Loving thoughts & Thanksgiving

There is nothing like holding, and rocking, your babies. No other experience on the planet compares to soothing your child. Or, just watching your child sleep, peacefully, while she unconsciously twirls her hair. I didn't even know she did that! It's amazing the things you find out about your children when you do nothing but take the time to watch them sleep. Now granted, it was somewhat irritating to have to get up every 2 hours last night because she was in her room hollering, "Mommy! Rock me!" and wouldn't stay asleep for any extended period of time. At one point, I scooped her up and brought her with me back into my bed and we snuggled. This is when I noticed she twirls her hair. "Amazing!" I thought to myself, "I thought I was the only one in the family who did that!" She spent most of the time in bed with me squirming and complaining and I finally dumped her (gently, of course) back into her bed. Three times I rocked her this morning from the time she woke me up at 5AM until the time I left for work. I tried very hard to get her back to sleep enough that she wouldn't wake up until a decent hour, leaving Hubby and Kiddo to get some more sleep. But apparently, that was not to be. Hubby called and said that Little Bit woke up probably about the same time I closed the door behind me on my way out this morning. I guess they're both feeling better, though. Now, if only Hubby felt better. I don't think we're going to his mother's house for Thanksgiving...we can't risk getting her sick. The ball is still up in the air, though... Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! TTFN JMS

Kids, Sickness, Housework, & The Pagan Stone

Kiddo seems to be feeling better, but Little Bit is still not feeling well. She was up more than she was down last night so needless-to-say, I'm still very tired today. I left work early yesterday (at 9:30 AM) so that I could go home to be with my sick kids and so that Hubby could go to his doctor's appointment and run his errands without dragging them with him. Not only would it not be good for the kids to be out and about, but it wouldn't be good for anyone who came in contact with them. I guess Strep is contagious (as if I didn't know...). Ha! So when I got home, I spent some time reading with the kids while they snuggled with me. Then we ate a soft lunch ('cause throats still hurt) and then we all curled up in my bed to watch Wall-E. I had Little Bit's head on my left shoulder and Kiddo's head on my chest. My feet were freezing, but I didn't care - I was in full Mommy Mode. There was a good nap in there somewhere. There was a bunch of whining and complaining. When Hubby got home, I scrubbed the bathtub and did a bunch of laundry. Little Bit got a warm bath before she went to bed at 6:30 PM and Kiddo, Hubby and I stayed up for a while and watched Rachel Ray cook scallops and then some guy from America's Test Kitchen showed us how to make the perfect holiday turkey. We all love those cooking shows! So I'm back at work today and looking forward to reading The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts, which came out last night at 12:01AM. Don't know how much time I'll have to read at work, but I know I'll at least have 30 minutes or so during lunch! Ugh... Two more days. I can get through two more days. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...! Then a long, Holiday weekend! TTFN JMS

Strep Throat & "Date" with G

Both kids have strep! We're lucky our pediatrician has Sunday hours! Kiddo's swab came back positive right away; Little Bit's came back negative, but the doctor is 99.9% sure that she's got it, too. All the same symptoms and a higher temp than Kiddo's. They're going to run the 24hour culture just to be sure. They're treating both of them with antibiotics. I was also told it was OK to administer some Children's Motrin but cautioned that they both should eat something first so that the medicine wouldn't upset their stomachs. Kiddo ate a little food last night, some tiny pieces of chicken, some orange, sugar-free jello and a banana. He seemed fine and even got a popsicle after he was through. He took his medicine without issue. Little Bit ate some lemon-lime jello and a banana, but it all came back up. Poor thing. We finally ended up giving her an orange popsicle (just to get something in her) and a bottle. She took her medicine with some difficulty, but we got most of it in her. At 11:30PM, she woke up and wanted another bottle, but I gave her a bottle with cool water in it and she settled right back down. She seemed like she was burning up and I thought the cool water would help. She was still asleep when I left for work this morning. Kiddo, on the other hand, came scuffing into the kitchen in his footie jammies asking for water. He took his cup of water back to his room with him and climbed back into bed. He was mostly asleep five minutes later when I went in to check on him. I've made my boss aware of the sickness at home and he told me to do whatever I needed to do; that my babies came first. Can you believe it!? My former boss would have complained bitterly, but eventually let me go. There was no issue with New MD at all, and he's on vacation! Boy, do I consider myself lucky. **** On a different note, G and I went to see "Twilight" on Friday. Let me just say that I've never seen anything like the madness that the theatre was that night. There were teenagers running everywhere wearing "Team Edward" shirts and screaming, jumping up and down like crazed people. It made me think of what it must have been like to go to a Beatles concert back when. The screaming, jumping, crying and hugging. The movie was AWESOME! I can't wait to see it again! I thought G already had the tickets, but didn't know until late in the game that she didn't have them. Our intent was to go to the 7PM showing, but by the time we got there, the 7PM showing had been sold out for 3 hours! We went to the 8PM showing and had to sit in the 2nd row from the front because it was so packed. It was still awesome. G and I sat in her car and just talked and listened to my crazy music for an hour or so and then we went in to immerse ourselves in the craziness of the theatre. It was lots of fun! Thanks for being my "date" G! TTFN JMS

