This past year was definitely full of ups and downs!
Jan:
The year began with an email from my publisher,asking for NiKoh's story; it was due on the 1st. We pushed back the due date to the 30th, then I had it finished by the 15th! Also, I discovered 5-6 shots of tequila before my eye appointment and I had no issues with the laser treatment to fix my pre-glaucoma diagnosis, or the pressure test:) I also agreed to be a part of a multi-author series, to be released in Oct. My characters arrived in my head, but had to push them to the back burner.
Plus, the spouse began going with me every Saturday to karaoke, then we'd hit Denny's for a late-night snack. After the first week, he began bringing ear plugs to wear.
Feb:
Had a relaxing Valentine's Day, baking cookies, then singing 'anti-love' songs at karaoke. NiKoh's edits arrived, and since SaLie's book and my Hearts of Braden book were due a month apart, I got to work on both.
I had also agreed to take part in a community concert of Mozart's Requiem,so I immersed myself in Latin, singing it twice a day and attending rehearsals.
My friend Linda implored us to try to buy her house, since she would be putting in on the market in May. We looked at her house, liked what we saw, and contacted the bank.
March:
A freak snowstorm hit on my Youngling's 11th birthday, the same day as our Requiem performance. My dad was unable to make the trip, and we had a modest amount of local audience members. Three days later, while practicing Easter songs at church, I realized how much of my Latin had crossed over: Instead of singing 'Jesus, Jesus', I was singing 'Ye-suh, Ye-suh'!
After the performance, the family picked me up and we took Youngling out to dinner:) On the 20th, I believe I fixed the spouse a nice meal.
My local writers group launched Hotel Stories and soon after, two of our key people left the group. One moved across the country, while the other chose to focus on other projects. My editor felt some back story was needed on NiKoh, so I mulled over the problem at one of the meetings, and as I was leaving, an idea sparked:)
Also attended two meetings in Evansville, and began my Crossroads story.
Bank refused our loan application.
April:
I attended 3 events: That Book Place's Author Fair in Madison, In,with Floyd Root and his wife, and met Carol Preflatish at the Key West Shrimp House for dinner. Sold 4, which doubled my sales from the year before!
-Midwest Authors Conference in Indianapolis, and had a good time networking and picking up marketing ideas. Afterward, discovered karaoke in the bar, and sang the night away:) Beverly Ovaille let me crash in her room, PLUS celebrated NiKoh's release at an online launch party.
-Lunch With The Authors in Nashville, TN, and just enjoyed meeting my fellow SCP authors and buying a few books:) Went to dinner with Jean Joachim and Kathleen Ball, plus enjoyed meeting rising Nashville star, Jackson Young, and driving AROUND the Opryland Hotel. Next year, I hope to be able to spend the night, so I can actually go INSIDE and do some sight-seeing:)
Attended my 1st meeting with the Washington Writers, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
May:
Spent most of the month writing, finishing up my Crossroads submission and the one for the Orion Anthology. Missed the May meeting in Washington.
Made the heart-breaking decision to have our cocker spaniel,Roxie, put down, but she was having issues with her bladder, and I was NOT about to go through that again! Dexter barked and growled as dirt was being shoveled over her, then both he and Cheyenne sat there beside her grave for several minutes.
I also began attending Thursday night karaoke, and was delighted when Brower had songs that Mark (my Saturday KJ) didn't:) This brought more friction between D and I, so I agreed to only go every other week.
Had a great time at the Indy 500 with my Uncle Bill and my cousins:) Was NOT thrilled the winner was Juan Pablo Montoya. While watching the Victory dinner, I had dizzy spells, so went to the ER, where they discovered I still had fluid behind my mastoid bone, and referred me to an ENT in Evansville.
June:
Ariel and Jaevon arrived, and since I was now under pressure to get SaLie's book finished, I put A in charge of Alex and spent the entire month writing until I finished,and sent it off, convinced it was full of crap.
I spent a week at my mom's, doing some house-hunting and attending the funeral of a friend's father. Spouse nixxed all four of the ones I liked.
Daughter had woken up several mornings with strange bites, so I arranged for an exterminater to give us a free inspection. Verdict: Bed bugs (shiver). Treatment would begin next month!
Made it to the Washington meeting, and read my story for critique. Turned out Orion was headed for formatting, so Roy asked me to email it to him ASAP, as he wanted it included. I was thrilled:)
July:
The Great Clean Up began, moving all non-essential items to storage. We rented a larger unit and moved everything over, plus I washed EVERYTHING in the house. We began getting monthly treatments, which caused neighborhood kids to stay away when they learned of the nasty creatures.
My sister and kids came home, so my youngling and I spent a few days with them, including a trip to Chicago for the day.
I realized Heart Song wasn't going to be finished by the 30th, and emailed my publisher, requesting an extension.
At the Washington meeting, we discussed when Orion copies would be available.
Attended our 2nd 'Open Night Mic', and not only read part of NiKoh, but also part of SaLie.
Daughter turned 21 and thanks to me, she had an enjoyable birthday:)
August:
I sold 5 books at the Watermelon Festival, effectively breaking even:) Bought ten copies of Orion and sold six of them at the Wine and Art fair. School began, and we discovered W's school work was going to be more intense this year.
I went up to Indianapolis in order to help take care of A & J while their mom underwent bariatric surgery.
Sept:
Received the stunning news my beloved publisher, SCP, had closed its doors! NOW I understood why I'd not gotten more hounding of 'when will Heart Song be written?' emails! I could relax a bit, and decided I'd try to have it written by Halloween.
Had an enjoyable week in Indy, marred only by one incident: I'd met friends for dinner and apparently the moment I'd left, the fire alarm had gone off, so the kids had to help their poor mother down 22 steps. My phone had died, so they called my SIL for advice, who was none too pleased with the news I'd gone off and 'left them', never minding the fact J had okayed it! Yes, it wasn't the best judgement, but everything had turned out all right in the end. Some idiot had pulled the alarm, and I'd brought back cheesecake for everyone.
A dear friend succombed to pancreatic cancer, and I was so thankful I'd been able to see him the week before.
Our launch party for Orion went well; we sold over 60 copies:) I also spent a wonderful day in Louisville at the Palace Theater, and got my 1st professional head shot:) Managed to sell 4 books, even though I was in a bad location. Afterward, enjoyed dinner with several other authors before heading home. Also spent quite a bit of time getting all my books back up on Kindle and CreateSpace.
SaLie's book, Best of Both Worlds, actually debuted the day before it was scheduled to release:)
My BFF arrived for a wedding, and we spent an enjoyable day together before she had to leave again:)
Daughter switched jobs and began working nights, which put a strain on all of us.
Oct:
Another busy month! Had 4 events, and sold no less than 5 books at three of them.
Adoptee Reagan came to live with us,and has been a big help with Miss A:) We all dressed up for Halloween and had a good time. She began working at Steak-n-Shake.
Nov:
Spent three wonderful days at the Christmas Gift and Hobby show, selling 15 copies of my books:) Also acquired hearing aids:)
Sold 5 more copies at the Holiday Vendor Fair, so ended the book signing season on a good note:)
Thanksgiving was nice and relaxing, with only two 'extras' in the house, Reagan and Hunter Mundy.
Received my cover for Heart Song, and finished Ch. 4!
Dec:
Managed to catch W up on all his lessons, save for three History and 2 Spelling before heading to Lafayette.
K's and mine birthdays were wonderful! BFF ES came to spend the day with me, and I got my hair bleached and a little bit of blue added, then after dinner, headed out to karaoke:)
Today, as we prepare to ring in the new year, W has one more lesson in Spelling, plus I'm taking Mom to a dr. appointment. The hot water heater died, so a new one is being installed later today.
Have a safe and Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Flashback Friday: Comedy of Errors
December 2005:
The month of December began quite normally in our household. We decorated the house; celebrated K's 14th birthday and my 40th; I baked cookies. I was irritated by stepdaughter J's insistence her kids go with her Christmas Eve; I'd wanted her to stay the night so she and the kids could wake up to a 'normal' Christmas. So I packed up A and J's gifts and sent them with her. (We found out later the kids griped and complained the entire day!) They arrived back the next day, and Life resumed....or so we thought.
December 27, 2005 will undoubtedly stay with me for the rest of my life. The stomach flu had emerged the day after Christmas with first K, then me, getting it. So when we were due to go to my aunt's house on the 27th around 2pm, the five kids and I loaded up the car. D announced his stomach was feeling 'weird' and insisted we go without him; he didn't want to spread our illness to anyone else. I offered to take him to the hospital after dropping everyone off at my aunt's house; the family would understand. But he said no; he was quite content with his tea, the couch, and the remote control. K and S kissed him goodbye, since they were off to spend a week at Grandma's, and we left.
J was supposed to meet us there, so I could slip out and go buy dog food, but she never showed up. We ate a delicious meal, the kids opened gifts, and I prepared for a week without extra help with three little ones under the age of 5. I thought I could leave the kids in the van while I ran into Walmart, but when I arrived at the stoplight 5 minutes after we'd left my aunt's, all three little ones were sound asleep. I made the decision to drop them off at home, then run back to town.
Upon arriving home, I found a disturbing site: My hubby on the phone with 911, who thought he was having a heart attack. Ambulance was on the way, so would I please move the van? Shocked, I did, then as the little ones woke up, I told them to stay in the van; we'd be leaving again soon.
D told me he'd gotten up to use the restroom, then blacked out after doing his business, and had crawled back to the couch, where he'd dialed 911 just before I'd walked in. The paramedics arrived; I told them to take him to St. V's and I'd meet them. I then called my aunt's to see if my parents were still there. Fortunately, they were, so I explained the situation, and they agreed to meet me at the hospital.
I took the time to unload the presents, and fielded a few phone calls from friends with scanners, then hopped back in the van and took off for Indianapolis again.
My dad met me at the ER entrance and helped unload the kids, then informed me the paramedics had taken D to Morgan Co Hospital in order to transfer him to another ambulance. I parked the van and we waited. And Waited. And Waited. In the meantime, I contacted J and made arrangements for her kids to go elsewhere, since I didn't know how long D would be in the hospital.
Finally, I asked the nurse what was taking so long; surely the ambulance would have been here, since we'd been waiting for 2 hours. After a phone call, she informed us D had vomited blood upon arriving at Morgan County, and they were keeping him. I sent K out to the van to get W's car seat, then kissed the kids and told them I'd let 'em know what was going on.
Five minutes later, I could not find my keys, and concluded they must still be in K's pocket. A call to my mom's cell revealed it to be off. I called the police and put out an APB on my parents' vehicle, then spent the next hour by myself alternately railing against my mother's refusal to turn on her cell phone and praying, trying to remain calm. The nurse paged me; it was my father, who had just arrived home with the discovery of the keys, and asked me to cancel the APB, which had NOT managed to locate them! Relieved, I spent THAT hour calming down. Dad arrived; handed me $100 and my keys, and told me to call if I needed anything more.
I arrived at the hospital at 2am and discovered a stranger in that hospital bed. He was twitching; moaning; and being uncooperative. I was finally able to give the staff his medication info, and as I watched, D 'came to' enough to acknowledge me. Exhausted, I kissed him and left, for I still had to go to Walmart for the dog food!
