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I've Got a Mini Mouse

  • Jun. 2nd, 2009 at 5:47 PM
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I've got a mini-mouse and it's my dog's fault! I was working on my laptop and my 13 pound Peke jumped right on top of the keyboard. Once I managed to get him off, my controller stopped working. (Not sure if that's what it's called on a laptop) I have had SO much trouble with this laptop since I bought it, I couldn't believe one more thing could go wrong with it. And now, it was because of my dog.

My son told me I could plug a regular mouse in, and it should work. I guess I'm still slightly technologically challenged. (I never would have thought I could do that). Today I stopped at Best Buy and I found the cutest little mouse. It's only about three inches long. It fits perfectly on my laptop! I'm so glad I didn't go with my first instinct to slam it against the wall.

It is taking some getting used to, but I grew up learning how to keep things going on their last legs. Whether it is a car that needs the radiator filled each time I reach my destination, a blouse held together by safety pins or a storm door that won't close unless you lift it and push to the right, I'll keep whatever I've got going until I've used it to it's fullest potential.  

A Homage to my Mother-in-Law

  • May. 10th, 2009 at 12:03 AM
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A few years ago I wrote a story about the similarities between my deceased mother-in-law and my daughter. This year my daughter dyed her beautiful, blonde hair red, like my mother-in-law. And just like my mother-in-law, my daughter has developed a singing voice as big as we anticipated from the first time we realized how much she was like her grandma. The story was published in an anthology in 2005. After some research I found it on-line. It's a humorous and sweet story about some of the unusual things our children inherit from their family members. Sadly, my daughter doesn't remember my MIL, but she certainly lives on through her. 

If you click the link below, the story should pop up on page 195. Use the top arrow to go to 196 to read the rest.
 

http://books.google.com/books?id=w1MFYEhyqsEC&pg=PA195&lpg=PA196&ots=IyeCeWNnOc&dq=Eternally+Blessed+Have+a+Laugh+on+Mia&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=htmlhttp://books.google.com/books?id=w1MFYEhyqsEC&pg=PA196&lpg=PA195&ots=IyeCeWNnOc&dq=Eternally+Blessed+Have+a+Laugh+on+Mia&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html



 


My Hands are on Fire!

  • Apr. 1st, 2009 at 8:40 PM
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My hands felt dry, so I grabbed what I thought was lotion from my vanity--NOT. I put Icy Hot on my hands. My hands are on fire even though I washed them several times. The fumes are still heavy as well, they are actually clearing my stuffy nose.

That's about all I've got to say, though I've got a whole lot on my mind . . .

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Pairs, Partners and Break-ups

  • Mar. 29th, 2009 at 2:43 PM
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Yay! I found my wedding rings after not seeing them since summer. They were in my earrings without partners box. Must have put them there during an Ambien moment. I think I have more single earrings than pairs now, but at least my wedding rings are back together. My socks without partners draw has become so crowded that many have found their way back to one another. 

I got an email from the dog whisperer. Well, not really, I got a newsletter from him. I had written him a letter about my problem-Pekinese. Seems Ozzie-boy wants to let the lady dogs know he's available . . . from inside my house. I think I'm finally going to have to break up his pair.  :) The Dog Whisperer said it might help. If not, I will have to start following him around with an empty coke can filled with quarters and shake it every time he lifts his leg. I'm not really into that.

 
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I admit, I've become slightly paranoid over the years. I never answer the door if it's not someone I'm expecting and I think everyone is up to no good until they prove me wrong. Today, I stayed home with my sick daughter, which worked out well since I felt sick too. We were watching TV when the dogs began barking like crazy. Then, we heard a loud knock on the door. Both of us immediately ran upstairs to her bedroom, because we could peek through the blinds and see who was out there. A guy holding a bouquet of flowers stood outside, but I didn't see a car or van with the name of a florist. We sat quietly until he went away, but continued peeking out the window. The guy walked across the street, still holding the flowers and began knocking on my neighbor's door. Her car was in the driveway, but she didn't answer either. We noticed the guy looking around and started thinking the worst. Maybe he was going to go around back and try to break in. I had my hand on the phone ready to dial 911, then the guy left the house. He walked two houses down the street and got into a white van that was parked in the driveway of another neighbor's house. Why wasn't he parked in the street?  As it pulled away, I read "Florist" on the side of the van. 

Was he just trying to deliver flowers to my neighbor, but no one answered and he wanted to leave them with one of us or was he a killer? Probably a florist, but you never know! 