Exciting Movie Premiere & Book Release

OMG!!! It's finally here and I'm SO excited! Twilight premiered last night (er...early this morning at 12:01AM) and I am going to see it tonight with G! Very happy. Oh, and we're going to get sushi at Earth Fare first, so another plus! It's nice to have a friend who enjoys sushi! Anyway - I'm covering the front desk all day today, so that's something different; a change of pace. New MD is out of the office today and won't be back until Dec. 1st. I've already run this by him and know he's OK with it. I've forwarded my desk phone to the front desk and have logged in to my computer remotely so I have my email and all my files and stuff... Should be good to go. The third book in the Nora Roberts Signs of Seven trilogy will be coming out next Tuesday and I'm also very excited about that! (Book 1: Blood Brothers, Book 2: The Hollow, Book 3: The Pagan Stone) G and I have decided we're taking 30 minutes at lunch and going to the book store to get our copies! I wonder if I should reserve them first? Will they fly off the shelves? Normally, I'm not a big fan of romance novels, but these are more supernatural mysteries and so, of course, they draw my interest. This last one should be really good! Something else to be excited about. Good things. All good things. TTFN JMS

Kiddo did what?

Kiddo went to bed last night of his own accord; I nearly fell over in shock! I got Little Bit into bed and she settled right down, as usual (we're lucky that way) and then I told Kiddo he should spend a little time picking up his room. He said, "Mom, I'm tired. I think I'm just gonna go to bed, OK?" "Sure, get yourself ready and I'll be in in a minute," say I. I came back about five minutes later to find him in his jammies, in bed, waiting to be tucked in. I asked him which blanket he wanted (this is a story for another time) and he said, "Grandpa's." So I laid Grandpa's blanket over him and he snuggled down under the soft and the warm. I kissed him goodnight, we said a prayer, and then he was asleep just minutes later. When Hubby came home from choir practice, and I told him about what Kiddo had done, he said, "Is he sick?" This was Hubby's way of saying "What alien invaded my son to make him do this strange thing he'd never, normally, do?" I just shook my head and continued watching Ghost Hunters. Hmmm...Ghost Hunters...fun show. TTFN JMS

