Monday, June 28, 2010

Break Out the Calendar

I started this post and had all of my stuff listed out...then decided that maybe it wasn't a good idea to put it out there for the whole world.  Let's just say this:  I'm going to two concerts this month (Rick Springfield and Danny Gokey), I'm going to several cook outs and one small town festival, Lyric is auditioning for American Idol, and I'm taking a trip to Missouri for the Hoops for Life Run/Walk.

Fisher and I have started our new custody/visitation schedule.  The girls are mostly okay with it.  They don't like spending the night during the week but they did have one full weekend so far and that seemed to go okay.  This weekend will be #2.  Cross your fingers that it goes well.  I need all the good vibes in that area that I can get.

Fisher really, really, really does not want the divorce.  I really, really, really don't want to be with him anymore.  Kind of makes things difficult.  It's also hard when he calls me everyday to tell me that he loves me and I'm beautiful and he would do anything for me and he should get a second chance.  It also doesn't help when he asks the girls if I have a boyfriend or when he tells them that he's still trying to work it out.  I've told him all my issues.  I've told him that I don't love him.  I've told him that I don't want to be with him.  I've told him not to talk to the girls about the details of the divorce.  He is not listening.  At.  All.  We go back to court on July 13th to work out some of the financial stuff.  I hope that we only have to go back to court one or two more times to get this all done.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

American Idol

Lyric is 15.  American Idol just changed their age requirements, dropping the lowest age to 15.  American Idol auditions will be in Milwaukee.  We're going to Milwaukee.  YIKES!

I always told Lyric that she could try out when she was old enough.  Of course, I figured the show would be done by the time she hit 16.  Well, now the AI people have decided that there's some untapped 15 year old talent and they want to show it to the world.  So, Lyric is on her way. so to speak.

I would really love for her to make it far.  I really would.  This is something that she really wants to do and what a fun experience it would be for her.  I'm very nervous that something would go wrong.  Like they would tell her she wasn't good and she would take it to heart and cut herself again.  So how do I be supportive yet prep her for the worst without making it into a bigger deal than it needs to be?  Any suggestions?

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Anonymous - By Tess Moody

Today is a very special day!  My friend, Tess, has stopped by to promote her new book.  You can check out her author website: here
If you stop by Tessa's blog between now and July 1 and leave a comment that you saw her here, you will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of the new book.  What are you waiting for?? click here to leave her a comment.
Tess was kind enough to answer some questions about the book, her writing, and more

what is the book about?
Anonymous is about a blogger named Paige McDonald.  Paige's blog is well-known and when one of her reader's obsession with her goes too far, Paige finds herself in danger. Soon, other bloggers start turning up dead. Paige has to decide if blogging is worth risking her life.


Where did you get the idea for the plot?
I'm always thinking of story ideas in every day life events. I like to read big time bloggers blogs and when I had a "troll" on my blog awhile back, I connected the two and came up with a story line from them. Just for fun, I named some characters after bloggers that I read, and used the personality of others.


 Does your family support you when you are writing a book? How?
 My hubby does think that all artist are starving artists, but he knows I have to write and he is ok with it. My dad is a big supporter of creativity, so he has my back whenever I get the creativity itch. Everyone in the family shows up for my book signings for support-that is a big help to me.



Have you written any other books?
Yes. I wrote two other books, The Accident and I'm a Work at Home Mommy-You Can Be Too! (that's a mouthful!)



 Do you have any more books planned?
I do. I have a series titled, The Coconut Hut Club. They are not detectives by far, but they seem to get caught up in solving cases related to their occupations. They share their crazy experiences with each other over drinks at a tacky bar called The Coconut Hut, where they meet once a week.

In The Wedding, (first book of the series) it’s Alex's turn. She’s a wedding photographer, who manages to get caught up in a wild mystery while photographing a high society wedding.


What do you do when you aren’t writing?
I am a mom of three children, Jessica (20), Jordon (14) and Emily (5) and a grandma to an orney two-year-old, Zachary. I'm also a photographer and graphic artist.



If you could meet one author, dead or alive, who would it be?
It used to be J.K. Rowling, but now it would have to be Stephenie Meyer. She is my idol because she's down to earth and she listened to her dreams!