 

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My Five Subject Meme

  • Mar. 9th, 2009 at 10:05 PM
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I never seem to have time to particpate in any of Robin's http://robinellen.livejournal.com/fun contests, and I thought this one would be doable. Hmmm, let's see. :) 

Here are the five things she associates with me, and my elaborations on them.

Takes care with things and people - You couldn't make it easy for me, Robin. The "people part" is easy. I feel it is important to make people feel comfortable  and cared for, but I'm not sure what "things" Robin is referring to. Lately, I haven't been too good with taking care of things. I lost my engagement ring and wedding band this summer and have not told my husband yet. Hope he doesn't read my blog. Maybe one day when we move I'll find it. I KNOW it is in this house somewhere.
Thoughtful- I work in a place filled with thoughtful people. The staff of a special ed. school needs to work hard to pay attention to the students and their families and make them feel they are well-cared for. I enjoy being a part of that environment.
Puts in her best effort - I am surrounded by a talented and loving family. They are self-motivated and put their best effort into all they do. I feel like one of the luckiest mothers in the world, not only because I have wonderful kids, but because I have never had to tell them to do their homework. I suppose they've learned by watching  my husband and I work hard at our craft of writing and music. 
Compassionate - I have had six animals since I've been married. I've not brought one of them into my home. My husband and kids keep finding ways to sneak them past me. Though animals drive me crazy with their hair, barking, special gifts left on the floor and carpet, in addition to the unique aromas that often fills the room, I could never  send them away because my family loves them too much. I guess I love them too, kind of. :)
Giver - If I had nothing to give, what would life be about. That's all I've got to say about that. (Forest Gump) Hehe

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A Musical Description

  • Mar. 4th, 2009 at 8:00 PM
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I found a musical version of my MC's boyfriend, only she's a girl! Just watch her personality shine through her song.   http://vodpod.com/watch/1273562-lady-gaga-shows-her-acoustic-poker-face




Back to the Beginning

  • Feb. 25th, 2009 at 7:45 PM
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Before I began writing my first novel I enjoyed a year long stint as an online journalist/columnist for an e-zine called, "Sisters in the Lord." I really enjoyed this, almost as much as writing novels. Today, I had the urge to revisit some of my old articles, and since the majority of my fellow writers write for kids, I thought I'd share this story. I checked out the web site and this organization is still working hard to help kids, and the story of the woman who initiated it is very cool.    

AngelAID’S Among Us
By Wendy Lynn Decker

There are no coincidences in life, only incidences where God remains anonymous.

After an accidental overdose, Arlene Shipley’s guardian angel revealed God’s anonymity and took her on a journey where she discovered that her life here on earth was not yet complete. At over 400 lbs., and fighting the pain from sexual abuse as a child, Arlene hadn’t left her home in Jacksonville, Florida in six months. She had no hope or plans for her future. During this emergency, Arlene believes she had an after death experience in which an angel revealed what God had in store for her. Arlene said she’d heard of people who had died momentarily, and they all described a bright light awaiting them. Arlene says she didn’t see a light, she was in the light.

“Many small miracles happened on the way to that place. I saw myself lying in the bed, and I heard the EMT workers joking about my weight. They said to each other, ‘how are we gonna get her out of the house?’ I didn’t know if I was dead or dreaming, but I wanted to die.”

Arlene lyrically describes her experience in a book she is writing. These are just a few impressions.  “I feel as light as a feather, and I am dancing on the ceiling. Nothing hurts—no pain …one moment in Heaven. Warm and fuzzy all over—I’ll just keep my eyes closed. I’ll just lie here and enjoy all the different smells. A voice I don’t recognize speaks. I can only tell you how amazing I feel. Infused with warmth and sunlight and song. I redefined love, peace and harmony. God breathes me in as I exhale. He consumes every cell that is me and releases me to dance with the universe.”

During Arlene’s encounter with Heaven, she spoke about an angel who unveiled snippets of what would eventually become her future. She witnessed herself in situations she wouldn’t normally participate in. She also saw herself in a body unfamiliar to her own. She describes the event as if it were a slide show unfolding her un-imaginable destiny.

You have to go back Arlene. “Words wouldn’t come, my heart is dead. It isn’t a dream after all. No, please, don’t send me back. I feel safe for the first time.” The paramedics resuscitated Arlene, and she awoke to a new life.

