Flashback Friday: Disney and Aftermath

June-July 2004:
I failed to post the June FB, and since what happened in July was a related incident, you get a brief double post!  Aren't you lucky?

June:
Mom and Dad took the kids and I to Disney World, fulfilling (or so I thought!) a long time dream of mine:  Spend an entire week there.

We stayed in Kissimmee, and went to breakfast with the Disney Characters on Thursday, then attempted to hit Epcot.  Dad sat down on a bench to rest while the rest of us headed to Imagination and Spaceship Earth.  Still no sign of Dad.  If I'd been thinking better, I'd have sent a kid back to the bench, or even done it myself.  But no, I bowed to Mom's judgement and we headed to Guest Services.  I promptly angered my Mom by breast-feeding the 3 m/o Youngling, so we went to the Baby Care place while my kids went to find Grandpa.  Sure enough, he'd fallen asleep.  Tempers were short at this time, so we headed back to the hotel.

Later that evening, we went to the Magic Kingdom and had a GREAT time in Tomorrowland as we waited for the fireworks.

Friday, we hit Animal Kingdom, going on the Safari and looking at others.  In the afternoon, the kids swam in the hotel pool.

Saturday, we stayed at the hotel.  My uncles and one aunt joined us in the afternoon, and we had a wonderful visit!

Sunday, we returned to Magic Kingdom and did everything except Fantasyland.  I parked Mom and Dad in the a/c while daughter and I did Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Ride, then we moved around to Frontierland for Haunted Mansion and others.  My kids were disappointed; they stood in line with Grandpa for a water ride, but just as they would be next, lightning appeared and they shut it down.  We waited out the rain, but afterward, the kids didn't want to get back in line.  We stopped at the Hall of Presidents (youngling's ONLY protest spot) and the gift shop, then returned to hotel.

Monday, we went to MGM.  We rode the Great Mouse Ride, Little Mermaid, and Honey I Shrunk The Audience.  Afterward, I thought K might want to do Tower of Terror and Star Wars, but he was hot and wanted to return to the hotel.  Mom and Dad agreed; I literally stopped in my tracks and said, "Who are you people and what have you done to my parents?"

When my sister and I were taken to amusement parks and overheated (this happened to me at King's Island when I was 13 or 14), we were taken to an a/c place and given cold drinks until we felt better, then back to the fun.  We were there for the day; we'd get over it.

That was the week I realized I would have to be 'the voice of reason' between my parents and my kids.  Welcome to the Sandwich Generation, Molly!

July:
We discovered lice in my daughter's hair.  Unfortunately, she'd taken her lice issues to the neighbors, who blew up.  S literally yelled at me via phone for an hour.  The kids and spouse urged me to hang up, but I'd rather have her venting over the phone where I could hold the receiver away than have her standing in my kitchen!

Her hubby brought over everything he'd borrowed.

A few days later, I received a phone call from CPS.  They couldn't find my house, and told me what had been reported.  I blew up and told them where to find me and to come right over.  We had finally gotten rid of the lice, and I was so mad I literally saw red.

I could not believe what was happening, and CPS never did show up.  Guess she took my word for it.  But my relationship with my neighbors never recovered, and they eventually moved.

We think we either picked up the unwelcome bugs in our hotel room (S and I shared a bed) or when Goofy laid his paw on my daughter's head.  I had all the nits; she had the live ones.  After hair cuts and numerous treatments, we were finally lice free.

Next Month:  Back to school!

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Present Day:
MDQ and ME are going home tomorrow!!!!!!!!

I admit to having mixed emotions.  For one thing, Miss Drama Queen has been a wonderful playmate for Miss Itsy-Bitsy, and I admit to having been spoiled.  She's changed her, bathed her, entertained her.

On the other hand, I'll be happy when the smell of burnt hair is no longer in my bathroom (MDQ uses a hair straightener) and my internet won't be tied up anymore.  Oh wait-yes it will.  Youngling's schooling.

No more arguments over whose turn on the X-Box/PS3/Computer.

Our food bill will go down by $200.

Sunday, we're headed to my aunt's house in Indy to see my sister and have a cookout.  Kids are looking forward to seeing their cousins and playing in the pool.

Karaoke Songs:
Harper Valley PTA (hoping to catch ALL of it on video this time!)
Have You Ever Seen The Rain
He Thinks He'll Keep Her
Better Dig Two

Have a great weekend!

Flashback Friday and More News!

First, the good news:  My alter-ego 'wild child' Kenzie Michaels  has been offered a contract for her entire Sci-Fi Romance series, The Chosen!  Look for cover art soon for Book 1, Star Bound, and projected release date is September:)

July 1984:
My sister and I enjoyed our time in Florida!  We returned home tanned and relaxed.  We attended the annual concert at the park, followed by the 1812 Overture and cannons over the Wabash River, the fireworks.

