Yet another reason why our days in California may be numbered. An appellate court ruled yesterday that parents do not have a Constitutional right to homeschool their children, and that parents who do so may face criminal charges. This LA Times article gives the lowdown.
Now, technically, homeschooling has always been illegal in California. But the way the law is written, families can create their own private school, file as such with the state, and carry on their merry way. But it looks as though they may be trying to close that loophole.
Frankly, none of us should be surprised. We've allowed the government to step into so many areas of our lives, what on earth makes anyone think they won't step into this facet as well? Now, hopefully the backlash will be so powerful that the decision will be reversed--there's a huge number of families in California who homeschool--but even if it does, that doesn't solve the problem. Until citizens start standing up for their personal freedoms, start demanding that the Constitution be brought back as the basis for government, and start reminding the government that they are here to PROTECT our freedoms and not to take them over, this kind of thing is going to happen over and over and over, be it in regards to our health care, our health freedoms, our property rights...
Let me know if you see any deserted islands for sale. I think I'd like to relocate.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Blog Tour for Only Uni by Camy Tang!
I'm thrilled to be participating in the blog tour for one of Christian fiction's newest and most entertaining chick lit voices--Camy Tang. If you haven't yet picked up her first release, Sushi for One? I highly recommend it. Camy's blog is great, too, if you're like me and addicted to blogs. :) Her second novel, Only Uni is out now and SO much fun! I interviewed Camy over email--here's what she has to say about her new book....
Alison: So...what's uni?
Camy: Okay, I have to warn people, this is kind of gross:
Uni (oo-nee) is the Japanese name for the edible part of the Sea
Urchin. While colloquially referred to as the roe (eggs), uni is
actually the animal's gonads.
It's an actual sushi, and I think it tastes disgusting. But my dad
loves it. It's considered a delicacy, and you just have to develop a
taste for it, I guess.
However, when we named the book, it was a double entendre--uni as in
sushi, and uni as in "one." Most people don't know about what uni
sushi really is, so the marketing team thought it would be okay to
have it in the title.
Alison: I love the dynamic between the cousins, and their unique personalities.
Do you have a cousin network like that of your own?
Camy: Actually, no. But I have friends who are VERY close to their cousins,
and I'm close to several of my friends, so I just kind of
extrapolated. :) I also created characters who are a bit excessive in
their personalities--I don't know if I'd actually LIKE cousins as
intense as they are in real life!--and none of my friends have cousins
who are strong personalities like Lex, Trish, and Venus.
Alison: Without getting specific so as not to spoil anything, I have to say that
the twist at the end was awesome. Did you know all along that would happen,
or did it surprise you too?
Camy: It did surprise me, but the surprise was before I wrote the book. I
had finished Sushi for One, and I had a skeleton plot for Only Uni. As
I was plotting Only Uni out in more detail, a few things about Trish
changed, and it occurred to me that if A happens, then B might happen,
too. And so the twist at the end was born.
Alison: I really love Trish's character--probably because I see a lot of myself
in the poor girl. :) I know that there's always a few pieces of my own life
and personality in my main characters--is that usually true for you, too? In
what ways do you identify with Trish?
Camy: I identify with Trish in many ways. I had a hard time with my
singleness as a Christian woman, especially because no one seemed to
address the fact that women are sensual creatures as well as men.
Trish's boy-craziness was a lot like myself, and I knew a lot of other
Christian women would relate to that, as well. Trish's desire to
change is also part of my own growth--it's only been in the past few
years that I've come to understand my identity in Christ and be happy
in it.
Alison: PLEASE tell me we're going to hear more about Trish's story--I'm dying to know how her future is going to pan out! You carried the thread of "Sushi For One" main character Lex into this story, too, as part of the background of "Only Uni," so I assume we'll know the outcome of Trish's current situation through your next book. But do you see yourself writing any full-on sequels to any of the women's stories?
Camy: I'm not contracted for any other books beyond Venus's story in SINGLE
SASHIMI, which is out in August. HOWEVER, I'm dying to write Jenn's story, and I'm going to release it as a free ebook that my newsletter YahooGroup members can download (people can join my YahooGroup here.). People can read a short blurb about Jenn's story on my website.
As for sequels for any of the other cousins--who knows? I guess it
depends on how much interest there is in it.
Alison: Speaking of your next book, which of the cousins will have her story told next? Any sneak peeks you can give us into that story?
Camy: Venus's story is the next and (mostly) final novel in the series.
Here's the blurb:
Drake Yu. Why would Drake call her after … what, five years? Six?
Venus heard in his voice that resonance that was almost a growl, that
titanium-hard determination to get what he wanted. And he usually got
what he wanted. The voice said: "I want you to work for me."
Not this time… If it was a choice between Drake and McDonald's—she'd
choose french fries. She'd never work for him again. It would take an
act of God.
Venus Chau is determined to start her own game development company and
launch the next Super Mario-sized phenomenon. However, she needs an
investor to back her idea. When Drake Yu, an old nemesis, approaches
Venus with a contracting opportunity at his sister's startup, the
offer to become Chief Operating Officer tempts Venus to think the
unthinkable.
Venus would rather throw away her PS3 than work for Drake again …
except Grandma bribes Venus to do this favor for Drake's wealthy
family with a coveted introduction to the most respected investor in
the game industry. It's also a short job—only a few months—so Venus
won't have to stand Drake's presence for very long.
