Hmmm

Never get lost in downtown Fort Worth. Especially close to I-30. While heading to an allergy and asthma appointment for my kiddo I zigged when I should have zagged. I ended up in an area very close to resembling skid row. If you aren't familiar with that area, it's where many homeless individuals frequent looking for drugs.

A man approached the car asking for money. It was scary. I felt terrible because I wanted nothing more than to roll the window down and help. Instead I pointed in the direction of a shelter and yelled out, "They will feed you at the men's shelter!"

After a rude hand gesture, he walked away and continued on to the next car. You can't help people unwilling to accept the right kind if help.

Love, happiness, and sugar free sprinkles!

More Vlogs?

It's official. We are making more vlogs. We have decided to call them webisodes. I mean, really. They are 30 minutes long. I think they are pretty funny. What do you think?

Words Cut Deep

What you say, can be forgiven but not forgotten. Words cut deep. The wounds aren't physical. You can't slap a bandaid on them and heal them that way. Words are not silent. They seep into the minds of others and stay there.

Yesterday, I said something truly awful to someone I care about very very deeply. I can't take them back. I let my own fear and insecurities override what I new in my head to be right. I knew this person I care for would never hurt me, yet I lashed out. I deeply regret this. I wish I could rewind the day, take back or erase everything I said. But I can't.

There is a huge lesson to be learned here. Words hurt. They can be forgiven but only if the person you hurt is willing. I messed up, and I will have to live with that. The lesson? Be mindful of what you say, especially to someone you love.

Dare Time!

Today was the completion of the 2 part dare. My kid was forced to wear his hat sideways walking through the mall. It was so funny! I made him go into Forever 21, Hollister, Hot Topic, and a few other stores. He also had to walk through the entire mall that way. Then we went to Target, and he wore it then too. The video of the little adventure is coming up tonight.

It was fun. We might do more dare vids. If you have a dare and you want to challenge him... submit them here or on his facebook wall.

To Buy or Not to Buy

So my kid and I went shopping. We definitely too the video camera along. It was super fun. We have a surprise coming up. It was funny.

Today's biggest question was, "to buy or not to buy?" I was torn. The heels are super fantastic. Being the shoe whore I am... 4" of raspberry beauty called to me... Watcha think?

Nerve Wracking!

Today I had an interview for an amazing job opportunity. Today I tried to prepare myself the best I could. Today, I absolutely flipped out.

Do you know how nerve wracking it is being on the telephone while the other person on the line is asking you questions and judging you. Well... it's enough to make you want to throw up.

I got asked everything under the sun. The interviewer was a wonderfully nice individual who tried desperately to make me feel comfortable. She succeeded. At the end of the conversation it was as if I had been chatting with a friend. I was praised. I was told I was wonderful and exceptional, and perfect for the position. I was also told I was impressive and smart.

Today was nerve wracking... but an amazing confidence booster. Sometimes people just need to hear good things.

Fingers crossed everyone. I hope I get it. =)

Cover Art

Know a cover art designer? Cartoonist? Have a knack for the arts? Well... I have a contest for you! I am looking for the designer of my book cover. It's gotta be awesome. It needs to feature 2 girls. My main character and her best friend, both 15 years old. My main character is very straight laced and her best friend is totally quirky. The look of the girls is open to interpretation. It needs to be fun and simple. The title will be worked in at a later date. Spread the word!

A Love and Hate Relationship

Today, my kiddo and I were totally excited to go out an shop. He wanted to look for beys... I needed new jeans. I go with him... he has to go with me. It seems like a sort of fair trade-off right? Well I get all gussied up. Take a gander at the hotness of that picture! I look fan-frikken-tastic. I put on my leather jacket, leggings, hot pink top and heels (shopping doesn't mean you have to look like crap-gives me an excuse to get gussied up). We are about to head out the door when... BOOM!

I totally love the rain. It is my absolute favorite weather. However, my hair, makeup, heels, and totally rockin leather jacket not so much. I love how rain gives you an excuse to lay around all day cuddled up in your blankets  and read. Today was a day that I didn't want to do that. I wanted to go out, vlog, shop, be a part of life.

So today was a double edge sword. I enjoyed the terribly loud thunderstorm but secretly was annoyed that all of that hotness was wasted on staying inside. Well... at least I got a cute picture out of it. Right?

Super Saturday Shopping Craziness!

Today I went solo to the store. Something very unusual for me (like most moms lol). Wonder what I found??? NOTHING!!! They had nothing cool. No beys! Boo! But I did have a chance to take another cool pic of me about town!

Today's daily inspiration

Today's writing adventure was brought to you by the awesome playlist in my iPhone! A whopping 10 pages written while rocking out to the awesome tunes of Lady Antebellum, Otis Redding, 3Oh3!, M.I.A, and ROONEY! Plus so so much more! Tonight is a creative and productive night. Music is an AMAZING inspiration! 

Just Because

New picture moment!

Progress!

This week has been filled with amazing things and truly depressing ones as well. Sometimes when you are a writer, things don't always go according to plan. I finished my 300 page book and handed it over to my editor. They read it, and immediately sliced it in half. The first half, amazing. The second half... sucked. I was to rewrite part 2. WOW. 

Well, this week I was reunited with my childhood best friend. He reminded me of things that happened when we were kids, made me laugh. Everything has been amazing. 

The depressing thing that happened this week was that I found out my book isn't quite finished. The amazing thing that happened this week, is that I know where the story goes. 

Really excited. 25 newly typed pages is what I have to show for this week. AWESOME!

It Doesn't Go Away

I wish I could sit back and tell you all that as you get older the mean kids go away. If I did, it would be a lie. In your life there are always people that want to show what they have, what others don't, and what other people will never get. I'm not one of those people but I have frequently come across those who are.

As a kid, I was harassed relentlessly by a group of girls. I was poor, lived in the wrong side of town, wore the wrong clothes, had the wrong sneakers, my mom drove the wrong car, I had the wrong hair color, I had the wrong skin color, and I had the wrong background. To them I was just--wrong. I kept hearing, "It will get better." That has become a motto these days. One that I think is pretty powerful, but slightly skewed. It does get better because as an adult, I don't have to take it. I'm not forced to stay around people I don't care for. I don't have to sit back and let things happen anymore. However, you could lose your job, make things uncomfortable for your kids, or start a Facebook war (something that is actually quite pathetic. Cryptic posts aren't so cryptic, they are actually embarrassing... for the poster). None of those options are pleasing to say the least.