Hanging out with my kiddos

I had a great time hanging out with my kiddos last night. I mean this; that's not Mom Sarcasm. Hubby had called me before I left work to tell me that Kiddo had not taken a nap at all and that Little Bit had woken up grouchy. (Side note: If I say, "Are you grouchy today?" she'll say, "No, I not grouchy, Mommy!") I expected difficulties when I got home. When I arrived at my humble abode, both kids were playing in Kiddo's room. Kiddo was playing with his pirate ship (a gift from a friend of Hubby's for Christmas last year that he absolutely adores) and Little Bit was getting in his way. Screaming ensued. So I changed into my "comfy" clothes and headed into Kiddo's room to distract Little Bit from Kiddo's pirate ship. I grabbed the polydron pieces and began having her help me put them together. That didn't work so well because she hasn't really developed the hand-eye coordination it takes to get them to work; even I have a hard time with it sometimes. But they're fun and you can make all kinds of neat shapes and things. (I think I'm going to try to get some more for Kiddo for Christmas...I know he enjoys them a lot.) Then I pulled out the blocks and began stacking them as high as they would go. This was interesting for Little Bit because as soon as the blocks were stacked 6 high, she would knock them over with great amusement. We stacked and built and rolled and spun the blocks for quite a while. Kiddo lost interest in his pirate ship and came over to play with us. Then we had a game of "Toss the Block into Little Bit's Dora the Explorer Bucket." This was all kinds of fun - and in the middle of tossing blocks, Little Bit said, "We Will Wock Oou, Mommy! We Will Wock Ooo!" and Kiddo echoed this request. So, of course, being the accommodating Mommy that I am, I fetched Little Bit's CD Player out of her room, found the appropriate CD, and played Queen's We Will Rock You for the babies, who just wanted to dance. The Tossing Blocks game soon became the, "Dump the Dora the Explorer Bucket Full of Blocks All Over the Carpet and Begin Tossing Again" game. Little Bit hefted the bucket twice ("Heby, Mommy!" Hear: "Heavy, Mommy!") and then Kiddo had to get a turn or two. I left them playing happily with the blocks and such and went into the kitchen to make dinner. Tilapia filets (Gorton's frozen, of course, but very good), corn, green beans, pineapple tidbits and a spinach/blue cheese salad for me. They played well and quietly the entire time I was cooking. Once I brought the fish out of the oven, Little Bit appeared in the doorway of the kitchen and said, "I hungy, Mommy!" and immediately tried to climb into her high chair. Dinner ready, both kids ate very, very well. Little Bit ate every single bite of her fish, every single piece of corn and every single green bean I gave her. Then she had some pineapple for "dessert" and when Hubby got home from work and was eating his dinner, Little Bit sampled some of his food, too! Apparently she was hungry! Little Bit went to bed at 7:30PM, and Kiddo was instructed to clean up his room before 8:00 PM. He even went so far as to get the little blue step stool from the bathroom so he could put his own clothes away. (I had to instruct him a little bit because he had every drawer of the bureau open and I was worried it would become unbalanced and topple over on top of him. I explained that he had to open one drawer at a time and this he understood immediately and complied without a single complaint. A wonder.) He put his own jammies on and went to bed without argument and was asleep in less than 10 minutes. No nap will do that to a kid, I guess. Anyway - it was a nice, productive, fun evening and I enjoyed it. TTFN JMS

Queen Rules the Car

I am almost sick of the song We Will Rock You by Queen. Kiddo and Little Bit have decided this is a fantastic song and they both sing it with ease and much enthusiasm and enjoyment. I'm going to have to get a short video of this because it's America's Funniest Home Videos caliber of funny. To hear my 20 month old daughter singing, "We will, we will, wock oou!" with an enormous grin on her face, is probably the funniest thing I've ever seen, or heard. To hear my 4 year old son singing, "You've got mud on your face...kicking that can around all over the place," is hysterical, especially when you consider the fact that he adds his own words in there because he thinks it makes the song funnier. They both laugh and sing and shake and shimmy around in their car seats (this is something we do in the car) and have a grand time. The problem is, once it gets to the guitar stuff at the end of the song, Little Bit says, "We will wock oou again, Mommy!" So, of course, I rewind the tape (yes, my car has a tape player, I'm old fashioned that way) and play it again, and again, and again, and again...until I finally have to say, "OK...once more and then that's it! No more We Will Rock You!" Much complaining ensues, but Mom always wins. TTFN JMS

Paperback Writer?

Maybe I should write a trashy romance novel. What do you think? I mean, even the worst romance novelist makes something from her sales, don't you agree? So even if my best story won't come out, even it it is still stuck inside my damn head, even though I know what I want to do with it (for the most part) but it's still not flowing, I could drop everything and write a 300 page romance novel and be set for a year or two...right? OK...maybe not. Weekend was mostly normal. Nothing really all that interesting happened. Kiddo and Little Bit were great for me all day on Saturday and we had a really nice time together. Sunday was church, I substituted for this month's Sunday School teacher (not sure where she was, but she wasn't there) and then we went home and had a good afternoon at home. I did laundry, of course, and cleaned Little Bit's room. Now it's Monday again and I'm planning my attack on the day (week), hoping that I can get all the stuff on my plate accomplished in two days. New MD is going to be gone for 2 weeks and I want to make sure I'm caught up before he leaves. To work! TTFN JMS PS: New JMS story posted on Knox Writing Club: Coming Out of the Dark.

