishes *holds wrinkly fingers to the monitor to prove it* and restocked the coffee maker with it’s magic time-to-get-up ingredients and wouldn’t you know it… instead of putting it on “auto” to brew at 6:00 am for the morning – I turned it “ON” !
ON!
Again!
I hate being on autopilot.
Well, while the coffee maker has it’s days and nights mixed up, I am settling in to do the bills. I need to catch up the checkbook, enter in the credit card charges and all that jazz. I will see if I can race the washer in it’s cycle to the music of perking coffee and finish in time to get to some reviews that have stacked up. If I can get them done, then that leaves tomorrow to do some revisions on my own stories and maybe, just maybe I can shoo off another story or two to gather rejection notices like it were building it’s very own spring nest.
Somebody remind me to get the garbage out to the curb tomorrow morning? I seem to be in autopilot and with my luck I will forget.
I just downloaded the "Hello" software (this program helps to insert and automatically size your pictures). I ended up publishing this post accidentally the first time, and discovered that I can go back (using the same program) and edit it. So, that's what I have done.Also, I spent the morning (until driven from the keyboard with a headache) sorting all the links along the side. Hopefully they will make more sense now. I have registered with several blogging catalogs and search engines today... lets just hope they don't sell my e-mail addy... hummm?
Now that I have figured out how to format this template a little better, expect me to share some more photos. *eyebrows wriggle*
Well, must go for now. I have errands to run and kids to get places. Talk to you all again tomorrow!
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Flashing all afternoon!
Today was awesome! I spent the afternoon “flashing”, no it’s not what it sounds like.
It’s where someone gives a topic and then you spend the next hour blasting past your internal editors and spitting a story out onto paper. Afterwards, there is the commenting time when all who played along also give you an on the spot crit. First gut reactions on what worked and what didn’t.
Rarely do you get something that you want to do a quick clean up and send off to an editor, though it does happen.
Usually, when you are done, you have the start of something or the seed of something you can go back to and rewrite. The thrill of it of course is that everyone is doing it at the same time. You get instant feedback and know right away if you have written something that is going to make connections with people.
I am hopelessly addicted to this style of writing.
It allows me to write stories that are bite sized and refine them, making me a better writer; while still giving me a finished product that I can usher out the door and see if it can be published. I have had some success at this so far, and I am encouraged.
One day, I plan to finish the several novels that hide in my hindbrain and live half-lives in various states of done-ness on my hard drive.
So much to write, so little time!
It’s where someone gives a topic and then you spend the next hour blasting past your internal editors and spitting a story out onto paper. Afterwards, there is the commenting time when all who played along also give you an on the spot crit. First gut reactions on what worked and what didn’t.
Rarely do you get something that you want to do a quick clean up and send off to an editor, though it does happen.
Usually, when you are done, you have the start of something or the seed of something you can go back to and rewrite. The thrill of it of course is that everyone is doing it at the same time. You get instant feedback and know right away if you have written something that is going to make connections with people.
I am hopelessly addicted to this style of writing.
It allows me to write stories that are bite sized and refine them, making me a better writer; while still giving me a finished product that I can usher out the door and see if it can be published. I have had some success at this so far, and I am encouraged.
One day, I plan to finish the several novels that hide in my hindbrain and live half-lives in various states of done-ness on my hard drive.
So much to write, so little time!
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Long Story Short
Wahoo!!!! Lookie at what came in the mail today!!!
Dear Ms. Rittinger,
Congratulations! The editors of Long Story Short have accepted your story, A Day in the Life of a Mouse, to be published in our April issue. This will make a cute addition to our children's stories.
The newsletter and e-zine are published the 7th of each month. You can view your story, at that time.
We hope you tell your family and friends the good news. They can sign up on the home page to receive the newsletter. You've been added.
A Media Release is below to alert your local newspaper, writing groups, family/friends, etc., of your acceptance.
We look forward to receiving more of your stories.
Sincerely,
Linda Barnett-Johnson
Assistant Editor
www.LongStoryShort.us
I am so excited I can barely contain myself! That makes two stories I have in the published world. The other being at Ultraverse.us November 7th Issue.
I will be walking on clouds all day long now.
Please, no one burst my bubble, let this moment be full and complete. Real life will invade and the daily grind will go on, but for this perfect moment, I want to bask in it.
*happy, satisfied smile*
Dear Ms. Rittinger,
Congratulations! The editors of Long Story Short have accepted your story, A Day in the Life of a Mouse, to be published in our April issue. This will make a cute addition to our children's stories.
The newsletter and e-zine are published the 7th of each month. You can view your story, at that time.
We hope you tell your family and friends the good news. They can sign up on the home page to receive the newsletter. You've been added.