But one wild youth group, a two-faced assistant, and Grandma's
determined match-making threaten to make them both fail—or go insane.
With the encouragement of her three cousins, Lex, Trish, and Jennifer,
Venus discovers that even a wounded heart can undergo a beautiful
transformation …
Thanks for having me here, Alison! I also want to tell people about a
huge website contest I've got going on--I'm giving away FIVE BOXES of
Christian fiction books! Only my newsletter YahooGroup members can
enter, so join today! Contest info is here.
There you have it, kids. Check out Camy's website, blog, contests, and, most importantly, BOOKS! I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by, Camy! Best of luck with your novels!
Alison: So...what's uni?
Camy: Okay, I have to warn people, this is kind of gross:
Uni (oo-nee) is the Japanese name for the edible part of the Sea
Urchin. While colloquially referred to as the roe (eggs), uni is
actually the animal's gonads.
It's an actual sushi, and I think it tastes disgusting. But my dad
loves it. It's considered a delicacy, and you just have to develop a
taste for it, I guess.
However, when we named the book, it was a double entendre--uni as in
sushi, and uni as in "one." Most people don't know about what uni
sushi really is, so the marketing team thought it would be okay to
have it in the title.
Alison: I love the dynamic between the cousins, and their unique personalities.
Do you have a cousin network like that of your own?
Camy: Actually, no. But I have friends who are VERY close to their cousins,
and I'm close to several of my friends, so I just kind of
extrapolated. :) I also created characters who are a bit excessive in
their personalities--I don't know if I'd actually LIKE cousins as
intense as they are in real life!--and none of my friends have cousins
who are strong personalities like Lex, Trish, and Venus.
Alison: Without getting specific so as not to spoil anything, I have to say that
the twist at the end was awesome. Did you know all along that would happen,
or did it surprise you too?
Camy: It did surprise me, but the surprise was before I wrote the book. I
had finished Sushi for One, and I had a skeleton plot for Only Uni. As
I was plotting Only Uni out in more detail, a few things about Trish
changed, and it occurred to me that if A happens, then B might happen,
too. And so the twist at the end was born.
Alison: I really love Trish's character--probably because I see a lot of myself
in the poor girl. :) I know that there's always a few pieces of my own life
and personality in my main characters--is that usually true for you, too? In
what ways do you identify with Trish?
Camy: I identify with Trish in many ways. I had a hard time with my
singleness as a Christian woman, especially because no one seemed to
address the fact that women are sensual creatures as well as men.
Trish's boy-craziness was a lot like myself, and I knew a lot of other
Christian women would relate to that, as well. Trish's desire to
change is also part of my own growth--it's only been in the past few
years that I've come to understand my identity in Christ and be happy
in it.
Alison: PLEASE tell me we're going to hear more about Trish's story--I'm dying to know how her future is going to pan out! You carried the thread of "Sushi For One" main character Lex into this story, too, as part of the background of "Only Uni," so I assume we'll know the outcome of Trish's current situation through your next book. But do you see yourself writing any full-on sequels to any of the women's stories?
Camy: I'm not contracted for any other books beyond Venus's story in SINGLE
SASHIMI, which is out in August. HOWEVER, I'm dying to write Jenn's story, and I'm going to release it as a free ebook that my newsletter YahooGroup members can download (people can join my YahooGroup here.). People can read a short blurb about Jenn's story on my website.
As for sequels for any of the other cousins--who knows? I guess it
depends on how much interest there is in it.
Alison: Speaking of your next book, which of the cousins will have her story told next? Any sneak peeks you can give us into that story?
Camy: Venus's story is the next and (mostly) final novel in the series.
Here's the blurb:
Drake Yu. Why would Drake call her after … what, five years? Six?
Venus heard in his voice that resonance that was almost a growl, that
titanium-hard determination to get what he wanted. And he usually got
what he wanted. The voice said: "I want you to work for me."
Not this time… If it was a choice between Drake and McDonald's—she'd
choose french fries. She'd never work for him again. It would take an
act of God.
Venus Chau is determined to start her own game development company and
launch the next Super Mario-sized phenomenon. However, she needs an
investor to back her idea. When Drake Yu, an old nemesis, approaches
Venus with a contracting opportunity at his sister's startup, the
offer to become Chief Operating Officer tempts Venus to think the
unthinkable.
Venus would rather throw away her PS3 than work for Drake again …
except Grandma bribes Venus to do this favor for Drake's wealthy
family with a coveted introduction to the most respected investor in
the game industry. It's also a short job—only a few months—so Venus
won't have to stand Drake's presence for very long.
But one wild youth group, a two-faced assistant, and Grandma's
determined match-making threaten to make them both fail—or go insane.
With the encouragement of her three cousins, Lex, Trish, and Jennifer,
Venus discovers that even a wounded heart can undergo a beautiful
transformation …
Thanks for having me here, Alison! I also want to tell people about a
huge website contest I've got going on--I'm giving away FIVE BOXES of
Christian fiction books! Only my newsletter YahooGroup members can
enter, so join today! Contest info is here.
There you have it, kids. Check out Camy's website, blog, contests, and, most importantly, BOOKS! I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by, Camy! Best of luck with your novels!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith
That time of the week again--here's the latest CFBA book, Stuck in the Middle.
Virginia Smith left her job as a corporate director to become a full time writer and speaker with the release of her first novel Just As I Am.