Anything else you want the world to know?
Hmm, I guess if you want to know about a person who likes to look at the funny side of life, read my blog-and I'm always open to suggestions as long as they come with a box of chocolate.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Priorities

I'm really good at wanting to try different things, or putting too much on my plate, or not always thinking things through but I've been doing a little soul searching today.  Mostly because this math class is kicking my butt!  I took it because I wanted to have an associate's degree.  I don't need it, because I've already been accepted to nursing school (which I got reregistered for, BTW).  And it's HARD.  So, I got to thinking, what do I really want?  What do I really want to do?  What is sooo important that I want to spend my time on it?  Here's what I've come up with:

* quality time with the girls, even if that is just sitting down to watch a half hour show per day. 
*I want to be a writer.  I have several books either done or almost done, so with a little effort, I could have them on Lulu by the end of the summer
*I want to be a nurse.  Plans for this are underway.
*raising the girls to be strong, independent, respectful, loving, caring, compassionate people.
*Happiness.  I know everybody's happiness is their own.  I know what I want and need to make me happy.  There is a plan in place, but it's not all up to me.  I'm working toward this goal and I would say, within 12-18 months I will be there.  More on this will come out later, I'm sure.
*I want the girls to have a good relationship with their dad.  I can help facilitate that, but a lot of it is on him. I will support them as much as I can.
*I want to be more organized than I already am.  Some may think that this isn't possible, but trust me, there is always room for improvement.  I need to take a little time to map out some things (activities, paperwork, etc) and then put the plan into motion.
* I want more family time.  My extended family lives about 4 hours away, which isn't really that long of a drive.  So, I'm going to work on getting up to see them at least 2 x a year. 

I think that's enough goals in place for now.  As always, things may get tweaked and changed but it's at least a place to start.

What are your goals and dreams??

Friday, June 18, 2010

Munchkins and More...

This morning I could not get up.  I've been setting the alarm a few minutes later since the kids don't have to get up for school, and that's not working out so well, since they still have to get up.  Lyric is babysitting Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and volunteering on Wednesday.  Jazz is still going to the sitter, she just goes all day.  So I still have to get us up and out the door on time. 

I haven't slept well recently due to tons of stress. Stuff with the girls, stuff with Fisher, stuff with school.  it's alot to handle, and one of these days, I will post some details.  Last night, I slept great.  And couldn't get up.  And the girls couldn't get up. So we were pushing it to get everywhere we needed to be this morning.  Gonna have to make some changes to our bedtime routine to help make our morning routine go smoother.

Anyway, as Lyric was getting out of the car this happened
Me: "Have a good day, Munchkin." 
Lyric:  Did you just call me Munchkin?"
Me: "yup"
Lyric:  "I like it"
She's 15 and she liked it.  That's cool.

Make sure you stop by next week. I will be having a special guest and you don't want to miss it!

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

What's In Your Planner....

I am a planner. An organizer.  A list maker.  There is nothing more exciting to me than checking things off a list.  Which is why I like to be able to carry my calendar/planner with me.  So I use the 5.5 x 8 inch size.  It seems though, about every 6 months, I feel the need to try something else.  I once spent $30 on the full size planner that would let me keep track of my whole families actitivies.  Yup, used it for a few months and then threw it away.  It was too big to be effective because I couldn't put it in my purse.  I've used the Franklin Cover 7 hole daily and weekly styles (thanks, Mom!).  I have found that weekly works best for me, but I like to have a monthly view for things like birthdays and anniversaries as well.  I try to write my "to do" lists in my planner as well, because, seriously, if  I don't write it down, it is sooooo not going to happen. 

But I have to wonder, is this the best system for me??  It seems like I am still missing/forgetting somethings.  It also seems like there might be more that I should keep track of (or maybe not).  So, I am asking you, my bloggy friends, what type of planner/calendar/organizer system do you use?  and do you feel that it really works well for you??

Just because I am feeling generous, there will be a special something for one poster (but only if you leave me an email addy I can reach you at)

Monday, June 07, 2010

Catching up

Wow!  I didn't realize that I hadn't posted since YAH.  Ms Lyric didn't place.  She was actually tied for third, but when we did the "cheer off" the other girl won.  She was a great sport about the whole thing....and I hope that she really enjoyed the experience.  Her performance is up on youtube.  Search for AmyK93.  She sang "Somebody to Love".

We added to our family yesterday.  We got two kitties.  Bella and Bondi (my girls renamed them) came to live with us and as soon as I can get them to come out of hiding and to face the camera, I will post pix.  They are 8 years old, sisters, and very pretty kitties.  I'm hoping that the "pet therapy" will be a plus for Lyric and for Jazz. 

This past weekend some really crazy stuff went down with Fisher.  I probably haven't said much about it, but we are getting a divorce and it is definitely not what he wants.  But it's what I know is best for me.  Maybe someday I can tell more of the story but right now, that's enough.

So, there's the latest and greatest from the Random House.