Figured Out By Morning

I went to the hospital to see what was happening because I have not heard anything since 3 p.m. this afternoon. They were still in the emergency room when I left them at 7 p.m.!

Sarah does have a rash on her that is probably an antibiotic allergy. She was cranky and fussy. Hugged me, walked with me and growled at me. No kisses tonight except the ones I stole. She wanted to get down and play because her fever was down but there were a dozen children there at least.

So, I told them to call me when after they saw the doctor. I am tired and couldn't sit in those miserable chairs more than an hour.

I have taken a hot bath, put on some warm sweats and my fuzzy houseshoes and am going to write and watch t.v. Then, I am going to bed.

I can't fix any of my problems. I can't change the world. So, I'll go to sleep. Maybe someone will have things figured out by morning.

Sick, Tired, and Falling Behind

I am behind in my word count again. With Sarah sick and some other personal issues, I am just so tired that the last two nights I simply did nothing. I went by last night to see about Sarah because Becca had been fighting all day to keep her from having a seizure. They were both tired.

I took them over to her mom's to stay the night with the baby so she would have someone to help her and hopefully get some rest. David can't miss any work and had to sleep so he couldn't help and the same is true of me. During the night, the baby spiked a fever of 103 and the were busily trying to get her stripped down to prevent a seizure. Becca, obviously, got no sleep but she did have her dad stay up with her all night to give her help. Becca says if she is no better tonight she is taking her in to the hospital.

I am just so tired I can't hardly sit here and write, let alone write in NaNo. I did do some longhand at lunch yesterday so I could add to what I have but I haven't transcribed it to the computer yet. But I know I am three days behind. That's 5000 words. I don't know if I can recover that. Priorities have just bumped this to the rear but I am disappointed.

Continue to pray for this baby.

Pray Request For Saray

Please pray for Sarah. She was taken to the ER last night because she had another seizure from a high fever. She has pneumonia in one lung.

We had Sarah at the ER on Monday because of an upper respiratory infection and becauses all the medications you used to be able to give a child her size have been pulled. She had gotten worse as a result of not being able to fight off the cold. The ER MORON did not treat her, gave her no meds, no advice, refused to advise her on any over the counter meds she could take, and told her mother to just give her Tylenol for the fever and sent her home to develop pneumonia.

So please, once again, put Sarah on your prayer lists. She is almost 15 months old but only weighs 17 lbs. Since she is so tiny it is very dangerous for her to get very sick.

The Race is Not to the Swift?

Malarky.

Of course it is to the swift. I'm two days behind in word count, despite my determination to have 25,000 by Thursday. For the neophyte, that is just over 3000 behind. I'm working on catching up now but it will take a couple of days to do that. Only the swift stay ahead of the game of NaNo.

And let me tell you, this story is so bad I am ashamed of myself. I can't believe I'm even continuing. I've almost chucked it twice but when you're this far into it, starting over is not an option.

On top of that, I am depressed. Probably from too little sleep, too much stress, and too many things to do! So, back to the word mill and grinding out the words. I just don't think I'm going to make it.

I'm tired. I want to rest. I want to go somewhere where there is no phone, no people, nothing to intrude on the solitude.

Racing the Clock

Thursday will be the halfway mark for NaNoWriMo. I hit just over 20,000 today. By Thrusday, I have to be at 25,000 to be halfway. Lots of people are already halfway.

Well, maybe they have more spare time than I. Maybe they type faster. Maybe they have a story that is actually moving forward instead of wandering around an demolished town trying to figure out what she is going to do with her life!

I just popped in before bedtime to let you know that things are progressing. . . very slowly.

I can't believe I am almost halfway. If is willing to stick their neck out, you might pray for divine inspiration for this story. Cause unless someone resurrects it, I have to plan the funeral.

Seventeen days.

NaNo Hell

There are many kinds of hell. Did you know that? There is the kind with flames, that burn forever and can't be quenched. There is the kind where you have endless drugs pumped into you but the high is torment and you can't come down and would give anything to feel normal again. There is the hell where they pour alcohol into you with a funnel and you beg for a taste of water as the alcohol drys you out and you puke it up only to have it pumped back in you and you feel constantly hung over.

There are others but there is one special hell you may not know about. It is NaNo Hell. Here you are given tools to write a story and told to write 50,000 words in 30 days. You begin with a wonderful story and great optimism. But somewhere about the second week you notice the story is stagnant, not moving. You move the players around but they don't do anything and they start talking stupid dialogue and refuse to interact with othes with any flair. They look at you and spit at you and sit down when they are supposed to run and laugh at your frustrations.

