Lovely Weekend

I had a nice weekend visiting with my family.

I spent Saturday with my parents. Mom and I and the kids visited my grandma and then ran some errands. I bought a small bouquet of reddish/cream colored roses and placed them on my sister's grave. It was the first time the kids have come with me which was probably good to keep my mind from remembering how sad this is. They asked a lot of questions and when I explained that my sister was buried beneath us Korbin said "Oh, we better dig her out so we can see her again." That just tugged at my heart. I explained what happens when someone dies. They were quite interested on where my sister's head and heart might be. Korbin then want to sing a song "You are my Valentine" sung like "You are my Sunshine" but substituting valentine for sunshine. Then we said a prayer together and said goodbye.

Later on my dad grilled out hamburgers (which I made....super yummy!), my brother and sister-in-law were visiting as well so we have a big table full of family and good food. My day doesn't get more perfect than that. By the time we got home we all went to bed. It had been a long day.

Sunday I did a little bit of scrapping in the morning along with some laundry. The kids spent almost the entire morning outside. I made a quick lunch and then the kids and I cleaned the house while hubby mowed the lawn. He also planted our seedlings in the garden. I'm excited to see the kids learn about gardening this year and having a much bigger garden to plant in. Yum! In the afternoon hubby's dad and his wife came up for a visit and we headed out to Pedro's to celebrate both of their birthdays. There was a balloon animal guy there and he was so fun! He totally engaged the kids and the rest of the table and we were quickly laughing hysterically. We got a little rowdy with the "mouse" balloon he made for the adults which sort of looked like something a little more phallic so we started giggling about that too, and ended up flinging them around the table like a slingshot. Hey, our food hadn't come yet, so we were keeping ourselves occupied! I haven't laughed so hard in a very long time. But we got a little too crazy with our balloons and irritated a lady next to us, so that was the end of our fun and games. Anyway, margaritas all around (even the kids--non-alcoholic of course!), yummy food and hubby and I split a deep fried snickers bar topped with real whipped cream and a cherry and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. OH MY GOD...it was worth every calorie!! After dinner and the kids were tucked into bed for the night we watched "The Last King of Scotland" which was really quite good.

10 Roses

A lovely surprise for me this afternoon. The most gorgeous bouquet of pink roses I've ever seen. This is a pic from my phone so it's really poor quality, but it gives you an idea. These are also the longest roses I've ever seen - nearly 3 ft. long before cutting.

Headache

I came into work this morning feeling really excited and happy. I will be spending a few hours scrapping tonight, and I can't wait! I have a few ideas that I want to try out.

I've gotten my big projects at work off of my desk. Now I can pace the rest of the work for today and tomorrow. Started a REALLY awful headache a few hours ago, and my energy and excitement is gone. I can tell this is related to stress because my neck and shoulders have been tight and painful for a couple of days now. I've been dealing with chronic muscle tension, so even something that should relax me doesn't quite get me relaxed...yet. It's so bad sometimes I wonder if I will need to start using muscle relaxants. I'm so NOT a drug person. I will try ANYthing I can think of before turning to medication. I think natural remedies are always better for you, but for this condition I've found nothing that gives me more than a few days of relief. The thought of taking another drug is something I really want to avoid. I really should start yoga. I think it might help. I've also heard that acupuncture can be very helpful, so I will probably give that a try too.

I will be doing some writing later today. Crossing my fingers that this headache goes away. Our cloudy, gray sky has turned into an almost cloudless sunny day.

:::waves to Gayle::: It's been too long since we've had a chance to talk...

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...really!

So sorry about the long gap between posts. I haven't had a chance to write since my last post and I'm really missing it. My BFF is probably getting sick of hearing me say "tomorrow should be better..." But, seriously, tomorrow should be better. I think.

I have the best daughter in the whole wide world. This morning when she got up she tried to make coffee for hubby and me. I didn't even know she knew how to make coffee! I'm sure the flavor would have been off, but wow, what a sweetie she is! It's little things like that that make you think you are doing a pretty good job as a parent. Or am I just getting delusional again? (Gayle...are you out there?)

This coming Tuesday will be the first anniversary of my sister's death. I am actually feeling pretty ok about it right now. I took the day off of work to give myself time to remember her and try to feel the strength of God's hands and my sister's love guiding me along this path. I just can't believe it's been a year already. So sad.

When 2007 rolled around I made three goals, two of which were pretty open-ended and turned out to be going nowhere for me. I've learned that I need regularly measurable goals in order to keep me motivated. I've recently made a couple new goals, but they are going to be kept to myself for now. These new goals require spiritual strength and letting my inner artist guide my creative projects. I'd love your support and prayers as I walk along this exciting path.

I'll pick up on my story very soon, I promise! :-)

Ahoy!

Celebrated hubby's birthday today. He picked a pirate theme party after I talked him into buying a full Pirates of the Carribean costume. (Hello....Johnny Depp!) Ah, where was I now I distracted myself....