Arlene had prayed for eighteen years that God would bless her and her husband with a family. When she finally received the phone call that a child was in need of a home, she expected to see the warm, cuddly baby she had dreamed of. However, God’s plan was much bigger. In fact, the child delivered to Arlene came in the package of an angry, 70 pound, 9-year-old, girl with AIDS. “We thought we were offering this wounded child a safe home. Little did we know she would take up residence in our hearts.”

A new leaf had been established on Arlene’s family tree. Its reach extended further than she ever could have imagined. This occurrence was also the third event to unfold during Arlene’s encounter with the angel. “The miracle of Tashia transformed me from a woman who used anger to fuel her days, into a mother who was only motivated by love.”

“Tashia was a scared little girl who didn't know who God was. She was believed to be the first child in Florida (and one of the first in the nation) to have contracted the HIV virus through sexual abuse.  Newspaper articles and government reports show that the abuse began as early as two years of age, with her first sexually transmitted disease. Even though we had to spend a tremendous amount of time and effort on Tashia's clinical/nursing care, true healing was accomplished by the spiritual influences of the many loving people who touched her life during our two years with her.”

“The word ‘AIDS’ has such a power to cause fear, and Tashia had lived for nine years in fear, so we only told her she had ‘bad blood.’ We never lied to Tashia, so she also knew that she had a disease that would never go away, a disease that she could die from if she didn't eat and take her medicine. And with a T-4 count of zero, Tashia had to take countless medications each day. So we made it a game, cheering when she finished taking ten syringes of medicine - by herself.” 

“Love and safety caused Tashia to believe and trust. She had to trust me before she could trust there was a God.”

“Mankind is like poison on the earth,” Arlene says. “The only way to bring harmony and balance is to think, say, and do things that create positive energy. I call them AngelBLESSINGS. Nature is fighting back and the only thing that can balance it is to do kind things.”

What else inspires you?

“You, caring enough to ask me questions about AngelAID.”

Tell me the process in which AngelAID began.

“We learned about what was not being done. The system was not the answer—it made it much harder to do anything good. We vowed to do something in Tashia’s memory. After she died, the system wouldn’t let us have any more AIDS children. I was angry at God at first. Why did he take it away? Then we got a phone call from the juvenile justice system about a boy who stole a car. His parents had both recently died of AIDS and they were afraid he also had AIDS—afraid to deal with him, so he was going to spend a year in solitary.”

“Within a month I had five boys in my home. In the last ten years over fifty boys have lived in our home. God gave me the lessons I needed to see. Their disease wasn’t as obvious as Tashia’s. They were all dying from the lack of family, societal neglect and perceived lack of choice—but all from a deadly hopelessness.”

God spoke to Arlene. If you turn your back on them you turn your back on me.The most dangerous animal in the world is man without hope. Man has destroyed what God has made to create something evil. Tashia healed so many places inside of me. I had to understand that she had to be in my life to teach me a lesson to fulfill my assignment for God.”

How does a school or organization find out about you? Do you send out literature or is it word of mouth?

“We don’t take government money, only donations via the website or mail. We don’t advertise—people find out about us through word of mouth.”

AngelAID has been successful for fourteen years. The organization has accomplished so much for families in need. They have moved numerous families out of homeless shelters into their own apartments. They have provided the families with furniture, linens, cooking supplies; everything they need to live a little easier one day at a time.  They now have two buildings and a thrift store.

 “We outgrew it all, and we had to find places for parties and larger functions. We finally found an old church that will be donated to us, and we have an educational building that is two stories. It will be an AngelAID community.” 

Do you have a signature Bible verse? 

“Forget not to show love unto strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2 ASV)

What advice can you offer someone who wants to take in a foster child, but is fearful because of the problems they might encounter?

“My faith in God’s faith in me made me not afraid. I came to understand I didn’t have to do a perfect job—just my best. God will be there, holding me up if I depend on Him. I wish I could say it happened overnight—it didn’t—I had many lessons, many small miracles to experience. I can see so many times where He intervened in my life. I believe we are all angels—that we all come to this world with an assignment. But first we have to recognize that we are angels, and have our AngelEyes to see each other as angels."

God doesn’t create the evil in our world, man does. But God is waiting to see what we do about that evil. That is our choice—our free will. Each day we can wake up and choose to use God’s infinite possibilities to create positive energy. I try to make my life a prayer. I try to live so that at the end of my day God can look at what I have co-created with Him—and call it ‘“good.’”