Kiddo & Little Bit School Pictures!!

Had to share! I think they're awesome!

TTFN JMS

Sweet sappy stuff I love about my life...

It's raining today. It rained yesterday. The leaves are almost gone - but they sure were beautiful this year! I don't think I've seen colors like that since I lived in New England. I remember driving down the road - going home from work - one day a couple of weeks ago and thinking to myself I am so lucky to live here in this beautiful place! I love driving by the lake in the mornings, when the mist is rising off the glass-smooth surface and my elusive heron (there are several, but I always think of him as one being that materializes here and there) is sitting on a pylon or knee-deep in the shallows. I love driving parallel to the train that runs on the other side of the lake and wondering which of us (me or the train) will get to the bridge first. I usually win, even though I'm not racing. I love driving by the lake at night, on my way home, when all the health conscious folks are out walking or running or biking on the trail that follows the street side of the lake from the turnpike to the main road. I see beauty here every day and thank God every day that I can, and do, appreciate it. Taking the time to stop and smell the roses, so-to-speak. I love getting home and walking carefully into my house, being mindful that my children might be getting the last minutes of their afternoon naps in only to be surprised by Little Bit exclaiming happily, "Mommy's home!" and then running to me and throwing her arms in the air in an effort to be picked up and cuddled by me. I love seeing Kiddo's sleepy-eyed, sticky-uppy haired form come slowly around the corner into the living room and then see his eyes light up when he sees I'm home. I love when my husband comes up behind me and gives me a squeeze, telling me in his silent way that he loves me and he's glad I'm home, too. Even though it's now getting colder, and the leaves are nearly gone and it's wet and dreary outside, I love it. Yesterday, it almost smelled like snow, but I suppose it's too early to hope for that. It's really too early to hope for snow at all here...we rarely get more than a dusting. What I wouldn't give for one really good snow day...I'm talking several inches to a foot or more - that would be something! I would love to see how the kids react to seeing real snow for the first time. Even the dog likes snow; she's so funny to watch when she's racing around in the white stuff, sticking her nose in it and then tossing it in the air to snap at it with gleeful jaws. Well, I guess I'm done being sentimental and sappy for the day. To work, I say! TTFN JMS

Kiddo Loves Mom, Culinary Creation & Sick Boss

Kiddo told me he loved me last night - totally on his own, with no prompting from me. It was so sweet! Kind of funny, too. He was sitting on his bed and I had just finished clipping his toe- and fingernails. He was remarking on the fact that it didn't hurt at all and I was trying to explain to him that clipping should not hurt and the only time it does is when he jerks his leg or hand away and I miss the mark. It's happened once or twice, and now he's prepared for it to hurt and surprised when it doesn't. When I finished, he simply said, "Mom, you just don't know how much I love you." I pulled him onto my lap and hugged him fiercely and said, "I love you so much, buddy, more than you'll ever know." We just sat there for a while loving on one another. It was a very wonderful moment. **** I cooked dinner last night. I mean actually cooked - I didn't open a can of something and stick it in the microwave. I grilled a turkey kielbasa outside on the gas grill, and made a nice concoction of rice, black beans, celery, chives garlic and a few other random things...turned out OK. I was quite proud of myself. Still not little Suzie Homemaker, but I'm trying. **** New MD is still sick. He's got some sort of flu bug I guess. I've now sanitized every surface in his office (twice), including the door knobs, the keyboard, the telephone, the chair arms, his pen and anything else he may have touched...just in case. Normally I'm not that fanatic about stuff - careful, yes, but not fanatic - but I refuse to take this whatever-it-is home to my family. **** I guess that's it for random thoughts today. Hope everyone is doing well! TTFN JMS