Ahhh, yes....picture me and hubby standing side-by-side putting our makeup on this morning. He got to learn all about eyeliner! I dared him to run his errands in full costume this morning. He went to the bakery to pick up the cake and the grocery store for some jelly beans. Surprisingly people did not react too strangely. Only in Madison, I guess, can you walk around dressed as a pirate and people still think you are sane.

We put some pirate flags along our driveway, bought a small treasure chest and filled it with gold chocolate coins and jelly beans (jewels). We also had a skull mug filled with jelly beans. Brats, hamburgers, beans, potatoes, fruit salad, veggie salad, relishes, chips, dips, beer, coffee, cake and ice cream. YUM!!

I can't share what happened after that, but let's just say hubby had all the ladies giggling!

I know I look sexy.

Ahoy, me maties. Where's me bottle of rum [er...Jack Daniels]?

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

He moved his mouth across my neck and softly licked my skin. I had a momentary relapse as his hands clasped at my long brown hair making my breath quicken as he pulled me back under him. Then the relapse faded as my brain kicked back into gear. I quickly pushed him off of me and grabbed for my robe, as a subtle sneer played across my face. I turned back to see him wince at the sudden turn of events. I stood watching him as he pulled his clothes back on.

I withdrew $60 from my purse and pressed the cash into his hand. I grabbed for my clothes and handed them over. "Here, these are the clothes I need to have dry cleaned and I need them back by morning. Can you take care of that?" I asked before heading to the shower.

Chapters 2 and 3

NOTE: Parts of my writing will be sexually explicit and graphic, including Chapter 3.

Chapter 2

Crystal gestured toward the little wooden stool provided for visitors and I sat carefully. She plopped down across from me.

“Um….I’m going to be going now” said the woman who had greeted me.

“Hey, have a great night Suze.” Crystal waved.

“Yeah, you too!” she replied with a wink. She pushed the screen door shut and locked it behind her.

“What is it you’d like to know today, hmm?” she said as her stubby fingers began spreading Tarot cards on the table between us.

“Where’s the crystal ball?” I remarked, knowing that she‘d probably heard that one a million times before. With a name like Crystal you just have to see the irony there. “You know, a crystal ball for Crystal?” Yeah, it was a lame comment, but dang this place was giving me the creeps.

She did not take her eyes off of the cards as she continued moving them around the table and her expression remained neutral. I took that as my cue to shut up already. “Hmm….”

My emotions were suspended now.

“ahhh, here it is” she said as she plucked a card from the pile. She examined the card carefully, quizzically, before laying it down before me. It was the Hangman.

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“Ah…the Hangman card is very unique and has a very definite meaning. It is one of the easiest cards to read….”

“Okay…”

“and it sends a very important message.”

“….what does it mean?”

“This card is the symbol of a forceful change ahead. It is the ending of one way of life for the beginning of another. The change can be either good or bad, but it will have a definite turning point.”

“Now…” she continued “let me have your hands.”

I placed my hands in hers. She massaged the palm of my hands with her thumbs. Within a few seconds she stopped and drew her hands back. “Child, you…” she faltered and I could see her expression change. “you….are not….well.” she managed to wheeze before I had her throat in my hands.

Damn, this woman must be for real. I wasn’t out looking for getting my hands dirty but I couldn’t seem to escape it. Crystal gagged as my thumbs compressed her windpipe. Her eyes bulged and I could see fear. “Now, now…” I cooed. “I know you don’t want to get hurt now, do you?” Her head twitched left to right beneath my grasp. “No, I didn’t think so.” I continued. This was where my pride sprang forth.

“I bet you didn’t see this coming.” I said smiling broadly as she continued to gag. My compassionate nature always made this part easy as I loosened my grip and stroked her neck gently. “Oh, honey, you are going to be just fine! I won’t hurt you.” I said as I shrugged my Vendi purse off of my shoulder sending it down my arm. I quickly grabbed the strap and laced it around Crystal’s neck before she could even catch her breath. My hands moved instinctively now as I pulled the strap tight leaving her breathless. The expression in her eyes was just like the others as she began to suffocate. I could see, no, I could feel condemnation in my entire body as she went limp. That had been hard for me to get used to in the beginning, but now it just made me feel stronger.

I pulled Crystal’s body into a dark corner and covered her with blankets and old clothes that were strewn around the far side of the room. I stepped closer to the only window and smoothed my suit and reapplied my lipstick. God, this place was like a cave.

I closed the door behind me as I stepped back onto the sidewalk. With a smiling face and my stilettos tapping with every step, I was comforted knowing that I would be gone before they even knew she was dead.

Chapter 3

I was only a half block away from the hotel so I went without disguise. No one would suspect that a petite little woman like me would be capable of murder anyway.

I saw my alibi standing a few feet away from the front desk, a young shaggy boy with an obvious lust for beautiful women. Oh, I couldn’t see his eyes, but I knew he was looking. I swayed my hips as I walked toward the elevator, knowing that my tight skirt accentuated every curve.

I looked back over my shoulder to make sure I had caught his attention. I had. I slowed my pace and began to turn back with a confused look on my face as if I had forgotten something.

