Vacation

I'm putting the blog on vacation until Mom gets out of the hospital. I hope I'll be back real soon!

tilt-a-world

The world has tilted on its axis again! Yesterday Momma had to have emergency exploratory surgery. They found that she had a dime-sized rupture in her stomach wall. It has been repaired, but she is in ICU for the time being. They took her off the ventilator today, but the doctors say that they will just take it one day at at time as to how long she will be in ICU. She will be on a feeding tube for a while, too. Until her stomach heals. She looks so frail, lying in the hospital bed, hooked to so many tubes and wires. You've heard it described countless times. But as cliche as it sounds, it's entirely true. And all you can do is stand helpless by the bed, stroking an arm, forehead, holding a hand, spending your twenty minutes trying to swallow around the fist lodged in your throat, then you wait until they will let you in again. It sucks!

topamax adventures

Well, I've been on the topamax for a week now. The doctor warned me that carbonated beverages would lose their taste, they would taste flat while on this medication. When hubby came and sat next to me on Tuesday night with a glass, I grabbed it and took a drink. Flat. Completely flat. But hubby said it came out of the bottle that way. I don't know why he was drinking it.

Thursday night our daughter had a band concert. He wanted to run through Taco Bell before heading to the concert. Again, I grabbed his Coke (I'm in the South, down here they're all Coke). OMG!! I've never tasted anything so foul in my life! You know how the carbonation mixture can get off sometimes and make the cokes taste funny? It was sorta like that, magnified about 100 times. Plus, it burned.

And you know what I was worried most about? What will I drink at conference in the bar? I generally stick with beer, because it's cheaper. But it's also carbonated. Other than that, my drink of choice is Turkey (Wild Turkey) and Coke. Again, carbonated. Looks like I'll have to stick to screwdrivers or something. Got any suggestions?

On the up side, my appetite is fading. Just a few bites at mealtime and I'm full. But if I'm not eating much, I've got to make the little bit I do eat count, nutritionally! I don't need to get run down, on top of these migraines!

Did you know

that if you don't spell your name right, you won't be able to get to your own blog?

A friend of mine pitched her Harlequin American aimed WIP this morning and got a request for a partial! I'm buzzing with excitement for her!

I'm still having troubles getting up in the mornings. I'm beginning to suspect the culprit is something other than the time change. I think I'll investigate the side effects of my new migraine med and then call my doctor, see if he thinks that may be the problem.

Happy Hump Day!

spring forward

Anybody else suffering extreme exhaustion from losing that hour of sleep this weekend? I feel like I lost an entire week of sleep. How can one hour seem to make such a difference? I'm going to take a nap!

Back again.

I knew I hadn't posted in a while, but it's been longer than I realized. What can I say? Life, ya know?

Hubby is deep in the middle of an English Comp class. He's finding it a bit frustrating, being so long out of school, to have to re-enter that world. And the same goes for me. I've been trying to help him out, but haven't really been much help beyond some grammar suggestions.

Mother has had her second chemo treatment. She is doing fairly well. This time she's been a bit sicker than the last, but she continues to go to work most every day. She doesn't always stay all day, but she does what she can. She's very tired, though. The chemo has sapped her energy.

We had a great time at the "Look Good, Feel Better" class, sponsored by the American Cancer Society . She got all sorts of makeup tips and a bag chock full of high end, and skin friendly, cosmetics. It was really a lot of fun!

My son's basketball season is over, my daughter's soccer season starts this weekend. It never ends. *smile*

My appointment with Kathryn Lye was postponed, due to bad weather. I will meet up with her in San Francisco this summer to pitch my book, and hopefully she will want to hear about more of my stories!

Oh, and I got new glasses today. I like them, they're a bit bolder than my last pair. And it seems that my right eye is trying to catch up with my left eye. When looking at my old glasses, it was obvious that the magnification for my left eye was more than the magnification for my right. In this pair, I can't tell any difference between the two. Guess I'm just getting more symmetrical.

I will do my best to get back to my M, W, F posting schedule.

Nothing new

I really have nothing new to say today. Nothing old to say, either. I'm knee deep in writing my paranormal romance and it's coming along at a slow, but steady pace. I'm also attempting to help my hubby through an English Comp class. Boring!! But a lot of work.

Unfortunately, when I'm bored, I like to eat. I'm trying not to do that today, because I need to shed some pounds. What do you do when you're bored?

Farewell, Friends

This week we've said a sad goodbye to Toni and Aurora. I'll miss their little wheel squeaking all day. May they Rest in Peace.

