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 |  Newest Entry: July 24 - New Contest |
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I used to have this wonderful long description here of exactly what this journal would be... but I cannot say that it was entirely accurate. The journal has taken a mind of its own, so I guess the only description I can really give it is: A Collection Of My Thoughts As I have discovered many times in my writing, as well as in my life - things don't always go the way you plan them to. I am still happy with this journal, however. It gives me a place to lay down how I am feeling, or even just to document what I've been doing. Not bad, huh? Feel free to putter through the entries, and come back to visit often! You never know what you might find here. Newest entries are at the top of the list. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **
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| I swear, no one believes or listens to a word I say anymore! Today I got a letter saying that I didn't return the receipts for a P.O. that I turned in over a MONTH ago. I did turn in those receipts! I can even tell them the day and the time that I turned them in, but do they care? No. Luckily, I made a copy of them before I gave them over, so I was able to send that over. If it happens again, I am going to be severely pissed. For a dramatic change of subject, kids don't listen to a word you say. Okay, so they do listen for the duration of the time that you are staring straight at them, but the second you look away they go right back to doing the thing that you specifically told them not to do. My head hurts. |
| Sorry it's been so long since I updated. (Heck, I don't even know if anyone reads it, but I'm sorry anyway.) I just haven't been in the mood recently. I did lose my job the other day. They reduced the workforce in the school by quite a bit, and I was one of the ones that they let go. There is a possibility that I may be allowed back, but I think it all depends on whether one of the teachers offered retirement actually takes the offer. So, I've been searching for a job. My biggest problem is that jobs are few and far between in this area, and we'd prefer not to leave right now because my husband has a grant to get his history Master's for free at the local university here. He would lose that grant if we moved away. As a result, I may have to take a hefty pay-cut, but getting his degree is important to him, so we can work it out somehow. I have debated telling my mother about losing my job. I'm afraid to make her worry, though I've really gotten over the whole issue. I'm worried no longer, instead just trudging through each day working on what I need to in order to survive. |
| Monday: Respect your cat day Tuesday: Eat your vegetables day Pretty nifty holidays this week. Keep looking for the rest. Now for the terrifying part. Our school board is looking on downsizing this evening. I knew this was going to happen, but it didn't really seem real until today. They are looking into terminating those on probationary contracts. Well, I am on a probationary contract. This is my last year on it, but I am there. I have never had to deal with not really having a job before, but here I go. It may be reality, and I will find out tomorrow. Needless to say, I'm really scared. Yes, I'm a core teacher. Yes, I am willing to become certified in other areas. But yes, I am also on probationary contract... which means that no matter what I'm certified in, I may not have a job. I hate this. |
| I had an English professor once who was just a hoot. My first year of college I took his literature class, and he told me later that he built every test with the hopes that I could get one answer wrong. One time he thought I had, but when he went back to look, it had been his mistake. I took this same professor for English Literature, and the tests were quite different. Essay exams, the whole lot of them. I remember what he said to me on the very last day of class. It went something like this: "I know you've been BSing on every test in this class, but you do it so well that it looks like you know what you're talking about, so I gave you A's anyway." Even if he hadn't, he was still one of my favorite teachers. It was he, in fact, that encouraged me to write my poetry. We had to complete a project for his class. It could have been a book review, a research paper, or creative writing. I chose creative writing, even though there was a 10 point penalty for it because the other two took more research. So, I wrote him a book of poetry. 24 poems, I believe. I did not know it at the time, but he was a poet, also. When I got my project back, he had not only given me the ten point penalty back to give me a 100 for my assignment, but he had written comments all throughout my book, one of which was: "Write about more sunsets." The poem that I included about sunsets was a story of two lovers that met beneath a sunset, and fairies danced about them watching and keeping them safe in their nighttime pleasures. I loved that poem, it was one of my favorites, as well. I have lost it somewhere, and I just now got the urge to desperately find it. Dr. Cook retired last year, and I sent him an email, but I don't know if he really remembers me. He made a big impact in my life... I do hope I get to publish someday just so I can send him a copy myself. |