When I arrived at Walmart, I discovered they were waxing the floors right in front of the pet area, causing me to walk completely around the damn store in order to get to it! I paid for my purchase and drove home to feed my hungry animals and fall into bed.
My phone began ringing at 8am, and two hours later I was able to hop in the shower and head back to the hospital, where the doctor pulled me aside and told me D had crossed over three times that night.
It says a lot about the state of our marriage at the time, for I didn't know whether to thank him or slap him for bringing him back. In the end, I DID thank him.
Turned out D had a stomach infection, and the lining of his stomach had swelled into his esophagus, causing the pain and vomiting, and maybe even needing surgery. He'd needed 4 pints of blood and 2 units of plasma, plus all the saline solution they'd pumped into him in order to get fluid into his body. At the end of his stay, he would receive 9 units of blood to stop the internal bleeding.
I didn't want to inform his mother by phone, so on New Year's Eve, I met my SIL at the rehab center, where we spent an interesting day, paying Mom's bills and eating dinner at Charlie's Buffet. Mom took the news well, especially since I'd reported he was going to be okay. I drove home in time to see D for a half an hour, then home to watch the ball drop, drink a While Russian, then go to bed.
Next Month: Aftermath of hospital stay
*************
Present Day:
Merry Christmas everyone!
Karaoke songs:
I Won't Last A Day W/O You- Carpenters
If You Asked Me To-Celine Dion
Isn't It Time-Babys
It Must've Been Love-Roxette
The month of December began quite normally in our household. We decorated the house; celebrated K's 14th birthday and my 40th; I baked cookies. I was irritated by stepdaughter J's insistence her kids go with her Christmas Eve; I'd wanted her to stay the night so she and the kids could wake up to a 'normal' Christmas. So I packed up A and J's gifts and sent them with her. (We found out later the kids griped and complained the entire day!) They arrived back the next day, and Life resumed....or so we thought.
December 27, 2005 will undoubtedly stay with me for the rest of my life. The stomach flu had emerged the day after Christmas with first K, then me, getting it. So when we were due to go to my aunt's house on the 27th around 2pm, the five kids and I loaded up the car. D announced his stomach was feeling 'weird' and insisted we go without him; he didn't want to spread our illness to anyone else. I offered to take him to the hospital after dropping everyone off at my aunt's house; the family would understand. But he said no; he was quite content with his tea, the couch, and the remote control. K and S kissed him goodbye, since they were off to spend a week at Grandma's, and we left.
J was supposed to meet us there, so I could slip out and go buy dog food, but she never showed up. We ate a delicious meal, the kids opened gifts, and I prepared for a week without extra help with three little ones under the age of 5. I thought I could leave the kids in the van while I ran into Walmart, but when I arrived at the stoplight 5 minutes after we'd left my aunt's, all three little ones were sound asleep. I made the decision to drop them off at home, then run back to town.
Upon arriving home, I found a disturbing site: My hubby on the phone with 911, who thought he was having a heart attack. Ambulance was on the way, so would I please move the van? Shocked, I did, then as the little ones woke up, I told them to stay in the van; we'd be leaving again soon.
D told me he'd gotten up to use the restroom, then blacked out after doing his business, and had crawled back to the couch, where he'd dialed 911 just before I'd walked in. The paramedics arrived; I told them to take him to St. V's and I'd meet them. I then called my aunt's to see if my parents were still there. Fortunately, they were, so I explained the situation, and they agreed to meet me at the hospital.
I took the time to unload the presents, and fielded a few phone calls from friends with scanners, then hopped back in the van and took off for Indianapolis again.
My dad met me at the ER entrance and helped unload the kids, then informed me the paramedics had taken D to Morgan Co Hospital in order to transfer him to another ambulance. I parked the van and we waited. And Waited. And Waited. In the meantime, I contacted J and made arrangements for her kids to go elsewhere, since I didn't know how long D would be in the hospital.
Finally, I asked the nurse what was taking so long; surely the ambulance would have been here, since we'd been waiting for 2 hours. After a phone call, she informed us D had vomited blood upon arriving at Morgan County, and they were keeping him. I sent K out to the van to get W's car seat, then kissed the kids and told them I'd let 'em know what was going on.
Five minutes later, I could not find my keys, and concluded they must still be in K's pocket. A call to my mom's cell revealed it to be off. I called the police and put out an APB on my parents' vehicle, then spent the next hour by myself alternately railing against my mother's refusal to turn on her cell phone and praying, trying to remain calm. The nurse paged me; it was my father, who had just arrived home with the discovery of the keys, and asked me to cancel the APB, which had NOT managed to locate them! Relieved, I spent THAT hour calming down. Dad arrived; handed me $100 and my keys, and told me to call if I needed anything more.
I arrived at the hospital at 2am and discovered a stranger in that hospital bed. He was twitching; moaning; and being uncooperative. I was finally able to give the staff his medication info, and as I watched, D 'came to' enough to acknowledge me. Exhausted, I kissed him and left, for I still had to go to Walmart for the dog food!
When I arrived at Walmart, I discovered they were waxing the floors right in front of the pet area, causing me to walk completely around the damn store in order to get to it! I paid for my purchase and drove home to feed my hungry animals and fall into bed.
My phone began ringing at 8am, and two hours later I was able to hop in the shower and head back to the hospital, where the doctor pulled me aside and told me D had crossed over three times that night.
It says a lot about the state of our marriage at the time, for I didn't know whether to thank him or slap him for bringing him back. In the end, I DID thank him.
Turned out D had a stomach infection, and the lining of his stomach had swelled into his esophagus, causing the pain and vomiting, and maybe even needing surgery. He'd needed 4 pints of blood and 2 units of plasma, plus all the saline solution they'd pumped into him in order to get fluid into his body. At the end of his stay, he would receive 9 units of blood to stop the internal bleeding.
I didn't want to inform his mother by phone, so on New Year's Eve, I met my SIL at the rehab center, where we spent an interesting day, paying Mom's bills and eating dinner at Charlie's Buffet. Mom took the news well, especially since I'd reported he was going to be okay. I drove home in time to see D for a half an hour, then home to watch the ball drop, drink a While Russian, then go to bed.
Next Month: Aftermath of hospital stay
*************
Present Day:
Merry Christmas everyone!
Karaoke songs:
I Won't Last A Day W/O You- Carpenters
If You Asked Me To-Celine Dion
Isn't It Time-Babys
It Must've Been Love-Roxette
Friday, December 18, 2015
Flashback Friday: Robbed!
Dec 1995:
After we returned from Thanksgiving, I went over to our storage unit and retrieved our Christmas decorations. I spent all day putting up the tree and other decorations, then the following day, sent D back to storage with the empty boxes. A few minutes later, he called me. Tammy, the storage unit manager, had noticed a different lock on our unit and was about to call us when she spotted D at the entrance and flagged him down.
D said we had NOT gotten a new lock and gave her permission to break it. When they opened our unit, they discovered it tossed. What had happened, Tammy said, was someone had apparently watched me open it, and after I'd left, broken our lock, took what they could immediately carry, taken inventory, then placed their lock on our unit to return for the rest later.
What they needed me to do was see what was missing. Among the missing items were:
-My tupperware demo kit;
-Our entire box of Christmas presents;
-My suit bag, containing my good suit and the two dresses I'd worn in both my friends' weddings.
I was floored and furious, since a prized picture collage was damaged.
I also felt extremely violated, and told D we needed to move out of the city asap.
We didn't have renter's insurance, so my mom took me downtown one day and helped me buy our Christmas gifts for that year.
Idragged insisted we attend Christmas Eve services that year, though K rebelled.
Christmas Day, we drove down and spent Christmas with the in-laws.
New Year's Eve, I received a phone call from an old and dear friend I'd not seen since 1990, and we made plans to get together after the holidays.
Next Month: House Hunting in Earnest
***********
Present Day:
I've spent the entire day working with W, catching him up on lessons. We've done all but 5 History and 2 Spelling units:)
Last night, K and I went to karaoke and I was able to sing three songs:
Silver Springs (nailed it and was even cheered!)
Broken (with K, and it's rough....K was slightly drunk!)
Bleeding Love (with Gary as back up singer....it's okay)
DJ Brower even announced my birthday and played two songs for me: Let It Rock by Lil' Wayne and Kevin Rudolph, and Midnight Star's No Parking On The Dance Floor:)
Tomorrow, I'm getting my hair dyed blue; Erica's arriving; we'll do dinner at El Corral; then off to 'roke! Planning to sing the following songs:
Pride (U2)
Separate Ways (Journey)
Let It Go (Frozen) OR I Remember You (Skid Row)
I Will Be (Leona Lewis)
I Touch Myself (Divinyls-if I'm liquored up enough!)
Here's to turning 50!!!
After we returned from Thanksgiving, I went over to our storage unit and retrieved our Christmas decorations. I spent all day putting up the tree and other decorations, then the following day, sent D back to storage with the empty boxes. A few minutes later, he called me. Tammy, the storage unit manager, had noticed a different lock on our unit and was about to call us when she spotted D at the entrance and flagged him down.
D said we had NOT gotten a new lock and gave her permission to break it. When they opened our unit, they discovered it tossed. What had happened, Tammy said, was someone had apparently watched me open it, and after I'd left, broken our lock, took what they could immediately carry, taken inventory, then placed their lock on our unit to return for the rest later.
What they needed me to do was see what was missing. Among the missing items were:
-My tupperware demo kit;
-Our entire box of Christmas presents;
-My suit bag, containing my good suit and the two dresses I'd worn in both my friends' weddings.
I was floored and furious, since a prized picture collage was damaged.
I also felt extremely violated, and told D we needed to move out of the city asap.
We didn't have renter's insurance, so my mom took me downtown one day and helped me buy our Christmas gifts for that year.
I
Christmas Day, we drove down and spent Christmas with the in-laws.
New Year's Eve, I received a phone call from an old and dear friend I'd not seen since 1990, and we made plans to get together after the holidays.
Next Month: House Hunting in Earnest
***********
Present Day:
I've spent the entire day working with W, catching him up on lessons. We've done all but 5 History and 2 Spelling units:)
Last night, K and I went to karaoke and I was able to sing three songs:
Silver Springs (nailed it and was even cheered!)
Broken (with K, and it's rough....K was slightly drunk!)
Bleeding Love (with Gary as back up singer....it's okay)
DJ Brower even announced my birthday and played two songs for me: Let It Rock by Lil' Wayne and Kevin Rudolph, and Midnight Star's No Parking On The Dance Floor:)
Tomorrow, I'm getting my hair dyed blue; Erica's arriving; we'll do dinner at El Corral; then off to 'roke! Planning to sing the following songs:
Pride (U2)
Separate Ways (Journey)
Let It Go (Frozen) OR I Remember You (Skid Row)
I Will Be (Leona Lewis)
I Touch Myself (Divinyls-if I'm liquored up enough!)
Here's to turning 50!!!
Friday, December 11, 2015
Flashback Friday: Christmas In Florida!!!
December 1985:
Finals approached and so did my birthday. Tensions between the three of us (E, K, and myself) and roommate J came to a head; a meeting with our R.A. resulted in J moving to another room, and 4'11" BJG joining us. She and E were in the same class, and I confess that when I first met her, I wondered why a little boy was at a college dance! BJG is a tomboy, and that's why I mistook her not only for a BOY, but also a kid!
