Castle in the Clouds

This weekend is going to be busy. There's so much going on. After work we need to pick up the hubby's truck from the body shop. Then we'll need to run to the store and pick up a gift for my son's best friend; he's turning 11 this weekend. After all that running, I'm skipping out on exercising with my sisters in order to go watch my nephew play basketball. We weren't sure he was going to be able to play because his parents have been waiting on some test results to explain the chest pains he's been complaining about. Luckily, it looks like an inhaler should fix his problems. Yep, asthma claims another victim. Of course, that's assuming my grandmother doesn't have open heart surgery today. Or, if she does, that everything goes well. The procedure they did yesterday found several plugged arteries and they think open heart surgery will be easier on her eighty-year-old body than the alternative methods for clearing out the pipes. I hope so. I am very, ...

Scholastic Book Fair Find Originally uploaded by Krheiser So, I've decided to start shooting in RAW format instead of JPG. Because I'm not all that comfortable with it yet I decided a few snapshots around the house would be a good way to start the experiment. I think I'm going to like it.

Taking it Easy Originally uploaded by Krheiser Just to torture those of us who are still plodding through winter, here's a little reminder of what we're missing! Summer sunshine, camping with friends and family, and warmth! Those are shorts, people, shorts and t-shirts!

Today was the day. He's officially eleven now.

Well, this will be brief. In fact, I can sum it up in two words: NOT HAPPENING There, wasn't that fun?

My child. My lovable , irresponsible, flighty child. How many times are you going to get Zapped by your teachers before you remember to turn in your homework? How many privileges must you sacrifice to your scatter-brain ways?

Today my oldest and four of his friends are off celebrating his birthday. His dad took them to Taco Bell for lunch, to the movie theatre to see Mall Cop, and then to Dairy Queen for ice cream (we're saving pie and ice cream for next week at Grandma & Grandpa's). Meanwhile, the little man and I have been home snuggling on the couch. We watched Underworld Evolution and played two games of Sorry. Now he's entertaining himself with his brother's DS while I take a few minutes to post this. I know this is a terrible picture of the two of us, but the autofocus on the darn camera was being difficult with the remote trigger.

The little guy is home sick again today. He started running a fever Wednesday night. Around 4:30 yesterday afternoon he starts complaining that even when he's laying motionless on the couch that he feels like "he's falling". Ear infection? That has to be equilibrium , right? But he's coughing, too. So maybe it's turning into a chest cold? I tried the doctor's office as soon as he mentioned the vertigo but I got the answering machine, which indicated they were already closed up for the night. What?!? It wasn't even five o'clock and they were closed! Ug! The fever didn't disappear overnight, though, and the little guy woke up this morning looking rather wan, his pale little face devoid of color. Onto the couch he went with a bucket (just in case...yes, we're paranoid, but if you've had this year's stomach bug, you understand!) and a cool washcloth on his forehead. Tylenol and cough syrup. One bite of Cocoa Pebbles. And cartoons. Mustn...

So, I was reading this blog post over on Amalah . (You should read it as it is quite funny). When I get to the picture and the explanation behind it, I experienced a bit of a flashback. Going back almost 9 years to my brother's wedding. We're in the hall and it's time for the best man to give his toast. Up stands our youngest brother. He goes through many stories and says some very nice things about the newlyweds, but the one that sticks with me to this day involves some darts. Yes, darts. And two brothers. I've probably got the details all wrong, but what I remember our baby brother saying is that his big brother told him "stand right there and don't move". Then, with all the love and compassion and tenderness big brothers tend to display, the big brother hurled a dart towards the little brother. And it stuck. In his chest. I don't remember how the story ended. I think they covered the whole thing up like children will do because I think for ...

I don't remember what book it was, but recently I read a novel that gave me a great idea for getting to know my characters. In the beginning of each chapter, the author included a brief memoir excerpt from a character's POV . Now, this wasn't a memoir type of story. In fact, it was more of an epic fantasy, so these excerpts didn't really fit neatly into the chapter. Yet, they were interesting because they gave the reader (me) insight into the character's perceptions, aspirations, observations, etc. I'm explaining all this because I want to share with you something new that I'm trying. You see, I have journals all over my house. They're tucked in dresser drawers, night stand drawers, on bookshelves, and on my computer desk. Strangely, most of them are empty. (It's a compulsion...I love buying them. I love the look and feel of them. I love the potential each one holds.) So, I read these memoir-like excerpts in this novel, thought of my many empty journ...

Still reading Wuthering Heights. Still trying to put together a comprehensive list of science fiction and fantasy novels dealing with feminist ideologies. Still determined to finish our Maine vacation (I'm slowly adding pages to the scrapbook...) Still anxious for spring (today was a beautiful tease!)

I should finish reading One Hundred Years of Solitude first, but I picked up Wuthering Heights over the weekend. I did this mainly because my youngest sister was listening to it on tape and was having some trouble with it. I was trying to help her out and totally bumbling it because I think the last time I read it was in high school. So, I'm reading it again. I'm about 1/4 of the way through it and things are slowly coming back to me. I'm remembering bits and pieces (in a deja vu sort of sense). Mostly, though, Heathcliff is just as miserly as I remember him.

Macro Settings Originally uploaded by Krheiser This would be a welcome sight. I am so tired of the snow and freezing temps!

lI think most of the major edits for my novel are done. I've got the book out to two more readers - the last two, I believe! I wasn't really asking for more feedback, but when people ask you if they can read your book, how do you say no? And if they want to take the time to write comments and offer suggestions on how to tighten the prose, how do you turn that away? Still, I can't imagine they'll find too much to complain about. There really can't be that many errors left! Although, I've learned because we all have different writing styles and reading preferences, there almost an infinite list of changes someone could propose. ~sigh~ I should have prefaced that by mentioning that I'm guilty of offering big and small suggestions as well when I agree to read/react to someone else's writing. I know this because over the last few weeks I've been editing two novels and proofing short stories for some newbies in my writing forum. I always worry about giving...

I wrote a short story for a blog/podcast contest on GreatHites . Mine is one of four entries. If you're feeling adverturesome and think you've got a few minutes to spare, you can go read the stories on the blog. (You can also subscribe to the podcast if want...) Oh, and did I mention there's voting? Well, there is. Go vote! (And no, you don't have to vote for me. The truth is I didn't even vote for myself. I really liked...well, that's a secret for now!) It was quite a kick listening to my iPod and hearing one of my stories being read. I liked it. The woman who read for me - the blog/podcast owner's wife - did an excellent job. I wonder if she'd be willing to read for me again if I can't get to any recording devices...

In bullets! I didn't enter last week's 52 Sketches contest because I ran out of time. The Superbowl commercials were not that impressive. I managed to get most of my homework done over the weekend. Thank goodness I get one more night to finish reading! I've found lots of great articles for my research project. My dog had diarrhea all over the house. As in, both floors! If she weren't so old, I might have killed her...and she's lucky the hubby didn't wring her neck. I am not doing well with my 365 Days of Photos. I'm already missing quite a few days. I've been actively critiquing friends' WIPs. There...I think that brings you up to date.