Wigging out

Momma's hair has started coming out, so we went wig shopping today. Don't ask why, but I wound up with her wig at my house. I don't think I like myself as a blonde...

Tennessee Twisters

I had planned on posting several pictures of the tornado damage to the area, but there are already so many on the web, I'll just direct you to them.

These pictures were made by someone who lives near some of the damage. There are 6 pages of them, if you feel like looking around.

This blog is chock full of pictures and videos.

The Jackson Sun has several pictures to see as well.

I took these pictures on my way home yesterday. If reports are correct, the tornado hit here just a few minutes after I drove through. It was a long drive home that night! (Sorry for the poor quality. I forgot my camera and had to use my phone.)

Wednesday Wanderings

I don't have a lot to say today, so we're going on a little tour.

I'm doing Fast Draft this week and next, hoping to push through to the end of this WIP. And Candy Havens, the Fast Draft guru, is celebrating the release of her latest book today.

Chapter-mate, Patrice Michelle, has a great cover for her latest book.

Here's an interesting interview another chapter-mate posted to her blog. Psychics, anyone?

Go join my friend Vanessa Jaye and the other Southern Fried Chicas in a discussion on dialogue.

Enjoy your trip!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday

Here's a couple of clips to keep you entertained, while you wait for the pre-game show to start:



and:

(you have to click on the picture to watch Ickey Woods do his Ickey Shuffle.)

treatment

Today is momma's first chemo treatment and I'm just about to jump out of my skin waiting to hear how it went. I'm sure she'll call when she feels up to it, or dad will call when he thinks of it. ::sigh:: I hate waiting.

edit: Momma made it home, well, actually, she went back to work. She called and said she was feeling fine for the moment. She picked out a few hats and scarves while she was there, they said that she would be losing her hair. I'm curious how it will come back. Will it remain the wavy, blonde locks I'm used to? Will it come back straight, and gray? Will it be as curly as mine and as beautifully snow white as my grandmother's was? Anyway, she's in good spirits and I think that's half the battle!

Into the Night

I know I don't usually post on Sunday, but

Sasha had this on her blog and it looked like fun!

Directions:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, iPod etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Fallin On (Finger Eleven)

2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Hell's Bells (AC/DC)

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Red High Heels (Kelli Pickler)

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Before He Cheats (Carrie Underwood)

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Beautiful Girls (Sean Kingston)

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
White and Nerdy (Weird Al) *too funny!*

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Pickin' Wildflowers (Keith Anderson)

8. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Figured You Out (Nickelback)

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
The Carpal Tunnel of Love (Fall Out Boy)

10. WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Cyclone (Baby Bash feat. T-Pain)

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR EX?
In the End (Linkin Park)

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Break My Fall (Breaking Benjamin)

13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Eruption (Van Halen)

14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
You're Crashing, But You're No Wave (Fall Out Boy)

15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
I Hate Everything About You (Three Days Grace)

16. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
4^th of July (Shooter Jennings)

17. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Never Again (Nickelback)

18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Heart-shaped Box (Nirvana)

19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Catch Me When I Fall (Ashlee Simpson)

20. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Hero (Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott)

Now press Next one more time and use it as your title.
Into the Night (Santana feat. Chad Kroeger)

Scattergories

I was looking for a way to extend my morning procrastination this morning, and Heather had just the thing on her blog:

SCATTERGORIES…it’s harder than it looks! Copy and paste into a new email/blog. When you are done, send it on, including to the person who sent it to you. *Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following… *they have to be real places, names, things…nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. (WHICH BY THE WAY IS HARD IF YOU ALREADY READ THEIRS. You CAN’T use your name for the boy/girl.

1. What is your name? Trish
2. 4 letter word: Time
3. Vehicle: Tank
4. City: Trenton
5. Boy Name: Tom
6. Girl Name: Tina
7. Alcoholic drink: Tequila
8. Occupation: Taxi driver
9. Something you wear: Tie
10. Celebrity: Tom Cruise
11: Food: Turkey
12. Something found in a bathroom: Toothbrush
13. Reason for being late: Tree Down
14: Cartoon Character: Tigger
15. Something you shout: ta-da
16. Animal: Tiger
17: Body Part: Teeth
18. Word to describe you: Talented

do you heel?

Heeling used to be something you sent your dog to obedience school for. Now it is riding on the wheels in your heels in your Heelys shoes.

Last week my son found a pair on e-bay. He's been begging for these shoes. I gave in and he got his Heelys. It took him about 2 days to become a pro at heeling.

Last night my daughter gave them a try. She was heeling across the floor at lightning speeds in about 10 minutes.