With that out of the way, and my 'engagement' broken, BWG and I had two more dates before I left on vacation. The first one, we made up dirty dialogue to the cartoon The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. A week later, we enjoyed each other's company the day before my birthday. I was disappointed he couldn't be with me on my big day, but understood his obligations to his son.
After finals were completed, E, whose parents let her have a car after mid-terms, drove K and I to Indianapolis. We rendezvoused at my great-grandmother's house in Broadripple, and met my parents there too. After K went home, E went with us to Olive Garden. Mom and Dad had gotten me a Kodak Disc camera, and we had some hilarity at the restaurant. We ended up being very friendly with our waiter, Joe, and afterward, even took a picture with him, my sister, E, and myself. We joked later it was my low-cut blouse, E's good looks, and my sister's sense of humor which kept him coming back to our table!
Since this was our 1st Christmas without Grandpa G, Grandma paid for our airline tickets to Florida. We left Indiana in 0 degree weather Christmas Day and stepped off the plane 2 hours later in 50 degree weather. Off came our coats, while everyone in the St. Pete/Clearwater airport were shivering! We stayed several days and had a good time. I remember sending postcards to N, G, and BG, as well as my roommates.
I'm not sure what we did for New Year's Eve that year.
***************
Present Day:
I decided to host an event on FB called The 12 Days Of Celebration, since Amazon deposited a nice sum in my bank account at the beginning of the month. To thank my readers, I'm awarding a book or two each day, and so far, things are going well:)
Last Sunday, we met my parents at Outback Steakhouse in Terre Haute, to celebrate both mine and K's birthdays. Mom got me a lovely portable jewelry box, with four pairs of earrings and two tennis bracelets (I LOVE the sparkly one!), and we had a wonderful meal! I had the Victoria Fillet with Mushroom Marsala sauce, and loved it so much I looked it up online to recreate it for K's steak dinner celebration. Ended up with waaaay too much, so I'm hoping it doesn't go bad before we have steak again, lol!
I skipped going to karaoke last night, since last week, D complained about it, and pitched a fit when I wanted to go on Saturday after the Purdue X-mas Show (which was AMAZING!). I ended up being too tired, anyway, so plan to sing the same songs as I'd planned last week:
It's Raining Men
It's So Easy
It's Too Late
It's Your Call.
Cookies Baked:
M&M: 6 doz
Holiday Chip: 7 doz (no one was around to eat the dough or grab cookies!)
Presents Bought: 1 (yeah, I need to get with the program! Payday's Wednesday, lol!)
Christmas Cards Sent: 0, though they're all signed and addressed. Ran out of ink in the printer, and have to revise the letter, so hopefully will get them in the mail this week:)
Finals approached and so did my birthday. Tensions between the three of us (E, K, and myself) and roommate J came to a head; a meeting with our R.A. resulted in J moving to another room, and 4'11" BJG joining us. She and E were in the same class, and I confess that when I first met her, I wondered why a little boy was at a college dance! BJG is a tomboy, and that's why I mistook her not only for a BOY, but also a kid!
With that out of the way, and my 'engagement' broken, BWG and I had two more dates before I left on vacation. The first one, we made up dirty dialogue to the cartoon The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. A week later, we enjoyed each other's company the day before my birthday. I was disappointed he couldn't be with me on my big day, but understood his obligations to his son.
After finals were completed, E, whose parents let her have a car after mid-terms, drove K and I to Indianapolis. We rendezvoused at my great-grandmother's house in Broadripple, and met my parents there too. After K went home, E went with us to Olive Garden. Mom and Dad had gotten me a Kodak Disc camera, and we had some hilarity at the restaurant. We ended up being very friendly with our waiter, Joe, and afterward, even took a picture with him, my sister, E, and myself. We joked later it was my low-cut blouse, E's good looks, and my sister's sense of humor which kept him coming back to our table!
Since this was our 1st Christmas without Grandpa G, Grandma paid for our airline tickets to Florida. We left Indiana in 0 degree weather Christmas Day and stepped off the plane 2 hours later in 50 degree weather. Off came our coats, while everyone in the St. Pete/Clearwater airport were shivering! We stayed several days and had a good time. I remember sending postcards to N, G, and BG, as well as my roommates.
I'm not sure what we did for New Year's Eve that year.
***************
Present Day:
I decided to host an event on FB called The 12 Days Of Celebration, since Amazon deposited a nice sum in my bank account at the beginning of the month. To thank my readers, I'm awarding a book or two each day, and so far, things are going well:)
Last Sunday, we met my parents at Outback Steakhouse in Terre Haute, to celebrate both mine and K's birthdays. Mom got me a lovely portable jewelry box, with four pairs of earrings and two tennis bracelets (I LOVE the sparkly one!), and we had a wonderful meal! I had the Victoria Fillet with Mushroom Marsala sauce, and loved it so much I looked it up online to recreate it for K's steak dinner celebration. Ended up with waaaay too much, so I'm hoping it doesn't go bad before we have steak again, lol!
I skipped going to karaoke last night, since last week, D complained about it, and pitched a fit when I wanted to go on Saturday after the Purdue X-mas Show (which was AMAZING!). I ended up being too tired, anyway, so plan to sing the same songs as I'd planned last week:
It's Raining Men
It's So Easy
It's Too Late
It's Your Call.
Cookies Baked:
M&M: 6 doz
Holiday Chip: 7 doz (no one was around to eat the dough or grab cookies!)
Presents Bought: 1 (yeah, I need to get with the program! Payday's Wednesday, lol!)
Christmas Cards Sent: 0, though they're all signed and addressed. Ran out of ink in the printer, and have to revise the letter, so hopefully will get them in the mail this week:)
Friday, December 4, 2015
Flashback Friday: My 10th Birthday!
December 1976:
I wasn't having the greatest year in 4th grade. I'd sunk to the bottom of the social pecking order; my best friend in the neighborhood was rising to the top of her 3rd grade social pecking order; and I wasn't hardly in any classes with my BFF from school. But my 10th birthday was very memorable.
I was always cold once the temperatures dipped below 70 degrees, and hated sliding into a cold bed. So at dinner that night, I was very surprised by a large package which held my 1st ever electric blanket! Mom fixed me lamb chops for dinner, and on the weekend, both sets of grandparents AND great-Grandma and Granddaddy Geis came for ice cream and cake.
During Christmas Break, KE and I spent time at my house, and Mom took pictures of us dancing in front of the tree. I think it was about this time we were also introduced to the concept of singing along to our favorite records and recording ourselves on the tape recorder. At first, we would hold the microphone, but this make our voices distorted. Mom showed us the mike would still pick us up if we left it on the table beside the machine, and pointed at us. We sounded better then!
A few days before Christmas, KE and I went caroling around the neighborhood. I loved my coat; it was yellow plaid, had deep pockets, and a fur-lined hood:) It also fell to my thighs, in an effort to keep my legs warm:)
For Christmas, out cardboard fireplace was set up in front of the living room window, next to the tree. I had also received a Magic Set, but the 'table' was accidentally gathered up and thrown out with the wrapping paper, prompting my father to be more careful in the years to come, when throwing away the trash from Christmas Morning!
When we went to Grandma Graul's house, my Uncle Howard had made a 'Small Talk' bench with both our names on it. Later, I would use it as a display bench for favored stuffed animals; now it sits in my basement, patiently waiting to be displayed again.
I also think this was the year the car was soooooo nice and warm for the trip home! I've never been able to recreate that feeling. Everyone else was probably sweating profusely, but I was finally toasty warm:)
*************
Present Day:
Getting ready for tomorrow's trip to the Purdue Christmas Show! BC Brown's niece is a senior this year, so I want to be able to see her perform live before she graduates:) Melissa B is driving, and I'm hoping my dad will drop us off, then he and Mom pick us up and take us to Arni's for lunch afterward:)
Then driving back, and will see them again on Sunday at the Outback Steakhouse, to celebrate K's 24th birthday, since it falls on Tuesday.
Karaoke Update:
Did well last night; sang 6 songs. After a disastrous Zoot Suit Riot, sang You're The One That I Want with Stacy; Fight For Your Right To Party (made it into a duet with Elaine); Helped E out with Please Mr. Postman and Edge of 17; then sang It's Only Love as a solo, which was okay.
Tomorrow, plan to sing the following:
It's Raining Men
It's So Easy
It's Too Late
It's Your Call.
Cookies Baked:
Oatmeal Raisin: 5.5 Doz
Chocolate Chip: 13 Doz
I wasn't having the greatest year in 4th grade. I'd sunk to the bottom of the social pecking order; my best friend in the neighborhood was rising to the top of her 3rd grade social pecking order; and I wasn't hardly in any classes with my BFF from school. But my 10th birthday was very memorable.
I was always cold once the temperatures dipped below 70 degrees, and hated sliding into a cold bed. So at dinner that night, I was very surprised by a large package which held my 1st ever electric blanket! Mom fixed me lamb chops for dinner, and on the weekend, both sets of grandparents AND great-Grandma and Granddaddy Geis came for ice cream and cake.
During Christmas Break, KE and I spent time at my house, and Mom took pictures of us dancing in front of the tree. I think it was about this time we were also introduced to the concept of singing along to our favorite records and recording ourselves on the tape recorder. At first, we would hold the microphone, but this make our voices distorted. Mom showed us the mike would still pick us up if we left it on the table beside the machine, and pointed at us. We sounded better then!
A few days before Christmas, KE and I went caroling around the neighborhood. I loved my coat; it was yellow plaid, had deep pockets, and a fur-lined hood:) It also fell to my thighs, in an effort to keep my legs warm:)
For Christmas, out cardboard fireplace was set up in front of the living room window, next to the tree. I had also received a Magic Set, but the 'table' was accidentally gathered up and thrown out with the wrapping paper, prompting my father to be more careful in the years to come, when throwing away the trash from Christmas Morning!
When we went to Grandma Graul's house, my Uncle Howard had made a 'Small Talk' bench with both our names on it. Later, I would use it as a display bench for favored stuffed animals; now it sits in my basement, patiently waiting to be displayed again.
I also think this was the year the car was soooooo nice and warm for the trip home! I've never been able to recreate that feeling. Everyone else was probably sweating profusely, but I was finally toasty warm:)
*************
Present Day:
Getting ready for tomorrow's trip to the Purdue Christmas Show! BC Brown's niece is a senior this year, so I want to be able to see her perform live before she graduates:) Melissa B is driving, and I'm hoping my dad will drop us off, then he and Mom pick us up and take us to Arni's for lunch afterward:)
Then driving back, and will see them again on Sunday at the Outback Steakhouse, to celebrate K's 24th birthday, since it falls on Tuesday.
Karaoke Update:
Did well last night; sang 6 songs. After a disastrous Zoot Suit Riot, sang You're The One That I Want with Stacy; Fight For Your Right To Party (made it into a duet with Elaine); Helped E out with Please Mr. Postman and Edge of 17; then sang It's Only Love as a solo, which was okay.
Tomorrow, plan to sing the following:
It's Raining Men
It's So Easy
It's Too Late
It's Your Call.
Cookies Baked:
Oatmeal Raisin: 5.5 Doz
Chocolate Chip: 13 Doz
Thursday, December 3, 2015
December Goals
So how did I do in November?
-Finish Heart Song!
-Attend Women's Retreat Check:)
-Do well at Indpls Christmas Toy and Hobby Show Check:) Sold 15 books!
