If I have any faithful readers left at all, Happy Halloween to you. And to the rest of the WDC community as well. My ticker on this site tells me it's been 43 days since my last blog on here. It's amazing how quickly things can change in that time. I'm recovered completely from my surgery and start working out next week, with the help of a personal trainer so I don't re-injure myself or overdo it. Classes are going great - hectic as we've passed the halfway mark. I have... [More]

The August Quotations contest wasn't one I could participate in, simply because I had no internet at the time. Nonetheless the quote did make me think of a nonfiction story. You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. ~Winston Churchill For a long time in my life I existed, quite simply, to make other people happy. I had no concept of my own happiness. In fact, it wasn't until a year ago that my therapist fatefully asked me one ... [More]

Libby and I finally moved into our own place last Friday. We have our own space, plenty of food, a house full of packed boxes and internet access. I hope to eventually return to WDC but for now, I've gotta get caught up on my studies. I had hernia surgery on 9/2 and am recovering well from that. Ultimately things are getting better every day. It's been a long, hard four months to get here but we're finally here.... [More]

Well, it's been a crazy few months and I don't have a lot of time so this will be very brief. I became homeless in June and am still technically homeless now. I'm hoping to be in my own place in early September. I don't have internet access at home right now which makes it extremely difficult for me to get online during my free time, which is pretty limited anyway. I'm also still going to school full time as well as doing my business plus working part-time in my college writi... [More]

Finally, a bit of good news. Libby and I are officially moving August 1 into a place of our own. The transitional living facility would have micromanaged me too much so I decided to take the leap of faith and get our own place in order to maintain my sanity. I have so much going on I really don't need to be dealing with all the other stuff. Not to mention it was a minimum four month commitment that I wasn't even close to comfortable making. I will be so glad to be leaving this particular... [More]

I can't believe it's been a year already. And what a year it's been - from being laid off twice, choosing to end my unhealthy relationship with my boyfriend, being displaced at Christmas due to an ice storm, the struggle to pass my securities exams in January, my struggles with my writing and trying to improve, then more recently my decision to return to school and finish my English degree in May, the ongoing struggle to build my business, and then my homelessness as of late June and... [More]

Tonight, in an effort to put to words the difficulties of the last few days in a form other than my blog, I've been exploring a free verse poem. I'm considering a quatern form as well. At this point I have a title "A New Face" and a couple of rough draft stanzas. I'll let it sit for tonight and come back to it tomorrow or this weekend if I have time. I have a lot of math homework to catch up on among other things. I also have a Key Points Review to do too, which I'm hopin... [More]

I found a decent place for Libby and I to live temporarily. It's a transitional living program to help me work out a solution to this housing issue. Now maybe I can get some things accomplished finally.... [More]

Please note, as of today, I am moving into a homeless shelter. My former best friend has become mentally unstable (or at least that's the only thing I can assume because anything else is simply too awful) and I'm being forced to leave. I have no financial resources at this time to do anything else but hope to have an apartment in August.... [More]

Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't deal with emotions well. It took me almost ten years after the abuse of my childhood to come to terms with it and I'm still learning to deal with the emotions. Anger is the most difficult one. And recently my best friend made me so angry I didn't dare speak to her for fear of what might come out and cause further damage. So for two days (a long time when you live with someone) I have stayed away intentionally (and told her I would be doing so) ... [More]

Turns out my best friend and her family aren't happy with me living with them anymore so I'm having to move. I'm still working out details but at this point it's looking like in the fall. Things are gonna get pretty nuts again for a while as I work toward getting promoted another level in my business so I can make more money and try to arrange to move etc. Whee-fun - NOT!... [More]

It's amazing what you can do when pushed to rise to a challenge. I'm taking 9 credits hours this semester, which is a very short six week semester, in an effort to get some of my general education credits out of the way so I can move on to my undergraduate work. This session ends on June 26 and it looks like not only am I going to survive it (which I was unsure of early on) but I'm going to pass with flying colors. I've got a solid A average in my education class, a pretty firm B... [More]

It appears that I may be making a slow re-emergence into WDC after my long vacation. Classes are going well even though it's a brutal schedule (2 classes M, Tu, Th from 10 - 3 plus an online math class) and my business is still making sales and progress albeit not as fast as it was. I'm managing adequately, much to my surprise. I'm tired, don't get me wrong. By the time Thursday gets here I'm usually so exhausted I can't think. Forget doing homework Thursday, I'm luck... [More]