Now it's my turn. I can roll across the floor with them, but I'm not sure the awkward motions I make could be termed heeling. It's more like trying to balance on a tightrope without any grace. But I'm not going to be outdone by my kids. I'll practice while they're at school and I WILL learn to heel like a pro. If I don't break any bones first... Maybe I'll wear them to Wal-Mart this afternoon and wheel around the store like a kid.

What's on the Nightstand this week?

Yeah, I'm still reading these two. ::rolls eyes::









What's on Pocket Tunes:




What's on Adobe:

Been away too long

I meant to get back in here on Wednesday, but it's been a busy week. Here's a taste of what awaited me when I got in from work on Tuesday night:







My entire family was also here. It was a real surprise party, and they got me good! I still haven't figured out where they hid all the cars!

On the Nightstand

I never read just one book at a time. Do you?

Some days it's really hard to get any work done....

She's just too pretty to be ignored, isnt' she?

I think she wants her nails done....

Conversations with a 13 year old

Last week my daughter's cell phone died. She counted up her money, picked out a new one and I ordered it for her. Here's what she said to me last night:

C: Mom, if my phone gets here today, don't open it, ok?
Me: Are you sure? I thought you'd want me to go ahead and activate it as soon as possible.
C: Well, yeah, ok. But wear gloves, 'cause I wanna be the first one to touch it.

planets aligned against me or not?

I've been running like a crazy woman since the first, with hardly a second to myself. Here's my mini-journal entry from today:

Work, 9-5
Straight to Olive Garden for dinner with [aunt and uncle from out of town], then home to help C study science and help J get started with blackboard. Is fate conspiring against me, or is it an elaborate form of self-sabotage?

Personally, I'm going for fate right now, 'cause I don't wanna take responsibility....but we all know the truth, don't we?

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!!

I wanted to get in here and wish everyone a Merry Christmas while I had the time. Our gifts are bought, most of them wrapped, and I've begun my baking for the day. We begin our celebrations with supper tonight with the in-laws. Then our own family Christmas tomorrow morning before we head out for a late lunch with my family. Despite anything I've said to give the opposite opinion, I really do love this time of year! Not the hectic preparations that go on before Christmas, but these days when most everything is done and I just feel relaxed in my final preparations before we spend time with our families. Now that's what Christmas is all about for me!

Have a good one!!

Who said the Holidays were supposed to be Happy?

It's been crazy around here. More crazy than usual, but you know, that's life. I've been battling the cold from hell and I'm beginning to think I might have licked it, but I'm reserving judgement until I'm positive. I've almost finished up my mom's Christmas shopping, but am having serious doubts that I'll ever finish my own. Let alone the wrapping!!

Momma's lymph nodes popped positive for cancerous cells, so she is scheduled to have the rest of them removed tomorrow morning. Another morning sitting around the hospital. I'll take my Alphasmart with me again, and maybe this time I'll get some writing done.

On the up-side, I'm off work until after Christmas and the kids are out of school for the next two weeks. Goodbye 6 a.m. alarm!!

And in case you managed to miss this post, go take a look. You know we've all felt this way!

R&R

Momma's surgery went fine yesterday and today is a day for a bit of rest and relaxation. I'm taking it easy for a few hours, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!!

an explanation for my procrastination

OK. So I don't usually need any reason to procrastinate. I'm a natural at it. But this week has been particularly difficult. I've found it very hard to settle down to any real work. We found out on Monday that my mother has breast cancer. She will have a mastectomy on Tuesday. For a few days, it took the wind out of my sails. We were trying to reconcile the big C with Momma's name attached and scrambling to figure out how to make Christmas the tradition it has always been with my family, yet still keep Momma comfortable and out of the kitchen. (No, that's not selfish talk. Momma doesn't want any changes in how we do Christmas.) It will take some doing, we'll probably have to tie her to the couch, but between my brothers, my aunt, my SIL and myself, we'll have a traditional Christmas. No problem, just a shifting of some of the responsibilities.

The good news is, that now that we've all digested the information, we're dealing with it. Momma is in good spirits and actually looking forward to having the surgery behind her. She is not expected to have to undergo any chemo or radiation treatments. We've been very lucky that they caught this early. It will be a blessed Christmas this year. I think we'll all appreciate it more!

And this is my reminded to all my girlfriends to keep your checkups current. You just never know what they'll find. (I think I'll go call my doc and schedule my own appointment.)

Take care!

was trying

to figure out how to add an RSS feed to my blog. Haven't gotten it working yet and have to fix my daughter's blue jeans right now. Wish me luck later.

stuck

This is where I am with my WIP (work in progress) right now.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Y'all try not to eat too much turkey today. ::g::