| Well then, today is Liberty Day, and I would like to take a moment to tell you about a few of my quirks. Not that my quirks particularly have anything to do with liberty... but it is a bit about me, if nothing else. My lips are strange. They chap within the expanse of two hours if I go that long without putting chapstick on, and it has to be a GOOD chapstick, too. My current favorite is the Burt's Bees. It just feels good. I could live without make-up. I'm not much of a fan of make-up, so even when I do wear it, it's minimal. The thing I hate most about my looks are my freckles. Sure, when I was younger I believed the whole "angel kisses" and cuteness thing, but now they are just a burden. Oh yeah, and my feet... I have some of the ugliest feet I've ever seen. It's a really good thing that I get to cover them with shoes when I go out. However, I adore being barefoot. When I was younger I would go almost all summer long without wearing shoes. (The almost only came in when we had to go to the store and my mother made me put them on.) The bottoms were stained green, and I could walk on any street without pain. Man, those were the days. I obsess about how 'wide' I look in a mirror when turned sideways. Okay, so it's not an 'I'm going to starve myself until I'm thinner' obsession, but it's enough to keep me groaning every time I look in the mirror. To be honest, I'm only 15 pounds heavier than I was before I got pregnant, but in a mirror it seems like so much more. Oh yeah, that and my clothes don't fit. I've had to buy all new clothes... that's expensive. Luckily, though, I'm willing to do something about it. (When I was pregnant, I was 2 feet wide sideways in the mirror. That's 24 inches. That's a LOT!) I'm an overachiever. This little quirk comes to rear it's ugly head anytime someone is upset with me for any reason, even if it is not my own fault. Whether it be my writing, my work, or even just the way I make dinner... this can be a real issue. I want to be published, but I don't want to do it myself. I seriously want to be good enough that a publishing company would want to publish my work. What would I like to publish? Children's books. I love children. I'm a teacher, I'd better love children. I try to look for some good in everyone, even if they are someone that I do not particularly like or get along with. I guess this isn't a flaw, per say. Neither is loving children... but it can drive some people insane. Okay, so I'm out of things to share for now. Have a question? Ask it... I'll most likely answer (unless it is 'where do you live' or some such stuff). My life is pretty much an open book. (After being reminded by reading someone else's journal:) I am a cry-baby. Oh yeah... big cry-baby. I cried at the Tigger Movie. Far too many things move me to tears, but I have to admit, I am getting better! I think I put myself in the other person's shoes and they fit a bit too well, so I end up feeling what they might feel. Ickers. |
| It's absolutely amazing how something really stupid can grow into something gigantic in a fight, even after you've only been married almost five years. Actually, I think it's more that I was just finally tired of it! Double standards rear their ugly head every now and then, and they are usually one of the things that can piss me off fairly quickly. My side of the argument went something like this: If you are allowed to rant, I am allowed to rant. Don't interrupt me in the middle of my rant and tell me to get over it. I am in the process of getting over it. That's why I'm ranting. If you don't want to hear it, don't stay in the room. Of course it's petty to you, it's not your writing. Some of the things you complain about aren't all that important to me myself, but I care about them and listen because you care. It was just about over at that point. It always is short if nothing else. We'd rather just get over it and move on than stay mad at each other forever, as it seems some couples prefer. The good part of the argument? It got me over that review. I still don't understand it, still don't think they read all of it before they said that I was degrading poetry and myself, but I got over it. For those that care... I love poetry and would never make fun of it. Any one from Emily Dickenson to Shel Silverstein... I love it all. Please realize that poetry does not always have to have some deeper meaning. It does not always have to make you want to cry. It can make you laugh. It is not degrading to write poetry that makes you laugh. |