Adult bullying happens everyday. People think they know everything, when in fact they don't. No one cares what you think about someones outfit... if they are comfortable in it... good for them. No one cares what tattoo a person has, if they liked it... that's all that matters.  Making fun of other people, behind their backs is cowardly. I choose not to be a part of that. I don't talk about people, I don't make fun of people, I don't pass judgement on other people.

The problem with adult bullies... is that they produce childhood ones, and the vicious cycle continues. It's time to stop the problem where it all starts... the parents.

Dallas Comic-con

I have heard the arguments, a proposal was written and I have been convinced. Ilinnuc will go to his first comic-con this May. It's a few months away but he tells me it's really important to plan the cosplay outfit. Here in lies the dilemma. What should he go as? I think he is thinking about going as Ash or Ginka. However, he is really leaning towards Ezio from Assassins Creed. What do you guys think? We are in the planning stages now. It's Dallas in May so its going to be HOT.

What is he looking forward to the most? STAN FRIKKEN LEE! THAT IS WHO!

Oh My!!!

This is not a post about healthy living. I have to warn you, it's fried, it's covered in sugar 2 ways, and delicious.

Grands Biscuits Donuts.

What are they exactly? Simple. Sinful. It is a donut made with Grands brand biscuits.

I found it on pinterest. I had to try it. No I didn't actually eat them. :(

Here is what you will need.
Grands Biscuits
Medicine cup
Sugar
Cinnamon
Powdered sugar
(different toppings depending on what you like)
Vegetable oil

What is left! HA!

1. Place vegetable oil in a boiler pan and place on medium heat.
2. While the oil is heating open the can of biscuits and cut a hole in the center using a medicine cup. Save the centers for donut holes.
3. In a shallow pan mix the cinnamon and sugar. And put the powdered sugar in a sifter.
4. Place the donuts in the oil and cook until golden brown. You will need to flip them.
5.For powdered sugar donuts:  Place them on either a paper towel or brown paper bag to drain the oil then sift powdered sugar on top and flip them and do the same to the other side.
6. For cinnamon and sugar donuts: Place the donut into cinnamon and sugar straight out of the oil.

TRY NOT TO EAT THEM ALL!

Not-So-Nachos

Trying to lower your carbs!? Partial to chips oozing in cheese? I have the yummiest recipe!

Ingredients:
Shedded cheese
Jalapeños

On PARCHMENT paper make 4 little mounds of cheese and heat in the microwave for 75 seconds. Remove from parchment and let cool.

These little cheese crisps give you the crunch of tortilla chips but without all that guilt! Dip them into salsa or put jalapeño peppers on them. I use jalapeños because they have the same flavor as nachos! So yummy!

Do not use sandwich cheese. It turns into a bloated disaster! Enjoy! Let me know if you guys like it.

A little side note: don't use wax paper. It totally sticks!

Fighting the Creative Killer

I have talked in a previous post about the annoying little thing called, writer's block. It is the most annoying aspect of writing a book. It comes and goes, causes self doubt, and throws the story for a loop. What is most frustrating about writer's block is looking at the screen and seeing that your story is going nowhere; that no matter how much you will it to happen... it isn't going to happen.

This week was a difficult one. I usually try to produce something everyday. Does it always happen? No. Life occurs and sometimes I don't even get to open my laptop. This wasn't the case this week. I made a conscious effort this week to sit down everyday and hammer out something. Day 1 went well, day 2 and 3 okay,  but day 4 sucked TERRIBLY. I couldn't do anything. I sat there thinking, "Is this where I want my story to go?"

Usually when I write, I don't force the story. It's like I am seeing this movie in my head and I write down everything I can; from the color of the leaves on the tree to the flush that is creeping up my heroine's neck. I try to detail everything that I can. If I can't, I try to recreate it somehow. For instance I had to explain the smell of a perfume. I went to a department store, and smelled it (and promptly got a headache--I am terribly allergic to most perfumes).

Nothing was coming to me on Day 4. I sat there staring at my screen willing my fingers to flex enough for me to produce 1 page. Usually events of the day trigger my writer's block. Earlier in the day, I started to doubt aspects of my story... and vocalized them. That was a BIG mistake. Usually it is good to talk through what you are feeling... it wasn't a good decision in this case. When I write I dive. I free-fall into the story and I don't look back. It isn't me creating the actions of the characters, the love interests, the clothing choices, or sayings--it's the character. I wish I could explain it better. It's like these people are alive in my head and it is my job to just... be the instrument.

Day 4 was the most frustrating day in my writing process. It will never happen again. Will writer's block occur? Probably. Will I vocalize my doubt? Never. I'm going to dive, free-fall, until the end.

Page progress this week 12.

Peppermint Bark... YUM!

Peppermint Bark
My favorite desert is and will always be... Peppermint Bark. I am not a fan though of dark chocolate. It's a little healthier, but around the holidays I rather splurge on something I love! This Recipe will cost roughly $12.00 depending on where you shop. Pay attention to sales adds and coupon inserts close to Thanksgiving because they had coupons in my local paper for the chocolate I use in the recipe.

This recipe is gets a ☆  in difficulty level. It is so easy!


Ingredients
2 packs of Semi-Sweet Chocolate (I use Bakers chocolate)
2 packs of White Chocolate (Baker's premium white chocolate)
Candy Canes


Equipment needed
Spatula
Boiler
Mixing bowl
Baking sheet with 1/4" sides
Aluminum Foil

The brand of chocolate you use is completely preference based. Whatever you like the most... use!

Step 1:
Rough chop the chocolate squares. Rough chopping makes it easier to melt.

Step2:
Fill a boiler 1/2 full with water and bring to a boil. Place a mixing bowl on top of the boiler and place the rough chopped Semi-Sweet Chocolate in the bowl. The heat from the boiling water will melt the chocolate. (You can also heat it in the microwave, be sure not to over heat the chocolate)

Step 3:
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Pour melted semi-sweet chocolate onto the lined pan. And smooth out. It doesn't need to be even, because the peppermint bark will be broken up in uneven pieces. Place in refrigerator to cool.

Step 4:
While the semi-sweet chocolate is cooling rinse the mixing bowl and dry thoroughly. Rough cut the white chocolate and melt it like the semi-sweet chocolate before it is completely melted remove from the heat still on top of the boiler.

Step 5:

It should look similar to this

Place 8 candy canes in a sandwich bag or between 2 sheets of wax paper. Either use your hand or a rolling pin or SOMETHING to finely chop them. You don't want them to be a fine dust... but small little pieces are good. Add 3/4 of the candy canes to the white chocolate. While you were beating the candy canes the white chocolate was finishing melting.

