Catching up! Yikes it's been a while 2X
Mood:  caffeinated
Now Playing: Pink, "I'm Not Dead"
Topic: Life
Well, forgive. It's been two months plus and too long. I'll try and catch you all up.

Life in General - Joe

Once Joe started going to his therapies, my time on the net got even more limited. Joe has developmental delays and goes to therapies for Occupational, speech, and receives child development therapies as well. He goes 1 hour Tues-Fri. It's been about 3 months and he's really thriving.  Just this last weekend, he really became imitative with saying words. We got him to say E.T. cook, and eat. I'm just really pleased with his progress. I feel like we're catching up with some of the delays but he won't get another eval until Feb or March.  Right now he's 26 months.

Last Friday we all went to JC Penny to take our Christmas pictures.  Joe was a lot better behaved than last year and we actually got a few pictures with him. We we were thrilled. Even said "Cheese" for the camera lady. He was also a kissing bug, just passing out all kinds of kisses to everyone.

That evening, we got a babysitter to watch the boys and we went to our favorite French restaurant, Le Chene which is out in the hills of Canyon Country. We had a nice low key dinner and it was good to get out on a "date."  We've been married 17 years now. Can you believe it?  17 years ago we got married in Nykobig, Denmark.  It was drizzling, not the world's greatest day. We took a taxi to the courthouse and a Justice of Peace married us. It was 500 doner(sp?) Danish money for the marriage certificate which at the time w $100. Our marriage certificate is in five different languages.

I don't want to get long winded and I need material for later on in the week, so I'll go into one of my latest books reviews for now.

Book Reviews

.

Book Review for "Case of the Missing Coach"

 

Written by: V. Gilbert Zabel

4RV Publishing, LLC

ISBN: 978-0-9797513-1-8

143 Pages

4 Stars

 

Zabel's youth filled adventure/mystery novel, "Case of the Missing Coach," challengers readers to solve the case right along with the main character, Ryan. It's fun, harrowing at times, but the reader can't deny Ryan's – or Zabel's – love of baseball which shines through the novel. It's a solid, youth story that all can enjoy.

 

The Jonesville Chargers are a youth baseball team from Texas. As the story opens, they are competing in a regional tournament. There's a core group of players, known as the "base stealers club," and Ryan is not only instrumental to the team, but his father is also the coach. After winning the regionals, the team starts to receive threatening notes and messages. Ryan and his friends decide to do an informal investigation to find out who is behind the threats. The team travels to Washington D.C. to play in the national championships. Security is tight, but the threats come true when one of the coaches is kidnapped. The team rallies together on and off the field. Ignoring the threats, the team advances to the finals. The air around the team gets tense as they struggle to keep up their morale. The FBI along with Ryan and his friends finally figure out where their missing coach is being held, but is it too late for the team to win the national championship?

 

Zabel's writing is deliberate. She intricately laces her clues into the plot with a deft touch that easily can sneak past the reader. The plot moves at a moderate pace, and doesn't linger. The action is immediate, fluidly moving from one scene to the other. The characters are likable, each with their own personality and Ryan, is infused with a curiosity the reader shares.

 

The author uses black and white pictures of boys playing baseball to frame the chapters which was appealing. The pictures also helped set the scene and tone of the story. Zabel also included a list of coaches and players in the beginning which was helpful as it tended to get confusing at times.

 

The story is told in the third person and the point of view is tight, switching with chapters. There's a good blend of dialogue and narration that allows the story to move forward at a good clip. Zabel's story is a nice "feel good" young adult romp that will have the reader rooting for the Chargers from start to end.

Welcome Holly & Jordan from "Trockle!"
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Coldplay, "Viva la Vida"

I just want to welcome Holly Jahangiri and Jordan Vinyard from the children's book, "Trockle."  They're currently on a Blog tour and today we get to spend a little time with them.

 I'm very excited to talk to Holly & Jordan about their book.  I had the opportunity to pick it up a couple of weeks ago and it's just a fun, engaging children's book that I enjoyed very much. 