Since then she has contracted eight novels and published numerous articles and short stories. She writes contemporary humorous novels for the Christian market, including Murder by Mushroom (Steeple Hill, August 2007) and her newest release, Stuck in the Middle(Revell, February 2008), book 1 in the Sister-to-Sister Series.
Her short fiction has been anthologized, and her articles have been published in a variety of Christian magazines. An energetic speaker, she loves to exemplify God’s truth by comparing real-life situations to well-known works of fiction, such as her popular talk, “Biblical Truths in Star Trek.”
Virginia is a speaker, and an avid Scuba diver. She and her husband Ted, divide their times between Kentucky and Utah, and escape as often as they can for diving trips to the Caribbean!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Joan Sanderson's life is stuck. Her older sister, Allie, is starting a family and her younger sister, Tori, has a budding career. Meanwhile, Joan is living at home with Mom and looking after her aging grandmother. Not exactly a recipe for excitement-or romance.
That is, until a hunky young doctor moves in next door. Suddenly Joan has a goal--to catch his eye and get a date. But it won't be easy. Pretty Tori flirts relentlessly with him and Joan is sure that she can't compete. But with a little help from God, Allie, and an enormous mutt with bad manners, maybe Joan can find her way out of this rut and into the life she's been hiding from.
Book 1 of the Sister-to-Sister series, Stuck in the Middle combines budding romance, spiritual searching, and a healthy dose of sibling rivalry that is sure to make you smile.
"A gentle story of one young woman's season of growth, deftly blending the tangle of family relationships with gifts of whimsey and revelation. A joy to read."
~SHARON HINCK, author of Renovating Becky Miller and Symphony of Secrets~
"Virginia Smith has created a charming and humerous novel that celebrates small-town life, generations of women caring for each other, and the value of finding a deeper, more active faith."
~SHARON DUNN, author of the Bargain Hunters mysteries~
Virginia Smith left her job as a corporate director to become a full time writer and speaker with the release of her first novel Just As I Am.
Since then she has contracted eight novels and published numerous articles and short stories. She writes contemporary humorous novels for the Christian market, including Murder by Mushroom (Steeple Hill, August 2007) and her newest release, Stuck in the Middle(Revell, February 2008), book 1 in the Sister-to-Sister Series.
Her short fiction has been anthologized, and her articles have been published in a variety of Christian magazines. An energetic speaker, she loves to exemplify God’s truth by comparing real-life situations to well-known works of fiction, such as her popular talk, “Biblical Truths in Star Trek.”
Virginia is a speaker, and an avid Scuba diver. She and her husband Ted, divide their times between Kentucky and Utah, and escape as often as they can for diving trips to the Caribbean!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Joan Sanderson's life is stuck. Her older sister, Allie, is starting a family and her younger sister, Tori, has a budding career. Meanwhile, Joan is living at home with Mom and looking after her aging grandmother. Not exactly a recipe for excitement-or romance.
That is, until a hunky young doctor moves in next door. Suddenly Joan has a goal--to catch his eye and get a date. But it won't be easy. Pretty Tori flirts relentlessly with him and Joan is sure that she can't compete. But with a little help from God, Allie, and an enormous mutt with bad manners, maybe Joan can find her way out of this rut and into the life she's been hiding from.
Book 1 of the Sister-to-Sister series, Stuck in the Middle combines budding romance, spiritual searching, and a healthy dose of sibling rivalry that is sure to make you smile.
"A gentle story of one young woman's season of growth, deftly blending the tangle of family relationships with gifts of whimsey and revelation. A joy to read."
~SHARON HINCK, author of Renovating Becky Miller and Symphony of Secrets~
"Virginia Smith has created a charming and humerous novel that celebrates small-town life, generations of women caring for each other, and the value of finding a deeper, more active faith."
~SHARON DUNN, author of the Bargain Hunters mysteries~
Sunday, February 24, 2008
24 hours left to vote!
So for all you lurkers (and I know there are a lot of you--I have my ways!) this is just a reminder that your chance to win free fabulous books is just about over! Head over to the contest on my baby blog and cast your vote for our mystery baby's stats. No more votes will be accepted after I get up on Tuesday morning. (Which I guess means you have more than 24 hours, but whatever, you know what I mean.)
And you know what that means. THE BABY IS ALMOST HERE. Not soon enough, if you ask me and my bum leg. In preparation for The Big Day, Dan spend the entire day working on the bedroom--painting the one wall that still needed to be painted, cleaning out all the crap that was in there, setting the Arm's Reach Co-sleeper back up (which required moving our crazy-heavy beds all by his lonesome) and thus sacrificing any kind of bedside storage for himself since our bedroom is only about two feet wider than our bed and most of that space is required by the co-sleeper, which is on myside of the bed. Poor guy. Though if this kid is anything like Abby s/he won't be in the co-sleeper long, but will be snuggled with the rest of us in the "big bed" by mid-summer.
When Abby saw the co-sleeper, she of course wanted to get in. Got quite upset when we wouldn't let her sleep in there, in fact. Dan asked her if she wanted us to set up her own little bed at the foot of ours, and she said yes, but of course once we do it she'll probably freak out if we suggest she try actually sleeping in it. But we have the perfect place for it, and Ikea sells great little toddler beds that adjust in length as the child grows, so we may get one soon and just set it up in there for her to get used to. I know it's going to be a long, slow transition from our bed to hers, but I'm guessing she'll be in there by the time she's 4 or so. And no, I'm not saying that with laughter in my voice. Four is actually a pretty optimistic estimate.
