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. ;)