You drag out scenes and lines and places but they just wander around, uttering meaningless drivel that not even a lost soul would want to read. And you start to pull you hair out and you roll your eyes and scream at the monitor before you. "GET ON WITH IT ALREADY! YOU MORON, CAN'T YOU EVEN PRETEND YOU HAVE SOMETHING INTELLIGENT TO SAY?"

You do your word count and you find you are getting behind and you type faster, writing more meaningless words and you pound your head on the key board. And the characters jump at you and scream profanities at you and tell you what a terrible writer you are and that you are going to be enslaved forever with them and never know what it means to reach NaNo Heaven!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Friends and Family and Other Folks - The Few, The Called, The Chosen

I love the written word, stinging them together to create a visual image that stirs imagination and emotions. I don't just hear words. I feel words. They are the lover's whisper, the tyrant's command, the child's laughter. They are the strong arms that wrap themselves around me and pull me ever forward, half resistant, half willing, along a path paved with multicolored jewels, through a land filled with magic and wonders that only my mind can create. Words are swirling dancers, pirouetting effortlessly, through marble halls of castles built on mountaintops wreathed in clouds set afire by flaming suns.

Words are soothing, healing, encouraging and music to the ear. Words are powerful and destructive. And as such, words are an attraction to others. All kinds of others. Blogs are words.

My contact list is a patchwork of characters, personalities, and faces. Some came with me from Y360. Some have been with me since birth. Some are recent additions based on contacts I've made here and there along a path on the web. Friends, Family, and other folks. Interests wax and wane with the moon and the subject. Some of my contacts I love. Some of my contacts I like. Some I don't know well but their blogs made me think I might like to get to know them better.

I look at the words on your blogs. Yes, I look at the photos, and neat little gadgets you may have. I may marvel at your designs. I may even think your pets or babies are absolutely adorable. But for me, in the end, the words make or break my interest in you.

So I don't accept every invitation I get nor do I reject every invitation. And I don't typically drop people, but I have. Words are always there reason.

I do tend to be very selective as to who I accept. I have specific methods whereby I make my choices. I do not deviate from this.

1. I ALWAYS pray about the person asking to be added.
2. I wait about two weeks before I make a final decision.
3. I ALWAYS check your site several times while I "wait".

During my sojourne with Y360 I added several people for whom I neglected rule #2 & #3 even though I followed #1. It turned out every one was a bad choice. Some were worse than others. Ultimately, since starting this new blog, I have become more picky in my selections and more strick in my dealings with old and new contacts.

• I no longer add because you are a contact of a contact. You get added on your own merits, not someone else's say so.
• I don't add anyone who is obviously diametrically opposed to Christianity. What's the point? You'll get mad and I'll get annoyed and we will both say things best left unsaid.
• I don't add anyone who is into pornographic material. It isn't personal, but my Mama said :If it isn't for sale don't advertise it." I'm not in the market, thank you. And you don't have that much money.
  
• I don't add a lot of men because they don't usually ask women interested in intellectual pursuits. Sorry, I'm into brains. If you're into other stuff, well, you might try those advertising.
• I add more people who are into creative pursuits rather than receipts because I hate cooking.
  
• I don't add only people who share my faith. Rememeber, its all about the words.
  
• I don't bear any malice in any choice I make. It's all about me.
  

Also, please note: I never, ever, ever give my name, location or phone number to anyone that I do not know personally or to whom I am not related. Nor do I want your personal information. If this bugs you, perhaps you we're not a good match. The day we live in is fraught with risk. The internet is a predators dream come true. I'm protecting myself.

Protect yourself. I've seen on some of your blogs that your profile is visible. It shows your name, address, phone numbers, where you work, where you go to school, etc. This is a risky thing if your preferences are set to anything beyond contacts you know personally. You can block your profile and I strongly suggest you do. If you do not block it, please put in a bogus name and in the zip are put a 9 five times. It will show you are in the USA but not a city.

Ultimately, I add contacts the way I buy my mustard. There are all kinds of mustard but I won't buy or eat anything but French's. So, if you made it to my contacts list, you passed mustard.

Now, lets see if you can cut the mustard. It's all about words

Monday Disguised as Wednesday

I was off yesterday and it was really nice. Sarah spent the night with me and we had a great time Tuesday. I did some writing last night to try and catch up on my word count. But today, I got to work only to learn that it's really Monday.