-Do well at Holiday Vendor Event Sold 5:)
-Relaxing Thanksgiving Check:)
-Start Christmas shopping
-Decorate house
Just over 50%....not bad, not great. In my defense, we didn't do the last two, due to my baking cookies and the granddaughter's visitation with her dad was switched. We'll get it done this weekend when there is more energy on everyone's part!
So Heart Song....Where Does It Stand?
At this point, I don't know. Book #5 isn't out yet and it was supposed to release on the 1st, so I'm assuming this means everything gets pushed back, which again, is good news for me! So if I'm no longer bound the Dec 29th date, maybe after the holidays are over, my stupid writer's block will lift! Instead of relaxing over the break between X-mas and New Years, I'll be writing????
Books Read: 4
Karaoke Songs Added: 4
Health:
Hearing aids are doing well!
Had an AWESOME women's retreat, and wonderful weekend in Indianapolis, and another wonderful surprise in my bank account when my 1st KU royalty report arrived:) I've been so blessed this year, I hardly know where to start thanking everyone!
December Goals:
-FINISH/EDIT/PUBLISH HEART SONG
-Start/finish shopping
-Decorate house Check:) Thank you Sara!
-Start buying promo items for next year
-Dye hair Check:)
-See Star Wars Check....OMG I want to see it again!!!!
-Have a GREAT time at my birthday party! Check and double-check!
-Bake lots of cookies Check:)
-Send out cards
-Write Family newsletter
-Spend a week or two with my mom when it's all over!
Thursday Karaoke Songs:
It's Only Love-Bryan Adams/Tina Turner Sang it solo and wasn't too bad....
Zoot Suit Riot-cherry Poppin' Daddies Bleh. Deleted the video. That bad!
We've Got To Fight For Your Right-Beastie Boys Sang this with Elaine, and it wasn't too bad:) We rocked the bar, ha ha!
YMCA- Village People
Yesterday Once More-Carpenters
You and Me-Alice Cooper
Saturday Karaoke Songs
It's Raining Men-Weather Girls Mark: DNH Brower??
It's So Easy-Linda Ronstadt Good:)
It's Too Late-Carole King Not bad:)
It's Your Call-Reba McEntire Was doing well until the song just stopped. Will sing this again:)
I Kisses A Girl-Katy Perry Rough, but was complimented. Will watch vid first before I decide.
I Won't Last A Day w/o You-Carpenters Too low....bleh
If You Asked Me To-Celine Dion Was alright until final chorus...will try again:)
Isn't It Time-Babys DNH
It Must Have Been Love-Roxette DNH
December Reading List
Print:
Shirley-Shirley Jones Loved this autobiography!!!
E-Book:
Water's Threshold-Jillian Jacobs Not too bad....definitely interesting, but not a page-turner for me.
Lightening Strike-Beverly Ovaille
-Finish Heart Song!
-Attend Women's Retreat Check:)
-Do well at Indpls Christmas Toy and Hobby Show Check:) Sold 15 books!
-Do well at Holiday Vendor Event Sold 5:)
-Relaxing Thanksgiving Check:)
-Start Christmas shopping
-Decorate house
Just over 50%....not bad, not great. In my defense, we didn't do the last two, due to my baking cookies and the granddaughter's visitation with her dad was switched. We'll get it done this weekend when there is more energy on everyone's part!
So Heart Song....Where Does It Stand?
At this point, I don't know. Book #5 isn't out yet and it was supposed to release on the 1st, so I'm assuming this means everything gets pushed back, which again, is good news for me! So if I'm no longer bound the Dec 29th date, maybe after the holidays are over, my stupid writer's block will lift! Instead of relaxing over the break between X-mas and New Years, I'll be writing????
Books Read: 4
Karaoke Songs Added: 4
Health:
Hearing aids are doing well!
Had an AWESOME women's retreat, and wonderful weekend in Indianapolis, and another wonderful surprise in my bank account when my 1st KU royalty report arrived:) I've been so blessed this year, I hardly know where to start thanking everyone!
December Goals:
-FINISH/EDIT/PUBLISH HEART SONG
-Start/finish shopping
-Decorate house Check:) Thank you Sara!
-Start buying promo items for next year
-Dye hair Check:)
-See Star Wars Check....OMG I want to see it again!!!!
-Have a GREAT time at my birthday party! Check and double-check!
-Bake lots of cookies Check:)
-Send out cards
-Write Family newsletter
-Spend a week or two with my mom when it's all over!
Thursday Karaoke Songs:
It's Only Love-Bryan Adams/Tina Turner Sang it solo and wasn't too bad....
Zoot Suit Riot-cherry Poppin' Daddies Bleh. Deleted the video. That bad!
We've Got To Fight For Your Right-Beastie Boys Sang this with Elaine, and it wasn't too bad:) We rocked the bar, ha ha!
YMCA- Village People
Yesterday Once More-Carpenters
You and Me-Alice Cooper
Saturday Karaoke Songs
It's Raining Men-Weather Girls Mark: DNH Brower??
It's So Easy-Linda Ronstadt Good:)
It's Too Late-Carole King Not bad:)
It's Your Call-Reba McEntire Was doing well until the song just stopped. Will sing this again:)
I Kisses A Girl-Katy Perry Rough, but was complimented. Will watch vid first before I decide.
I Won't Last A Day w/o You-Carpenters Too low....bleh
If You Asked Me To-Celine Dion Was alright until final chorus...will try again:)
Isn't It Time-Babys DNH
It Must Have Been Love-Roxette DNH
December Reading List
Print:
Shirley-Shirley Jones Loved this autobiography!!!
E-Book:
Water's Threshold-Jillian Jacobs Not too bad....definitely interesting, but not a page-turner for me.
Lightening Strike-Beverly Ovaille
Friday, November 27, 2015
Flashback Friday: Somber Thanksgiving
November 2005:
Sometime during the fall of 2005, my MIL fell in her house and broke her back. She was sent to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, and my spouse promptly irritated me by spending nearly 12 hours a day in the waiting room. Before you take me to task, hear me out:
-He'd given up his job and wasn't taking any calls for more work, choosing instead to collect unemployment;
-I was at home with the five kids, two of which were in school, and would drive up to the hospital when we could;
-MIL was in a medically-induced coma for two weeks.
I understood his initial response to go be close to her, but as time went on, we could have used the money; his excuse was 'I need to be there in case I need to sign anything'; and to boot, we were a 45 minute drive from the hospital, so we could have been reached in case of emergency. He COULD have worked for 8 hours, then gone to the hospital to be with her, in my opinion.
Before she was life-lighted up to Indy, we spent four days at the local hospital in Vincennes, and my parents took K, S, and W to Lafayette. A and J went to other relatives, until we returned home.
In November, my MIL was sent to a rehabilitation facility for two weeks, until she transferred herself back to the one in her home town. By the time she was placed in the facility, the construction season had ended for the year.
Consequently, we fell farther behind on bills.
**********
Present Day:
Had a nice relaxing day with only two extras (Reagan Winkles aka 'Adoptee #3' and Hunter Mundy) yesterday! Reagan and I made cheesecakes and pumpkin pies the night before, then I went to karaoke and sang Zombie (The Cranberries) and rocked the house with You and I (Lady Gaga).
Had to be at Sacred Heart at 7:30, then came home and watched the parade before making the deviled eggs, bacon-tomato cups (made the filling the previous evening), rolls, and noodles. After we'd eaten, I made two chocolate pies and went to bed early.
We will decorate the house sometime this weekend. As for karaoke tomorrow, I wasn't able to go last weekend, so will sing the same songs:
It's Not Over-Daughtry
Grand Illusion-Styx
It's Only Love-B. Adams/T. Turner
It's Raining Men-Weather Girls
It's So Easy-Linda Ronstadt
27 Shopping Days left til Christmas; 21 Days til my 50th Birthday!
Star Wars Tickets HAVE been bought, whoo hoo! Going to see it Thursday, Dec 17th at 7pm!!!
Sometime during the fall of 2005, my MIL fell in her house and broke her back. She was sent to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, and my spouse promptly irritated me by spending nearly 12 hours a day in the waiting room. Before you take me to task, hear me out:
-He'd given up his job and wasn't taking any calls for more work, choosing instead to collect unemployment;
-I was at home with the five kids, two of which were in school, and would drive up to the hospital when we could;
-MIL was in a medically-induced coma for two weeks.
I understood his initial response to go be close to her, but as time went on, we could have used the money; his excuse was 'I need to be there in case I need to sign anything'; and to boot, we were a 45 minute drive from the hospital, so we could have been reached in case of emergency. He COULD have worked for 8 hours, then gone to the hospital to be with her, in my opinion.
Before she was life-lighted up to Indy, we spent four days at the local hospital in Vincennes, and my parents took K, S, and W to Lafayette. A and J went to other relatives, until we returned home.
In November, my MIL was sent to a rehabilitation facility for two weeks, until she transferred herself back to the one in her home town. By the time she was placed in the facility, the construction season had ended for the year.
Consequently, we fell farther behind on bills.
**********
Present Day:
Had a nice relaxing day with only two extras (Reagan Winkles aka 'Adoptee #3' and Hunter Mundy) yesterday! Reagan and I made cheesecakes and pumpkin pies the night before, then I went to karaoke and sang Zombie (The Cranberries) and rocked the house with You and I (Lady Gaga).
Had to be at Sacred Heart at 7:30, then came home and watched the parade before making the deviled eggs, bacon-tomato cups (made the filling the previous evening), rolls, and noodles. After we'd eaten, I made two chocolate pies and went to bed early.
We will decorate the house sometime this weekend. As for karaoke tomorrow, I wasn't able to go last weekend, so will sing the same songs:
It's Not Over-Daughtry
Grand Illusion-Styx
It's Only Love-B. Adams/T. Turner
It's Raining Men-Weather Girls
It's So Easy-Linda Ronstadt
27 Shopping Days left til Christmas; 21 Days til my 50th Birthday!
Star Wars Tickets HAVE been bought, whoo hoo! Going to see it Thursday, Dec 17th at 7pm!!!
Friday, November 20, 2015
Flashback Friday:
November 1995:
After spending a miserable summer dealing with back pain, cortizone shots which causes major leg muscle spasms, and resisting the idea of surgery, D decided, once he was laid off for the winter, to go ahead and schedule his surgery.
After leaving the kids with a sitter, we drove to the Carmel office and D was whisked away. I spent five wonderful solitary hours, working on Forbidden Love, and talking books with another woman in the waiting room.
I had a serious 'uh-oh' moment, when a priest came around to offer prayers or comfort and I was in the middle of writing a rather steamy scene between Keri and Kyle! I simply closed my notebook, smiled at him, and told him I was fine, my hubby was in Good Hands with God and the surgeon, Dr. Bagin.
After D was in recovery, he was amazed by the non-pain in his back, and walked out of the hospital, 6 hours after entering, with a band-aid covering the wound! He said Dr. B had told him, "I don't ever want to go that deep in your back ever again!"
I think we spent Thanksgiving and the weekend in Vincennes, with D's family, setting up his mom's decorations for her on Sunday.
***********
Present Day:
Getting ready for my final signing of the year, the Holiday Vendor Fair, tomorrow from 8-2pm at one of our former elementary schools.
Sang two songs last night, Zombie and I Got The Boy, but camera batteries quit before the first verse of Zombie was over. So will sing it again in two weeks.