Okay, I have to say I'm honestly astonished. I mean I've been pretty inactive since, what, February? March? And yet today, I'm promoted to a yellow case which is just about one of the coolest things. I'm so honored (and it seem such a silly thing when you look at it but really - it IS a validation) and appreciative of all the support I've received in the last year for my writing. I've learned and grown so much with my writing that I can't even express my gratitude ade... [More]

I'm very surprised at the impact that this website has had on my writing. As I work on my writing scholarship applications and have to repeatedly declare why I want to write and what my dreams are, I find myself going back to the writing I've created on this site. I've had a number of people support me over the last year and I've made a number of new friends. But most importantly, it's brought me closer to my writing and to my reasons for my writing. And hopefully over the c... [More]

I'm admitted to my local college, and I have meetings scheduled for Monday and Tuesday to go over my transfer credits, my financial aid awards, meet my department chair, and other miscellaneous school related stuff. I've already registered for one course for Fall term and have an idea of what courses I'm planning to take in summer and fall. All my classes are in the middle of the afternoon which means it shouldn't interfere with my business. If I work my business for 8 hours on M... [More]

My best friend is returning to school for her psychology degree and that gave me the idea that maybe I should go back to school too. That maybe now was the perfect opportunity for me to pursue my biggest dream which is to be published. I would love to be able to write - maybe not full-time but at least regularly and have my work published. But I think I've reached the point where I can't really learn the rest of it in self-study. There are techniques and skills in writing that I need to ... [More]

I'm finally starting to feel more like myself after almost two weeks of illness. My cough is almost gone and while I still tire very easily, I'm working again and have resumed pretty much my full-time schedule once again. I have a lot to do over the course of the next few weeks before I leave for California - an auction/business meeting this Saturday, a yard sale next Friday and Saturday, and then I leave the 28th for California until 5/2. That's, of course, in addition to all my usu... [More]

I'm not quite back to normal and probably won't be for a while yet but I'm keeping food down and my fever is gone. I'm up and about albeit shakily. I'll probably take it very easy the rest of this week and get back to it again tomorrow. I'll be focusing for the next couple of weeks on changing my diet. The fast food must go. I spent part of my bedridden time working on a new puzzle that I found by http://www.goanywherepuzzles.com, which solves the space issue that'... [More]

If you've never gotten the flu shot and been fortunate enough to never get viral influenza (which is what the flu shot protects against, not the cold or more common stomach flu) consider yourself fortunate and take my heartfelt advice: GET THE FLU SHOT! I was one of those people who was too arrogant and too uneducated to get the shot (along with a healthy dose of fear of needles). I'm 29 years old and while I've not been a dedicated to my own physical needs as I should have been, I c... [More]

It has been a crazy, wonderful month. My business is growing like never before - tons of new clients, plus my first new recruit and a second one will hopefully be signing on Saturday. I am pushing really hard to meet my goals this spring and so far it's paying off really great. Sorry I've not been around much - I miss everyone but it's not liable to change anytime within the next six months. I've also been getting involved in some local organizations which I know my previous t... [More]

Things are very hectic currently so I'm going to step back from my WDC activities. I'm not entirely sure for how long but at this point I'm 200% focused on my business and don't have the mental energy to devote to WDC. Even my other blog isn't getting any postings lately. I'm sad at having to step away from my writing but at this point, it's a necessary and valid choice to make.... [More]

It's amazing to me every day when I think of how quickly Libby is growing. She'll be 2 on the 28th and it's astonishing to me. I can picture her sweet face as she breastfed and gradually fell back asleep in my arms every night for two months. I can remember all her firsts: smile, tooth, word (pretty), laugh (on Mother's Day 2007), crawl, and steps. She climbs in and out of her car seat and I get tears in my eyes. How did this amazing toddler get here, seemingly without even askin... [More]

I went on a little bit of a shopping spree yesterday. I needed to get some new tops for work and found a really great sale that meant the tops were only $10 a piece. I almost want to go back today and get some more. There's a definite design difference between Wal-mart and Sears. In any case, I finally found a birthstone ring I liked after almost 2 years of looking for one. It has three topaz stones surrounded by diamond chips. Very pretty. I also got a pair of white gold hoops and a whi... [More]

I spent yesterday running my tail off. I put the car in the shop for a transmission flush, oil change, and an overall evaluation as to whether it would last for another year. The mechanic said it should give me another year without a problem which is great because that means I won't have to rush out and replace it. The car is tiny and cramped and falling apart a little but it's mechanically sound for the most part. I am loathe to part with it because I love the car but I was really loath... [More]

Today was a great day - I got promoted to a new level in my business. This will give me a snazzy new title (Senior Representative) and additional commissions. My RVP didn't have to promote me because I hadn't gotten any new recruits but I did get three new policies and both of my licenses so he promoted me. I've worked so hard the last two years that it just made sense to promote me as a reward for it all. I've made it clear that I'm committed to my business. I've been... [More]