So I've got 12 chapters done of the book and about 2.5 pages of chapter 13 done. There are three days this week that I might be able to write. If I wrote on all of them, that would get me, if I'm lucky, to the end of chapter 14. The week after that I have about 5 days, which could theoretically get me halfway through chapter 17. The week after that, possibly through chapter 20, if the week stays as clear as it currently is. That's assuming, of course, that the baby doesn't come until the week of the 16th, which is when I'm technically due, though I have felt for quite a while now that the baby would come early, like week 39. But if not, then that's about...I don't know...maybe 75% done? Maybe more, I'm not sure, I don't plot out by chapter--that's a method I might try with the next book, though. But point being, the book will not be done by the time the baby comes. I had high hopes, but who am I kidding?? But regardless, if I could get to chapter 20 by the time the baby came, I would be a very happy woman. Free books and chocolate to anyone who comes up with a successful way to keep me accountable.
And you know what that means. THE BABY IS ALMOST HERE. Not soon enough, if you ask me and my bum leg. In preparation for The Big Day, Dan spend the entire day working on the bedroom--painting the one wall that still needed to be painted, cleaning out all the crap that was in there, setting the Arm's Reach Co-sleeper back up (which required moving our crazy-heavy beds all by his lonesome) and thus sacrificing any kind of bedside storage for himself since our bedroom is only about two feet wider than our bed and most of that space is required by the co-sleeper, which is on myside of the bed. Poor guy. Though if this kid is anything like Abby s/he won't be in the co-sleeper long, but will be snuggled with the rest of us in the "big bed" by mid-summer.
When Abby saw the co-sleeper, she of course wanted to get in. Got quite upset when we wouldn't let her sleep in there, in fact. Dan asked her if she wanted us to set up her own little bed at the foot of ours, and she said yes, but of course once we do it she'll probably freak out if we suggest she try actually sleeping in it. But we have the perfect place for it, and Ikea sells great little toddler beds that adjust in length as the child grows, so we may get one soon and just set it up in there for her to get used to. I know it's going to be a long, slow transition from our bed to hers, but I'm guessing she'll be in there by the time she's 4 or so. And no, I'm not saying that with laughter in my voice. Four is actually a pretty optimistic estimate.
So I've got 12 chapters done of the book and about 2.5 pages of chapter 13 done. There are three days this week that I might be able to write. If I wrote on all of them, that would get me, if I'm lucky, to the end of chapter 14. The week after that I have about 5 days, which could theoretically get me halfway through chapter 17. The week after that, possibly through chapter 20, if the week stays as clear as it currently is. That's assuming, of course, that the baby doesn't come until the week of the 16th, which is when I'm technically due, though I have felt for quite a while now that the baby would come early, like week 39. But if not, then that's about...I don't know...maybe 75% done? Maybe more, I'm not sure, I don't plot out by chapter--that's a method I might try with the next book, though. But point being, the book will not be done by the time the baby comes. I had high hopes, but who am I kidding?? But regardless, if I could get to chapter 20 by the time the baby came, I would be a very happy woman. Free books and chocolate to anyone who comes up with a successful way to keep me accountable.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Adam by Ted Dekker
Ted Dekker is one of the most established names in the Christian fiction genre. Here's the blurb about him and his latest release, Adam.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.
After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.
Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. Dekker's body of work encompassing seven mysteries, three thrillers and ten fantasies includes Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child, A Man Called Blessed, Blink, Thr3e, The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White), and Obsessed, with two more...Renegade, and Chaos to be released later this year.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
He died once to stop the killer...now he's dying again to save his wife.
FBI behavioral psychologist Daniel Clark has become famous for his well-articulated arguments that religion is one of society’s greatest antagonists. What Daniel doesn’t know is that his obsessive pursuit of a serial killer known only as “Eve” is about to end abruptly with an unexpected death-his own.
Twenty minutes later Daniel is resuscitated, only to be haunted by the loss of memory of the events immediately preceding his death.
Daniel becomes convinced that the only way to stop Eve is to recover those missing minutes during which he alone saw the killer’s face. And the only way to access them is to trigger his brain’s memory dump that occurs at the time of death by simulating his death again…and again. So begins a carefully researched psychological thriller which delves deep into the haunting realities of near-death experiences, demon possession, and the human psche.
"As always with a Ted Dekker thriller, the details of ADAM are stunning, pointing to meticulous research in a raft of areas: police and FBI methods, forensic medicine, psychological profiling-in short, all that accompanies a Federal hunt for a serial killer. But Dekker fully reveals his magic in the latter part of the book, when he subtly introduces his darker and more frightening theme. It's all too creepily convincing. We have to keep telling ourselves that this is fiction. At the same time, we can't help thinking that not only could it happen, but that it will happen if we're not careful."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.
After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.
Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. Dekker's body of work encompassing seven mysteries, three thrillers and ten fantasies includes Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child, A Man Called Blessed, Blink, Thr3e, The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White), and Obsessed, with two more...Renegade, and Chaos to be released later this year.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
He died once to stop the killer...now he's dying again to save his wife.
FBI behavioral psychologist Daniel Clark has become famous for his well-articulated arguments that religion is one of society’s greatest antagonists. What Daniel doesn’t know is that his obsessive pursuit of a serial killer known only as “Eve” is about to end abruptly with an unexpected death-his own.