Saturday's Karaoke Songs:
Since I have to be at church by 7:30 on Sunday, I'll only sing two songs tomorrow, three if the rotation's light:
It's Not Over-Daughtry
Grand Illusion-Styx
It's Only Love-B, Adams/T. Turner (if there's time)
Have a great weekend!
After spending a miserable summer dealing with back pain, cortizone shots which causes major leg muscle spasms, and resisting the idea of surgery, D decided, once he was laid off for the winter, to go ahead and schedule his surgery.
After leaving the kids with a sitter, we drove to the Carmel office and D was whisked away. I spent five wonderful solitary hours, working on Forbidden Love, and talking books with another woman in the waiting room.
I had a serious 'uh-oh' moment, when a priest came around to offer prayers or comfort and I was in the middle of writing a rather steamy scene between Keri and Kyle! I simply closed my notebook, smiled at him, and told him I was fine, my hubby was in Good Hands with God and the surgeon, Dr. Bagin.
After D was in recovery, he was amazed by the non-pain in his back, and walked out of the hospital, 6 hours after entering, with a band-aid covering the wound! He said Dr. B had told him, "I don't ever want to go that deep in your back ever again!"
I think we spent Thanksgiving and the weekend in Vincennes, with D's family, setting up his mom's decorations for her on Sunday.
***********
Present Day:
Getting ready for my final signing of the year, the Holiday Vendor Fair, tomorrow from 8-2pm at one of our former elementary schools.
Sang two songs last night, Zombie and I Got The Boy, but camera batteries quit before the first verse of Zombie was over. So will sing it again in two weeks.
Saturday's Karaoke Songs:
Since I have to be at church by 7:30 on Sunday, I'll only sing two songs tomorrow, three if the rotation's light:
It's Not Over-Daughtry
Grand Illusion-Styx
It's Only Love-B, Adams/T. Turner (if there's time)
Have a great weekend!
Friday, November 13, 2015
Flashback Friday: Strange Proposal!
Nov 1985:
Recap: I'd begun spending a lot of time with some off campus friends, and making bad choices. After going out with five guys over the space of two months, my pride and my grades suffered.
I forgot to mention back in Sept, my AF officer had returned home, and indeed wanted to see me! Unfortunately, the same issues which had cropped up on our second date back in April surfaced, and though we parted friends, I wasn't so sure about a potential romance.
In the spirit of friendship, the letters I sent him mentioned the three guys I'd been partying with, and in November, a letter arrived, calling me out about it.
I responded he'd stated we were 'friends', so I was treating him like one.
A late night phone call came:
"Will you marry me?"
"Sure, why not?" (I thought it was a joke)
After a few more moments of conversation, he clued in to my not taking him seriously.
"You don't think I'm serious, do you?"
I laughed. "We've only seen each other twice, and keep having fights on the second date. How can you possibly be serious?"
"I am serious. I can't get you off my mind! I want to spend the rest of my life with you, since you don't put up with any bullshit."
At this point, I began to think he was serious!
"Are you on your knees?"
"Just a minute.....now I am." I could hear the irritation/movement in his voice. "Now will you marry me, damn it?"
"Yes." I started crying.
"Good." I heard him move again. "Next time I come home, I'll have a ring for you. We'll get married after you graduate. Okay?"
We spoke some more, then hung up. I went in a daze to EY and related the conversation!
A few days later, I received the news I was on Academic Probation, due to my mid-term grades. I decided to only party on the weekend, and make my new fiance' proud of me.
Two weeks later, I was on my daily walk when B flagged me down, and we simply talked. Later, he indicated he was interested in a repeat, and since I was feeling lonely, I agreed. When I got back to the dorm, I discovered I'd missed S's call, and he'd told EY he'd changed his mind about our engagement.
Since I still hadn't entirely taken him seriously, preferring to 'believe it when I saw the ring', I shrugged it off.
Thanksgiving was quite different that year. Mom and Dad had finally gotten cable, so my sister and I ended up watching Showtime, MTV, and other various cable network. The climax was watching Raiders of the Lost Ark that evening:)
Mom and Dad also spoke to me about my grades, and I assured them both I was taking my schoolwork seriously again.
Next Month: Christmas; my 20th birthday party; getting a new roommate:)
************
Present Day:
I'm up in Indianapolis at the Christmas Gift, Toy, and Hobby Show:)
I've also been the victim of Friday the 13th: I picked up my rental car, with the understanding they would only charge my account $150. Imagine my shock when I saw they'd taken out $283! Half an hour later, instead of refunding $100, he'd accidentally CHARGED me another $100. Two phone calls to the bank, and I was able to get that one refunded. But this now left me with $75 overdrawn. D gave me the emergency credit card and told me to take it easy.
11/14/15 Update: Enterprise has fixed their error, refunding me $200:) This still only leaves me less than $30, but at least I'm back on the plus side, and I've been charged NO overdraft fees! Thank you Lord, and Enterprise is off my sh*t list, lol! I hope they don't fire Dave, the poor guy who'd only been on the job for a month. It was an honest mistake.
Day 1: Sold 8:)
Day 2: Sold 7, gifted 2:)
Recap: I'd begun spending a lot of time with some off campus friends, and making bad choices. After going out with five guys over the space of two months, my pride and my grades suffered.
I forgot to mention back in Sept, my AF officer had returned home, and indeed wanted to see me! Unfortunately, the same issues which had cropped up on our second date back in April surfaced, and though we parted friends, I wasn't so sure about a potential romance.
In the spirit of friendship, the letters I sent him mentioned the three guys I'd been partying with, and in November, a letter arrived, calling me out about it.
I responded he'd stated we were 'friends', so I was treating him like one.
A late night phone call came:
"Will you marry me?"
"Sure, why not?" (I thought it was a joke)
After a few more moments of conversation, he clued in to my not taking him seriously.
"You don't think I'm serious, do you?"
I laughed. "We've only seen each other twice, and keep having fights on the second date. How can you possibly be serious?"
"I am serious. I can't get you off my mind! I want to spend the rest of my life with you, since you don't put up with any bullshit."
At this point, I began to think he was serious!
"Are you on your knees?"
"Just a minute.....now I am." I could hear the irritation/movement in his voice. "Now will you marry me, damn it?"
"Yes." I started crying.
"Good." I heard him move again. "Next time I come home, I'll have a ring for you. We'll get married after you graduate. Okay?"
We spoke some more, then hung up. I went in a daze to EY and related the conversation!
A few days later, I received the news I was on Academic Probation, due to my mid-term grades. I decided to only party on the weekend, and make my new fiance' proud of me.
Two weeks later, I was on my daily walk when B flagged me down, and we simply talked. Later, he indicated he was interested in a repeat, and since I was feeling lonely, I agreed. When I got back to the dorm, I discovered I'd missed S's call, and he'd told EY he'd changed his mind about our engagement.
Since I still hadn't entirely taken him seriously, preferring to 'believe it when I saw the ring', I shrugged it off.
Thanksgiving was quite different that year. Mom and Dad had finally gotten cable, so my sister and I ended up watching Showtime, MTV, and other various cable network. The climax was watching Raiders of the Lost Ark that evening:)
Mom and Dad also spoke to me about my grades, and I assured them both I was taking my schoolwork seriously again.
Next Month: Christmas; my 20th birthday party; getting a new roommate:)
************
Present Day:
I'm up in Indianapolis at the Christmas Gift, Toy, and Hobby Show:)
I've also been the victim of Friday the 13th: I picked up my rental car, with the understanding they would only charge my account $150. Imagine my shock when I saw they'd taken out $283! Half an hour later, instead of refunding $100, he'd accidentally CHARGED me another $100. Two phone calls to the bank, and I was able to get that one refunded. But this now left me with $75 overdrawn. D gave me the emergency credit card and told me to take it easy.
11/14/15 Update: Enterprise has fixed their error, refunding me $200:) This still only leaves me less than $30, but at least I'm back on the plus side, and I've been charged NO overdraft fees! Thank you Lord, and Enterprise is off my sh*t list, lol! I hope they don't fire Dave, the poor guy who'd only been on the job for a month. It was an honest mistake.
Day 1: Sold 8:)
Day 2: Sold 7, gifted 2:)
Monday, November 9, 2015
November Goals
So how did I do on those fabulous goals last month?
-Finish Heart Song! *whimper* Not even close....
-Clean up Kira and send it off to RP.Check:)
-Buy Book Rack Nope....this one will have to wait until next year....
-Pay for July trip to Par-A-Dice Paid half, so that's good!
-Get print versions of BOBW, BA, and others up. Print version of BOBW is up:) Rest will be done next year:)
-Publish kindle versions of AFD and WAH. Check:)
Verdict: 50%.
Books Read: 7
Karaoke Songs Added: 10:)
Halloween Update: I went as a vampire, in my MIL's old black formal and red and black wig; Daughter and Reagan went as Sugar Skulls; granddaughter was a kitty cat for her daddy and Tinkerbell for us:)
November Goals:
-Finish Heart Song!
-Attend Women's Retreat Check:)
-Do well at Indpls Christmas Toy and Hobby Show Check:) Sold 15 books!
-Do well at Holiday Vendor Event Sold 5:)
-Relaxing Thanksgiving Check:)
-Start Christmas shopping
-Decorate house
November Reading Schedule:
Serendipity-Carly Phillips Really enjoyed this! DRR!
Hot Number-Carly Phillips Wonderful story! DRR! Now I want the others in this series!!
Lucky Streak-Carly Phillips Loved this! DRR Now I also want the other in this series:)
Until I Saw Your Smile-JJ Murray Found this tedious and somewhat dull, but did manage to enjoy some of the middle, and did finish it.
Thursday Karaoke Songs:
Since I'm back down to only twice a month, I think I'm going to start singing some of my favorites, then beginning in December, start with the 'Z' titles and work my way backwards through the alphabet.
Saturday Karaoke Songs:
In The City-Eagles Nailed it:)
It's Not Over-Daughtry I thought it was a little rough, but received compliments!
It's Only Love-B.Adams/T. Turner DNH
It's Raining Men-Weather Girls
It's So Easy-Linda Ronstadt
It's Too Late-Carole King
It's Your Call-Reba
-Finish Heart Song! *whimper* Not even close....
-Clean up Kira and send it off to RP.Check:)
-Buy Book Rack Nope....this one will have to wait until next year....
-Pay for July trip to Par-A-Dice Paid half, so that's good!
-Get print versions of BOBW, BA, and others up. Print version of BOBW is up:) Rest will be done next year:)
-Publish kindle versions of AFD and WAH. Check:)
Verdict: 50%.
Books Read: 7
Karaoke Songs Added: 10:)
Halloween Update: I went as a vampire, in my MIL's old black formal and red and black wig; Daughter and Reagan went as Sugar Skulls; granddaughter was a kitty cat for her daddy and Tinkerbell for us:)
November Goals:
-Finish Heart Song!
-Attend Women's Retreat Check:)
-Do well at Indpls Christmas Toy and Hobby Show Check:) Sold 15 books!
-Do well at Holiday Vendor Event Sold 5:)
-Relaxing Thanksgiving Check:)
-Start Christmas shopping
-Decorate house
November Reading Schedule:
Serendipity-Carly Phillips Really enjoyed this! DRR!
