by Sarah | Apr 20, 2012 | All About Denver, The Teenager, Track
[flickr id=”6083043811″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Last year Denver begrudgingly signed up for Track. Cross Country only runs in the fall, and this gave him a spring sport. He ended up on all of the longer runs, but struggled with the shorter runs compared to XC.
This year?
The kid is killing it. Beating all of his best times regularly and placing in a good portion of the races he’s in!!
The best part? Seeing him proud of his accomplishments – the improving times at every race. His most important race is against his own time.
We’re proud of him, too. Never thought I’d raise a runner – but he’s one heck of one!!!
by Sarah | Apr 19, 2012 | All About Molly
[flickr id=”6408223047″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”center”]
To a father growing older nothing is dearer than a daughter. ~Euripides
You started life as you live it. On the side – coming in so easy that the doctor wasn’t even prepared. Blue, but your instant cries brought tears to your Daddy’s eyes.
Despite your desire to sleep nowhere but on someone’s heartbeat, or in your carseat, you were so easy when you were tiny. A blessing to fill our house even more.
Even as you grew and your struggles began, you continued to touch our hearts. Through your struggles that we made our own, our love for you grew and grew. Even as you frustrate us, we cherish your unique heart and soul. Your unique spirit helps us treasure each and every genuine smile.
We love you, Molly…and are so happy and proud to see you become such an incredibly smart and beautiful girl. A big girl at 7 years old.
Happy Birthday baby!
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by Sarah | Apr 18, 2012 | Changing Tracks, General, Writing
[flickr id=”6367108607″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Side Note: I am featured on Band Back Together this week. Post went live today. Please click on over to read “Broken Trust“.
A month ago I had that ‘lightbulb’ moment when you face the great errors of a manuscript you’ve set aside for its ‘resting’ period. My Historical Western Romance had made a round on the agent circuit last year, and I have plans to go through the epub submission rounds very soon.
The Muse (the crazy, demanding bitch) giggled, “Just two minor character changes. We’re going to shove a backbone into that one, and turn this guy into a slimeball bastard that makes you gag just with his presence. Simple. A few minor changes.”
Simple.
Three weeks later I’m half done with a partial rewrite (we have added 5 chapters at this point) and editing overhaul.
Now the crazy bitch…~ahem~ Sorry, that’s “The Muse” is impatient. She wants to start submitting the beast all over town when we aren’t even done.
Oh, and did I mention we have another novel that hovers in mid-draft as well? The Paranormal Romance blasted through my free-write of 4 books and now sits half done with the second draft of book 1.
We have reached the “head spinning” realm of too much to do.
So this week writing sits on the sidelines. The Muse is heading off to Mexico to drink tequila and get high on whatever recreational drugs she so chooses. She needs the breather (and to chill the f*ck out) – and so do I.
Fortunately her vacation falls in the most timely way. I am heading to St. Louis w/ the husband for a combo business trip/romantic weekend. On Saturday I’ll have my ‘business’ portion of the trip (Bloggy Boot Camp – which includes a writer’s workshop Woohoo!), but the rest of the time it’s me & the hubs. No kids. We might be just a little excited.
Once I return, the blog will face its overhaul & redesign. Even if The Muse returns refreshed and decides to get down to business so we can start submitting again – the blog will be cleaned up. She needs work – but i’m already working behind the scenes to prepare for it.
Maybe the conference will beat me over the head and get me to manage my time better so that I can do it all?
I know…I need a damn [amazon_link id=”B004A7XQNM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]egg-timer[/amazon_link].
by Sarah | Apr 17, 2012 | All About Me, Story of Me
[flickr id=”7034055449″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]On December 9th, 2006 I had a full hysterectomy of my remaining reproductive organs. This happened 7 years after a right ooferectomy (let’s loosely call it an ooferectomy as technically there wasn’t any ovary left).
This was not voluntary. It was classified ’emergency’ – and happened just 10 days after the ultrasound revealed what I suspected, I had another non-functioning cyst. It had happened before – to my right ovary. A non functioning cyst that had been discovered in April of 1997 grew into a 5lb mass that completely obliterated my ovary. So when this cyst first appeared we treated for it, but instead of shrinking it grew. The emergency hysterectomy was scheduled.
By that point I had my 3 children. All that I ever wanted. I was ready to stop being surprised by pregnancies – and to stop that other regular hassle that all women have. My regular visitor had always been a painful mess, even when in peak health. I sure wouldn’t miss that (or the expense of it).
I was fine with it. Menopause? Pshaw. I’m ready. Sign me up for that surgery.
I’m still okay with it.
I have random bouts of hating menopause. What it’s done to my body. The hot flashes, oh the hot flashes.
Still, I’m good with it.
But every once in a while.
On the days when I see how big my girls are now. On the days when I see how removed my teen has become. On days when I see a tiny baby, so small and sweet. Or I remember the feeling of being pregnant.
Then, in the quiet moments – that is when I mourn.
Not because we could have had more (we couldn’t – not financially feasible at all). Not because I wanted more.
Because the choice is gone. The days are passed. I miss the days when the possibility was there. I miss the wonder, the joy.
We are set, our family is complete. We’ve known it all along.
Yet in small, almost infinitesimal doses, I mourn.
by Sarah | Apr 16, 2012 | Challenge, I Am Polish, Trifecta, Writing
[flickr id=”7084174865″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”] We bring out the pussy willows.
They don’t understand.
An ancient tradition to be sure, but it always brings a second glance. Begs explanation.
We bring forth the water (and water guns). We drink, we splash, we laugh.
They still don’t understand.
We drink Bloody Mary’s and eat Platzek for breakfast. Kielbasa for lunch. Galumpki’s for dinner (with copious amounts of beer, of course).
They still don’t understand – but they sure don’t care anymore.
We dance the polka from morning til night.
We observe the grandest Dyngus Day in years. Without the bitter temps to try to douse our fun – the city is more alive than ever.
The Buffalo Polish – we know how to party.
*~*~*~*
I’m back in the Trifecta Writing Challenge . Where we are supposed to submit a piece of writing between 33 and 333 words using the third definition of the chosen word. The word this week was “observe”. Considering Dyngus Day just happened last week (and I had to miss it) I thought I would celebrate by-proxy.
ob·serve verb \əb-ˈzərv\
1: to conform one’s action or practice to (as a law, rite, or condition) : comply with
2: to inspect or take note of as an augury, omen, or presage
3: to celebrate or solemnize (as a ceremony or festival) in a customary or accepted way