Twenty minutes later Daniel is resuscitated, only to be haunted by the loss of memory of the events immediately preceding his death.
Daniel becomes convinced that the only way to stop Eve is to recover those missing minutes during which he alone saw the killer’s face. And the only way to access them is to trigger his brain’s memory dump that occurs at the time of death by simulating his death again…and again. So begins a carefully researched psychological thriller which delves deep into the haunting realities of near-death experiences, demon possession, and the human psche.
"As always with a Ted Dekker thriller, the details of ADAM are stunning, pointing to meticulous research in a raft of areas: police and FBI methods, forensic medicine, psychological profiling-in short, all that accompanies a Federal hunt for a serial killer. But Dekker fully reveals his magic in the latter part of the book, when he subtly introduces his darker and more frightening theme. It's all too creepily convincing. We have to keep telling ourselves that this is fiction. At the same time, we can't help thinking that not only could it happen, but that it will happen if we're not careful."
Sunday, February 17, 2008
I take it back.
That whole Sleeping Beauty thing? Yeah, that's done. Nice while it lasted. Now I end my nights feeling mildly homicidal because she. will. not. go. to. sleep.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Things to do at 6AM when you've been up for an hour and a half and have a major sinus headache from the weather change and are completely wide awake
Blog, apparently. Except my head hurts too much for me to think of something interesting worth writing. Maybe sleeping upright on the couch will help my head.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Sleeping Beauty
Back in the early 90's I saw an interview with a singer, can't remember who, who talked about how she couldn't sing at all as a kid. Then she had some major illness that affected her throat, and when she recovered--voila, she could sing! Well, Abby seems to have undergone a similar metamorphosis through her two week fever, though not with her voice--no no, now she SLEEPS!
Poor kid is just like her mama when it comes to sleeping: she's just not good at it. Takes forever to go to sleep, doesn't sleep well once she does. But for the last week, she's been telling me "no books" when I've taken her up for nap or bedtime, which is crazy since she usually demands that I read every single book in the bedroom before we turn off the light. "Take a nap" she'll say in a slow voice when I confirm, "Really, you don't want to read any books?" Phase two is the singing, which I've done for as much as 45 minutes in the past before she'd actually fall asleep. (Usually it would take about 10 or 15 minutes.) Lately she's been falling asleep halfway through my "set" of Jesus Loves Me, Away in the Manger, Silent Night, and Amazing Grace (1, 2, 3, and 4 verses respectively). Then, usually she sleeps for about 9 or 10 hours--but three nights ago it was 14, then 12 the night after that, and 11 last night. Oi! But the best part of it all: she's sleeping through the night! The irony of this, of course, is that I am awake for at least an hour every night thanks to pregnancy discomfort. It figures this would start just as I'm about to embark on midnight feedings again. *sigh* But regardless, I'm thrilled that she's finally doing it!
I don't know if it's going to last--it may just be that her poor body is trying to catch up from two weeks of illness. But regardless, it's been a nice change!
Poor kid is just like her mama when it comes to sleeping: she's just not good at it. Takes forever to go to sleep, doesn't sleep well once she does. But for the last week, she's been telling me "no books" when I've taken her up for nap or bedtime, which is crazy since she usually demands that I read every single book in the bedroom before we turn off the light. "Take a nap" she'll say in a slow voice when I confirm, "Really, you don't want to read any books?" Phase two is the singing, which I've done for as much as 45 minutes in the past before she'd actually fall asleep. (Usually it would take about 10 or 15 minutes.) Lately she's been falling asleep halfway through my "set" of Jesus Loves Me, Away in the Manger, Silent Night, and Amazing Grace (1, 2, 3, and 4 verses respectively). Then, usually she sleeps for about 9 or 10 hours--but three nights ago it was 14, then 12 the night after that, and 11 last night. Oi! But the best part of it all: she's sleeping through the night! The irony of this, of course, is that I am awake for at least an hour every night thanks to pregnancy discomfort. It figures this would start just as I'm about to embark on midnight feedings again. *sigh* But regardless, I'm thrilled that she's finally doing it!
I don't know if it's going to last--it may just be that her poor body is trying to catch up from two weeks of illness. But regardless, it's been a nice change!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Out of the woods!
FINALLY. The fever is basically gone, only returning when she sleeps (which is apparently common in little ones), and she's slowly perking up in spirits as well. Yesterday was rough, but today seems to be going much better--a decent breakfast, some cuddle time on the couch, and some honest-to-goodness imaginative play. Hallelujah! The cough is still there and still sounds horrific, but she doesn't cough often, so that's a relief. Today we may actually get back to a real schedule. I think I remember how our days used to go, before we spent them on the couch watching the same four episodes of Blues Clues over and over and over and over.
And, of course, we'll take a little outing to the fire house where our polling place is located. GO RON PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!! I watched a documentary on the government yesterday with Dan that scared the *$&# out of me and made me pray all the more that Dr. Paul gets elected. Yes, it's a long shot, but I don't think it's nearly as far of a shot as the media would like us to think. I think if more people saw that documentary (which I'll blog about more later) Ron Paul would win by a landslide.
But we're an apathetic people. So he probably won't. So sad. Know of any affordable deserted islands that are up for sale?