I did a review for the book, which I posted on Amazon.com.  Holly or Jordan if there's more places you'd like me to put it, let me know.  I'm going to go ahead and share my review and then I have FIVE questions for you. 

 

Book Review for “Trockle”

By: Holly Jahangiri

Illustrated by: Jordan Vinyard

ISBN: 978-0-9797513-2-5

4RV Publishing, LLC

24 Pages

5 Stars

 

“Trockle” is an engaging children’s story that answers the age-old question, “Who’s that lurking under the bed?” Jahangiri paints as vivid a picture with her words as Vinyard paints with her colors. Children of all ages will enjoy “Trockle.”

 

Stephen is an everyday little boy who has one last snack and a glass of milk before bed. He brushes his teeth and savors his parent’s hugs, but not even his mom’s can of monster repellent will convince him that the monster under his bed is gone. His dad tries to tell Stephen the monster is only ‘socks and books,’ but Stephen knows better. When his parents ask for the monster’s name, Stephen has an answer – “Trockle.” His parents give him a hug, reassure him he’ll be okay, and leave.

 

Under the bed, shoes and pens start to rustle about. Trockle can’t get to sleep. There was a monster over his bed! Trockle’s mother tries to tell him there are no monsters over the bed, but Trockle knew better. The monster over the bed made the ceiling squeak and creak. He tried to describe the monster to his mother. Trockle’s mother finally admitted to Trockle there wasn’t a monster over the bed, but a little boy. In their sleep, both Trockle and Stephen wish each other good night.

 

Trockle was inspired by the bedtime stories the author would share with her son. The book is richly illustrated by Jordan Vinyard. Her wonderful drawings bring life and heart to Stephen and Trockle. Each character is unique, each page captures the reader’s imagination.

 

The story is well paced and keenly plotted. The opening is one that young readers can identify with – the nerve racking nighttime ritual. Stephen’s anxiety is one all children share with him. Haven’t we thought there was a monster under the bed? What sparkles about “Trockle” is that now the monster under the bed has a face with real feelings, emotions, and anxieties, just like the rest of us. Jahangiri and Vinyard connect with readers not just on the surface, but in their hearts.

 

The descriptions in the book are right on the mark. Trockle, while sweet, looks like a monster. He’s got one big eye and pimples all over. He loves to eat chocolate from Chaco-Taco wrappers.

 

Young readers will enjoy reading Trockle on their own. It’s the type of book children can share with a giggle and a smile with their friends.  For an extra touch, the back cover of the book mirrors the front. Trockle is a sure-fire hit.

 

 ***********

 

#1 - Holly, how long have you been writing?  Jordan, how long have you been drawing?

 

#2 - Tell us about your muse Holly and how he, she or it inspires you.

 

#3 - Holly, How did you pick the name "Trockle?"

 

#4 - Holly or Jordan do you have any more children's stories/books planned?  

 

#5 Who came up for the look for Trockle?

 

Oh - sorry - one more - 

 

#6 Is the book entered in any writing/children's competitions?

 

Smiles,

Steph

 

 

 

 

Book Review
Mood:  rushed
Now Playing: Movie from the motion picture, "Anastasia"

SAVE THE DATE:Visit my blog on 16 SEP. I'll be hosting a blog tour for the book, "Trockle."  More about Trockle to follow...

 

*************

 

Finally, here's my book review for "Push Not The River." I actually feel a little disappointed. I want there to be more to the story.  Usually, I just move onto another book when I finish one, but I want to linger on this one and "Against A Crimson Sky."  I think I'll pick up Jodi Picoli's "The 10th Circle" next, but I'm not sure when I'll do it.

I'm suddenly inspired in learning more about my Polish roots.