The first draft is finally done. It only took a week and a half to figure out the direction (most of which was me not thinking outside the box enough to realize my plot didn't work). I've got a rough draft written and Jenn and I are working on tweaking it, increasing the climax and such. It's right around 2000 words and I'm hoping to have it edited in time for the contest ending on Sunday. Given my schedule this week, that'll be no easy feat but at least the hard part is done... [More]

I seem to be having trouble figuring out what to do in regards to Life in Progress. I'm not sure how to move forward with it or even what I want to do with it. Does it take priority over my other projects? Can I finish the draft in 30 days? How do I get the conversational style back that I had seven years ago when my style has changed so much? I want to just write it but I can't seem to figure out how to get started. I'm at the library with my best friend's daughter helping h... [More]

I recently started a discussion with a member named Del who started me thinking and moving down memory lane. I read over a couple of chapters of A Life in Progress and remembered why I'd stopped writing it. Basicially I needed something more to happen in my life, something to change the course of it toward my dreams and goals, toward a more positive future and I finally think it has. Or at least, I know how to write it now. It's just a matter of getting started. I'm hoping to start w... [More]

I recently stumbled across an essay that asked four simple questions and I'd like to take a minute and answer them. After fifteen years of writing I think I shouldn't have any trouble. What's important to me? First and foremost, my daughter. No matter how frustrated or angry I get with her, at the end of the day I'm still always glad and humbled that she's in my life. No matter what I'm always grateful for her. My friends - without them, my life would be a dreary, lon... [More]

The most amazing, magical thing happened to me tonight. Well, two things really. First, I have the house to myself for about four blissful hours and can do whatever I want (or don't want) uninterrupted. The second magical thing is I got a letter from myself from the year 2010! Can you believe that? I sure can't but here it is... ... [More]

I spent almost all day yesterday running around. My morning started with me going into the office for a quick hour to take care of mail and paperwork for a little bit. I also picked up about 100 recruiting leads to call and mail. I had an 11am appointment so I headed to that shortly after and when it was done, I went home to grab some lunch and give Jenn a break so she could take a nap. She got up with the baby and I went back to the officer for about two hours of lead gathering. Our office has ... [More]

Today was very busy all things considered. I started the day with meeting with the tax advisor at 8:30 a.m. I have little time or desire to file my own taxes anymore. I did for almost ten years and now, with my business I just don't want to have to put all the research time into preparing the taxes when I can take it to someone and have it done in 45 minutes. So I gave him all the paperwork, he maximized my return and I was on my way in under an hour. Sadly, because of my income being signif... [More]

It's official. Shannon and I are done. My sister is against it, my best friend can't stand him, and my therapist helped me realize that he is completely wrong for me in the most fundamental ways. While we may have broken up for different reasons, we'll stay apart because he's not what I want. I want more than what he can give and we're simply not compatible in the first place. What a huge relief! It's freeing to see a cycle in your life and to know that you're ref... [More]

Okay, so I revamped my review forum in an effort to bring additional GPs in for upgrading my membership. I'm working on creating some other events and such as well. I spent some time doing reviews. I also was emailed to become a mentor for a newbie on the site. What a huge compliment. Me, a mentor! Wow! I also won an auction item that basically gives me a writing buddy for a month to help me work on my fantasy novel Amulet of Zalia. I'm looking forward to working on my novel again - it&#... [More]

I've been listening to this great song lately that I couldn't get out of my head. Something about the lyrics just really begged for a story to be written, you know? The song is called Hummingbirds by Venus Hum. The lyrics are like this: Some of my favourite colours in the world Beat against my eyelids with the blues of green hummingbirds Some of my favourite colours in the world Beat against my eyelids with the reds of pink hummingbirds Blue Moon So white So scared To come out ... [More]

I worked on revising Seeking Redemption today based on comments I received. I didn't think it possible but after the changes I made, I like it even more than I did before. I've put an almost exorbitant amount of work into this story. Considering it's under 3K word count, I'm surprised at the level of work that's been involved. But at the same time, this story is important to me. I'm not sure why other than maybe it reminds me so much of a recent reconciliation with my own... [More]

It amazes me how much my best friend influences my work. She is to me what C.S. Lewis was to J.R.R. Tolkien. She has the uncanny ability to put into words exactly what I'm trying to say. I'm working on revising Seeking Redemption after receiving some AMAZING feedback from a reviewer (be sure to check out his forum below). I've never had someone give such a succinct, apt review through WDC. I am literally blown away - he brought to light things that almost a dozen people didn't no... [More]