A Media Release is below to alert your local newspaper, writing groups, family/friends, etc., of your acceptance.
We look forward to receiving more of your stories.
Sincerely,
Linda Barnett-Johnson
Assistant Editor
www.LongStoryShort.us
I am so excited I can barely contain myself! That makes two stories I have in the published world. The other being at Ultraverse.us November 7th Issue.
I will be walking on clouds all day long now.
Please, no one burst my bubble, let this moment be full and complete. Real life will invade and the daily grind will go on, but for this perfect moment, I want to bask in it.
*happy, satisfied smile*
Monday, March 07, 2005
All things to all people
All things to all people
It’s hard to be all things to all people when you are working with youth. Not all parents appreciate the same things or the same formats. Some people, in an effort to be “Helpful” will tell you all the things they think you are doing wrong.
Sometimes they are right and you must change your outlook, routine or structure to account for it. For those people, I say BLESS YOU! Feedback serves to make you stronger and improve the quality of what you are doing in your ministry.
Sometimes they aren’t though. Sometimes they are mean in their well meaning.When you take someone’s advice to heart when they may mean well, but don’t see the whole picture or carry your vision, all it serves to do is undermine your self-esteem or confidence.
Lets, just say that I had a very rough weekend. One that made me want to turn tail, runaway and hide inside myself. I was crushed, working my way into a full blown, wallow-in-it, full-bodied depression. I went home from church, and sat staring into space until I had to nap … my soul felt too heavy for my body and I retreated into sleep for anesthesia.
The funny thing is that what brought me “out of it” was talking to the other youth leaders in my Jr. High group. We needed to reinforce with each other that we aren’t perfect, we are still learning, and yes, we had room for improvement. Always, this will be true. What ever else though, we also needed to remember that letting those comments sink in too far would cripple our confidence and ability to lead. Second-guessing yourself for everything simply is defeating and counter productive.
So, I pick up my feet, put my foot down, and move forward. Praying the whole time, that I am able to let God be seen through my faults and shortcomings. I am not perfect, I fail, I fall down. But God gets the glory, because darn it, that’s why I need him so much in the first place. I will never be perfect enough, pretty enough, strong or smart enough to do all the things set before me.
It’s hard to be all things to all people when you are working with youth. Not all parents appreciate the same things or the same formats. Some people, in an effort to be “Helpful” will tell you all the things they think you are doing wrong.
Sometimes they are right and you must change your outlook, routine or structure to account for it. For those people, I say BLESS YOU! Feedback serves to make you stronger and improve the quality of what you are doing in your ministry.
Sometimes they aren’t though. Sometimes they are mean in their well meaning.When you take someone’s advice to heart when they may mean well, but don’t see the whole picture or carry your vision, all it serves to do is undermine your self-esteem or confidence.
Lets, just say that I had a very rough weekend. One that made me want to turn tail, runaway and hide inside myself. I was crushed, working my way into a full blown, wallow-in-it, full-bodied depression. I went home from church, and sat staring into space until I had to nap … my soul felt too heavy for my body and I retreated into sleep for anesthesia.
The funny thing is that what brought me “out of it” was talking to the other youth leaders in my Jr. High group. We needed to reinforce with each other that we aren’t perfect, we are still learning, and yes, we had room for improvement. Always, this will be true. What ever else though, we also needed to remember that letting those comments sink in too far would cripple our confidence and ability to lead. Second-guessing yourself for everything simply is defeating and counter productive.
So, I pick up my feet, put my foot down, and move forward. Praying the whole time, that I am able to let God be seen through my faults and shortcomings. I am not perfect, I fail, I fall down. But God gets the glory, because darn it, that’s why I need him so much in the first place. I will never be perfect enough, pretty enough, strong or smart enough to do all the things set before me.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Funny Voice Mail
I stumbled across this hilarious link in a forum I am a member of. You have to hear it to believe it!
http://members.cox.net/patcovington/funnyvoicemail%20-%20Mar%2003,%202005%2021.29.35.wav
It is a wav file of a voice mail, that has a man describing the scene of an accident he just witnessed on his cell phone. I don’t want to ruin it for you, but it’s funny, not tragic.
Warning: if you are a dialup user, it takes a while to buffer into your system, so be patient. I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard!
http://members.cox.net/patcovington/funnyvoicemail%20-%20Mar%2003,%202005%2021.29.35.wav
It is a wav file of a voice mail, that has a man describing the scene of an accident he just witnessed on his cell phone. I don’t want to ruin it for you, but it’s funny, not tragic.
Warning: if you are a dialup user, it takes a while to buffer into your system, so be patient. I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard!
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