****
Push Not The River

By: James Conroyd Martin

ISBN: 0-31231153-2

St. Martin’s Press

$14.95

5 Stars

 

“Push Not the River” is a gripping tale of love and loss, not just on a personal scale, but on a national scale, as the Polish nation is finally taken over by the Russians in 1794. “Push Not the River,” is a story based on the Countess Anna Maria Berezowska’s diary which she kept from 1791-1794. Her story is fascinating, compelling, and will have the reader anxiously turning the page to find out what happens next.

 

The story begins with seventeen-year-old Anna reeling from the loss of her immediate family.  Her father is killed in a fight with a peasant, and her mother, grief stricken, gives premature birth.  Anna’s infant brother and her mother also pass away. Anna goes to stay with her aunt and uncle, the Gronska’s. They live in Halicuz, a town in southern Poland.  They have a son, Walter, who is in the Russian army, and a daughter, Zofia, a couple of years older than Anna. Zofia takes a liking to Anna, and befriends her.

 

While exploring the countryside, Anna meets a young man, Count Jan Stelnicki, who is only a few years older than her.  Anna finds herself losing her heart to him.  When she finally comes out of mourning for her parents, she spends a wonderful day riding with Jan and he asks her to marry him.  The moment is ruined as Zofia arrives – jealous that Anna has captured Jan’s heart when she wanted it for herself. A fight ensues and Jan leaves.  Anna has sprained her ankle and Zofia goes for help.  While Anna waits, she’s raped, and doesn’t recognize her attacker. Finally, her uncle and Walter arrive to take her back to the house.

 

Anna is pregnant as a result of the rape and is forced into a marriage she doesn’t want to Count Antoni Grawinski. The marriage is unbearable for both of them. Antoni and Jan duel over Anna, but it’s not Jan who kills him, but a mysterious sniper. Just as Anna and Jan are about to give into their feelings, Poland is threatened by yet another partion, and Jan goes off to war before Anna can tell him she loves him. Anna stays with Zofia in Praga, near Warsaw, but Zofia, now Countess Gronska, is an enigma to her cousin, and Anna can’t help but wonder if Zofia is continuing to keep her from Jan.  As the Russians burn Praga, both Anna and Zofia face the ultimate challenge.

 

“Push Not the River,” is wonderfully paced in a grand, sweeping style that will keep the reader enthralled in Anna’s story. The plot is tight, expertly weaving between the destruction of a nation and the love story of Anna and Jan. Anna’s story is so very human, it’s one that leaves the reader thinking about her even after they put the novel down.

 

Another Week passed
Mood:  rushed
...and I'm busy as usual. We visited the CHP Dispatch center and the Sheriff's Dispatch center at work this week.  Both places were very interesting and I thought it was amazing how they did things differently from us and it still worked.

****

I got my copy of "Trockle" by Holly Jahangiri with illustrations by Jordan M. Vineyard.  I'll be featuring Holly & Jordan in a Blog tour on 16 Sep. Trockle is a Children's story about "the monster under the bed." It's very cute and I definitely think it will appeal to kids. "Trockle" was published by {user:vzabel} 's publishing company, 4RV publishing, LLC.   If you get a chance, check it out or write to Viv for more information.  I love WDC and I'm a strong supporter of those who are published on Writing.com.

FYI - If you want to check out their blog tour when it comes, it will featured on my OFFICIAL website's blog at:  http://sgcardin.tripod.com/blog

***

Well, I haven't gone to the movies, but I did finish the book I was reading, "Push Not the River," by James. C Martin.  "PNTR" is the book prior to "Against A Crimson Sky." I loved PNTR.  The love story between Anna and Jan is very sweet, yet they have to fight to be with each other.  Zofia is definitely an interloper, but there's more to it than that.  As Poland falls apart, Anna and Jan struggle to find and be with another. It's a great book. The plot and pacing are spot on.  Anna is the main character, but Zofia is a very dynamic supporting character. I'll have a review up shortly.  Anyone else read any good books?

***

As usual, my writing has suffered.  The only thing I managed to do was put together my article for "The Thin Blue Line," a magazine for LAPD by their union, The Police Protective League.