Hot Number-Carly Phillips Wonderful story! DRR! Now I want the others in this series!!
Lucky Streak-Carly Phillips Loved this! DRR Now I also want the other in this series:)
Until I Saw Your Smile-JJ Murray Found this tedious and somewhat dull, but did manage to enjoy some of the middle, and did finish it.
Thursday Karaoke Songs:
Since I'm back down to only twice a month, I think I'm going to start singing some of my favorites, then beginning in December, start with the 'Z' titles and work my way backwards through the alphabet.
Saturday Karaoke Songs:
In The City-Eagles Nailed it:)
It's Not Over-Daughtry I thought it was a little rough, but received compliments!
It's Only Love-B.Adams/T. Turner DNH
It's Raining Men-Weather Girls
It's So Easy-Linda Ronstadt
It's Too Late-Carole King
It's Your Call-Reba
Friday, November 6, 2015
Flashback Friday: Thanksgiving With Friends:)
Nov. 1975:
My sister and I were both in the annual PTA program, singing who-knows-what. Not sure if this doubled as the Christmas Concert or not.
Mom and Dad had joined a Small Group Bible Study with other families, so we hosted Thanksgiving. We turned our living room into the dining room, with the large table with both leaves for the adults, and a smaller card table for the kids.
Those in attendance included:
Carl, Anita, Greg, and Dana Pirkle
Tom, Nancy, Gretchen, and Stig Zarle
Don and Cathy Campbell.
Stig was the youngest, so he sat with his mother while Dana, Gretchen, Wendy, and I sat at the card table. Greg was in high school, so he was considered an adult.
After the meal, we kids put on skits to entertain the adults. My room was the staging area, and we have pictures of Stig on Greg's shoulders and covered with a blanket, plus my sister wearing dark glasses, carrying a Halloween bag, with a sheet draped across her shoulders, cape-style. I guess Mom grabbed the camera too late, for these were the only pictures taken, beside the one of the dinner table.
I think this may be the year I got upset, because my room was trashed. I remember walking in at one point and seeing my mattress completely off the box springs. I complained to my mom, and she made us all pick up the mess.
*************
Present Day:
I'm off to my Women's Retreat this weekend! Today I'm making cookies and getting everything ready for a fun-filled weekend of fellowship and prayer.
Which means no karaoke on Saturday. I did go last night, and sang the following songs:
Foolish Beat-Debbie Gibson
Telephone Man-Meri Wilson
Let It Go-Idina Menzel
Have a safe and happy weekend! I'll post my November goals next week.
My sister and I were both in the annual PTA program, singing who-knows-what. Not sure if this doubled as the Christmas Concert or not.
Mom and Dad had joined a Small Group Bible Study with other families, so we hosted Thanksgiving. We turned our living room into the dining room, with the large table with both leaves for the adults, and a smaller card table for the kids.
Those in attendance included:
Carl, Anita, Greg, and Dana Pirkle
Tom, Nancy, Gretchen, and Stig Zarle
Don and Cathy Campbell.
Stig was the youngest, so he sat with his mother while Dana, Gretchen, Wendy, and I sat at the card table. Greg was in high school, so he was considered an adult.
After the meal, we kids put on skits to entertain the adults. My room was the staging area, and we have pictures of Stig on Greg's shoulders and covered with a blanket, plus my sister wearing dark glasses, carrying a Halloween bag, with a sheet draped across her shoulders, cape-style. I guess Mom grabbed the camera too late, for these were the only pictures taken, beside the one of the dinner table.
I think this may be the year I got upset, because my room was trashed. I remember walking in at one point and seeing my mattress completely off the box springs. I complained to my mom, and she made us all pick up the mess.
*************
Present Day:
I'm off to my Women's Retreat this weekend! Today I'm making cookies and getting everything ready for a fun-filled weekend of fellowship and prayer.
Which means no karaoke on Saturday. I did go last night, and sang the following songs:
Foolish Beat-Debbie Gibson
Telephone Man-Meri Wilson
Let It Go-Idina Menzel
Have a safe and happy weekend! I'll post my November goals next week.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Life On The Edge: Culture Shock!
I'm turning today's blog over to the lovely Kenzie Michaels, who has ridden the financial roller coaster of Life. Take it away Kenzie:)
Thanks Molly!
What happens when a product of the 1960s marries a child of the 1980s?
Chaos.
I began my married life with an income half the size of what I grew up with. In all fairness, I'd lived on my own for an entire year, living paycheck to paycheck, and an emergency surgical procedure had nearly bankrupted me. I really should have declared bankruptcy, but was too ashamed to admit I couldn't pay my hospital bill, even working two jobs.
I brought to my marriage $1500 in medical debt and probably close to $2000 in credit card debt, between a Discover Card, American Express, and a gas card. I was making the minimum payments, but after complications from pregnancy forced me to cut my hours down the 10 per week, and my brand new spouse barely making just above minimum wage, money was extremely tight.
When you take two different ideas of money budgeting and try to combine them, you get disaster. My father had handled all the bills, whereas my spouse's mother had been in charge of the checkbook. My husband insisted I handle it all, and I'll admit; after a year of seeing only single digits left over from my paycheck, that triple digit looked pretty nice:) I made a valuable mistake: I went shopping for things before paying the bills, which was a huge no-no.
This caused conflict, as you can imagine, and when I tried to correct my mistake, it was too late. I had taken pride in saying during college that I intended to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen; however, during that first year of marriage I learned to become very acquainted with my oven and recipe books.
I resented every minute of it. Why couldn't we go out to eat? Why was McDonald's for lunch no longer an option? When we were dating, eating out was a given. But suddenly that ring was on my finger and going out was limited only to payday. What the hell had I gotten myself into? This was not the marriage I'd envisioned.
In my defense, I will say this: Knowing when we decided to get married he'd just received his tax refund of $1600, I could not justify spending half of that on an engagement ring. I insisted we shop around and settled for the $200 ring instead of the gorgeous $800 one I'd fallen in love with. So when it comes to spending money on myself, as far as jewelry and clothes, I don't like to spend a lot of money. But household items and food? Different story. I had the classic case of 'Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget' mentality.
And we couldn't afford it.
The spouse and I have been married nearly 25 years. What have I learned from those first few disastrous ones?
-Obviously, pay the bills first. That's a given.
-Invest in a large freezer. That way you can stock up on meat and have a place to store it.
-Shop the sales paper. Buy meat in bulk and repackage it at home with freezer paper.
-Get your staples (canned veggies, flour, sugar, salt, etc) at Aldi's or Save-A-Lot. Yeah, I was unimpressed with these stores at first, but I had gone in with the wrong mindset. Like your brand names? Then don't shop there.
-Plan your weekly (or monthly) menu before you shop. We went from a weekly paycheck to twice a month, once my spouse had to retire and go on disability. I know exactly how many days I need to plan for that money, and always ask the kids if they have anything special they'd like during that time period.
-Get creative. Facebook and Pinterest are full of recipe ideas if you're stumped as to how to fix an inexpensive meal. Another favorite of mine: Next time you eat out in a fancy restaurant, try to see if you can recreate it from what you have in your pantry. Or try Food Network dot com.
Obviously, I use generic brands a great deal, but I'm picky about a few items. There are a few generic items which don't taste the same as the name brands. My spouse will tell you I'm nuts, but being a picky eater in general, I don't eat food that's unappetizing.
When our first child was born, we crunched the numbers and realized that if I returned to work, daycare would take my entire paycheck, plus $20 of his. So staying home was an option. I realize not everyone has this luxury, and I've been blessed to be home with my kids and concentrate on my first love, writing.
Yes, it took me a while to get published, and even longer for a steady income to arrive. I'll admit, my earnings at the moment support my weekly karaoke habit, but I've also been able to pay for some of my own expenses, instead of having to budget them into the household budget.
Am I better off financially? Not really. I'd hoped that by now we'd have a savings account, a nice home, two cars, and not have to budget so carefully, but that hasn't happened.
What has changes has been my attitude toward my situation. I learned to budget; learned to live within my means; and to compromise on certain purchases.
I'm still hopeful, though. I look forward to the day when I don't have to watch every penny carefully, because our health insurance payment will hit the account, or that the electric bill will be forty dollars higher.
Or maybe I'll win the powerball. I've won it twice before....but that was the only number which matched. Still, that $12 will either pay for my lunch at Steak-n-Shake or I can have one rum and coke at karaoke every week this month!
Priorities.
I'd say they were in order:)
If you're interested in reading steamy contemporary romance, or steamy sci-fi romance, check out Kenzie's books at Amazon.
Make sure to start thinking about retirement early, because you won't retire by accident. Use tools like the free retirement calculator from Personal Capital to manage your money and plan for retirement better.
Thanks Molly!
What happens when a product of the 1960s marries a child of the 1980s?
Chaos.
I began my married life with an income half the size of what I grew up with. In all fairness, I'd lived on my own for an entire year, living paycheck to paycheck, and an emergency surgical procedure had nearly bankrupted me. I really should have declared bankruptcy, but was too ashamed to admit I couldn't pay my hospital bill, even working two jobs.
I brought to my marriage $1500 in medical debt and probably close to $2000 in credit card debt, between a Discover Card, American Express, and a gas card. I was making the minimum payments, but after complications from pregnancy forced me to cut my hours down the 10 per week, and my brand new spouse barely making just above minimum wage, money was extremely tight.
When you take two different ideas of money budgeting and try to combine them, you get disaster. My father had handled all the bills, whereas my spouse's mother had been in charge of the checkbook. My husband insisted I handle it all, and I'll admit; after a year of seeing only single digits left over from my paycheck, that triple digit looked pretty nice:) I made a valuable mistake: I went shopping for things before paying the bills, which was a huge no-no.
This caused conflict, as you can imagine, and when I tried to correct my mistake, it was too late. I had taken pride in saying during college that I intended to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen; however, during that first year of marriage I learned to become very acquainted with my oven and recipe books.
I resented every minute of it. Why couldn't we go out to eat? Why was McDonald's for lunch no longer an option? When we were dating, eating out was a given. But suddenly that ring was on my finger and going out was limited only to payday. What the hell had I gotten myself into? This was not the marriage I'd envisioned.
In my defense, I will say this: Knowing when we decided to get married he'd just received his tax refund of $1600, I could not justify spending half of that on an engagement ring. I insisted we shop around and settled for the $200 ring instead of the gorgeous $800 one I'd fallen in love with. So when it comes to spending money on myself, as far as jewelry and clothes, I don't like to spend a lot of money. But household items and food? Different story. I had the classic case of 'Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget' mentality.
And we couldn't afford it.
The spouse and I have been married nearly 25 years. What have I learned from those first few disastrous ones?
-Obviously, pay the bills first. That's a given.
-Invest in a large freezer. That way you can stock up on meat and have a place to store it.
-Shop the sales paper. Buy meat in bulk and repackage it at home with freezer paper.
-Get your staples (canned veggies, flour, sugar, salt, etc) at Aldi's or Save-A-Lot. Yeah, I was unimpressed with these stores at first, but I had gone in with the wrong mindset. Like your brand names? Then don't shop there.
-Plan your weekly (or monthly) menu before you shop. We went from a weekly paycheck to twice a month, once my spouse had to retire and go on disability. I know exactly how many days I need to plan for that money, and always ask the kids if they have anything special they'd like during that time period.