And, of course, we'll take a little outing to the fire house where our polling place is located. GO RON PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!! I watched a documentary on the government yesterday with Dan that scared the *$&# out of me and made me pray all the more that Dr. Paul gets elected. Yes, it's a long shot, but I don't think it's nearly as far of a shot as the media would like us to think. I think if more people saw that documentary (which I'll blog about more later) Ron Paul would win by a landslide.
But we're an apathetic people. So he probably won't. So sad. Know of any affordable deserted islands that are up for sale?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Update on Abby
Sadly, I don't have anything to report in terms of improvement, because really there hasn't been any. We get little flashes of hope now and then--"She actually ate an entire breakfast!" or "Her fever stayed down 4 hours after her Tylenol wore off!"--but she always goes back to her miserable, fevery, coughy sleeping-on-mommy self. Today was day 9. We've done a chest x-ray, a blood draw, and a urinalysis so far to determine the cause; at this point the x-ray and a couple blood tests are the only things that have come back, and they've all been negative, which is good since they would have shown scary things. The doctor really thinks it's just a horrific influenza, and said the fever could last 10 days. If that's the case, we should see some significant improvement by the weekend. We should also get the results of most of the other tests tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
FotF revisited
Focus on the Family finally added Ron Paul to their list of candidates. Thanks to those of you who brought their error to their attention!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Fever, I curse thee!
Abby is one sick little girl. I feel so bad for her! Today is day five of this awful fever that simply won't stop. Actually, I take that back--it does stop now and then; last night she was totally fever-free--but it always comes back. She woke up fine, but now, two hours later, is asleep on the couch and her temperature is 103.9.
Fevers are one of those things that really freak me out. I think because of all the books I've read set back in the 1800's when people died from them (supposedly) or became blind or deaf. Like Mary in the Little House on the Prairie books. But my head knows that it's not the fever that's to blame, it's whatever infection is in there that, back then, they didn't know about and couldn't see. All they saw was the fever, so that's what got blamed.
I have this awesome book called, "Raising a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor." The fever chapter is so interesting. Apparently the body will not allow its temperature to reach 106 if the cause is an infection or something viral. It will always cycle itself down. And under 106 fevers don't do damage--it's the ones above that which are caused by things like poisoning or heatstroke that can actually harm you. And, of course, it talks about how the fever is your body's way of killing off whatever you're sick with, so trying to reduce the fever just suppresses your immune system and keeps you sicker longer.
So I've been pretty good about resisting the urge to pump her with Tylenol or sponge her down, though I have caved a couple times. Yesterday she stopped eating or drinking, and that really worried me, so we gave her some Tylenol and she perked up in, like, ten minutes! I got some food in her, and a bunch of water, before her fever went up again and she was back to being miserable. Hopefully she won't do that to me again today. I can handle the fever; I can't handle the thought of her getting dehydrated.
So it looks like my birthday will be spent in the same manner as the last three days have been: on the couch with a hot little body curled up on my lap, or else wandering around the backyard with her in my arms. (every once in a while she'll say, "Outside!" I feel like we should have her in a robe on a deck chair with a quilt tucked around her legs. The Morrow Convalescent Home.) I'm going to need some serious chiropractic care after all this is over. And a massage. Mmmmm, massage...
Fevers are one of those things that really freak me out. I think because of all the books I've read set back in the 1800's when people died from them (supposedly) or became blind or deaf. Like Mary in the Little House on the Prairie books. But my head knows that it's not the fever that's to blame, it's whatever infection is in there that, back then, they didn't know about and couldn't see. All they saw was the fever, so that's what got blamed.
I have this awesome book called, "Raising a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor." The fever chapter is so interesting. Apparently the body will not allow its temperature to reach 106 if the cause is an infection or something viral. It will always cycle itself down. And under 106 fevers don't do damage--it's the ones above that which are caused by things like poisoning or heatstroke that can actually harm you. And, of course, it talks about how the fever is your body's way of killing off whatever you're sick with, so trying to reduce the fever just suppresses your immune system and keeps you sicker longer.
So I've been pretty good about resisting the urge to pump her with Tylenol or sponge her down, though I have caved a couple times. Yesterday she stopped eating or drinking, and that really worried me, so we gave her some Tylenol and she perked up in, like, ten minutes! I got some food in her, and a bunch of water, before her fever went up again and she was back to being miserable. Hopefully she won't do that to me again today. I can handle the fever; I can't handle the thought of her getting dehydrated.
So it looks like my birthday will be spent in the same manner as the last three days have been: on the couch with a hot little body curled up on my lap, or else wandering around the backyard with her in my arms. (every once in a while she'll say, "Outside!" I feel like we should have her in a robe on a deck chair with a quilt tucked around her legs. The Morrow Convalescent Home.) I'm going to need some serious chiropractic care after all this is over. And a massage. Mmmmm, massage...
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Shame on you, Focus on the Family!
There's no love lost between me and FotF, but had I been a supporter I would have withdrawn it over this. I (naively, I know) expect organizations like theirs to give us the side of the story that the mainstream media buries, but in this case they're just as bad. Check out their presidential candidate page and ask yourself who's missing. Is it "I don't salute the flag" Obama? Is it pro-abortion Clinton? No, it's pro-life, pro-family, pro-America, Christian Ron Paul. One of the few candidates who is most in line with FotF's beliefs, and he's not included.