I know it is because the paperwork is unbelievable and I feel as if I am spinning my wheels! I can't seem to get ahead at all. I'd be happy with treading water but it isn't working. I'm drowning.

I have a hearing this afternoon with a client I withdrew because she forgot to tell us she was renting out her deceased father's home. Well, it is a long story and I won't go there. Let's just say I hate hearings.

Now back to the grind. I've had my lunch and I am fueled. I hope you all have a great afternoon and I'll be back to update the word count later tonight!

NaNoWriMo - Day 6

I am a bit behind. I kept Sarah overnight Monday night and took her home at 7 tonight. So, I'm getting a late start. I just hit 7178 words and am going to try and hit 10,000 tonight. That is where I should be anyway.

Story seems to be dragging a bit but I expected it. Just not so soon.

Keep those fingers crossed and say a few prayers for my inspiration.

Update

Sarah went to the doctor yesterday and every single test came back normal. Her iron level is normal, all blood test=normal. There is nothing wrong with her. Her mother said she fought the doctor like a little tiger. (She has seen this doctor before and was an angel.) She bit him, kicked him, slapped him, twisted and flopped around. When he tried to check her ears she wouldn't hold her head still. When he tried to check her throat she bit down on the depressor and wouldn't let go. Becca said it took all he could do to hold on to her. She weighs 17 lbs for heaven's sake but when she is being difficult she flows like butter and you can't hardly hold her. The doctor said he didn't know why she behaved that way. He said she was going to be small and to let her have all teh fat and sugar she wants.

So I want to know where that gene came from and why I can't have one?

I kept her last night and she went to bed at 10 and slept until 8:30 this morning. Her appetite seems fine although she seems to eat small portions to me. But when she doesn't want it, she just pushes it out with her tongue and looks at you with a frown.

I told my pastor last night that I don't know what was wrong but as far as I am concerned, the Lord took care of it.

Thanks to all of you who offered prayers.

Say a Prayer for Sarah

My granddaughter, Sarah, is sick. If you are one of my contacts, I know most of you pray. Please pray for her. She is not eating and has not slept all night. She is already underweight and we are worried about it.

She doesn't seem to want to eat all the time. She can't drink milk because she is lactose intolerant (my native american heritage passed on) Our concern is they will have to hospitalize her and put a tube in to feed her because she is so small. She is 13 months old and weighs 17 lbs.

I'd also like to know if anyone else has heard of a child not eating like this.

Day Four

Day four of NaNo. The word count is (drum roll please) 4570. That makes me 431 words short of day three's goal. I wanted to post it on the site but they are down for maintainence. So, I'll have to wait.

I'm on my way to bed. The story stalled out a bit so no point struggling to stay away to write. My brain is already asleep.

Third Day of NaNo

Yes, we're now into the third day! And I posted 3091 total words last nightI I am down by about 300 because I was sick yesterday and had to take some cold medicine. That extra from the first day really helped here because by the time I had to stop last night, I was really sick and when I sat down to write, I thought, "I can't do this! What was I thinking!"

But I am going to try. Everyone keep your fingers crossed.

I see some of my buddies have pulled way ahead. One has nearly half the required word count. They must not have jobs!

Well, I'm on my way to get the grandbaby and play for a few hours. Have a great weekend!

You Heard It Here

We are into the second day of NaNoWriMo and what a start. I typed past midnight so I am already on the second day's word count by 592. Ahead is good, very good. I may need that 592 in a week or so.

If you visit the site today, you will see the first day site visit stats in Chris Baty's blog post and the current global word count at the bottom of the page.

For those who want to read my story opening, well, there is an excerpt for those truly hardy souls whose curiosity is just too great. Shakedown Have I over estimated my abilities? Am I deluded, crazy, misguided? You be the judge. Visit and read the excerpt.

Yahoo Exploded

My 360 is inaccessible. I can't use any of the shortcuts. When I type in the link, it says page not available. Soooo, I guess December was not actually the deadline after all? I'm glad I got most of my stuff out.

The Countdown Begins to NaNoWriMo

Well, only a few hours until the kickoff of the National Novel Writing Month! I am so nervous and excited. Chris left note in the Multiply comments that says she is experiencing the same symptoms. I think I know where I am headed with it but I have some blanks ahead. Of course, my tentative outline is far more than I started with last year!