| Man do we have beautiful weather outside! My husband and I love to go on walks. Luckily, so do the kids. Oh yes, the kids. That's why I came in the first place. Do you know what my daughter's favorite toy is? Not a bear, not something that lights and sings... a keyboard. It's not attached to any computer. It's not one a baby keyboard that lights and makes noise. It's a plain old keyboard for one of our old computers, and she loves it! Our son, on the other hand, loves paper. Any kind of paper. Does he crinkle it and throw it? No... he eats it. So this is how I figure things are going to go as they grow. My daughter is going to write things using her awesome keyboarding skills and print them out on the computer, then my son is going to eat all of her work, like a goat. Instead of the dog eating homework excuse, my daughter will be able to say, "Sorry I don't have my homework today, Mrs. Erikson, my brother ate it." |
Well then, this is forgive Mom and Dad day. (Granted, if most people are like me, we have more to ASK forgiveness for than to forgive.) So be lovey dovey and forgive your mom or dad, then give them a call and pray you don't have to go into detail about why you are forgiving them.  We got the contest results for the Writing Decathlon today. Great job billwilcox!! Your win is well deserved. An awesome job to everyone else who finished as well. It's a tough task - I know because I was there. I didn't quite make it this time, but I'll make it next time. Maybe the kiddos won't get sick in the middle of the next one. You think? |
| Well then, on this Absolutely Incredible Kids Day, my kids happen to have nasty coughs. Does this make them less incredible? Well... no, but it does seem a bit dismal for the next few nights when it comes to sleeping. So far, I am on about 5 hours sleep in the past 48. I'm doing okay, but I know it will just have to catch up with me soon. I'm dragging a little, but then, that's normal for a Tuesday. |
| Today is Pi day... no, not pie day. There are no apples, peaches, or cherries invovled. Not even a mince meat is acceptable. The only part of a pie that is acceptable on pi day... is the fact that it is a... Can you guess? Right! It's a circle! Pi Day celebrates the number pi or approximately 3.14159... One of my fellow teachers found a site where you can search up to the 200 millionth digit after the decimal point to find random strings of numbers. (Your birthday, phone number, etc.) I hope you enjoy! http://www.angio.net/pi/piquery |
| In the middle of the night at God only knows what hour, I hear an interesting sound through my baby monitor. My daughter was stirring. Groaning, I begin to uncover myself and prepare to place my feet on the cold floor when I listen more carefully - she wasn't crying... she was singing! And not just singing, singing about her 'da da'. I started laughing, which woke my husband up. At first, he began grumbling to me and asking what the big deal was about, but then he stopped short and began giggling as well. Laying back down in bed, I decided to see if she was going to stay awake, or if she'd fall back to sleep. Much to my amusement, she actually sang herself back to sleep in her crib. Eight months old and she is already singing. I can't wait to see what the future holds! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I decided to go online and look for someone to talk to about publishing children's books. Everything I have read requires money - something I have none of. I did, however, discover something pretty darned awesome! It's called Writer Beware. They are a little company dedicated to helping new authors avoid all of the scams out there. You can find their website at www.writerbeware.com. I also got to talk to a very well known published author, who offered quite a bit of advice as well. I think I'm on my way. Wish me luck! |
| Well, the Writing Decathlon is over (unfortunately, I did not finish everything), and the MarNoWriMo has begun. It has been a really slow start so far, but I think I can still get my 50,000. One of my Writing Decathlon entries actually made it as editor's pick in the Love/Romance newsletter, so I'm excited. After some of the downs these past couple weeks (personal disappointments and such), that really did make my day. |
You may be wondering why I haven't written very much in this journal since the beginning of February. Well, that would be because I am required to keep a different journal for the Writing Decathlon. If you would like to see my journal for the month of February, you can find it here: "Invalid Item"  . At the end of February, I will begin writing in this journal again. |
| So far, so good. :) Unlike the last big contest I was in, I am not behind on the first day. This, of course, is good news! I do need three more people for my campfire, but that isn't so bad... I think it can be handled. My campfires in the past have always gone splat, though... so I hope this one can continue. |
| Well, here I go entering another long contest... what fun! This time, I get to be in the Writing Decathlon. I think I was one of the first to jump in there and sign up, and I have been looking forward to it. Speaking of that... if you want to join a campfire, I have one. I added this book item to the new blog feature, so I'm going to be figuring it out over the next few days or so. |