In late July, my paternal grandparents came to stay with us for a week (I don't remember if this was when my parents went on the Marriage Encounter or not).  My friend A called and invited me to attend the 4-H fair with her.  We watched my friend K participate in the Queen Contest (she didn't win), then hit the Midway.  A and her hubby ran into a friend of theirs, and he and I seemed to hit it off pretty well, even though I got him sick on the Tip Top!  We set up a double date for the following week.

Next Month:  1st Date Disasters and Breaking Hearts


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Present Day:
Karaoke Songs for Tomorrow:
Hate Me-Blue October
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You-Rod Stewart
Have You Never Been Mellow-Olivia Newton-John
I Will Be-Leona Lewis

Have a good weekend!  Our pool finally opens tomorrow, so looking forward to taking this kids next week!

Welcome To My Back List!

Welcome to another exciting SCP Blog Hop!  This month, we're introducing you to our back lists:) For a complete list of participants and their links, go HERE.  So without further ado, fasten your seat belts and prepare to travel back in time to 1984-88.  You remember those years, don't you?  Let me refresh your memory real quick:

Want to win a $5 Amazon GC?  Tell me what you miss about 'the good ole days' or which blurb catches your eye the most!  I'll pick a winner Sunday at midnight, so don't forget to leave me your contact info!

Anyway, welcome to Arbor University!  
Arbor University Tales:
    Arbordale, Indiana...where mistakes are made, love blooms, friendships thrive, and futures are being formed.  Start in 1984 and work your way to the present with these young men and women as they begin their journey toward adulthood!

 #1:  Love On The Rocks (formally known as Love Is Sober)
Elicia Keller starts her first year of college as a snobbish, self-absorbed coed.  When she starts enjoying the party scene, will her self-destructive attitude drag her down, or will she learn from her mistakes?  Sometimes, the 'man of our dreams'  isn't always the one we picture...

Buy link 

#2: Love Finds A Way (Formally known as Love on the Rocks): 
     Can a blind date turn into a romance?  Amy Callahan wants to find out, so when she flies to California to spend a week with Matt Slagal, she discovers the ups and downs of a long distance relationship.  Which one prevails..."Absence makes the heart grow fonder"  or, "Out of sight, out of mind"?

Buy Link

#3:  Forbidden Love:  
        
Meet Keri Patterson, a sophomore at Arbor University, pursuing an Auto Technology career in the middle 1980s.  The college is located in the fictional town of Arbordale, Indiana, and Keri’s dream is to one day be a part of an Indy car racing team.  Along the way, she meets and falls for an older man, Kyle Sampson, who happens to be going through a divorce.  With the innocence of her first love, Keri tries to balance her ambition to be the first female member of a racing pit crew and her awakening femininity.  Will Keri and Kyle’s romance survive the hairpin twists and turns, or is disaster looming?

Kyle is not without problems of his own.  He wasn’t expecting to meet the girl of his dreams so quickly, before the ink is even dry on the divorce petition.  Trying to keep the two facets of his life separate, he discovers there is a fine line between love and hate, as well as deception and protection.  But life doesn’t always get wrapped up in neat packages.  Sometimes it blows up in your face.

Buy Link

#4:  Balancing Act:
Gretchen McLaren has her life mapped out. A tour of duty with the Peace Corps, then working as a social worker for the elderly. But her boyfriend Joe Walker doesn't agree with her plan, and tries everything in his power to change her mind. But will he succeed? Or will his efforts drive her into the arms of another man?

Troy Anderson finds himself hearing the words no man wants to hear, "I just want to be friends." But when a skilled manipulator tries to tear down the woman he loves, will he fight for her? Find out what happens when jealousy upsets the balance of love and ambition. Has Gretchen been blind to true love the entire time?

 Buy Link 

If you prefer your romance in a slightly more 'adult' way, then get back in your time machine, fasten your seat belt, and welcome back to the Present:)

Dustin James is shocked to learn the sexy blonde he met two days earlier is none other than his father’s caterer who also works at the country club he’s recently joined. When he can’t keep his hands off of her, is lust for her sexy body all he wants, or is it love?

Courtney Bright defied the rules by admitting her attraction to the new customer at the country club. But when she realizes her feelings aren’t just sexual, will she take a chance on love, or is her job more important?

Buy link 

Angela Clayborn discovers the man she sent to prison nearly two years before, has been granted an early release.  Torn between wanting to see him and fearful if she does, sparks fly when Steve Blumenthal appears in her gift shop and later at her condo.  Will Angie free her heart from its icy prison?  Has Steve really turned his life around, or is it a hoax?