I've no doubt they'd sound the battle cry and call for a boycott were Huckabee excluded from a secular voter's guide--but apparently they have no problem engaging in such deceitful behavior themselves. So sad.
I've no doubt they'd sound the battle cry and call for a boycott were Huckabee excluded from a secular voter's guide--but apparently they have no problem engaging in such deceitful behavior themselves. So sad.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Congratulations, baby!
Dan's blog was listed today as one of Wordpress's top 5 fastest growing blogs! Have you checked it out yet? He's got some fascinating stuff on there. If you're looking for something that will keep you up at night, check out his videos page--the documentaries there will get your mind spinning. And if you are one of the drifting Fred Thompson supporters, check out his post on the similarities between Fred and Ron Paul--you may just find yourself with a new candidate to support.
Fallen by Matthew Raley
This week's CFBA offering is Fallen by Matthew Raley.
Matthew Raley is senior pastor of the Orland Evangelical Free Church in northern California, where he lives with his wife and two young children. For fun, he enjoys playing chamber music with friends, giving occasional solo recitals, and playing first violin in the North State Symphony. This is his first book.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Jim was at work when his eyes drifted to the coffee shop visible from his office window. An attractive woman driving a Mercedes pulled up to the curb . . . and Jim’s married pastor emerged from the car. When Jim delves deeper into his pastor’s world, will he be able to handle what he discovers? Is he right to suspect that Dave is having an affair? In the behind-the-scenes church battle that ensues, Jim is torn between duty to his church and a desire to show grace. A ripped-from-the-headlines drama of suspense that keeps you engaged to the last page.
Fallen is the story about Jim’s relationship with Dave—how Jim tries to do the right thing to keep Dave accountable, but finds the situation getting worse and worse. It’s also about Jim’s other relationships. Just as he discovers hypocrisy in Dave, Jim discovers his own sins against his wife and daughter.
Matthew Raley is senior pastor of the Orland Evangelical Free Church in northern California, where he lives with his wife and two young children. For fun, he enjoys playing chamber music with friends, giving occasional solo recitals, and playing first violin in the North State Symphony. This is his first book.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Jim was at work when his eyes drifted to the coffee shop visible from his office window. An attractive woman driving a Mercedes pulled up to the curb . . . and Jim’s married pastor emerged from the car. When Jim delves deeper into his pastor’s world, will he be able to handle what he discovers? Is he right to suspect that Dave is having an affair? In the behind-the-scenes church battle that ensues, Jim is torn between duty to his church and a desire to show grace. A ripped-from-the-headlines drama of suspense that keeps you engaged to the last page.
Fallen is the story about Jim’s relationship with Dave—how Jim tries to do the right thing to keep Dave accountable, but finds the situation getting worse and worse. It’s also about Jim’s other relationships. Just as he discovers hypocrisy in Dave, Jim discovers his own sins against his wife and daughter.
spoke too soon
fever's back. 104.0. man, whatever this bug is, it sucks. i don't like it when my baby's burning up. :(
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Blast from the past
Last week one of my best friends from high school came to visit with her hubby and kids. Meg and I have kept up via email since going our separate ways after graduation. I sang at her wedding back in 2000, but have only seen her once since then, back in '01. So having her show up at my door with adorable Lucy (3yo) and precious Eddie (almost 2!) and her fun hubby Joel was a HUGE treat.
They were escaping the Minnesota tundra, and thankfully the rain we're having this week held off and allowed us a great day at the beach, the San Diego Zoo, and LegoLand. We played the Wii one night after the kids hit the sheets, and Meg and I got to compare parenting notes and talk books and writing and heaven only knows what else. And, bless their hearts, they withstood our zealous political rantings and even managed to appear interested at times. THAT is a good friend, I tell you what.
I think the best part for me, though, was seeing Abby make an honest-to-goodness friend. Well, two of them, really. I've never seen her play with other kids the way she played with Lu and Ed. I have to admit her introversion makes me sad sometimes, but it was so encouraging to see that she could indeed connect with other kids and have a good time--and be so into playing with them that she didn't mind when I left her in the care of Meg and Joel so I could take a shower. Typically she'd be in the bathroom with me and would freak out if I tried to leave her like that. But no, she happily ran around with them--and even TALKED to Joel a few times. Talk about personal growth! 'Course it's just our luck that she'd click with kids she probably won't see for years. *sigh* At least I know it *can* happen.
It's amazing to me that after so many years you can still click with someone. And man, thank you Lord for the Internet--instead of spending a week catching up on what our lives have been like for the last 7 years, we were able to just hang out and enjoy each other's company.
But now they're back to their St. Paul home, torn up as it is from renovations, and we're battling some wacky cough and fever combo that had Abby burning up at 105.8 yesterday afternoon. Thankfully she's doing much better now, even without Tylenol, and her appetite seems to have returned as she has just polished off a ton of sweet potato. Not my idea of comfort food, but hey, whatever floats your boat, right?
They were escaping the Minnesota tundra, and thankfully the rain we're having this week held off and allowed us a great day at the beach, the San Diego Zoo, and LegoLand. We played the Wii one night after the kids hit the sheets, and Meg and I got to compare parenting notes and talk books and writing and heaven only knows what else. And, bless their hearts, they withstood our zealous political rantings and even managed to appear interested at times. THAT is a good friend, I tell you what.