-Get creative. Facebook and Pinterest are full of recipe ideas if you're stumped as to how to fix an inexpensive meal. Another favorite of mine: Next time you eat out in a fancy restaurant, try to see if you can recreate it from what you have in your pantry. Or try Food Network dot com.
Obviously, I use generic brands a great deal, but I'm picky about a few items. There are a few generic items which don't taste the same as the name brands. My spouse will tell you I'm nuts, but being a picky eater in general, I don't eat food that's unappetizing.
When our first child was born, we crunched the numbers and realized that if I returned to work, daycare would take my entire paycheck, plus $20 of his. So staying home was an option. I realize not everyone has this luxury, and I've been blessed to be home with my kids and concentrate on my first love, writing.
Yes, it took me a while to get published, and even longer for a steady income to arrive. I'll admit, my earnings at the moment support my weekly karaoke habit, but I've also been able to pay for some of my own expenses, instead of having to budget them into the household budget.
Am I better off financially? Not really. I'd hoped that by now we'd have a savings account, a nice home, two cars, and not have to budget so carefully, but that hasn't happened.
What has changes has been my attitude toward my situation. I learned to budget; learned to live within my means; and to compromise on certain purchases.
I'm still hopeful, though. I look forward to the day when I don't have to watch every penny carefully, because our health insurance payment will hit the account, or that the electric bill will be forty dollars higher.
Or maybe I'll win the powerball. I've won it twice before....but that was the only number which matched. Still, that $12 will either pay for my lunch at Steak-n-Shake or I can have one rum and coke at karaoke every week this month!
Priorities.
I'd say they were in order:)
If you're interested in reading steamy contemporary romance, or steamy sci-fi romance, check out Kenzie's books at Amazon.
Make sure to start thinking about retirement early, because you won't retire by accident. Use tools like the free retirement calculator from Personal Capital to manage your money and plan for retirement better.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Flashback Friday: Halloween With A Full House!
October 2005:
With a houseful of kids, my creativity kicked in for Halloween. When we decorated the house, I made tombstones out of cardboard for everyone in the house:
RIP....
D-Bled To Death
M-Absorbed into the computer
K-Recurring Football Injury
S-Trampled by Stuffed Animals or Hunting Accident
A-Screamed Herself To Death
J-Death by Whining
W-Death by Overexertion
For Halloween, we had two Scream characters; Cinderella; a Ninja; and a bunny rabbit:)
************
Present Day:
I was able to go to karaoke Wed and last night, taking four songs off of my 'sing list':)
Delta Dawn, Remember Me This Way, and I Got The Boy were added to my 'good' list, while In The End is on the 'maybe'.
Tonight, our little Tinkerbell will be trick-or-treating downtown with her daddy, then we'll take her around the neighborhood tomorrow.
One of my 'adoptees', R, is now living with us until she gets back on her feet, so she, S, and I (and maybe K) will be dressing up tomorrow night for the Karaoke Halloween Party. I'm going to be a vampire, since I can't find a Bride of Frankenstein wig. No word on what K, S, or R will be.
Tomorrow Night's Songs:
It's A Heartache-Bonnie Tyler Did well:)
Don't Pay The Ferry Man-Chris de Burgh Nailed it:)
It's My Life-Bon Jovi Was told it sounded good:)
It's My Party-Leslie Gore Okay:)
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!
Just found out another wonderful author has left this world. RIP Fran Lee....your books are amazing, and thank you for your encouragement when we first 'met' online. Your family is in my prayers.
With a houseful of kids, my creativity kicked in for Halloween. When we decorated the house, I made tombstones out of cardboard for everyone in the house:
RIP....
D-Bled To Death
M-Absorbed into the computer
K-Recurring Football Injury
S-Trampled by Stuffed Animals or Hunting Accident
A-Screamed Herself To Death
J-Death by Whining
W-Death by Overexertion
For Halloween, we had two Scream characters; Cinderella; a Ninja; and a bunny rabbit:)
************
Present Day:
I was able to go to karaoke Wed and last night, taking four songs off of my 'sing list':)
Delta Dawn, Remember Me This Way, and I Got The Boy were added to my 'good' list, while In The End is on the 'maybe'.
Tonight, our little Tinkerbell will be trick-or-treating downtown with her daddy, then we'll take her around the neighborhood tomorrow.
One of my 'adoptees', R, is now living with us until she gets back on her feet, so she, S, and I (and maybe K) will be dressing up tomorrow night for the Karaoke Halloween Party. I'm going to be a vampire, since I can't find a Bride of Frankenstein wig. No word on what K, S, or R will be.
Tomorrow Night's Songs:
It's A Heartache-Bonnie Tyler Did well:)
Don't Pay The Ferry Man-Chris de Burgh Nailed it:)
It's My Life-Bon Jovi Was told it sounded good:)
It's My Party-Leslie Gore Okay:)
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!
Just found out another wonderful author has left this world. RIP Fran Lee....your books are amazing, and thank you for your encouragement when we first 'met' online. Your family is in my prayers.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Flashback Friday
Oct 1995:
We'd taken the kids to the Halloween Party, K dressed like Tigger, S in the traditional Bunny suit (the ears now drooped, ha ha!). Afterward, I took video of the kids in their costumes, and wanted to make sure I got a shot of S's beautifully decorated bag.
Me: Turn your bag around sweetie; Mommy wants to see the other side.
S gets look of concentration on her face, then turns completely around, showing me her cotton bunny tail! We laughed so hard I nearly dropped the camera! Finally my spouse took the bag from her and turned it around to show the decorated side.
Next Month: Thanksgiving:)
***************
Present Day:
I'll be at our local Author Festival tomorrow from 9-3, then joining Mysti Parker on Sunday for an hour, in order to celebrate her new release:)
IF I get batteries for my camera, I plan to sing the following songs tomorrow night:
Ironic-Alannis Morrisette Was complimented by several:)
Down In The Boonocks Nailed it; Will Peppers shouted out, "I LOVE that song!"
Is There Life Out There-Reba Did well:)
Islands In The Stream-Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers Sang it with Mark and it wasn't TOO bad, lol!
RIP Marty Ingles
Thoughts and prayers to Shirley Jones and family
We'd taken the kids to the Halloween Party, K dressed like Tigger, S in the traditional Bunny suit (the ears now drooped, ha ha!). Afterward, I took video of the kids in their costumes, and wanted to make sure I got a shot of S's beautifully decorated bag.
Me: Turn your bag around sweetie; Mommy wants to see the other side.
S gets look of concentration on her face, then turns completely around, showing me her cotton bunny tail! We laughed so hard I nearly dropped the camera! Finally my spouse took the bag from her and turned it around to show the decorated side.
Next Month: Thanksgiving:)
***************
Present Day:
I'll be at our local Author Festival tomorrow from 9-3, then joining Mysti Parker on Sunday for an hour, in order to celebrate her new release:)
IF I get batteries for my camera, I plan to sing the following songs tomorrow night:
Ironic-Alannis Morrisette Was complimented by several:)
Down In The Boonocks Nailed it; Will Peppers shouted out, "I LOVE that song!"
Is There Life Out There-Reba Did well:)
Islands In The Stream-Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers Sang it with Mark and it wasn't TOO bad, lol!
RIP Marty Ingles
Thoughts and prayers to Shirley Jones and family
Friday, October 16, 2015
Flashback Friday: Halloween Disaster
Story Thus Far:
I'd begun my 2nd year of college with a resolve to do well. However, the first day I met someone whom I thought had potential and it was soon proved wrong. I made friends with his roommate, but in October, a series of events would soon send me into a spiral of depression.
Oct 1985:
G and I continued to do fun things in our free time. We went bowling; he took me to parties. One particular party, N and his cousin B told us to come back and get them after we found the party. An hour after we arrived, I offered to drive back and get them, since G was involved in a game of Risk. When I went back to pick up the others, I received a shock: B expressed jealousy after a playful hug from N, then after embracing me, kissed me. Sparks flew.
I didn't know what to do, so at the party, I kept my distance. B was N's cousin, for god's sake, and had just gotten out of a bad relationship! While I wandered around the bonfire, some drunk decided I was the object of his affection and kept trying to talk to me. I wanted nothing to do with him, especially after he spilled beer on my shoes, so in desperation to shake him, I went up to B and asked him to play along. The drunk left me alone, but I soon enjoyed holding B's hand or having his arm around me. When he and N were ready to go, I again offered to drive them back. After N went inside, B lingered with me, then agreed to lead me back to the party, then asked if I wanted to take a drive.
We went out to the park, where we spent several minutes making out, then talked about what we were feeling. We agreed to get together the following Friday.
What happened next, I'm not entirely sure whose fault it was. B asked if I wanted him to take me back to the party or the dorm. Since I had a personal rule that I'd leave the party with whomever I'd arrived with, I had him take me back.
An hour later, G was too drunk to drive, so I drove him back to the house. We'd spent the night platonically before, so I laid down next to him and tried to go to sleep. But an hour later, G got amorous, and called me by his g/f's name, even though I tried at first to get him to stop.
We woke up the next morning, me full of guilt and confusion; him having no knowledge of what had happened.
This put me in another quandary: What would G think if I started dating B? Just four days after? I decided to keep it to myself. Fortunately, G didn't act any differently toward me, and our friendship continued as before.
Halloween approached. B told me he was looking forward to seeing me, and since I had no classes the next day, felt it was a perfect chance to be with him. But he didn't show, and when he did, he was with the mother of his child, who showed no signs of leaving at midnight.
Angry, I did something extremely stupid, and began flirting with another guy. I ended up doing the Walk of Shame the next morning, still in my Halloween costume.
Next Month: Dad's Weekend, Academic Probation and The Talk
************
Present Day:
Tomorrow's Karaoke Songs:
Rolling In the Deep-Adele Nailed it:)
Magic Power-Triumph Nailed it:)
I Remember You-Skid Row Did well; botched the last line.
Don't Stop Believin'-Journey Someone sang this before me.
I'm out of batteries in my camera, so singing some favored repeats:)
I'd begun my 2nd year of college with a resolve to do well. However, the first day I met someone whom I thought had potential and it was soon proved wrong. I made friends with his roommate, but in October, a series of events would soon send me into a spiral of depression.
Oct 1985:
G and I continued to do fun things in our free time. We went bowling; he took me to parties. One particular party, N and his cousin B told us to come back and get them after we found the party. An hour after we arrived, I offered to drive back and get them, since G was involved in a game of Risk. When I went back to pick up the others, I received a shock: B expressed jealousy after a playful hug from N, then after embracing me, kissed me. Sparks flew.
I didn't know what to do, so at the party, I kept my distance. B was N's cousin, for god's sake, and had just gotten out of a bad relationship! While I wandered around the bonfire, some drunk decided I was the object of his affection and kept trying to talk to me. I wanted nothing to do with him, especially after he spilled beer on my shoes, so in desperation to shake him, I went up to B and asked him to play along. The drunk left me alone, but I soon enjoyed holding B's hand or having his arm around me. When he and N were ready to go, I again offered to drive them back. After N went inside, B lingered with me, then agreed to lead me back to the party, then asked if I wanted to take a drive.
We went out to the park, where we spent several minutes making out, then talked about what we were feeling. We agreed to get together the following Friday.