Step 6:
Remove the semi-sweet chocolate from the refrigerator. Pour candy cane and white chocolate mixture on top of the chocolate and spread it to cover the semi-sweet chocolate. Sprinkle with the remaining candy canes.

Perfect Peppermint Square!

Step 7:
Place in refrigerator and cool completely. After cooled use your hands to break the peppermint bark apart. You can achieve square breaks by scoring the bark using a knife heating with warm water.

Suggestions:
You can use cute little bags and give them out as gifts during Christmas or place in a decorative tin. I gave them out at Christmas and it was a COMPLETE HIT!

Each piece of peppermint bark is roughly 100 cals depending on the size.

Poor Man's Chicken-n-Dumplings

Poor Man's Chicken-N-Dumplins

Love chicken and dumplings? On a fixed budget? Well, do I have the most AMAZINGLY delicious recipe for people on a strict budget! And no need to make your own dough... no rolling pin necessary. This is quick and easy...AND PAINLESS!

Ingredients
3 cans of CHEAP buttermilk biscuits (large size)
1 whole fryer chicken
Garlic powder
Salt
Chicken Bouillon

Equiptment
Large boiler

Step 1:
Rough separate the chicken. It doesn't have to be perfect. Be careful not to cut yourself. Buying a whole fryer chicken will drive down the cost of the dish. They do have whole chickens already cut up--if you don't feel comfortable breaking down a chicken... go with this option. It's really easy though.

Step 2:
Throw the cut up chicken in a boiler and fill with water. Place on high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to medium low and cover. Let cook for 20-35 minutes.

Step 3:
Remove chicken from heat and let cool. You do not want it do cool to room temperature just cool enough to handle the chicken without burning your hands. Once cooled begin to remove the meat from the bones of the chicken. DO NOT DISCARD THE CHICKEN STOCK!

Step 4:
Once the meat has been removed from the bones, place the meat back into the chicken stock rendered from boiling the chicken in the water. It's delicious and adds to the flavor. Add bouillon. Just a tbsp or 2. You can add more later if you want. Bring back to a boil. The stock and meat MUST be brought to a boil.

Step 5:
While bringing the stock back to a boil open all three cans of biscuits. Roughly cut the biscuits into 3X3 or 4X4 sections (In my opinion size does matter--the bigger the better) Add to boiling chicken stock.

Finished product! So yummy!

Step 6:
Let cook uncovered for 20 minutes until dumplings are soft and chewy. The longer you cook the dumplings the softer they get. BEWARE the soft dumpling.

SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE!

This will make a LARGE soup pot full of chicken and dumplings. If it's too much, freeze a portion of the stock before you add the dumplings. You can use it for other soups, or rice recipes later--or dumplings.

ENJOY!

I can't think of a good title...

So this little blurp is about the inability to turn on the creativity. It's about the inability to get anywhere with my book. Does anyone know what it feels like to edit out 100 pages from a book that you at once thought was going smashingly well? Well, if you don't, I will tell you it sucks! 

Last week I was rereading my yet to be titled book. It was the 100 millionth time doing so. I got to the same chapter I always do and thought, "Here comes the suck." I have been fighting removing those beautiful pages for over 2 months. Let me tell you. You may wonder why it has taken me this long... it's because a good well written page can take FOREVER to write. I may have very creative days where I hammer 20 pages out... but to be honest, I am lucky if I get 4 or 5. 

Start the sad music, enter the violins... I did it. I removed over 100 pages from my almost done book. It was sad... I cried. I did place it in a separate file hoping I could rework them and fit them in in some sort of way. Chances are I won't.

Current status of book... now 136 pages typed pages... unfinished... sad. =(

Homemade baby wipes!

So awesome. The homemade baby wipes were a success. Here is what you need:

1 bread knife
1 roll bounty paper towels select-a-size.
1tbsp baby soap
1/2 tsp of olive oil
1 cup hot water
1 container big enough to hold 1/2 of paper towel roll

I think it yellowed from the baby wash I used!

Directions:
1. Cut paper towel roll in half. Width wise.
2. Place 1/2 roll in container.
3. Mix water, olive oil, and baby wash together.
4. Pour water over paper towel roll.
5. Close lid and set timer for 10 min.
6. Flip container over on other side and set timer for 10 minutes.
7. After timer goes off open lid and remove cardboard center.
8. Pull first wipe from center of roll.

Always replace the lid after each use. Wipes will dry out if you don't. You can use all organic ingredients if you want too. It's better on your baby's rump. :)

Post Grammy Rant

I'm all for freedom of expression. I love art, and singing. I love artistry. I however take offense when people think its artistic to spit in the face of an individual's religion.

Regardless if you are a Christian or not... you should respect other people's religion.

The night was going well. It was a little somber following the news of Whitney Houston's death, but it was still going well.

When they announced Nikki Minaj was coming to the stage I was excited to see what she was going to do. I didn't see the red carpet entrance so I was unaware of her guest dressed as the pope.

She comes to the stage and does something very similar to Sinead O'Connor. If you aren't aware of what that singer did, you can google it. She ripped a picture of the pope in half during a performance on SNL.

The part I find the most offensive, was the stripper looking girl rubbing up against an either newly made priest or alter boy. I'm not Catholic per say. I haven't been to mass in a very long time and identify myself as more Protestant now.

I didn't understand the point. It made no artistic sense. The moment she did it I was like, "Wow. Nothing can shock me enough to ignore her terrible singing." She sounded like a goat was dying in her throat and was trying to escape.

Moral of the story, respect people. This performance was an embarrassment to artists everywhere. Even Lady Gaga would have never crossed that line. Geesh.

Breaking Dawn

My family used to have what we called, "Fun Fridays." Every Friday the kids get to choose what they eat, what we watch, and they don't have a bedtime. The only rule is, regardless of how late you stay up, you still have to get up the next morning. As a family, we made the decision to move our day of fun to Saturday. We like to call it, "Super Saturdays."

This Saturday, last night, we ordered our free Papa Johns pizza, and 2 liter Pepsi Max. If you didn't hear about Papa John's newest advertising genius I would google,"Papa Johns coin toss." We headed to Redbox and rented a few DVDs. The kids chose Scorpion King 3 (nothing like 1 or 2), and I rented Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. With the kids in bed, they didn't make it past 10 pm, I hunkered down under my blankets (it's freaking cold in Texas), plugged in the movie, and thought, "Hey, I read the series. I Watched the movies. I am way too invested to not finish this train wreck." The beginning was standard romance novel; cliche blood/body lust stuff. It got interesting after they went home after discovering Bella was the big "P." That is when I screamed for my kid to come and watch. He's a teenager I should say before you all go crazy about it being inappropriate. I mean how could I not? CGI wolves were communicating telepathically.