I think the best part for me, though, was seeing Abby make an honest-to-goodness friend. Well, two of them, really. I've never seen her play with other kids the way she played with Lu and Ed. I have to admit her introversion makes me sad sometimes, but it was so encouraging to see that she could indeed connect with other kids and have a good time--and be so into playing with them that she didn't mind when I left her in the care of Meg and Joel so I could take a shower. Typically she'd be in the bathroom with me and would freak out if I tried to leave her like that. But no, she happily ran around with them--and even TALKED to Joel a few times. Talk about personal growth! 'Course it's just our luck that she'd click with kids she probably won't see for years. *sigh* At least I know it *can* happen.
It's amazing to me that after so many years you can still click with someone. And man, thank you Lord for the Internet--instead of spending a week catching up on what our lives have been like for the last 7 years, we were able to just hang out and enjoy each other's company.
But now they're back to their St. Paul home, torn up as it is from renovations, and we're battling some wacky cough and fever combo that had Abby burning up at 105.8 yesterday afternoon. Thankfully she's doing much better now, even without Tylenol, and her appetite seems to have returned as she has just polished off a ton of sweet potato. Not my idea of comfort food, but hey, whatever floats your boat, right?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Well that's scary.
H.R. 393: Universal National Service Act of 2007
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-393
"To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the favorable treatment afforded combat pay under the earned income tax credit, and for other purposes."
This bill was proposed to the House of Representatives this week. Feel like joining the army?
Yet another reason I'm voting for Ron Paul.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-393
"To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the favorable treatment afforded combat pay under the earned income tax credit, and for other purposes."
This bill was proposed to the House of Representatives this week. Feel like joining the army?
Yet another reason I'm voting for Ron Paul.
Christian Writers Market Guide by Sally Stuart
I've really been slacking on posting reviews for the CFBA. No excuse other than laziness, and for that I apologize. Anyway, this week's offering is the Christian Writers Market Guide. For those of you who are trying to break into the Christian writing market, this book is an invaluable resource. Check it out!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sally Stuart has been writing for the last 40+ years, and has been putting out the annual "Christian Writers' Market Guide" for the last 23 years. Her other writing includes several Christian education resources books, a children's picture book, a basic writing text, writing resources, and a western novel--plus hundreds of articles and marketing columns. She writes marketing columns for the "Christian Communicator," "Advanced Christian Writer," and the Oregon Christian Writers' Newsletter. She speaks and teaches at Christian Writers' Conferences nationwide. Sally is the mother of 3 and grandmother of 8. She and her husband, Norm, spend their free time vacationing on the Oregon coast.
Check out her blog!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The essential reference tool for the Christian writer, Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide is now in its 23rd annual edition!
Check out the section on Blogging on page 69...the CFBA is listed!
Writers’ Conference listings, Book Publishers, Magazine Publishers, and a Bookstore filled with the resources you need to be successful in this business. Get a Book Contract or Manuscript Evaluation, and check out the Writer’s Resource links. This book has all you need to connect to all these valuable helps for the beginning, intermediate, or professional writer.
To keep you up to date with the latest marketing news, visit Sally Stuart’s new marketing blog, Christian Writers’ Marketplace, at http://www.stuartmarket.blogspot.com/.
A new, updated version of the Christian Writers’ Market Guide is available about January 15 each year.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sally Stuart has been writing for the last 40+ years, and has been putting out the annual "Christian Writers' Market Guide" for the last 23 years. Her other writing includes several Christian education resources books, a children's picture book, a basic writing text, writing resources, and a western novel--plus hundreds of articles and marketing columns. She writes marketing columns for the "Christian Communicator," "Advanced Christian Writer," and the Oregon Christian Writers' Newsletter. She speaks and teaches at Christian Writers' Conferences nationwide. Sally is the mother of 3 and grandmother of 8. She and her husband, Norm, spend their free time vacationing on the Oregon coast.
Check out her blog!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The essential reference tool for the Christian writer, Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide is now in its 23rd annual edition!
Check out the section on Blogging on page 69...the CFBA is listed!
Writers’ Conference listings, Book Publishers, Magazine Publishers, and a Bookstore filled with the resources you need to be successful in this business. Get a Book Contract or Manuscript Evaluation, and check out the Writer’s Resource links. This book has all you need to connect to all these valuable helps for the beginning, intermediate, or professional writer.
To keep you up to date with the latest marketing news, visit Sally Stuart’s new marketing blog, Christian Writers’ Marketplace, at http://www.stuartmarket.blogspot.com/.
A new, updated version of the Christian Writers’ Market Guide is available about January 15 each year.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Not at all surprised
I found out something new about Ron Paul: he's a Christian! When I found the link to his statement of faith, my emotion was akin to learning that the guy you have a crush on has a crush on you too. I also felt vindicated, in a way--I was following my heart and my head and not jumping on the Huckabee bandwagon simply because of his faith, and lo and behold Dr. Paul's a Christian, too. Like I was being rewarded for having faith in him or something. Silly, I know, and totally not true, but that's just how it felt.
They're planning another online donation bomb on MLK Jr. Day for Ron Paul. If you haven't yet checked out his site and read up on his politics, I urge you to do it before that date so that you can donate to the war chest along with the rest of us if you decide to support him.
They're planning another online donation bomb on MLK Jr. Day for Ron Paul. If you haven't yet checked out his site and read up on his politics, I urge you to do it before that date so that you can donate to the war chest along with the rest of us if you decide to support him.
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