My Early Morning Search for Kiddo

I nearly had a heart attack this morning. Talk about true panic. I've never experienced anything like it before... I was getting ready to leave for work, having already showered, dried my hair, gotten dressed etc... and was going about my routine of checking on the kids before I left for the day. I do this every morning. I go into their rooms and just check on them, to see for myself that they're still sleeping soundly or whatever. Sometimes I'll cover them up with a blanket or, if they're awake, I'll reassure them that everything is OK but it's too early to get up and settle them back down to sleep. This morning, Little Bit was perfectly fine. Sleeping like an angel. I covered her up and quietly stepped out of her room and closed the door. Then I went to check on Kiddo. He wasn't there. Since he has a habit of crawling into our bed after I get up in the morning, my next stop was our bedroom; he wasn't in our bed, either. I knew he wasn't in Little Bit's room because I was just in there. I called quietly, "[Kiddo]?." No answer. Hubby woke up and said, "What's going on?" "I can't find [Kiddo]," I said. He raised up a bit and checked the other side of the bed. "He's not here. Check the couch." I knew he wasn't on the couch because I'd just been sitting on the couch a few minutes earlier. I went back into Kiddo's room and flicked on the light, thinking that maybe I just hadn't seen him and he was piled under his blankets. But no, he really wasn't there. "[Kiddo]?" I called again...somewhat louder this time. Still no answer. I checked the front and side doors to make sure they were locked (you see where my brain went with this...all of it's own accord) and they were indeed both securely locked. So he had to be in the house...but I couldn't think where he could be. Finally, I decided to check the other side of our bed for myself, although I couldn't think how Hubby could not have seen him had he been there. I walked around the foot of our bed and there, silently sleeping with the dog on her bed, was kiddo. Curled up, warm, sleeping soundly. Relief flooded through me as I gathered his sleeping form in my arms and carried him back to his bed. As I lay him on his bed and covered him with his favorite blanket, he grabbed the edge, curled up and said, "Thanks, Mom," and was out again. I'm going to have to have a talk with that boy when I get home tonight. My morning started out just fine, but quickly fell into panic when I couldn't find my son. I really couldn't find him and he didn't answer my calls because he was asleep! Everything was fine, thank God, but I still nearly had a heart attack when I couldn't find him. I think I'm going to be shaking the entire day now. Remind me not to have more than one cup of coffee this morning, eh? TTFN JMS

Sunday; a good day

I felt almost like Donna Reed yesterday, except without the skirt, heels and pearls. Hubby and the kids went to church in the morning, leaving me at home to bake and clean. I baked because our young adult/marriage group was getting together yesterday afternoon for some fun and fellowship. I cleaned because, well...I had two uninterrupted hours to get some stuff done that's difficult to do with two kids following behind me and tearing up everything I've just cleaned. As it was, I managed several loads of laundry, a banana/cranberry loaf and a large batch of very yummy brownies. Oh, and I whipped some cream for the brownies, but, of course, managed to forget it in the fridge when we left for the park. They (the folks in charge of the outing) had planned a treasure hunt for the kids. Kiddo had a blast following around the big kids, all of whom were sporting pirate hats, eye patches and "Billy Bob" teeth. They all looked ridiculous, but they all had a good time. At the end, the hunt revealed a plastic treasure chest buried among the bushes in the park which contained plastic gold coins, rubber bouncy balls, plastic beaded necklaces and a few other goodies. Each kid had been given a little mesh bag for their "booty" and one of the older kids, a very sweet young man approximately 13 years of age with white blond hair, directed the younger kids on how much of the "booty" they each could take. He was very efficient. (He complimented me on my brownies. He said, "Ma'am? This is my third brownie and I wanted to let you know how good they are. You did a good job. Thank you for bringing them!" I told you he was sweet!) Little Bit got one green bouncy ball and a pink necklace; she was very pleased with her haul. She wore her pirate hat on top of her purple fleece hat; she was thrilled with herself. After being outside for about 2 hours, we packed it in and went home. It was cold. The kids were tired and hungry (for real food, not snack food) and Hubby and I were ready to go. Later that night, after watching Enchanted, having eaten heartily of Lightning McQueen Spaghetti-O's with meatballs (we were kind of out of creativity for the evening meal), a bath for Little Bit (who had "soiled" herself righteously - I know, I know - TMI), and some griping from Kiddo, they were put in bed at 7:30PM. Both of them were asleep rather quickly. Then Hubby and I watched Get Smart (very funny), and I went to bed. It was a good day. TTFN JMS