Meanwhile, in Colorado on business, Angie’s current boyfriend, Brad Morrison, is wrestling with his own call of the wild.  He’s met unconventional, sexy Emma Nichols, who runs not only her own riding stable, but helps out with her family’s woodworking store in EstesPark.  Emma resents Brad’s offer to help during a family crisis, but eventually discovers that Fate sometimes sends people down unexpected paths to love.  Can Brad tame a wildcat?  Or will Emma settle for the safe path?

Buy link 

Flashback Friday and News:)

First, the news:
See that pretty photo?  My 3rd PRINT book, Love Weighs In, arrived on Amazon earlier this week, and I snapped up a copy so I can submit it for the Author's Showcase next December.  I'm hoping to be able to buy two copies each month from here on out, to build up an inventory for signings.  It's very exciting to hold one's own book in my hands!  I'll keep you updated on the submission progress.  Now on to today's Flashback.

July 1974:
My mom's best friend, who lived in Detroit, MI, came down to visit her parents at their cottage on Lake Shaffer in Monticello.  We drove up and spent the day, reconnecting with her kids, Peter, Tim, and Vicki.  The boys were closer to my age, so we indulged in our favorite past time, playing Cops and Robbers and swimming in the lake.

After dinner, we sat on the dock and watched the fireworks.  I think Peter's grandpa even set off some of his own.  My  sister and I always enjoyed these visits, and looked forward to seeing them again in December.


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Present Day:
Step-daughter called last night; she's moving into her new apartment next week, so the kids will be returning home just in time for school to begin.  I'm having mixed feelings:  On one hand, they've enjoyed their time with us and MDQ wants to stay; on the other, I'm looking forward to 'peace and quiet'.  I say it that way, due to the fact we'll still have a toddler in the house, and I'll be home schooling the youngling.  So I'm not exactly sure how much 'peace and quiet' I'll actually GET!

Meanwhile, tomorrow's my weekly 'stress reliever' at karaoke.  Here are the songs I hope to sing:
Hard Days Night (Beatles)
Harper Valley PTA (Jeanie Riley)
Hate Me (Blue October)
I Will Be (Leona Lewis)

Have a great weekend!

Flashback Friday: My Firecracker:)

Note:  I'll post the one from 1974 next week, since this one is more timely.

July 2-3, 1994:
The day after my ultrasound, and learning we would welcome a little girl in three weeks, we packed up and headed two hours south to my MIL's house, for the annual family picnic.  But I was miserable.  Somehow I'd gotten a yeast infection; my allergies were driving me crazy, and it was extremely hot.  I was a little grumpy all of Saturday. and had trouble sleeping.

Sunday morning I woke up and discovered my mucus plug had dislodged during the night.  Not to worry; the last time that happened, I gave birth a week later.  I mentioned it to D, then went into the kitchen for breakfast.

A contraction hit me.  Okay, time to get up and walk.  Only this time it didn't go away.  The pain continued.  WTH??  I wasn't due for three more weeks?

The dilemma:  We were 2.5 hours away from the hospital.  I wasn't packed yet, and certainly didn't want to upset the family by our no-show.  Plus, I didn't want the baby born in a strange hospital, but if we got on the road, would I end up giving birth by the side of the road?  I rubbed my stomach and tried to calm down and make a decision.  Another thing:  What would we do with 2.5 y/o K?

The family assured us they would take care of K, so we threw our clothes in the suitcase and left.  I took a pad of paper to chronicle my contractions.  And what happened next was Divine Intervention.

The hour it took to get from MIL's to I-70, my contractions were mild, and 15 minutes apart.  Once we arrived on the interstate, they increased in pain and went to 10 mins apart.  When we hit I-465, they were painful and spaced at 5 mins.

At this point, I was remembering my pain level with K, and getting hungry.  We began talking about showing up; being told I was only dilated at 3cm, and we'd go grab a pizza at the Ale Emporium, who had fantastic pizza and huge salads with wonderful homemade parmesan ranch dressing (I'm getting hungry typing this, ha ha, but they no longer exist).

We arrived at 86th and Township Line; suddenly contractions went to 4 minutes apart, and I began yelling at the slow car in front of us.  We followed that damn car all the way to the hospital.  We pulled up behind them; a pregnant lady got out, sipping on a soda.  I waddled past her, refused a wheelchair, and panted through a contraction at the triage desk what had happened.  It was now 11am.

Triage checked me.

"I'm only at 3, right?  Let's go get that pizza."

"Um, no, honey, you're at 8cm.  We need to get you into a room."

"EIGHT?  What happened to three?"

11:30:  I'm in the LDR room, being prepped.  Dr. S walks in.

"Hi Molly.  Just couldn't wait three more weeks after all?"

"Oh good; they called you!  What did you, drive 100 mph just to get here?" (He lives 30 mins from the hospital in GOOD traffic)

"No, I just happened to be upstairs checking on another patient when I got word you were down here.  I haven't even looked at your ultrasound yet."