***

Well, the Olympics are done and I missed the opening ceremony.  {e:frown} I found the Olympics fun and nice summer event to watch.  

***

Barack Obama accepted the nomination of his party this week and I thought he gave a great speech. I popped over to his website to check it out.  It had a lot of cool stuff, but I had to go to another website to order my magnet bumper sticker.  I have to admit, I haven't seen too many political stickers on the cars in the LA area. I think this area was big for "Hillary." Not so surprisingly, I don't see many "W" or "McCain" bumper stickers. Just an observation.

I do think McCain's pick for VP was inspired but I'm curious to see how her firing of a state official (because that official wouldn't fire her ex-brother-in-law) will play out.

Smiles,
Steph

It's been a loooong week
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Coldplay
Well, it's been a long week. I am in training for 3 weeks so my hours are from 0700 am to 0330 pm. (thankfully we usually get out around 3!) but with both Brent and I working day watch hours it's hard on us.

This is course is a POST certification for 911 Dispatchers. POST stands for Peace Officer Standard Training and so this is a basic course that all dispatchers in the state of California are encouraged to have. It's a course that I should have had when I first joined in 2000, but they didn't have it at the time.

Mind you, there's no easy way to get to downtown LA. Parking is limited and the premium spaces charge $8.00 a day! That said, a couple of my co-workers and myself decided to take the train.

We catch the train in Santa Clarita. It's a 35 mile ride to downtown LA. From there, we walk about 3-4 city blocks to the downtown dispatch center where the classes are held. Taking the train offers three benefits: #1 - no parking fees #2 - save on gas #3 I don't have to worry about a traffic accident making me late.

While the metro system isn't as developed or as comprehensive as other cities, I can't complain. There's a route from house to work so I'm thankful for that.

****

Well, Barack Obama just announced Joe Biden as his running mate. While I'm a tad disappointed it's not Hillary, I do think Biden is a strong pick and I'm hoping this gives the ticket some momentum. I have to admit I got a snicker out of McCain not knowing how many houses he owned. For me, it showed just how out of touch he is.

***

Well, I've been watching the Olympics when I can. The diving and track & field stuff is addictive.  I don't have much to comment on though.  The Chinese do develop some very good athletes, but, IMHO, the 3 Chinese gymnasts in question are UNDER age.  They just look underage.  I have no respect for those who take steroids to enhance their performance and I have no respect for those who lie about their age.  I have nothing personal against the gynamist. Hell, they're all talented.  My issue is with the government who seemingly has no problem with lying about those three gymnasts' ages.

***

Because of my work week I have had NO TIME to write. I hoping to find time this weekend. We'll see. When I take the train I have to get up at 3:30 am to get ready and leave at 4:30 then I'm off to the train station with my co-worker, Tom. We get there at 4:45 and the train leaves at 4:58. The train gets to work at 5:50 which leaves me with about an hour before class starts. I can't take a later train because it would get there too late. The good news is that the city will give me $50.00 for taking the train for a month.

*********

I'll leave you with a recent book review from a book that has left such a good impression on me, I can't seem to stop thinking about it.

Steph

Book Review for: “Against a Crimson Sky”

By: James Conroyd Martin
ISBN: 0-312-32682-3
St. Martin’s Press
$24.95
4.5 Stars

“Against a Crimson Sky” takes a gripping historical look at the final partition of Poland (1795), it’s people, and tells the personal story of the Stelnickis. Martin uses a grand, sweeping style reminiscent of epic storytelling to paint a vivid picture of the era. “Against a Crimson Sky” is a book that can easily be visualized on the movie screen.

The story beings in 1794 shortly after the Russians invade Poland before the country’s final partition. Zofia Gonska is pulled from a river escaping death. Switching scenes, Countess Anna Berezowska-Grawlinska (minor Polish nobility) makes her way back home to Sochaczew after the Russian invasion of Praga and reunites with her lover, Count Jan Stelnicki. As Poland is finally taken over by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, Anna and Jan get married and start their family.