So, you're probably wondering, "Why is this interesting?" Well I'm about to tell you. We get to the birthing scene. Not much is shown. It's from the hazy perspective of Bella. Just squint, that's about all you see. Bella is emaciated; which is actually a really awesome sight, very well done effects. They are at the point where they need to remove the baby. Rosalie makes a cut. The scalpel doesn't do the job... Here is where it gets interesting.

My kid never read the series. Surprise, surprise. He never really wanted to. He didn't know what to expect. So when Edward has to use his teeth during the c-section, he took it in a way different direction. Edward goes down to bite. It went a little like this:

Ilinnuc: He's biting her vagina!? (uncontrollable laughter)
Me: OMG! No. He's not biting her vag.
Ilinnuc: He is. He's biting her vagina! hahahaha!
Me: No he isn't. (laughing so hard I might pee)
Ilinnuc: What do you have me watching!? Num num num! Hahahaha

I had to pause, rewind, and replay it after explaining it to him and once the uncontrollable fit of giggles stopped.

It was hilarious. And now I've realized this is the second post where my story includes vaginas. Well that's my life. Lol

What is Wrong with Teachers Today!?

A few days ago I received a FRANTIC phone call from Girly's mom. She informed me that Girly had been SLAPPED in the face by another girl. It was so hard that Girly had to go to the nurse's office and have an ice pack put on her face. Typically, if children have to go to the nurse's office... the nurse sends home a note. However for the last couple of days, they "forgot." We quizzed Girly, asked her what happened... only to find out she was talking while sitting on the carpet and the little girl who slapped her turned around and told her to shut up, then slapped her in the face.

We asked the common questions, "Where was the teacher?" "Did you tell her what happened?" "Did she get into trouble?" "Did you say something to upset her?" Her answers were: "She was on the phone." "Yes, I did." "No, she told her to behave or she would have a parent-teacher meeting." That was it? My niece was slapped in the face and that is all that happened? Phone calls were made, a meeting with the principal was demanded, and an angry email was sent to the teacher.

What came out of all this? The principal refused to return my sister's calls. The teacher phoned her, only to notify her that Girly has a problem shoving people. Which my sister PROMPTLY dismissed (never would happen. Girly would NEVER hit. I would say if she would... I'm that kind of aunt... the non-delusional kind)--and notified her that that wasn't the problem they were addressing. They were discussing why the teacher was taking a phone call in the morning while leaving her class to themselves long enough for her daughter, my niece, to get slapped in the face. The biggest concern was why her mother wasn't called, or a note wasn't sent home. ANOTHER concern was this has happened before with another child--a boy--who was placed in ISS for 3 days. Something I think would have been a very appropriate form of punishment. This child is out of hand.

A major teaching opportunity was missed by this educator. The educator informed my sister, Girly's mom, that the little girl was spanked by her father, forced to buy a necklace for girly, and forced to make an apology in front of the class. I agree with 1 out of the 3 punishments. Can you guess which one?

First, you never teach a child not to hit... by hitting them. I am NOT against spankings. I think they should be used in very specific circumstances. Second, teaching my niece that as long as someone buys you something... hitting is okay... is just the WRONG message. Also, teaching the little girl she can hit as long as gifts come later is also the wrong message. Third... The apology was a GREAT idea. It was unfortunate it came almost 3 days after the incident and followed act 1 and 2. She should have been sitting in ISS for the last 3 days. The apology should have come after and as a condition of her returning to the classroom.

Here is what I have to say in closing. It is time educators put on their thinking caps and use their brains. Bullying and violence is a horrible problem in the school system. The younger we start kids out knowing actions have real consequences... the better. Shame on Ms. B. She missed the mark on this one.

Coupon MAMA!

Yesterday my family and I headed out to the grocery store. We were armed with 5 baggies of coupons all separated into categories. The week prior we scoured the sales ads, made a coupon spreadsheet, and designed a plan of attack. We wanted to get food enough for the week without spending more than 100 bucks. For a family of 7, it's a very big task. I am not an extreme couponer... truth be told, those people featured on TLC's extreme couponing aren't extreme couponers. If you pay for a coupon clipping service... each coupon costs anywhere from 4-12 cents a coupon. I consider that cheating and should be entered into the over all total. Anyway, rant aside, I am excited to announce I received my very first MONEY MAKER deal!

As you can see by the beautiful picture I bought Sweet-n-low. Something that is hugely popular in my house. The store had a deal buy one with a store coupon, and pay only 70 cents. When combined with the manufacturers coupon of 50 cents which doubled... I got paid roughly 30 cents to take the product home! I was so excited. I am relatively new to couponing... but this was a momentous occasion. 

We were also able to pick up 30 pounds of  boneless, skinless chicken breast, 2 boxes of Wheat Thins, 2 boxes of Cheez-Its, 2 boxes of Lipton soup mix, 4 bags of Knorr cheddar and brocolli rice meals, 2 bags of Knorr hollandaise sauce mix, a carton of eggs, pasta, Jimmy Dean Sausage, El Monterrey Taquitos, and 2-1 liter bottles of Ozarka water for less than 80 dollars. YUP! I think that is FABULOUS! 

Super Bowl madness

We ventured out today. I figured it would be a good day for vlogging. With my camera mounted, kid strapped in next to me, we headed to Walmart. Mistake number one, going anywhere on Super Bowl Sunday; mistake number two, going to Walmart on Super Bowl Sunday. It was madness. It was as if everyone decided to wait until last minute to buy what they needed for tonight. We only needed buns, and to look for beyblades. Lesson learned... But hey... We got cute pics out of it!!! I just <3 my kiddo. :)

One Week

What would you do if you had one hour, one week, one month? Would you run? Would you stay? Would you scream at God and beg for answers as to why? Or, would you live? I like to think I would live. I would stay. I would love with everything left in me.

Sometimes there are questions put out in the universe that makes everything slow down, like one of those hi-speed action packed movies that all of the sudden cut the timing to a quarter of what it was to show the audience the water droplets spraying out from tires skidding on the surface, or the disturbance of air as a knife slices through space.