For more information on AngelAID, visit: http://www.AngelAID.com, or write:  
3110 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.


Five for Friday

  • Feb. 20th, 2009 at 10:28 AM
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1. Finally finished, I mean really finished, my new YA manuscript. I printed it and will read it one more time on Saturday for errors before I hit send to my agent.

2. I have been off work all week and loved every minute of it! It felt like old times being able to write all day. Though, I know it is good for me to work because I would never leave the house if I didn't. Part-time would be the best of both worlds, but I am thankful for what I've got.

3. DS has been getting college brochures in the mail by the bundles. He just found out yesterday that he is in the top 20 of his class. I'm so proud of him. He also received a partial scholarship to a music school in Philly for a summer program. But, he will be starting a summer job that he has already committed to. :) Plus the other half of that partial is quite hefty! Nevertheless, I'm proud and he feels good about himself.

4. DD has been happy all week, just because I've been able to greet her at the door after school.

5. I still have one more crit. to finish. Dear friend, please be patient with me. I've never been good at balance. My husband used to make fun of me and call me "All-or- Nothing Wendy." 



 

You Shouldn't Get dressed in the Dark!

  • Feb. 11th, 2009 at 7:01 PM
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I get up at 6:00 a. m. I know I'm not the only one who does this, but I try really hard not to wake my husband up, so I feel around for things in the dark. I'm pretty good at it. I know my room well and I know my draws pretty well, but I don't know my shoes as well as I thought I did. This is not the first time I've done this. I wore two different shoes to work. LOL No one noticed. Heck, I didn't even notice until halfway through the day. In addition to wearing different shoes, I also wore my underwear inside out. Now, no one noticed that except for me. Ha!

At least I did my hair and make-up in the bathroom. Could you imagine what I'd look like if I did that in the dark. LOL But you know what, I think I could do it. Really, I know my face, I dress it the same way every day with the same make-up. If you dared me, I'd do it and I bet no one would even notice. How 'bout you. Can you find your way around in the dark?

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Yay, she likes it!

  • Feb. 10th, 2009 at 9:38 PM
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My DD has given the first few chapters of my newly, revised WIP thumbs up! I have lost count how many times I've re-written and revised this MS. A year ago, I wouldn't have even allowed her to read this story. However, she has since become a young teen and has read more books than I have this year, so I am thankful for her feedback. Last version was a thumbs down. I'm almost there! Next week I have off work, I'm planning to finally send this baby to my agent! I just need one more critique and another revision, I hope.

Love this Battle Cry!

  • Feb. 7th, 2009 at 1:32 PM
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form action="http://chaz.bdmonkeys.net/battle.php" method="get">

What Is Your Battle Cry?

Rampaging out of the icy wasteland, brandishing a piece of chainlink fence, cometh Wendy! And she gives a booming cry:

"Brace yourself, oh human speck of dust! I shall make bloody music with your nation's populace!"

Find out!
Enter username: <input ... >
Are you <input ... >a girl, or <input ... >a guy ?
<input ... >

created by beatings : powered by monkeys

Revising is like Crocheting

  • Feb. 7th, 2009 at 1:06 PM
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I enjoy the re-write stage. It does get exhausting sometimes, especially when you're on your tenth or so rewrite. Once again, I'm changing POV's. I have two. One in FPOV and one in TPOV. Each night while I lay on the couch with DH, A and Z I've been changing "her" to "me" and MC's name to "I." It's actually very relaxing, like crocheting used to be for me. I'm not thinking about the plot or about the characterization, right now, just changing tenses, one by one by one. And of course, a little tweaking to make sure, "She doesn't know what she's doing," doesn't turn out to be "I doesn't know what I'm doing." :)
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My son is a great musician and has a band that is on a web tour for the opportunity to open up for a major act at the Meadowlands. There is only two more hours for him to get enough votes to place fifth, which will let him go to the next round. He is in sixth place right now. It only takes a minute to sign up.

Please help a struggling musician. The band's name is Catalyst. My son is on the pic.

http://showpopr.com/thebreak/current

Thanks.

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Working on a Dream

  • Feb. 1st, 2009 at 8:21 PM
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I just watched the Super Bowl's half-time show with Bruce Springsteen. It's times like this I don't mind saying I'm from NJ. I love the title of his new CD, "Working on a Dream." Aren't we all?