There are times when I wish I had a crystal ball. Not the kind that would show me anything I wanted but only a specific timeframe, like what my life will be like in the next five years. If I made decision A, what will the outcome be? Wouldn't it be great to know whether the decision you made now, would be the right one? Wouldn't that help take out the guess work? Years ago, when I was in grade school I was falling behind in my schooling. I didn't realize it at the time but lookin... [More]

I recently posted my short story, Evralia's Exile (which I'm now realizing no matter what I do, is not willing to stay a short story) to a writing review group I'm a part of for discussion next week. We meet each week to discuss each other's work and provide feedback. We could do reviews but it's kinda nice to have the personal touch of a chat. It's a lot of fun and I really enjoy the group we have. So I read it over today and discovered that it's good. Better than... [More]

I've been very lucky the last few weeks - almost all of my appointments have held. Last night I went to a local chamber meeting for the first time with a colleague. I was seriously under-dressed and therefore mortified. But I still had a good time and met six new people. I didn't know how hard it would be to talk to complete strangers, even in that setting. My colleague and I were lucky because we got there early and sat almost in the center of the room, right near the entrance. Four ... [More]

Today was a pretty busy day. I spent the morning with Libby and then the afternoon dealing with paperwork stuff. I submitted an application for health insurance through the state now that I'm officially self-employed, dealt with some client paperwork, scheduled a doctor's appointment for Libby for her 2 year well baby visit and just generally ran around like a chicken with my head cut off most of the day. But it does feel really good to be in a groove again, finally. Tuesday's gon... [More]

My daughter, Liberty (aka Libby) turns two on February 28. Yesterday my best friend and I made preliminary plans for the party and I invited the guests. Fortunately I live with most of them but there will be several other kids there as well. We're doing an Elmo theme this year. We almost went with Dora but honestly, she'd enjoy that much more if she were a little older so we'll save that party for a few years from now when she's in school and has some little friends to invite. ... [More]

I made a big mistake not too long ago - I tried a free trial of the Premium membership. Oh what a wonderful membership level that is! The port surf! The full screen edit! The costumicons! The faster IM speeds. And no to mention, my port is now reach half it's limit of items and my email is at 40% and growing quick even after all my deletions from the other day. I so wish I could afford a premium upgrade but I simply can't justify spending $80 on something like that. Maybe next year if ... [More]

I'm so excited - I spent about four hours today making calls - from 3 - 5 and from 7:30 to 8:30. I set up 3 appointments for next week and will be getting two new life policies written. Finally - a decent sum of money! I can't wait! I'm enjoying getting into this new groove. It's so different when it's just you and there's no boss hanging over your shoulder. There's a different kind of pressure, more urgency. I can't recall ever feeling a sense of urgency like... [More]

Okay, I've reached the point where I can't make decisions on my writing. I have six short stories that need revision. I have five poems that I think may be publishable as long as the form they're in is acceptable to the publication. I have so many pieces now, so many stories and poems that I'm not sure what to do first. How do you choose? I'm so out of my element with figuring out how to do all this. I want to be focused and organized but I don't know how to get there.... [More]

It took me almost four hours over the course of the last two days but I finally managed to trim my inbox to a more reasonable level. Remind me never to take eight weeks off from WDC again! WHEW! I still have to empty the trash and the sent box but at least the inbox is cleared up from almost 300 items. I found several things, including some auction items that I'd missed - even a prize from a contest I hadn't claimed yet! Oh well, at least it's caught up now. I also spent some ti... [More]

My education was so different from today's. There was no ISTEP. There wasn't the boundaries there are now - you just went to whatever school was closest. In Florida, if you weren't 5 by October of the year, you had to wait til the next year. In California it's a year round school. Due to my birthday, I was almost a year behind my peers when I started kindergarten. Even Magnet schools are different here - down south they were for kids who needed more challenges, up here they'r... [More]

It may still need work but I went ahead and submitted my short story Seeking Redemption to a magazine. I was able to submit it electronically as a PDF which was nice. I didn't get all my stories revised and submitted this month but I did get one done at least. I will start working on the others and still am accepting reviews on this one as well. I doubt it'll get accepted right away.... [More]

*Warning: May contain gross, descriptive language - if you have an easily upset stomach you might wanna skip this entry* There are some things that are a complete testament to a mother's love. Who else is willing to selflessly clean up a child's tears, vomit, and poop and still love the child at the end of the day? A year ago, almost to the day, my daughter had to be admitted to the pediatric ICU of the local hospital for constipation and impacted bowels. Basically she was so full of ... [More]