My Dad's Birthday

Today would have been my dad's 62nd birthday. He passed away almost two years ago now and I still miss him so much. I wish we'd had alot more birthday's with him. I miss his laugh and sense of humor, singing karaoke with him, and the good times we had. If you still have both parents with you, give them a hug and tell them how much you love them for me today!

Ovarian Cysts

I’m going through my first bout of ovarian cysts. I’m sure glad I never had any before and hope to never have any again!

I went to the doctor yesterday after almost a month of pain and other symptoms. Of course, I was scared to death I had ovarian cancer because the symptoms are almost the same. I also have this severe fear of getting cancer because it runs in my family.

Thankfully, the doctor said they are textbook cysts and will go away on their own within 10 to 14 days. I was so relieved to hear this! Now all I have to worry about is that the bigger one on the left side ruptures before it can dissolve. We’ll just hope that doesn’t happen!

Any of y’all dealt with ovarian cysts?

Doubting Your Talent

I recently placed 2nd in another short story contest. That makes twice I have placed second and twice for third. I also have some poems that will be in anthologies and have had a poem and flash fiction piece published with an online publication.

Even with all this, I still sometimes wonder if I’m good enough. Mainly because most everything I’ve placed in is with the same place. I was happy to get the poem and story accepted by the other place, because it meant someone else liked my work.

I have submitted to other publications, but only received rejections. I am not giving up though, I keep sending stuff in. I do believe I can write an entertaining story. People read my serial blog: Night Stalker, and give me good feedback. I actually have 14 followers for that blog. And people tell me my stories are good. It took me a while, but now I believe it. I just wish I could have something published by a different place that pays well.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy with my success and thankful for the opportunity to be published in the Accentuate Anthologies, I just want to know other people like me work also. Does this make any sense?

How many places have you been published? How many did it take before you fully believed in your talent?

How to Be the Best Parent You Can Be

Being a parent is the most important job in the world. It is full-time and never ending. Different aspects are involved to be the best parent you can be to your child, depending on the changes that happen during the stages of life, but there are some constants no matter the age of a child.

Unconditional love is the most important thing a parent can offer a child. Parents do not always have to agree with choices their children make, but should still love them and be there whenever possible. It is ok to try to lead children onto a certain path in life, but if they take a different direction, parents should see what that road has to offer.

Read more here...

HotelsCombined.com

I was approached with a wonderful opportunity recently. HotelsCombined.com, a search engine consumer’s use to research hotel rates and availability, is promoting their spread the word for charity program along with their services.

Through the program, HotelsCombined.com donates to one of three charities when people mention them on their blogs, facebook or twitter. I thought this seemed like a pretty sweet deal, so decided to blog about the program here.

If you are thinking about going on a vacation, check HotelsCombined.com out. They have access to over 900,000 hotels globally with 1.3 million consumer reviews. The site is free to use and does not change rates or offer incentives for one hotel over the other. They just offer information so consumers can make the best hotel choices.

Find the best travel deal and help a charity out by promoting them yourself!

St. Jude Blog

I stated a new blog dedicated to my committment to St. Jude. I am chronicilling my training and will feature pictures of the events I walk. I hope y'all will check it out!


Angel Walks

St. Jude Heroes

I signed up today to be a St. Jude Hero. This means I will be participating in walking events in Alabama and Georgia to help raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I was very excited to find out about this program because St. Jude has always been my favorite charity. To actually be able to help in this way is wonderful!

My first walk is the Atlanta Track Club Cartersville 10K, which is held in Cartersville, Ga. I have never walked a 10k so this is going to be challenging. I have been walking for a while now, although I did have to slow down a lot after spraining my ankle. On September 1, I started back to a regular walking routine and have been doing pretty well. I have a schedule set up to make sure I am fully prepared for my first walk.

So far I have raised 85.00 total between cash/paypal donations and direct donations to my website. I really hope to make my 500.00 goal! If you would like to donate to help the children of St. Jude please visit my website. All donations are welcome!

Thanks!

Weight Loss

I have finally lost 20 pounds! It's taken me 8 months, but at least I finally made it. I still have quite a way to go, but I'm getting there slowly. I just hope to reach my goal and stay there. I've already come to terms with the fact that I lose very slowly. My average is a little over 2 pounds a month. Better than gaining though!

I'm doing the Wii fit and sports games along with walking for exercise right now. I hope to get back to walking and jogging once my ankle heals all the way. Yes, it is still not healed from when I fell in May. I think my fibromyalgia makes things take longer to heal.

Anyway, slowly but surely I am reaching my goal!

A Link to the Past

Here's one of my latest short stories. I hope y'all enjoy it!


Samuel opened the lid to the small trunk, sending dust bunnies flying. After his nose quit twitching and he could see through the haze, he gingerly reached inside the treasure-filled container, pulling out a feather boa.

“Just what were you into, you old freak,” he whispered, smiling at the image of his grandfather prancing around the house with the pink froth around his neck. “I wonder if grandma knew how kinky you were.”
Read more here...

Creative Writing Contest

I am taking part in the Creative Writing Contest on Helium this month. A friend talked me into trying it, and I’m glad she did. I’m really having fun! Yesterday I moved to the first place spot, and am still there this morning. I know it won’t stay that way because the contest runs until the 14th, so there will be a lot of back and forth with rating and stuff, but it’s been nice seeing my name in the top spot for a little while.

Do any of y’all do the contest on Helium?

You can click here to read my stories. Just look under the Recent Articles section. The stories are in the top spots.