For all you creative writers out there, there is still time to sign up for NaNoWriMo. In fact, they will allow you to sign up for the whole month of November! But if you do it by midnight tonight, you will be there when the starting gate opens. So, join Chris and I and about 90,000 other people around the world as we race for 50,000 words in 30 days!

And say a prayer for us... cause we're gonna need it.

Pray for Nancy

The following is an update from Alice O about her sister Nancy. As many of you know, I've asked prayer for her on my blogs. The situation has worsened as it too often does with cancer. I am again, asking for a special prayer for Nancy. Her suffering has escalated and the outlook is bleak. But God IS real and he DOES heal and save.


I've been told 2 weeks to 2 months.

The type of cancer she has is hereditary...believe that one?!!!

The type of cancer is called: Scaymous Cell Nasopharengeal Carcinoma - Stage IV.
Hospice has already been called in. She is taking Oxycodone for the pain. She is taking radiation treatments one day, then chemo the next day.

She's been losing weight (which she never needed to do to begin with). I've been making her some "milk" shakes (they consist of 350Calorie Ensure, 2 Scoops of Protein Building Whey, and the rest ice cream - everything is chocolate flavored). They've put 3 lbs on her in a week. Which is good.

She still has the double vision, so Jim and I went to a halloween store and bought all their pirate eye patches. We've had a decorating party for the "passion patches"...

She now has a wheelchair, quad cane, shower chair and a high rise toilet seat.

She cries with pain. This morning when we were alone, she started crying and telling me she hurts so bad that she wondered if she was dying and if it was going to hurt this bad when she did die...

It's pitiful. I don't know if I should go back home and wait...should I stay here? Our house payment needs to be made, we have bills to be paid...this is ALL of our vacation time being used up...so what do I do? (Don't worry, I know you don't have the answer...just blowing off some steam)...

More later - and pass this on to whoever you feel necessary.


Keep those prayers a coming!

Alice

Changing The Way I See

I have never used Firefox browsers before but I've hear a lot about in from various sources. This week, I downloaded it at work and thought it looked pretty good. Today, I downloaded it at home and I am sold. Everything looks better! Why in the world is that?

And it is so much faster! I have an old system (500 mhz!) and no money to buy a new one. So, I have to get the most out of this one. The browser is really faster!

My sites look so much better and the graphics seem sharper. That makes no sense to me! There are some need addons that you can try and even themes to change the look. I just made it look like the XP silver to blend in with everything.

If you haven't tried Firefox, you should test drive it today. If you don't like it, you can remove it.

Recovery

I'm trying to recover from a stressful weekend. I did not go to work today because I am not feeling well. I'm tired from lack of sleep and I have a headache because I didn't take some medication on time.

I was looking over my contact and I see I have nearly all my wonderful friends and a few new one that I think I will enjoy having here. For the new, my blog is not just where I gripe or whine, although I am apt to do both, it is also where I write at times and post news about what is happening to me, my family, and maybe the world around me. So, some days you may be bored to tears while other you may be laughing or crying. If the latter is true, I have succeeded.

My love is writing and I have a couple of things going on in that area. I have a novel in progress posted on Blogger. Hidden in the Mist is an invitation only blog that I am working on. The last month has been a bit of a problem and so I have not posted anything. I need to catch up a bit.

However, Thursday is the kickoff for the National Novel Writing Month (hereafter referred to as NaNoWriMo). I am trying for the second year to write 50,000 words in 30 days. I have been thinking and planning on what to write this year, as opposed to my seat of the pants, spur of the moment, off the cuff mode of last year that garnered me just over 30,000. I was elated to reach that but felt I could have done better. Check some of the older post and you will see what caused my shortage. To help me keep a bit more on target, I have started a blog for this years challenge. I will be able to access it from any computer and can therefore write whenever I have a chance. I am hoping this will help me build my word count and keep it up.

I hope everyone has a great week. Mine will be long and tedious. End of month usually is.

Pain levels are up but I think it is because of too little rest. I hope to take care of that tonight.

Happy Birthday from Chevy

I was looking forward to the weekend. It is my birthday Sunday and my aunt and uncle are coming up from Atlanta. But my car broke down last night and I am depressed.

I do not know what is wrong but it won't back up. My concern now is that it is going to cost me money I don't have. I have no credit cards anymore so I can't charge it. And I owe more that the stupid car is worth. I didn't buy the junk heap, my husband did. And I can't afford a $300 a month car payment!

Any constructive ideas are welcome. All prayers are too.

Happy blinking Birthday.