Sometimes I wish that life would slow down--so that I could focus on the small moments. So I could see the water droplets and disturbed air.  Sometimes I get lost in the shuffle of existence. The schedules, the appointments, the to-do lists... Sometimes I look at back at my life and think of everything I haven't done yet. What a grand adventure it would be to achieve, or try to, everything you want to do. No, I'm not talking about a bucket list per-say. I am talking about living life in the moment... right now. Slowing down time to observe the molecules of life.

I think I am going to start today... Want to try it with me? Try to notice the world around you. Before you speak... listen. Before you act... watch. I want you to try to FEEL the moments... I'm not saying sit back and let life pass slowly by. I am talking about opening yourself up... and becoming a part of the world around you.

Maybe I'm too philosophical today. Who knows? The brownies did taste a little funny.

LOL... I am kidding... I don't eat brownies. ;)

MySpace Posing in Walmart

What do you do when you're standing in line at Walmart wih 15 people in front of you? What do you do when you have to wait in line while the Walmart cashier talks to an old lady repeating every sentence 10 times because the first nine were unheard? What do you do when there is a woman in front of you with 5 kids under 10, 2 of which are strangling each other while the others are crying because... well God only knows?

Why, if you are a teenage girl... you MySpace pose! Ah, to be a 16 year old again. While standing in line I couldn't help noticing the teen girl raise her arm in the air while fixing her hair. I wondered if she was just trying to see if her hair was messed up, until I heard the iPhone snap. The typical camera snap. She angled her head to the other side and snapped again. Chipmunk cheeks...snap. Hair over one eye...snap. Puckered lips...snap. Throwing up the peace sign...snap. I thought it was cute, until... adjusting the boobs... Hand way up high...snap. Wow. Perfect cleavage shot. Geesh. The girl was a baby. Her mom was standing two feet from her watching like nothing was wrong with her kid adjusting her boobs to take a picture of her cleavage. The perfect end to the photo shoot was when she hopped around the cart to stand next to her mom and...hand raised in the air...each with puckered lips...both leaning forward a little in their V-neck t-shirts...snap.

"Ma'am. You're next." the cashier called out. I place my frozen strawberry juice and frozen limeade mix on the counter... Ah. Time for tequila!

Horror Aint What it Used to Be

I am admittedly a horror FAN. I love a good scary movie. Blood and gore does it for me. If given the option between a gruesome death scene or a movie where the guy gets the girl... I'll choose death and dismemberment every time. I appreciate scary movies for what they are; an adrenaline rush of pure entertainment. Halloween, Friday the 13th, Scream, Killer Klowns from Outerspace, are examples of the kind of movies that hold a place near and dear to my heart.

I remember my very first scary movie. I was in elementary school and my mom brought home this really amazing movie called, The Monster Squad. I know what you're thinking. It's not scary. To a little kid, it was! It had a scary German guy, an overweight kid with a shot gun, a werewolf with a conscience, a Frankenstein's monster with the heart of a child, and a bunch of prepubescent kids determined to fight evil. I still use one liners like, "Wolf-man's got gnards," "Eat up, then we'll call it a day," "That's 'discrimination' jerkoid! Prescription's drugs which you're on if you think you're getting up here." I could go on forever. I remember seeing wolfman transform and thinking, "Oh my GOD! That is awesome!"

Fast forward a few years. A scary book came out, was made into a movie, and my mother took me to see it. Interview with a Vampire solidified my love for the beauty that was... vampire. I mean, Tom Cruise doesn't do it for me, and I find Brad Pitt a little on the annoying side (he was awesome in the movie Se7en). I remember, heading over to the card catalog (Yeah, remember those?).  Realizing I was too young to check out the book but having my local librarian wink at me and hand it over anyway. I read it in less than a day and was HOOKED!

I fell in LOVE with the writing of Steven King and Anne Rice (Before she became a fanatic and stopped writing horror) Dean Koontz, Robert Bloch, Edgar Allan Poe etc. I wish our culture wasn't turning towards the popishness that it is. It's about what comes on the CW or can make teen girls screech like banshees.  I have found that as time goes on... horror is becoming a lost art.

Why can't we make horror like we used to? Paranormal romance has taken over.  Kids are beginning to confuse the awesome genre that I LOVE with the drivel found in a Twilight or House of Night novel.  I vomited over the writing of Stephanie Meyer--strike that-- I enjoyed her first couple of books and wanted to slit my wrist over the final one (let's hope The Host gets better sequels). Do I think the books are cute? Sure. Have I read everyone of them. Yes. How can I bash something I've never read?

I wish we would get back to what made horror great. A guy, a girl, a monster, some blood, and maybe a little bit of dying. Who am I kidding? A LOT of dying! The horror genre is about putting fear into you.  I wish everyone could write like Stephen King (Except for It. The freaking spider made me throw my book across the room... I mean I read all of that for some bright lights and a massive arachnid? I get it was a throw back to the monster genre of the 1950s but it would have been cooler to leave it as the freaky kid-eating clown).

I think we need to go back to what made horror great. Making you imagine some terribleness that you would never normally know. Showing you what could be, but secretly pray will never happen. THAT is what horror is about.

By the way. Here are a few books/stories by Mr. King that I think EVERYONE should read:
Here there Be Tygers (Found in Skeleton Crew)
The Raft (favorite short story and also found in Skeleton Crew)
HECK! The ENTIRE Skeleton Crew book
The Dome (writing from the woodpeckers p.o.v was BRILLIANT)
The Mist (yes, I enjoyed it)
The Stand

There are bunch more... but my blog is becoming a novel.

I Need a Landscaper

Ok. So as a single working mom I have found myself dropping my feminist hat at the garage door. Why you may ask? Well... that is easy. I hide the lawnmower and weed eater in there. I am all about female empowerment and being self-sufficient. I regularly chastise friends for claiming they need a man and chastise men for thinking we're helpless. However, the moment I take a look at that Honda lawnmower, I hang my head in defeat.

Today was like most lawn maintenance days. I let the yard get a tad bit too long--and unlike in other states, Texas is one that requires regular mows throughout the winter. I was in a rush, bad weather was rolling in and if I didn't get it done now, I'd have to wait a few more days making my unkept lawn look like a jungle in Vietnam.

After mowing the front and side yards I was ready to toss in the towel, and after finishing the back and terrace yards I was determined that by summer I was at least getting... a lawn mower I could ride. ;)

It's a Giveaway!