Zofia, Anna’s cousin, had previously tried to keep Anna and Jan apart. Now, she finds herself drawn to the peasant boy who saved her, Jerzy. Zofia though is like a bird that can’t stay still and the peasant life isn’t for her. She leaves Jerzy and returns to Praga, a town just outside of Warsaw, and gives birth to her daughter, Izabel.

Anna and Zofia make peace, yet Jan finds married life unable to satisfy his restless nature. When Napolean hints that he would return Poland to the Poles, Jan and his friend, Pawel, join the Emperor’s legion, leaving Anna to raise their three children, Jan Michel, Tadeusz, and Barbara. Anna, uncomfortable with the local magistrate, Dolinski, leaves Sochaczew and moves in with Zofia at Praga.

As Napoleon marches across Europe, Anna and Zofia, as members of Poland’s nobility, help to entertain various European dignitaries, including Russia’s Czar, Alexander, and even Napolean himself. Zofia is always in the thick of Polish intrigue while Anna prefers to keep her eyes on her boys who have gone to military school.

After years apart, Jan is reunited with Anna in Sochaczew as their boys join Napolean’s march into Russia. This time it’s Anna who leaves Jan to work as a nurse in Praga. As Napolean’s march into Russia holds the promise of a reunited Poland, will Jan and Anna’s marriage withstand another separation? The end of the novel is surprising and satisfying.

The book’s historical backdrop is intriguing and the supporting cast is not only dynamic, but strong in it’s own right. Zofia, Pawel, Charlotte, and Dolinski have their own interesting stories to share. Anna is a vibrant lead character in her own right and is a steady, grounding force during the turbulent times of the book. Anna’s nobility, whatever the situation, always shines through.

The pace is quick and the writing is sharp. The book is a sequel to “Push Not the River,” but stands on it’s own. For an exciting look at Poland’s struggles and the human condition in the face of war, “Against a Crimson Sky,” is a book that will keep the reader turning the page.

Olympics the County Fair

I just wanted to drop a quick line about the Olympics.  I've gotta' admit - I'm a sucker for the Olympics. I prefer the Winter Olympics, but I do enjoy the summer ones.  My favorites are swimming ( A BIG SHOUT OUT TO Michael Phelps!!  Mr. 8!!! Gold Medals) {e:bigsmile} diving, and gymnasts, but I'll watch anything that is on.  I have to admit, I was kinda' getting into water polo there.  {e:smile}

Last weekend, the family went to the Ventura County Fair. It was in Oxnard, near the ocean.  The boys went on the kiddie rides and we got Joseph in the pet the goats and barn animals.  He didn't know what to make of them. I had a fish taco for lunch and we got to see the livestock for a little bit.  My favorite was a pig named "PORKALICIOUS." She should have earned a ribbon for that name alone!  The floraculture exhibit rocked the house as well.  We had to go home at 3:30 only because I had to work that night. Still, I'd love to go back next year. I had a great time.

Currently, I'm reading "PUSH NOT THE RIVER," which is the prequel to AGAINST A CRIMSON SKY and I'm totally hooked on this story. It takes place in Poland in late 1700's as Austria, Prussia and Russia are carving up Poland for the last time and focuses on a young noblewoman, Anna.  As a young 17 year old girl, Anna meets the love of her life, a Polish patriot, Jan Stelnicki but the turbulent times threaten to keep them apart. This is one story I'd love to see made into a movie.

Anyone have a favorite Olympic sport or read a good lately?

 

PS - I'm totally hooked on "The Closer," a crime drama featuring Kyra Sedgwick.  Any other CLOSER fans out there?

That was a quick week!
Boy, that was a quick week! I just did some editing on an older story of mine on Writing.com and I incorporated a bunch of changes. While the essence of the story doesn't change, there are a lot of mechanical and structural changes that I made.

Here's a link if you want to check it out:
http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/989820

Well, finally!! Joseph finally has dates for his occupational therapy - 29 AUG and 4 SEP for his speech.  I'm very excited about that.  Last night when were eating Golden Spoon yogurt, he took the spoon from me and was eating it with the spoon! The right way!  I was so delighted to see that.