Work, Home - Home, Work

Today is a big day at the office. It's our quarterly employee meeting. I, thankfully, have had very little to do with it this time around and G has really taken the ball and run...far and fast. Her decorations are simple (I did help with these a bit) but elegant and I think all the folks who matter will be pleased. Well...ok...everyone will be pleased. Sr. VP should be here any second and New MD is sick today so I'm sure that will change the way the presentations to just a bit. Shouldn't be a big deal, though. Just going to be very busy. I'm glad today is Friday! Last night, Kiddo and Little Bit were amazing - as always. Kiddo gave me a bit of a hard time about anything and everything he could. Hubby called and made Kiddo apologize to me for being a butt head. Ha! Little Bit is learning words hand over fist - it's pretty awesome to hear. She's beginning to speak more coherently (is that the right word?) and her vocabulary is growing every minute. Kiddo is helping her. It's quite cute to see/hear him quiz her: "[Little Bit] can you say...Fire Engine?" ...and she'll try. Sometimes she gets it exactly right the first time, other times he has to repeat the word several times before she gets it. It's still neat to have our very own language tutor in the house. Her understanding of things is growing, too. I can ask her just about any question and she'll respond appropriately. Kiddo was the same way when he was her age. It looks like we're going to have two very verbal children on our hands. Not that I mind. (Right now, I've got them all on the phone and Little Bit just told me, "I'm eating Cheerios!") Little Bit has also started becoming interested in her baby dolls - more than usual. She's rocking them to sleep in her little rocking chair, putting them to bed in the little bassinet she has (courtesy of Aunt D & GM), dressing them, undressing them, changing their diapers etc... She's very motherly with them...except she hasn't really figured out that mothers don't swing their babies by the feet into the bassinet! Anyway - all good. TTFN JMS

Nothing in particular

Why is it that some days I have tons to say about nothing in particular and other days I have nothing in particular to say? That's me today. We went to the Wed Nite supper at church last night. My intent was to leave the kids to play in the nursery while Hubby went to choir practice so I could have an hour or two alone at home to get a few things done...uninterrupted. Didn't happen. Kiddo hadn't napped and therefore was very grouchy and Little Bit was just all over the place - too keyed up to do much more than run around. I couldn't subject the poor nursery staff to them last night, so I took them home with me. Everyone went to bed early. Oh, I posted another story to http://knoxwritingclub.blogspot.com - in case you're interested. TTFN JMS

An Historic Event

We have a new President and his name is Barack Obama. He will be sworn in on January 20, 2009 and begin his four-year stint in the White House. I told Kiddo last night that Hubby and I were going to watch the election coverage on the television and that meant he could not watch Go Diego Go. This prompted the question about what election coverage was and why we wanted to watch it, anyway? Me: "Do you know who the President of the United States is, bud?" Kiddo: "Um...I forgot," he says, somewhat sheepishly. Me: "You don't know, do you?" Kiddo: "No." Me: "Right now, the President of the United States is George Bush. Do you know what we're doing, what everyone in the country is doing, today? Right this very minute?" Kiddo: "No." Me: "We're voting for a new president! Isn't that exciting? Did you know, the last time we elected a president was the year you were born? You were 8 months old!" Kiddo: "You voted, right Mom?" Me: "Yes, your Daddy and I voted last week and tonight is the night we find out who won!" Kiddo: "Oh! Can I watch the 'lection with you?" Me: "Sure, but I don't think it's going to be too much fun for you." So it was that 7:30 PM found the three of us (Little Bit was in bed) watching Fox News in the living room. Eventually, I made my way to bed and left Hubby and Kiddo watching the 'lection coverage by themselves. Around 9:30, I became aware of little feet still padding around the house only to find Kiddo in my bedroom collecting hangers. (???) Me: "What are you doing?" Kiddo: "Collecting hangers." Me: "Where's Daddy?" Kiddo: "In the living room." Me: "What's Daddy doing in the living room?" Kiddo: "Sleeping." Me: "Well what are you still doing up? Do you even know what time it is? You should be in bed, Buddy!" Kiddo: "I don't want to go to bed!" At this, he high-tails it back into the living room and jumps on Hubby's sleeping form. This, of course, wakes Hubby up and he backs me up in my quest to get Kiddo in bed. After a few minutes of arguing (I know, it's ridiculous to argue with a 4 year old) he finally relented and a few minutes later, succumbed to sleep. I woke up this morning to a new President-Elect. Congratulations, Barack. TTFN JMS