Yesterday, my kiddo ilinnuc announced on his YouTube channel page that he was having a contest/giveaway. Well... I think it's a pretty good one. The winner will receive 1 of 3 beys. They will get to choose between Bakushin Susanow, ultimate gravity destroyer attack version, and twisted tempo. The contest ends March 3rd. So head over to his channel and look for the video titled, "Comtest and Vlog."

Expanding in to Creativity

So my child, ilinnuc, came to me and told me of a new plan. He is expanding into the creativity of stop motion production. While he has always loved Legos, he has never shown people what he was capable of doing. From a very early age he started watching stop motion videos. He got it in his brain that this was something he could do. Last year he made a small auto crash/accident stop motion. It was fun, not too serious, and people seemed to like it. Well, today he uploaded another one. This time he used Batman. It was really cool. I knew my kid was funny, but this video had a certain level of humor that most people don't have. I am excited to see where it goes.

To view the video follow this link!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WRFezGrUeY&feature=channel_video_title

On a Personal Note

So, I am going to write about something a little more personal than I usually do. I've talked mainly about iLiNnUc's YouTube channel, some tips to help save money, and some weird stories of things that have happened in my life. Today though, I am going to introduce you to a little man... Baby-Nuc.

Almost 2 years ago Baby was placed on the Autism Spectrum. Basically, they determined that he wasn't progressing like he should. After we BATTLED with the doctors to take us seriously, they finally decided to agree that something was wrong. We kept looking back at everything that had happened over the last year and a half and realized only one thing really stood out... vaccinations. 

When Baby was 18 months old he went in for vaccinations. His doctor forced us to go to the county health department before he would see him. He said he had to be current, and we were a few behind. Nothing major, but behind none the less. We got them. They gave us a piece of paper and told us that he would need a few more when he was a little older. They circled the ones he needed. 

Later in the week we go in for our first appointment with the pediatrician. He claimed that the health department filled out the paperwork wrong and that he still needed a few vaccinations. We asked which ones. And they proceeded to tell us. He received another round of vaccines. We were told about a probable fever and that we should give him Tylenol if that happened. That night Baby's fever spiked to over 105 degrees. We took him into the ER and after a night of fluids and observations, they sent us home. We followed up with our pediatrician. We told them of his fever, and they said it was probably a virus. We reminded him that he had vaccinations and were promptly told there is no correlation between the two events. However, they said Baby still had another round of vaccines he needed and that he would need a flu shot. I told them that I was not interested in him getting the flu vaccine and that I wasn't comfortable about giving him any more shots because of his previous reaction. We were told that the ones he was getting were nothing serious... he would be fine. While getting him dressed, we were handed a paper. The same one from before warning us about spikes in temperatures and what we should do. However, they also gave us a paper on the flu vaccine. I was furious. How dare they vaccinate Baby without authorization. We asked them if they gave him the flu vaccine and they said, "Yes." We told them that we didn't want the flu vaccine and they denied that we ever told them. We figured it was a mistake. It's the flu vaccine. I'm sure the doctor wouldn't do anything that would hurt him. Right?  That night, he had another spike in temperature, and we had another trip to the ER. We remembered that the flu vaccination paperwork was never signed and we never authorized it.

Later that year we talked with the pediatrician because we were concerned Baby wasn't talking. We kept saying the same thing. We would take him in every few months with the same concern and hear the same response. "Kids develop differently" "Maybe he doesn't have anything to say?" "There is really nothing to do." I finally demanded he be given a referral to a developmental psychologist at an autism institute after talking with other family and friends. The pediatrician informed us it wasn't necessary because HE treats autism. I was shocked. After a heated discussion and being cornered in a room and a refusal to allow me to leave, I two-stepped around him and stormed out of the office. I would later find out that he also treats 6 year old children with ADHD by prescribing them adult doses of adderall, has 4 pending lawsuits and pays for ads in the local magazine claiming to be "Voted the Number 1 Pediatrician" in our area. Which is a LIE. We decided to leave this pediatrician.

Forward 4 months later. 

We found a new pediatrician. We told her we were concerned that Baby had been talking and then all the sudden, stopped. She asked if he had any trauma lately. She asked how many words he said. We said no, and nothing. He doesn't talk. She told us that at 2 yrs he should have a minimum of 5 words in his vocabulary. We said he didn't. She asked if he says momma, we said he doesn't. She finally said, "Something is wrong here." I decided to take a leap and ask her about the vaccinations. She informed us she would look at his registry and get back to us. Later that week she provided paperwork that was truly shocking.

Baby had been vaccinated with the SAME vaccinations 3 different times within 8 weeks. She said there was concern for vaccination injury. We were given information about services in our area to now treat him, because Baby would be considered on the Autism Spectrum.  She notified me that no new vaccinations should be given, because that could have potentially caused the problem.

Current Status.

Baby says roughly 3 words really well, go, cookie, and no. Recently he began saying mom, and the names of the kids when prompted. He tries to repeat phrases but only in a sing-songy voice. He has had therapy 4 days a week with a speech and behavioral therapist for over 2 years now. He recently said, "Hee-yoo-go" and we were thrilled. He now says Night Night when prompted but rarely initiates talking. He plays with the other kids, but have noticed that he really isn't playing with them, but along side them. For parents with children who have autism, you'll understand what I mean. He doesn't really eat anything other than sandwiches, rice, mashed potatoes, apples, and of course his favorite of all time, cookie,popcorn, and pizza. He will down a chicken nugget and fries but doesn't care about them much. It's hard. You worry if he is getting what his body needs. But there is really nothing we can do. 

His speech therapist recently started an "I want" book with him. It's supposed to cut down his frustration in not being able to communicate. It really has helped. We have a bunch of pictures of items cut out and a strip that says I want. He chooses I want and then goes and picks the picture of the item he wants. But, it has also helped him become vocal. We aren't sure what he is saying but he is beginning to baby babble. You know that thing kids do before they start talking? 

We are nervous about Baby's Future, but are really hopeful about the direction he is going in. I hope to write about his progress more. I know there are a lot of people out there dealing with what we are. 

Thanks for reading.

It all Starts Again Tomorrow!

What is my kid doing right now? Well... He is blogging. He heard about what I was doing and decided to do the same thing. I was surprised how similar we sound when we write. I shouldn't be however, because I am the one who taught him. HA HA.

Today iLiNnUc, my kiddo, told me he was writing about a comment he received from a mean spirited kid. It went something like this:

"You are (explicative) spoiled... BLAH BLAH BLAH!"

He got mad and told him the story of mowing lawns. We had a talk and here is what I told him:

"SCREW THEM!"