“Excuse me” I said standing a little too closely to the shaggy boy. Oh how nervous he was, trying to find a place to stash his hands. They settled in his pockets, but did not stay still. I saw him swallow hard as I turned up my charm, placing a finger upon my deep red lips and acting coy.

This was getting fun so I decided he’d make a great distraction for a few hours and continued “…could you please come to my room? I have some clothes that need dry cleaning.”

“Sure.”

I led the way back to the elevator with my shaggy boy following behind. He reminded me of a puppy and I adore puppies. The elevator made its way up to the fifth floor and I walked toward room 512. I slipped the key card in and opened the door for shaggy boy to enter. He stood in the hall unsure if he should step inside.

“Come on in, please” I said without tipping him off. Boys, they are so easy to manipulate. As he entered the room I closed and bolted the door behind me before turning my attention back to him.

“Yeah, um, where are those clothes?” he squeaked. Man, this boy wasn’t much beyond puberty but I let my reservations slide.

“Right here” I said as I unbuttoned my suit jacket and let it slide to the floor. I took a little extra time unbuttoning my blouse. I could see his arousal grow so I went in for the prize. I kissed him hungrily and he responded with a groan. I removed his shirt running my fingers over his hard body as we kissed. His hands were all over my ass. He moved closer until I could feel him against me. His hands slid under my skirt and inside my panties. When his fingers slid into me I nearly came It has been too long since I’d had a good fuck.

He unzipped his pants and pushed inside of me as my back was pressed fully against the wall. He lifted my legs around his waist and moved toward the bed. I was aroused by his strength and came quickly. He continued on and I climaxed once more before he did.

I was out of breath and, frankly, quite pleased. I was enjoying shaggy boy more than I had expected .

She's growing up...

When she went to get her hair cut it was down to the middle of the back and she came home with this...



The first hairstyle she's chosen all on her own. *sniff, sniff*

Here it is! - Chapter 1 (Work in Progress)

Throughout 2006 I set my sights on beginning creative writing again on 1/1/07. Scrapbooking has had the front seat for long enough. Well, I can't give up scrapping but I *want* to keep writing too. So, I am going to share with you a work in progress as it's written.

Some of it may be rough, but it will be my writing and that's a GOOD thing.

Please feel free to leave comments as we go along. I will post a continuation of the story as often as I am able to. My goal is to do a little bit of writing every day.

So, let's begin....

Chapter 1

It was near dusk when I came across Madam Rose’s Psychic Shoppe. It was not much more than a door tucked in between two other shops. I had always wondered what a psychic would have to say to me. The fact that this one was nearly hidden from public view only gave credibility to the advice I’d be given. I smiled at the thought of finally getting some long unanswered questions resolved.

I opened the creaky screen door and came upon a small set of stairs leading to the left. I took the three of four steps tentatively. They brought me to a wide open room with two small tables that were randomly placed. It took a minute for my brain to catch up with what my eyes already saw. The walls boasted large splotches of dark grey mildew spots, their edges yellowed over time.

The floor was covered with worn carpeting that must have been quite beautiful at one time. Now the pathways around the room were darkened and thin. Each table was covered with a cloth that looked like it had given up being pretty a long time ago.

“Can I help you?” I was asked.

“Oh, I didn’t see you over there,” I stated, straightening my posture and suit out of habit. “I am looking for a psychic.”

“Have you ever been to a psychic before?”

“No, this is my first time.”

“Crystal will be with you in a moment.” I wasn’t sure, but I thought I saw a sneer. I started to become uneasy and picked at my manicured nails while questioning my reasons for being there. What kind of psychic used the name Crystal anyway? I was about to turn away but it was too late.

Crystal was a scary sight, her faded red hair standing on end as if she had been electrified. Her gait was smooth as her large body moved back and forth like a pendulum with every step. A mass this large ought to have bumpers attached, I thought. I can’t help it. I feel humorous when I’m nervous. Luckily the smile that played on my lips appeared as nothing more than a friendly gesture as Crystal jiggled before me.

“Well. . .this isn’t your everyday psychic reading, I can see that! What are you doing in a place like this pretty lady?” as her arm swung around my shoulders. She was touching my $400 Baldora suit with her grubby paws. Nothing that a quick side step to the right couldn’t handle. “Now, now, don’t be nervous. . . “ she continued.

Yeah, this was definitely a mistake. But, hey, I have already switched over to being humorous so this was nothing more than a game of words to me. “I’m not nervous.” I said as I straightened my posture and my jacket. “No?” she winked back.

Okay, this woman is a psycho not a psychic. This just keeps getting better and better. I flipped open my wallet and handed a wad of bills approximating $60 toward her outstretched paws. She counted the bills backward and forward and then returned her gaze to me. I no longer felt funny. I felt scared. “Will she know my secret?” kept playing it’s scratchy tune in my mind. I am tired of hearing this broken record. Of course she won’t know my secret. That’s ridiculous.

Crystal waddled to the nearest table and I sat too.

Surprise!!

I know I haven't been updating the blog much lately. That's about to change in a BIG way. I'm working on a surprise that I hope to reveal sometime later today. Stay tuned!