Knox Writing Club & Halloween Pics

I had a discussion with Hubby last night - and in his insightful way, he suggested maybe my blog isn't the best place to put all of the stories I write. They're long. He's right. Therefore http://knoxwritingclub.blogspot.com/ was born. My friend G and I will be posting our stories, depending on if we think they're good enough for public viewing, to this blog as often as we can. We will not send updates about when we post there, but we may mention, in our own blogs, that we've put a new story on there. If you want to keep up with this new blog, you might want to add it to your "favorites." There are four stories posted now. Two of which, if you follow my blog, you've seen before. Two of which you have not. Check it out! If you're interested in joining the Writing Club, just let me know and we'll get you the info. ****** We had a great time on Halloween. Kids dressed up and trick-or-treated in our friend's subdivision in K-Town - as we do every year. Here are a few pictures of the kids in their costumes. Kiddo was Spiderman and Little Bit was Winnie-the-Pooh. (Interesting note, the Pooh costume was her cousin Z's costume when he was about 2 years old. He's now 16. The costume was in GREAT shape!) TTFN JMS

Another Challenge

BREAKTHROUGH I’d been sitting in the waiting room for thirty minutes, and was starting to get impatient. Who does he think he is, anyway? He knows I’m waiting out here for him. What kind of game is this, anyway? The truth is I know exactly what he’s doing. This is my last session with him. He hasn’t told me that yet, but he’s sure thinking it; devising a way to let me down easy. As if I care. I can see him in there, behind his glorious mahogany desk, scribbling away in my patient folder with the nub of a pencil; I just wish I could see what he was writing. “Finally,” I think to myself as the door to his inner sanctum (as I call it) opens wide enough for him to poke his pig nose through and beckon me to join him. I rise, slowly – taking my time, making him wait – and cross the room. As I come closer to his office, he pushes the door wider to allow my entrance, and steps out of the way, casually closing the door behind him as I make my way across the threshold. “Michael,” he booms, good-naturedly. “Good to see you today!” as he smacks a meaty hand across my back, just like two good old friends. “Can I get you something to drink?” “Yes, I’ll have a double vodka martini and a beer to wash it down with.” I respond, sarcastically. If only he did keep liquor in his office, then I wouldn’t mind these sessions so much. I could drink myself into oblivion and fall into a stupor on his fancy leather couch. “Sorry, buddy – I’m fresh out of vodka and beer today. Maybe next week, eh?” This last was said with an evasive chuckle. I doubt he knows I picked up on that. For a psychiatrist, he’s not too perceptive. I’ll bet he got his PhD from the College of Don’t Know Much about Squat, Arkansas. “Water then,” I say. While Dr. Pig Nose busies himself over at the bar built into the wall behind the couch, I walk to the enormous picture window and pull open the vertical blinds. It’s too damn dark in here. I’m supposed to be getting myself into a “better frame of mind” but I’m not exactly sure how to do that if it’s always so gloomy. Dr. What’s-His-Face looks at me askance, but because I do this every time I set foot into his office, he says nothing. He comes back around the couch and hands me a cold bottle of water; I don’t even look at it, but simply put it aside and forget it’s even there. He settles himself into the “big” chair across from me, puts his Albus Dumbledore glasses low on his fat nose, hooks his notebook, my client folder, and his pencil nub off the edge of his desk and looks at me over the rims of his eyewear. “So, what’s on your mind today?” he asks. “It’s my last session with you today.” I respond, getting right to the point. He looks uncomfortable again, fidgety. Then he looks shocked. It’s amusing to watch these two emotions war with one another on his face. “Perceptive, Michael – how did you come up with that?” “If you really want to know...I’m psychic. Didn’t I tell you?” I respond, not untruthfully, as I gaze out the window and over the rooftops across the street. It’s true that I have a keen perception; some might even say I have psychic tendencies, but it’s only perception. I get glimpses of things, but not things like what’s going to happen two days from now or what numbers are going come up in tonight’s lottery drawing. Some things I’m certain about, like today – knowing Dr. Idiot was planning on putting an end to our therapy sessions. But I also know things like who is coming for a visit before they set foot on my doorstep, or what my mother has cooked for dinner before she calls at the last minute to invite me to join her. I have not been allowed to play cards with Gary and Buster in years – they are convinced I cheat; I guess I do. I have trouble with movies because I can always (yes...always) predict what’s going to happen and they hold no interest for me