Watching Springsteen perform also got me psyched to keep plugging away on my YA. My stories have all been set in other states because I figured if I can't go anywhere, at least my characters can. However, this YA takes place in NJ and steps foot in many of the places Springsteen and Bon Jovi and other great artists from NJ have gone. My dream would be for my WIP to turn out like a Springsteen song, only about 50,000 words longer.

It's Not Finished Till It Sings

  • Jan. 28th, 2009 at 10:39 PM
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Until today, I thought my MS was humming a pretty solid tune. Until I asked my DD to read the first chapter. I found out it was a bit flat. Normally, I would take her critique with a grain of salt, but she's become such an avid reader, she knows what she likes and what she doesn't. And she has no mercy. One page is all she gives the writer. (If the back cover interests her or the book is referred by a friend she'll check it out)However, since I'm her mother, she finished the chapter. She picked up some things I totally missed, and made a suggestion I teetered with at one time, but decided not to go through with. I should have went with my first instinct.

She also told me it would be so much better in the FPOV. AAACK, that's where it started. But it's not as bad as it sounds. I have dual POV's and the second one will be told in the third, so I only have to change the first POV. Here I go again and again and probably again, but eventually MB will get this MS in it's best form.

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Since I've had to learn a whole new lifestyle since I began working full-time, I've become better at making use of the time I do have, but some days it's still overwhelming. Since DS hurt his shoulder, I no longer have help around the house and I'm back to being taxi-mom. I'll try to share a little of what's going on without the whine. (No guarantee)

Here is a combo of Thankful Thursday and Friday Five combined with a few wishes:

1. After five months, I know my job well enough to start re-organizing some things that the person I replaced let get a little out of control. It feels good to not feel so "new" anymore.

2. The group who owns the school I work for own two other schools, and one just opened up less than five minutes from my house. Oh, how I wish I could work there. I really like where I work now, but if I didn't have to travel 50 miles a day, time management would be more doable.

3. I read a snippet of a debut writer's novel today and now I feel like I am never going to be good enough.

4. I'm thankful my husband helped me with the dishes tonight. (I really mean it!)

5. Tomorrow is Friday and I'm relieved the weekend is here so I can get my home back in order and maybe fit in some exercise. (Oh, how I need to exercise). However, taking care of all that needs to be done means not going with my husband and daughter on Saturday. That stinks! But I will work on finishing the critiques I'm working on. That doesn't stink.

God is good. Life is tough, but I'm still here, and I'm thankful.

My First Meme

  • Jan. 21st, 2009 at 9:29 PM
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I have never taken the time to particpate in any of the Meme's I've been tagged for. I finally have a little time, so I inivited myself to Robin's list of Creative friends. Here are seven of my favorite things, not in any particular order:


1. The Ocean
2. Music
3. Thunder storms in the summer time (when I'm inside the sunroom)
4. Riding in a go cart down Lombard Street in San Francisco
5. Watching a good movie in front of the fire with my family
6. Swinging in a hamock
7. Good stories that take place in the south

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I just sent off my second YA WIP to my writing friends for feedback, and I swear, I am not going to look at it until I receive their critique. This is hard for me, but I have learned from the past. A newly finished MS must sit before sending to agent. I cant' express how happy I am that I really finished this. It has gone through many changes and many times I wanted to throw in the towel. Here is the history so far:

1. Third person point of view for adult market
2. Third Person POV for YA
3. First Person POV for YA
4. Two POV's, one FP, one TP
5. Two Third Person POV's alternating female and male characters. Hooray!!!

I hope they don't hate it!

Pimpin' Books, Paying Bills and Praying

  • Jan. 16th, 2009 at 5:43 PM
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When I realized that none of the kids that go to the school I work for can read, I decided to pimp books to the staff members, all eighty-five of them. Every Friday I'm responsible for puting together a newsletter, and as long as I include the school's agenda, I can add my own creative splash.

So far these are the books I've listed, inluding a picture of the cover:

SAMANTHA HANSEN HAS ROCKS IN HER HEAD by Nancy Viau
A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT by Linda Urban
RULES, by Cynthia Lord
THE ABSOLUTE TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie

I'll be pimpin more!

This is the first year I don't have to pay off Christmas shopping bills. However, I now have a son who drives. Car insurance for boys in NJ is astronomical! Thank God I have the money. Though DS has not been able to drive his jeep since he broke his clavical bone.

I've been good and limited my time on the web for the past month and I'm finally finished with the first rewritten draft of my WIP. My goal is to send it to my agent during my week off in February, after I get some feedback from fellow writing friends. I'm praying it is well-received.

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