What happened next, I'm not entirely sure whose fault it was. B asked if I wanted him to take me back to the party or the dorm. Since I had a personal rule that I'd leave the party with whomever I'd arrived with, I had him take me back.
An hour later, G was too drunk to drive, so I drove him back to the house. We'd spent the night platonically before, so I laid down next to him and tried to go to sleep. But an hour later, G got amorous, and called me by his g/f's name, even though I tried at first to get him to stop.
We woke up the next morning, me full of guilt and confusion; him having no knowledge of what had happened.
This put me in another quandary: What would G think if I started dating B? Just four days after? I decided to keep it to myself. Fortunately, G didn't act any differently toward me, and our friendship continued as before.
Halloween approached. B told me he was looking forward to seeing me, and since I had no classes the next day, felt it was a perfect chance to be with him. But he didn't show, and when he did, he was with the mother of his child, who showed no signs of leaving at midnight.
Angry, I did something extremely stupid, and began flirting with another guy. I ended up doing the Walk of Shame the next morning, still in my Halloween costume.
Next Month: Dad's Weekend, Academic Probation and The Talk
************
Present Day:
Tomorrow's Karaoke Songs:
Rolling In the Deep-Adele Nailed it:)
Magic Power-Triumph Nailed it:)
I Remember You-Skid Row Did well; botched the last line.
Don't Stop Believin'-Journey Someone sang this before me.
I'm out of batteries in my camera, so singing some favored repeats:)
Friday, October 9, 2015
Flashback Friday: Happy 5th Birthday Wendy:)
October 1975:
We celebrated my sister's 5th birthday three times: Once at my Grandma Grauel's house with Uncle Bill, then another at our house with the McIntire side. On her actual birthday, we're in matching nightgowns as she opened her presents, then after dinner, KE and KB came over for cupcakes and ice cream.
For Halloween that year, I was Donald Duck; W was Mickey Mouse; and TH was Miss America.
School-wise, I was still at the bottom of the social pecking order. K, M, and I continued to play together at recess, but my teacher still seemed to pick on me.
I think this was also the year we got a new art teacher, and for Halloween, he wanted us to make masks...I wanted mine to look nice, and in the process, never finished it. So while our class was paraded before the kindergarteners, I was the only one with a 'natural' look. Yes, I was very embarrassed.
*************
Present Day:
I have a busy weekend planned. Tonight, provided it doesn't rain, I'm headed downtown to the 1st Annual Autumn On Main Street, to set up my booth with hopefully two other authors. Tomorrow, I'll be in Washington at the Open Market, a Daviess County Library event, from 10-2, then off to anther festival the rest of the afternoon, in a town whose name is escaping me. Then it's home for dinner, then karaoke:)
Update: Had a wonderful time at Autumn on Main St! Sold 6 books:) Saturday, sold 4 more at the Open Market:) I'm going to have to order more copies of Hotel Stories...Corning Festival, since I arrived at 3pm, I spoke to a few people, but mainly walked around and took pictures.
Songs:
I'm Your Angel-Celine Dion/R. Kelly
Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer-Kenny Rogers/Kim Carnes
Invisible Touch-Genesis
Ironic-Allanis Morrissette
We celebrated my sister's 5th birthday three times: Once at my Grandma Grauel's house with Uncle Bill, then another at our house with the McIntire side. On her actual birthday, we're in matching nightgowns as she opened her presents, then after dinner, KE and KB came over for cupcakes and ice cream.
For Halloween that year, I was Donald Duck; W was Mickey Mouse; and TH was Miss America.
School-wise, I was still at the bottom of the social pecking order. K, M, and I continued to play together at recess, but my teacher still seemed to pick on me.
I think this was also the year we got a new art teacher, and for Halloween, he wanted us to make masks...I wanted mine to look nice, and in the process, never finished it. So while our class was paraded before the kindergarteners, I was the only one with a 'natural' look. Yes, I was very embarrassed.
*************
Present Day:
I have a busy weekend planned. Tonight, provided it doesn't rain, I'm headed downtown to the 1st Annual Autumn On Main Street, to set up my booth with hopefully two other authors. Tomorrow, I'll be in Washington at the Open Market, a Daviess County Library event, from 10-2, then off to anther festival the rest of the afternoon, in a town whose name is escaping me. Then it's home for dinner, then karaoke:)
Update: Had a wonderful time at Autumn on Main St! Sold 6 books:) Saturday, sold 4 more at the Open Market:) I'm going to have to order more copies of Hotel Stories...Corning Festival, since I arrived at 3pm, I spoke to a few people, but mainly walked around and took pictures.
Songs:
I'm Your Angel-Celine Dion/R. Kelly
Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer-Kenny Rogers/Kim Carnes
Invisible Touch-Genesis
Ironic-Allanis Morrissette
Sunday, October 4, 2015
October Reading Schedule
Wow....October is here! Did I meet my Sept. goals?
-Self-publish Best of Both Worlds (check!), Heart's Last Chance, and NiKoh's Chosen Check:)
-Write Heart Song (now due October 31st)
-Do well at all three signings this month:
-Washington Wine and Art Fest Sold 6!!!
-Cherry Ghost Coffee Shop Sold 4:)
-Palace Book Blitz Sold 5:)
-Buy copies of HLC (check!) and NiKoh (check!), plus BOBW, once it's up
-Clean up Kira and send it off to RP.
-New phone???
As you can see, I did very well, as far as book selling went. Book writing....not so much! I know for a fact I only added around 550 words to Heart Song. Since my personal deadline is looming (only 4 more weeks, eek!), I'd better put pen to paper/fingers to keyboard!
I also managed to catch up the youngling on his schoolwork. I was gone for ten days, and he basically had a vacation, since the spouse chose to slack off. The fact he's caught up on all subjects, with the exception of Spelling, and as of this morning, is pretty good. We've been working 4-5 hours a day, and sometimes even on weekends, to accomplish this.
Today, he was finished before 3pm.
Books Read: 7
Songs Added To Karaoke Good List: 3. I was sick one Saturday, and gone another, so didn't really sing much this month.
October Goals:
-Finish Heart Song!
-Clean up Kira and send it off to RP.
-Buy Book Rack
-Pay for July trip to Par-A-Dice
-Get print versions of BOBW, BA, and others up.
-Publish kindle versions of AFD and WAH. Check:)
October Reading Schedule:
Fun and Games-Alissa Rose I normally don't mind certain words in books, but in this case, when the 'F' word is used profusely, I had to put it down. Maybe it's my mood; maybe I'm trying to read it at the wrong time; it's just not holding my attention. DNF
Dust of My Wings-Carrie Ann Ryan
There's Always Tomorrow-Susanne Matthews Fun short story! Wish there was more, but very good!
The Boleyn Inheritance-Phillippa Gregory (print) Very good:)
Daddy's Girls-Tasmina Perry (print) Very good:)
Fatal Cure- Robin Cook A reread, but still good:)
Summer Lovin'- Carly Phillips Very good:)
Wednesday Karaoke:
All You Wanted-Michelle Branch Not bad:)
Don't You Wanna Stay-J. Aldean/K. Clarkson Went well:)
I Got The Boy-Jana Kramer Nailed it:)
Surrender To Me-R.Zander/A. Wilson
Remember Me This Way-Jordan Hill (1st time) Did pretty well! Just a few trouble spots:)
In The End-Linkin Park A little rough, but okay.
Saturday Karaoke:
I'm Not Lisa-Jessie Colter Okay...
I'm With You-Avril Levigne Bleh.
I'm Your Angel-C.Dion/R. Kelly Did well:)
Invisible Touch-Genesis Nailed it:)
Ironic-Alannis Morissette Was complimented by several people:)
Is There Life Out There-Reba Did well:)
Islands In The Stream-K. Rogers/D. Parton Sang this with Mark; it wasn't TOO bad!
It's A Heartache-Bonnie Tyler People cheered:)
It's My Life-Bon Jovi Not bad!
It's My Party-Leslie Gore Okay,
It's Not Over-Daughtry
It's Now Or Never-Elvis
It's Only Love-B.Adams/T. Turner
It's Only Make Believe-Conway Twitty
It's Raining Men-Weather Girls
-Self-publish Best of Both Worlds (check!), Heart's Last Chance, and NiKoh's Chosen Check:)
-Write Heart Song (now due October 31st)
-Do well at all three signings this month:
-Washington Wine and Art Fest Sold 6!!!
-Cherry Ghost Coffee Shop Sold 4:)
-Palace Book Blitz Sold 5:)
-Buy copies of HLC (check!) and NiKoh (check!), plus BOBW, once it's up
-Clean up Kira and send it off to RP.
-New phone???
As you can see, I did very well, as far as book selling went. Book writing....not so much! I know for a fact I only added around 550 words to Heart Song. Since my personal deadline is looming (only 4 more weeks, eek!), I'd better put pen to paper/fingers to keyboard!
I also managed to catch up the youngling on his schoolwork. I was gone for ten days, and he basically had a vacation, since the spouse chose to slack off. The fact he's caught up on all subjects, with the exception of Spelling, and as of this morning, is pretty good. We've been working 4-5 hours a day, and sometimes even on weekends, to accomplish this.
Today, he was finished before 3pm.
Books Read: 7
Songs Added To Karaoke Good List: 3. I was sick one Saturday, and gone another, so didn't really sing much this month.
October Goals:
-Finish Heart Song!
-Clean up Kira and send it off to RP.
-Buy Book Rack
-Pay for July trip to Par-A-Dice
-Get print versions of BOBW, BA, and others up.
-Publish kindle versions of AFD and WAH. Check:)
October Reading Schedule:
Fun and Games-Alissa Rose I normally don't mind certain words in books, but in this case, when the 'F' word is used profusely, I had to put it down. Maybe it's my mood; maybe I'm trying to read it at the wrong time; it's just not holding my attention. DNF
Dust of My Wings-Carrie Ann Ryan
There's Always Tomorrow-Susanne Matthews Fun short story! Wish there was more, but very good!
The Boleyn Inheritance-Phillippa Gregory (print) Very good:)
Daddy's Girls-Tasmina Perry (print) Very good:)
Fatal Cure- Robin Cook A reread, but still good:)
Summer Lovin'- Carly Phillips Very good:)
Wednesday Karaoke:
All You Wanted-Michelle Branch Not bad:)
Don't You Wanna Stay-J. Aldean/K. Clarkson Went well:)
I Got The Boy-Jana Kramer Nailed it:)
Surrender To Me-R.Zander/A. Wilson
Remember Me This Way-Jordan Hill (1st time) Did pretty well! Just a few trouble spots:)
In The End-Linkin Park A little rough, but okay.
Saturday Karaoke:
I'm Not Lisa-Jessie Colter Okay...
I'm With You-Avril Levigne Bleh.
I'm Your Angel-C.Dion/R. Kelly Did well:)
Invisible Touch-Genesis Nailed it:)
Ironic-Alannis Morissette Was complimented by several people:)
Is There Life Out There-Reba Did well:)
Islands In The Stream-K. Rogers/D. Parton Sang this with Mark; it wasn't TOO bad!
It's A Heartache-Bonnie Tyler People cheered:)
It's My Life-Bon Jovi Not bad!
It's My Party-Leslie Gore Okay,
It's Not Over-Daughtry
It's Now Or Never-Elvis
It's Only Love-B.Adams/T. Turner
It's Only Make Believe-Conway Twitty
It's Raining Men-Weather Girls
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