| I had to sneak out of my house this morning... literally! Yesterday, apparently my son cried all day long, starting with the second I walked out the door to go to work. Once I got home, he was a happy little boy once more. We were hoping that, if he didn't see me leave, he might be better if I just snuck out. It feels good to be loved, but it breaks my heart to have him cry when I have to go. Wow, never thought this would be an issue while being a parent. Sara Jean Have problems expressing your feelings? Try picking up a pen and paper. They are more valuable than your mouth could ever be. Enjoy getting reviews? If yes, ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| Wow, EnduReview was a ton of fun. I feel guilty, though... I had this great goal for myself... and I completely missed it. Just... completely. I guess I thought I'd have a lot more time, but I didn't. Jobs, twins, and husbands do come first, I suppose. I do wish to apologize to those in my group, though. I was our weakest link... I found a way to review things quickly and thoroughly, but unfortunately I didn't find that until the very last day. Figures, right? Well, now I know for next time. Have you ever watched an intentionally cheesy movie? Some people like them.... Scary Movie for example. Personally, I just think they are okay somtimes, but the ones spoofing horror movies are pushing it. Cheesy, like The Princess Bride is okay. Even Spaceballs is amusing. However, Broken Lizard's Club Dread is just... well, I think you get the point. Sara Jean Have problems expressing your feelings? Try picking up a pen and paper. They are more valuable than your mouth could ever be. Enjoy getting reviews? If yes, ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| I'm disappointed in myself. My goal for reviewing each day was 30 - today I only got 9. I could make a ton of excuses for why, but I guess the main one is that I am just exhausted. I've been staying up later than I should, and so now I can barely move at night. I'll stop that now... within the next week, I am going to catch up and get that 30 a day average. (That's 210 reviews this week.) First, however, I must get some sleep. Oh yes, I also received quite another surprise and honor today! An anonymous person on writing.com sent me the entire 52,000 GPs that I still needed to make my 150,000 so I could get my three month upgrade. Because I do not know their name, I cannot thank them in person - instead, I will thank them here. Anonymous, Thank you so much. In the past few months that I have been on this site, it has started to mean so much to me. I've been given opportunities here that I've never had before, and I've just met the coolest people. Your donation, as well as one given previously by another member (Eliot), has enabled me to continue my stay here with all of my pieces staying accessable to all. You are absolutely wonderful... Sara Jean Have problems expressing your feelings? Try picking up a pen and paper. They are more valuable than your mouth could ever be. Enjoy getting reviews? If yes, ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| Well, I certainly hope that I can get the last 52,000 I need for my three month upgrade. I was really kinda depending on a contest that ended on November 20th to give me a good boost (I thought I had a good chance to win), but there hasn't been any news on the judging or who might win. I do not know how long it'll take. First place in that competition is 50,000 GPs, and Second place is 20,000. I hope I hear something soon... If not, I'm just going to do my best. I admit, that's a lot of GPs in a very few days, but I just might be okay. I'll figure something out. With the double rewards this month, maybe I can just review like crazy and make some up that way. EnduReview should help with that. Sara Jean Have problems expressing your feelings? Try picking up a pen and paper. They are more valuable than your mouth could ever be. Enjoy getting reviews? If yes, ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| I am in the EnduReviewer II group (our 20 days of reviewing starts on December 7th) AND I'm on the Writing Decathalon team! Looks like I'm going to be reviewing and writing up a storm... gotta love it! I'm really looking forward to the challenges and the fun. I would have to say... that is what I like most about this place. It allows you the freedom to have fun while also allowing you to be serious. Sara Jean Have problems expressing your feelings? Try picking up a pen and paper. They are more valuable than your mouth could ever be. Enjoy getting reviews? If yes, ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
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This is absolutely hilarious! My kind of humor.
My life's been busier than normal, too, but NOTHING like yours. 
Hope everything's okay.