Andrew started first grade yesterday and I think it was big hit. He says he likes school. I got him a new "Diego" backpack that can be strolled and he's tickled pink.

I haven't had much chance to work on stories only because I needed to write some articles for Writing.com's MASP program and prepare my upcoming Drama newsletter.  Hopefully on Sunday I can get back to my writing.

I got my new Writer's Digest in the mail but haven't had a chance to go through it yet. I really don't have any writing insights as of late simply because I haven't had a chance to surf the net.  Also, my OFFICIAL monthly newsletter is on hold because the web server who hosted my graphics - well my account expired and I don't have accurate information on them to renew it. I called the number they referred me to and they said they didn't have my account.  Now, I have to find a new web server.  Grrr... Again, I have to find time to look for one and right now I simply have no extra time.  

WHAT I'M WATCHING ON MY IPOD: History Detectives, Season 6

WHAT I'M READING: Push Not the River by James Conroyd Martin.  I can honestly tell you I've enjoyed Mr. Martin's series, this book and AGAINST A CRIMSON SKY.  While I've never been too interest in Poland, he has interested me.  I have some Polish in my own background and I might even try to investigate my connections now.  Again, if I can FIND the time.

Weight Watchers is slow.  It's been a tough week. I haven't been journaling like I should and I didn't get to the gym earlier in the week so I'm trying to play catch up now.

August 12th, Brent and I went to a Dodgers Game. We got the Premium baseline seats and sat close to the field. I got Casey Blake to autograph a program for me. We also got to use the baseline club and were treated to a complementary buffet. Brent and I felt totally spoiled. We really enjoyed the experience.  The Dodgers won that night.  It was bottom of the 9th and Andrew Either hit a double to score Russell Martin and win the game.

Sign in if you love baseball!  hehe.

OH - I just want to mention.  Fellow WDC Author V. Gilbert Zabel will be doing a blog tour soon and I'll be hosting her here in my blog in mid-September.  I'm really pumped up about her blog tour and I can't wait to have her visit.  Viv's stories are more mainstream than mine.  I've had the pleasure to read two of her books, both of which I've done product reviews on. You can also find my reviews on Amazon for: CASE OF THE MISSING COACH and HIDDEN LIES



The blog tour is for her book TROCKLE and I'm currently a copy with baited breath. If you get a chance, check out  Vivian at: http://www.writing.com/authors/vzabel.  I also hope to have her stop here on her blog tour as well.

Smiles & Have a good weekend
Steph

Olympics, Book Reviews & Life
Mood:  a-ok

Anyone else excited to see the opening ceremonies for the Olympics tonight?  I am!! My favorite are the swimming, diving, and gymnastics.

Oh - and Manny Rameriz joined the Dodgers? My husband was thrilled. Heck, so I am but I hate to see my Sox lose him. sniff....

Joseph

Joseph, my 22 month old has developmental delays. We've been working the California Regional Center, having him evaluated and he started his child development therapy this past week.  His biggest challenge to stay focused on one task w/the therapist.  He makes good contact and is social but he looses focus easy.  He's on a 4 week waiting list for speech therapy and 6 weeks for occupational therapy.

Work

Is the same old-same old.  In two weeks I go for a training course on day watch hours in downtown LA.  Me a couple of co-workers are going to take the train. I'm very excited about that.

Movies

Sorry, no new movies. Haha! I did get the last couple of episodes of "The Closer" for my IPOD but I have yet to watch them. Sigh... I love having my IPOD. It's a great way to catch up on shows & movies I might miss.


Written by: Diane Setterfield
Washington Square Press
406 pages
$15.00
5 Stars

Diane Setterfield weaves a gothic tale that is eerie, fascinating, and utterly compelling. World famous author, Vida Winter seeks out an amateur biographer, Margaret Lea to finally tell her true life story to the world. Vida has never told the truth about her life to anyone, but now that she’s facing death’s call, it’s Margaret she selects to tell her last story – her thirteenth tale.
Initially, Margaret is apprehensive, but Vida spins a tantalizing web of incitements that Margaret can’t deny.