Yes I know. Rough language? Sure. Not typical in my wordage? You bet. Feeling the same? Absolutely.

I think it is time we stop listening to the negative, and enjoy all the amazing, powerful, and wonderful  positive.  Just yesterday iLiNnUc received a wonderful comment from his subscriber saying, "I think your family is really, really, nice." Simple? Yes. Powerful? Absolutely. I was touched by that comment. A child took time out of his little world to comment about how nice he thinks we are. I try to be nice. It's hard sometimes when life hits you right between the eyes, but I try.

Thanks for listening to this mini-blog. I appreciate it.

Writing Progress: NOTHING! I hate busy weeks.
Subscribers: 8450 and counting
Total Views: We'll break 8,000,000 by the end of the tomorrow. HOPEFULLY!
http://youtube.com/user/ilinnuc

Welcome to the Nuc Clan!

Yesterday we introduced ilinnuc's subscribers and the YouTube world to the Nuc Clan. The fact is our YouTube subs are like family. They have watched ilinnuc grow over the last year to what he has become today. I am proud of our little, or not so little, extended family. I am thankful of where we are going and the journey we have ahead of us.

 On the Nuc Clan video, you got to see little snippets of each of the Nuc members, except for me... I had the camera. You got to see Bitty playing her newly bought chess set, lil'innuc playing his Lego Batman Wii game, Baby-nuc playing with his cars, and ilinnuc with Tio-nuc in a no-hold-bar harmonica dance off. We are hopeful everyone liked the new videos. Fingers crossed. So far the feedback has been great. Just wanted to share with you all where I'm at in my head... I'm out!

XoXo

Momma-nuc

It's Basketball Season!

This morning I got to get up at the butt crack of dawn in order to make it clear across town to see my wonderfully new at basketball niece compete in her very first game. I walked into the gym, having missed the beginning lights spectacular thanks to my not so accurate GPS, found a seat next to my sister and her other half of the family. I look out at the court and Girlie-nuc is standing there wide eyed and humming with anticipation and well... fear. Having only had two practices before the big game Girlie was very nervous.

It was 4 on 4 basketball with a set of rules I have never heard of. You couldn't try to steal the ball. If you knocked it out of the court, you got it back, and if you didn't dribble, you got a friendly reminder. It was so... noncompetitive. At first I was taken aback by this. I understand they are really young and need to learn how to play well with others, but this is basketball. Dribbling is a must and knowing that if you hit the ball out of bounds, the other team gets the ball. I'm okay with not keeping score, and letting kids "forget" to dribble, but there was this kid, adorable I will admit, who decided to walk with the ball from one side of the court, to the other side only dribbling once. Girlie-nuc tried her hardest... and made 2 baskets!

Here is the funny part. While playing Girlie wore her grey uniform. The opposing team had on a maroon one. I'm not sure what they were thinking when they chose number colors because the maroon uniform was beautifully adorned with blue numbering. Imagine my surprise... and early morning humor... when the official began screaming, "It's blues ball!" I know. I thoroughly admit that I laughed like a 12 year old prepubescent teenage boy, but it was funny! It took the sting out of waking up on a Saturday morning with the sun still down.

Girlie's father was hilarious. Usually, he cracks jokes that you may not necessarily get but he thinks is hilarious, and we politely laugh at him. This time, in an auditorium filled with less than 50 or so people he started... the wave. All the sudden you hear him yell out... "COME ON EVERYONE! WOOOOOH!" Raising his arms up. Much to my sister's horror. However, the family quickly chimed in carrying the wave around well... a quarter of the auditorium. It was fun. She had fun. She received her "Grace-like" star to iron onto her jersey... which she was very happy with. Girlie made 2 baskets. Learned it's about having fun... regardless of how many people yell, "Hands UP! Get the BALL!" (her mother lol)... It was a fun day!

Changes are a Comin'

The past week has been truly unbelievable. I am so proud of my kid. The biggest change that has taken place this year is that my YouTube kid and I came to an agreement about the mask he's been wearing. I know. I know. I've gotten a lot of questionable comments from certain family members but if I'm honest... Which I always am... It was the best decision I've made yet!

We really thought about it. It wasn't something we went into lightly. The fact is, this decision has been the topic of discussion at our dinner table for several months. What made me change my mind?

I can tell you it wasn't any whining from my kid. He knew the rules and while it was a very big nuisance, he dealt with it.

It wasn't the countless kids who didn't understand the need for the mask. The number of comments about the masks creepiness was endless.

What changed my mind was the outpouring of support my kid had after a not so nice subscriber came down hard on him about a collection update.

In his comment he told my kid that he wasn't humble and was bragging and that he went over to the dark side. It really affected ilinnuc. It saddened him because that isn't the type of teenage boy he is. He is humble and appreciative and thankful and constantly amazed by the support he has received on YouTube. What really pushed me over the edge to allow him to unmask, was how defensive some of these kids got over my child. It was amazing.

There were several people who came to his defense. Not in a nasty, "Shutup! You don't know why your talking about!" kind of way... But an "ilinnuc is kind and caring and really is a good person," kind of way. They saw him the way I see him. And that is what led me to the decision to let him show his face to the people who loyally and proudly support him.

To the kids who defended him: You are all absolutely amazing and wonderful people. We wholeheartedly appreciate everyone of you!

We are looking forward to letting you all get to know ilinnuc and the nuc clan more as the year progresses. Like I said before thanks for coming along for the ride. I hope it's as much fun for you as its been for all of us! ;)

Following Your Dreams

Many years ago I had the dream I wanted to become a doctor. My life was consumed with science and math, becoming the best, competitions and honors, awards and disappointment. I would stay up until 3 or 4 in the morning completing my AP math homework, or finishing up AP Chemistry. I would get roughly 4 hours of sleep a night all for the one thing I thought I wanted to be, a doctor. I got into several universities my junior/senior year of high school (I graduated a year early-I was 16). I thought I was on the road to becoming the person I spent my whole life watching on TV. Things changed drastically my junior year of college when I found out, medicine is not everything its cracked up to be.

Imagine my panic when I realized this was not something I wanted to do with my life. Imagine how my poor mother felt when I told her, her dreams of having a doctor for a daughter would not become a reality. Imagine the tears and the screaming, the exasperated look on her face and the earth shattering words that can just destroy a dutiful daughter that aimed at nothing other than pleasing her mother, "I'm so disappointed in you." Now take all of that wasted imagery, and throw it out the window.