anymore. It’s not a particularly useful talent and, in fact, has been more of an annoyance than anything else. I’ve never tried to hone it. I glance at him sidelong, to see if I can catch his reaction. “Will he believe me,” I think to myself, “or, will he decide I’m just crazy enough to continue these horrid weekly meetings?” Dr. Pig Nose simply looks bored, as he always does, and begins to scribble something (I wish I could see what he was writing) in his notebook. “Hm...” says he. Then, after a pause, he continues. “How long have you been psychic? Is this something new, or have you always been able to do it?” I decide that he needs to know nothing about the truth behind my words and, as I throw a big, toothy grin on my face, I respond, “Just joking with ya, Doc. I’m sure you don’t put any stock in that psychic crap, anyway. Or, if you do, that it’s only part of the job, right?” “I believe whatever you believe. If you believe you’re psychic, who am I to try to tell you otherwise? One doesn’t always know everything that goes on in this world, does one? I’m guessing you believe in ghosts, vampires, werewolves and other such nonsense, too, right?” He’s goading me now; again, that perception rears its head. Reading between the lines of what he says versus what he means. He wants me to react. “Nah,” I respond, looking away. I don’t intend to carry this line of questioning any farther. He suddenly looks sinister to me and not just like a fat, ugly, slob with an advanced degree. Now I’m uncomfortable; I squirm, trying to find a position on the leather couch that suits my current mood. He notices the change in my demeanor and leaps, as I expected. “You have been playing with me since the day we met, Michael. I have not heard one ounce of truth come out of your mouth – stories and lies, things you think I might want to hear. You’ve been coming here every week for almost 2 years now and we’ve accomplished absolutely nothing. You’re no further along than you were when we started. Finally, today, you say something that I think rings true and then tell me that you were joking. I think you’re lying about that, too, but what do I care? I get my one-fifty an hour and you get to tell stories once a week, right? We’re both happy. Now why don’t you tell me some other bit of nonsense so we can get this hour over with and get on with our lives?” It was the most I’d ever heard him speak. It was quite a speech, too. I’m frankly impressed that he seems to be more perceptive than I’ve given him credit for. But how do I continue? I stay quiet for a long time. “Tell me,” I say, almost in a whisper – not looking at him directly, but over the rooftops again. “Did you bring a roast beef sandwich, a little dab of horseradish, and some celery with you for lunch today?” Doc stares at me, his mouth agape. I continue, “You’ve got your lunch bag in the bottom right drawer of your desk and about now you’re thinking that you should have put it in the fridge at the bar. The celery is to appease your wife, who keeps nagging you about your heart, but it will hit the trash can before it ever hits your stomach. The roast beef is for you. Tell me I’m wrong.” The good doctor has forgotten his pencil. He doesn’t even notice when his notebook, and my file, slip off his oversized lap onto the floor. He looks pale and sweaty; scared, maybe? Have I scared him? Is he having a heart attack? Beginning to worry I make as if to rise from my perch on the couch. He sees my action, and immediately shakes himself out of whatever it was, clears his throat and reaches, with some difficulty, to retrieve his fallen items. “Ah. Um... I’m honestly at a loss for words, Michael. How could you possibly...? How is it possible...? Is it possible? What’s going on here?” he stammers, looking confused. I let out a long sigh and say, “Yes, it’s possible. More than possible, obviously. And you’re right, I’ve never said one thing that is worth your time in two years. So why the Hell are you ending these sessions if you know you haven’t gotten anywhere?” “Because I haven’t gotten anywhere, Michael. Because, until today, it’s obvious that you’re not going to tell me anything important and if we can’t communicate, if you can’t tell me what’s actually going on in your head, than I’m afraid I can’t help you.” He says bleakly. “So I’m right, aren’t I? About your lunch, I mean...” I ask. “Yes,” he responds simply. I look at him sheepishly and say, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’ve wasted your time. I guess I’m just now realizing that you’re not the unperceptive pig I thought you were. I’m sorry about that, too. Can we continue, or is today really our last day? Will you give me another chance?” He smiles. “There’s always room for second chances, Michael. Even 104 second chances. Yes, let’s continue, shall we?” And that’s when my life turned around. **** So this is the second challenge G and I have given ourselves. The red text in the above story was it. Write a story around those words, nothing terribly depressing (like last time), but otherwise completely open to interpretation. TTFN JMS