Margaret goes to Vida’s estate in early winter to start her project. Vida is close to eighty years old – a strong determined woman whose name is really Adeline March. She tells Margaret all good stories have a beginning, middle and an end.  She starts her last tale recounting the sordid history of the Angelfield family. While rich, they live eccentrically. George’s wife dies in childbirth leaving him a son, Charles, and an infant daughter, Isabelle. As Isabelle grows up, Charles develops unhealthy behavior patterns towards his sister.  As a teenager, Isabelle runs off with a suitor, but returns within months – her suitor dead and she, the proud mother of twin girls, Emmeline and Adeline.
    
George, having passed away years ago, has left a wealthy estate to his heirs, but as the servants hint at, Charlie and Isabelle have a touch of ‘madness.’  After Isabelle is committed to an asylum, the local doctor hires a governess to teach the girls. The governess, Hester, discovers the girls have a touch of ‘madness’ as well, but feels that Emmeline, with the proper encouragement can be productive in society.  Hester feels there is little hope for Adeline who is rough, high-strung, and practically turns into a vegetable when Hester and the doctor separate the twins to see what will happen.

While Margaret listens to Vida tell her twilight story, she’s struggling to cope with her own demons. Margaret herself was a twin and unfortunately she lost her sister shortly after childbirth. Compounding Margaret’s struggles, she meets a man, Aurelius, at the old, decaying Angelfield manor who has an unusual connection to the estate. As December marches on, Margaret discovers there are numerous dark twists and unexpected turns to Vida’s story. The end of the thirteenth tale will stun the reader just as it did Margaret.

Setterfield’s story is one that will hold the reader’s rapt attention throughout.  The writing is crisp with dark overtones. Reminiscent of V.C. Andrew’s original Dollanger series, the surprises that await the reader will keep them on the edge of their seat.

 

Writing

I have to admit it's been a busy summer and my writing has suffered in that I don't have much time to sit down at the computer to write.  I hope to work on that in the next couple of weeks.  I'm currently working on a short story for the Pop Fiction contest Writer's Digest hosts which is due in November and a paranormal romance.  As for getting out there and trolling my favorite writing/marketing sites, again, I haven't had the opportunity to but I hope to be back in the game soon. 

 

Busy Little July Bee
Mood:  caffeinated
Well, it's been another 3 weeks since I wrote and needless to say it's been busy and hectic. I hate playing catch up like this but hey, what can you do?

Our trip was Catalina was fun for everyone but me.  Since Joseph is so young, I was really the primary looker-outer for him. He loved the golf cart rides, but he's at that age where he wants to explore and sitting still is a challenge for him. (It was a challenge for Andrew too at that age.)  Brent fished - ALL THE TIME.  It was annoying, to tell you truthfully. I found an hour here or there while Joseph slept so I could read a book - "Once and Always," by Judith McNaught.  It was a good read and put me in a "romance" mood.

The golf cart parade was fun.  The family had two golf carts, but I wanted to see the parade so I sat on the curb in the shade with Joseph (of course!) He slept for a little bit but when the USC marching band came by he woke up and was a little fussy. (Can you blame him?) The fireworks were nice over the bay and lasted about 15 minutes.

When we got back we began to rearrange the house because Joseph needed his own room.  We made guest bedroom his room and moved guest bedroom downstairs to the computer room.  Then we put the computer room in the nursery.  The project still isn't done. Brent painted the guest bedroom and Joseph's room and there's still more furniture arranging and curtain buying to do.

Joseph had his evaluations for the Regional Center.  He needs speech, occupational, and child development therapy.  They will start after 01 August when the funding comes in.  We're looking forward it.  I think he'll start to thrive once he gets it. My Mother in law said he said, "Cheese" 8 or 9 times last night when he was eating a cheese pizza. We were very excited by that.