"Go look at it; I think we've solved the problem of my sudden weight gain!"  A contraction hit and I began crying a bunch of expletives that would make a sailor proud.  I felt myself being rolled over.  "Why?"

"You pulled out your IV.  We have to give you a shot."

"Damn it!"

D calls my parents house.  "It is now 11:40 and we're starting to push."

Half an hour later, at 12:10pm, my beautiful daughter was born.  I later joked that Dr. S had scrubbed up, turned around, and caught her.  The nurse had actually delivered her!  S weighed in at 7 lbs, 9 ozs.  As soon as I was moved, I asked for food.  I didn't get any until three pm.  My roommate was being discharged as soon as we arrived, so I grabbed her phone and began making calls.

My dad arrived later that afternoon, and so did other family members.  My mom called from Florida; she had been in the air and when she arrived at my grandma's, Grandma met her at the door with 'She's here!"

"Yes, I am."

"No, your granddaughter's here!"  And explained what had happened.

Three weeks later, Miss S finally met her grandma:)

We spent thr 4th in the hospital, watching the fireworks from the window. When I arrived home on the 6th, D drove to Terre Haute to pick up K.  When he walked in, he was in tears.  I'd just put S down in her crib; I grabbed my son and held him for several minutes, then took him in and showed him his new baby sister.

Next Month:  Can a one month old go in the pool?

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Present Day:
Happy 4th of July!  I plan to sing the following songs tomorrow at karaoke:

Hand In My Pocket
Happiest Girl In The Whole USA
Hard Days Night
God Bless The USA

July Reading Schedule and June Recap

Is it just me or did June drag?   Maybe it's just because I've had up to 6 kids in my house nearly every day.  Nearly every weekend we had something going on, but man, that M-F sure dragged!  We celebrated the granddaughter's 2nd birthday; welcomed MDQ and ME back into our crowded house; saw my oldest son through a traumatic breakup with his g/f; saw the Women of Duck Dynasty; attended my 30th Class Reunion and reunited in person with my HS boyfriend, plus smacked my best male friend for divorcing wife #2!  Also cleaned up my hotel story just in time for my laptop to crash (and no, I had not backed it up); started another wip at the same time, with the same results; and am in the process of writing the new one (#3) in longhand.  It's been a traumatic month for me.

On the health side, I've lost another 2 pounds or maintaining.  Can't remember.  All I know is my pants are now loose around the waist, so yay!

House Hunting: Thought we'd found our dream home, but someone else got it before we could make an offer.  Choice #2 turned out to be a bad neighborhood, so now I'm half-heartedly pinning my hopes on #3.  Now if I get the chance to see it in person....stay tuned.

Books Read:  16
         Print:  4, with one still in progress
         E-book:  11

July Reading Schedule:
Print:  
Princess Pain
The Ripper's Daughter
Waiter Rant DRR!  Loved this and now I want the one on tipping!

E-book:
Man in the Red Flowered Shorts-Susan Lodge Fun read!  
Cards and Caravans-Cindy Spencer Pape DRR!  Loved this book, esp the first intimate scene:)
The Summer I Gave Up Boys-Kassandra Kush DRR!  Loved this!!!!
Unforgettable You-Marci Boudreaux DRR!  Loved, loved, LOVED this book!!!!
Love Beyond Time-Bethany Claire DRR!  Loved this book!
Trouble with a Cowboy-Sandy Sullivan Enjoyable!
Briar's Cowboys-Brynn Paulin Very well written story!
Love and the Economy-Carolyn Gibbs RR!  Very enjoyable story!
Phantom's Rest-Anny Cook (reboot) DRR!  Still very enjoyable:)
Devious-Mark Love
Fetching Love-Tamara Hoffa
The Gentleman's Harlot-Natalie Dae
Slave-Sherri Hayes
Chocolate, Sex, and Other Surprises-Kellie Kamryn

Karaoke Songs:
Hand in my Pocket-Alanis Morrisett Okay
Happiest Girl in the Whole USA-Donna Fargo Started shaky, but okay.
Hard Days Night-Beattles Botched it horribly
Harper Valley PTA-Jeanie Riley Nailed it!  Camera batteries quit, though.
Hate Me-Blue October Did well; only messed up in one spot.
Have I Told You Lately-Rod Stewart Nailed it!
Have You Ever Been Mello-Olivia Newton-John Nailed it, even the high notes:)
Have You Ever Seen The Rain-CCR
He Thinks He'll Keep Her-Mary Chapin Carpenter Nailed it:)
Heart of Rock-n-Roll-Huey Lewis and the News
Heart of the Matter-Don Henley
Heart Won't Lie-Reba/Vince Gill