This is how it went:

Me: Mom, I have to tell you something. Before I tell you, you have to promise to let me finish. You need to know that I really thought it over and I know this is the right thing to do.
My Mom: Oh GOD! You aren't getting married. You are too young.
Me: Wait, What?
My Mom: GEEZE! I knew I shouldn't have let you go to that school. You were too young.
Me: What are you talking about? No! I'm not getting married.
My Mom: Well, what is it?
Me: I don't want to be a doctor.
My Mom: Oh, what are you going to do then?

That earth shattering conversation I spent weeks planning in my head, preparing for the worst case scenario... never happened. She just wanted to know what my plans were. A funny thing happened when I told her what the next thing I had planned was going to be... I was going to major in Political Science. I distinctly remember my mother saying, "Wow... so you want to be broke." I remember smiling and telling her, "NO! I want to change the world! Instead of working on patients without healthcare I'll be able to change the policies that enable them from getting the treatment they need." I was very, very optimistic. It was what I was meant to do. My intro to government teacher told me I would make a fine politician. I was bright and had a work ethic that matched no one he had ever met before. He thought I was wonderfully talented. My ability to write was unlike anyone he had ever seen, and I could argue my way around just about anything. I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and History from Texas Tech University after about 5 years (thanks to the complete change... AND double major).

In order to be in politics I had it in my head that I should become a lawyer. I did the research, looked at the math and came up with the plan. 40-50% of representatives and senators are lawyers. All I had to do was go to law school. To be competitive I needed to get my Masters in political science. It would really prepare me for the work I had in law school and make me more desirable to potential law schools. I did the work, put in the time, it wasn't all to difficult, until I hit a road block. I decided to take a course offered by a former judge and a current faculty member of the local law school. I had it in my brain that this was the most amazing opportunity ever. I could prove to them that I was smart, and dedicated and everything my intro to government teacher thought I was. I could show them that I had what it took and they could guide me in my quest to law school. Oh boy, was I ever more wrong?

I found myself getting irritated throughout the class. Annoyed that questions would turn into more questions and there were never any solid answers. The sliminess of their responses grated me. You would formulate a response and everything would make sense and there really was never a way to argue around it... however they were able to do just that. I hated law. I hated how they were able to twist my words. I purposely began to annoy them. I would state that they needed to expand the death penalty to include other heinous crimes. Did I mean it? I don't know. Part of me at the time did--well expanded enough to include professors who purposefully destroyed their students. I would find every opportunity to catch them in their responses. I took meticulous notes. I would find them contradicting themselves and made a point to press them on it. However with the tag team duo they were, it became impossible. I decided that law wasn't really the path for me. Several of my friends who were attorneys said this was standard practice. I couldn't imagine myself ever being like this. It was annoying. It was boring. It wasn't... me.

The most enjoyable class I ever had was in my sophmore year of college. I took an upper level fiction class. I heard the professor who was teaching it was amazing. He was. He was everything I had hoped for and more. The class was based on works of Stephen King. I know right? Very cool. I loved reading everything he ever wrote. I remember "sneaking" King's books from my mother when I was 10 or 11, only to find out in later years that she had deliberately left them in my path. My favorite short story by King, "Here there be Tygers," had me wishing my evil 4th grade language arts teacher would take an unscheduled walk to the boys washroom.

I wrote a story about aliens--I think. We were supposed to choose aspects of King's writing style and apply them to our own creative works. I was so nervous. I had never let anyone read my stuff before. College history or political science papers didn't count. At this time, it was the intro stuff and they didn't have to be creative. We didn't have to come up with our own theories or anything original. This class forced me to hand over something that was just... me.

I remember feeling like I was going to faint. The feeling that the world was closing in on you and you were sitting there exposed in your undies was overwhelming. I remember everyone passing their projects up to the front of the class. Me being the dutiful over-achiever I was at the time, always sat in the front row. I handed him the stack, leaving mine in my plastic portfolio. It was clearly marked with my name, the date, the title of my work, and finally the professor and the room number. He could clearly see it was my project. He noticed I had neglected to hand it to him, and reached for it. I promptly slammed my hand down on the desk, blocking his access. "Isn't that for me?" He asked. "Uh, yeah. Maybe." I replied. Everyone was staring. The loud noise of my hand smacking the desk had brought their attention straight towards me. "You have to let go some time." He said. Looking at me, with this weird look of understanding. "I know." I answered back.  He repeated his prior statement, quieter looking intensely at me, "You have to let go some time." I promptly removed my hand, and he quickly grabbed it and placed it at the bottom of the pile. I was terrified. I had this idea that I was going to get it back bleeding. His corrections would destroy me. The red ink of death would signal I wasn't good enough. He wouldn't be critiquing my understanding of someone else's work. He would be critiquing... me.

I remember that like it was yesterday. I was terrified of what he would think about my work. I was terrified someone would hate what I wrote and I was embarrassed. The personal aspects of my story mixed with the fictional characters and the places, the worlds I weaved together would result in a big fat F.

I was wrong. The feeling I had when I got my paper back was unlike anything I had ever felt before in my life. I was praised for my creativity even though my structure and technical abilities needed work. I remember reading the review sheet thinking wow, he thinks I can do it? At the end of the paper he wrote, "Have you ever thought about becoming a writer?" I secretly did. I wanted to make up the stories that I so frequently ran to as a child, the ones I read that helped me escape my own reality. I never pictured myself as one of the characters bound in the pages of my favorite book, I always pictured myself as the woman behind the computer screen. I wanted to create worlds that kids, teens, adults, could escape to. I wanted to give them, what these authors gave... me.

I recently had a conversation with my mother. Similar to the one I had when I told her I wanted to be a politician. Here is how it went:

Me: Mom, I need to talk to you. It's really important. I need to finish before you say anything. I need you to really think about what I am saying before you get upset. It was a really big decision, and I think it's for the best.
My Mom: I'm really busy, what is it? I'm looking for dining room furniture on Craigslist!
Me: Mom, I'm done.
My Mom: Done with what?
Me: My education. I'm not getting my PhD or going to law school.
My Mom: Well, what are your plans now?
Me: I want to be a writer. I think I could be good at it. I love it. I've written a lot in the past couple months. I'm almost done with my first book.
My son: MiMi, I read it. It's REALLY funny.
My Mom: It's about time.

I was actually stunned. I never thought that she would take it so well. I should have known better. She has always supported everything I did, or stayed quiet when they weren't the best decisions. My son's ability to understand the importance of her acceptance was amazing. I knew he supported me, and I just hoped she would to. She looked up at me, and finally said, "So you want to be broke."