Andrew & Joseph started American Red Cross swim lessons last week and they have another week of it. The lessons are at 9:05 am which really taps out my morning, but Andrew is doing really good and is working on his stroking.  

I'm doing good on my Weight Watchers and I'm down a total of 19 pounds.   I'm half way to where I want to be, but it's been hard.  It helps that Brent is on weight watchers too.

As for writing, I haven't gotten much done.  I did a couple of book reviews for ONCE AND ALWAYS by McNaught and AGAINST A CRIMSON SKY by Martin which is about Poland in the late 1790's.  I found the book very interesting.  It surprised me and I enjoyed reading it.  My next book is THE 13TH TALE.

I've slowly but surely been tackling my writing project, my novel of THE WOLF'S KISS.  Right now I'm re-reading, editing the opening chapters and draft the next arc of the book.  I do most of that at work and quite honestly it depends on the position I'm at as to how far I get done. I'm on the radio today so I hope to write a chapter at least.

I'm still  over my mentions in the lasted WRITER'S DIGEST magazine where they listed the Popular Fiction winners and honorable mentions.  

Smiles,
Steph

Our Day at Disney & some Weight Watchers Thoughts
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Life

Well, we left at 8 in the morning and managed to beat out rush hour traffic which was nice.  Our trip didn't take long to get there - about 1 hr. 15-20 mins.  The weather was actually nice. It wasn't scorching hot.  We met my mother-in-law & Richard when we got there and they got there just a couple of minutes before we did. We rode "Pirates" with Joseph and then went to eat at "Zocalo" (the Mexican place) because we thought it was weight watchers friendly. Joe was a good egg, not too fussy. Then Brent & I rode Big Thunder mountain which was nice. Carmy & Richard watched the boys for us. We hadn't ridden the same ride together in years. haha. 

We took the boys to fanstayland and Andrew rode dumbo while we took Joseph on the carousel. Joseph really liked it, but he was tired. Andrew & I did the teacups and then we went to tomorrowland. Brent and I did Space Mountain.  We got some souveniors. Joseph finally passed out around 3:30 and slept for about an hour.  Andrew & I did the Jungle cruise and someone gave Brent fast passes for Indiana Jones. Brent and I hadn't gone before but I didn't think the ride was all that. It was okay. It was like an amp'd up "Star Tours." Andrew & I did the Mark Twain riverboat and then we took a ride on the train that went around the park.  We had a bite to eat at the Plaza Inn. It was AC'd which was nice and gave us all a chance to cool down. Brent took Andrew to Star Tours and I took Joe to the carousel.

At dinner Joe kept saying, "milka, milka, milka." I gave him his bottle and started slurping up his milk.  When he really wants something it's amazing how expressive he can be. Joe for the most part was pretty quite, just looking around and taking things in.  Joe and I posed for a picture with Woody but Joe, like Andrew back when he was Joe's age, was shy and tucked his head into my shoulder.  Finally, around 8, we departed. I wanted to stay for fireworks, and I'm sure the boys would have been good about it, but Brent, like a poop, wanted to leave.   It was a fun day. 

Weight watcher-wise I thought I did good. I got a lot of walking in and I tried to make better food choices, but I think Brent made a little bit better choices than I.  I stayed the same when I weighed myself so I was happy about that.  Today, I'm going to try to go to the gym and get some weights in before we go to Catalina tomorrow.  My weight goal during Catalina is to 1 make good choices, 2 portion control 3 continue to get some physical activity in, focusing on cardio since that would be the easiest.  Can't get to weight watchers this week unless they have a meeting in Catalina, which I doubt so I'm going to have to stay tough for an extra week. haha. Wish me luck!

FYI - I posted some Disney pics of us in my photo album if you get a chance to check them out.

((hugs))
Steph

 

Hopefully, soon, when I catch up on my emails & my Writing.com contests, I'll be able to get back to some of my writing.