by Sarah | Feb 11, 2015 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Cystic Fibrosis, Disney, Make-A-Wish, Redefining Perfect, Special Needs
I can’t predict how many posts this is going to take over the next few months, so I’m not even going to try. Instead, I’m just going to let our story unfold. Some posts will be on one moment in time, a brief ten or twenty moments in time that impacted us too deeply to be buried with the other notes of our story.
The story of how we ended up where we did was both long and then very short. Short of it is after not being approved two years ago we were contacted by Make-A-Wish in April, saying that Kennedy and Denver could both qualify now and to call them. After that it was a heartbeat later that the Wish volunteers were sitting in our living room getting the kids wishes.
Kennedy wished for Disney/Universal.
I don’t think any of us was prepared for the amazing that followed.
The first step toward our trip involved a party. We got to invite some friends and met at a local restaurant.
All three of the kids were treated to Disney delights. No child was left out in the preparations, and they all got gifts.
The biggest one of all was, of course, for Kennedy. That big giant package was an elaborate Princess Anna costume for Kennedy (pictures to come in another post).
We were able to sit and relax with friends, while the kids played with the bevy of toys they were given. The volunteers went over many things that my head couldn’t wrap around, and as I’ve said several times, we had no idea what we were in store for.
The party went on for several hours, and then we all went home. Kennedy was an ecstatic mess, and even though we still had a couple of weeks before we left, the impatience for the trip was mounting.
Of course, the kids were bouncing off the walls, and so was I, but I was also packing and planning and stressing (Oh but I didn’t need to…). Oh, and planning and packing and stressing a little more. Talking to other people I knew that had done Disney through Make-A-Wish who had glowing reports just like I do now after the fact.
And so…we prepared to go. Left the dog with my parents, my hard drive w/ a neighbor for protection, got the fridge emptied and the laundry done.
We were ready to take off!
(Part 2 soon!)
by Sarah | Feb 9, 2015 | All About Me, I'm A Reader, Redefining Perfect
Last year I struggled to make my goal on Goodreads. I had set it at 35 early on in the year and really had trouble for a good part of the year, but then for a couple of months really hauled tail until I boosted it to 50 and hit the goal right at the end of the year.
This year I’m trying to do better and I’ve gotten off to a good start. I’m going to keep my widget in the sidebar, and we’ll see if I up my goal at some point like I did last year. I thought I’d share a little of what I’m reading now.
Ladle Rat Rotten Hut. This is part of a box set, it’s one of the Grimm Diaries Prequels (Number 4). They’re all short little reads, and I’ve enjoyed the way different take on traditional fairy tales in this series. I read 1-3 really fast, but this one got brushed aside as other books came into play. I look forward to diving in, though. This one is clearly a spin on Little Red Riding Hood…while the first three were Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty/Peter Pan (what a mix!!). I’ll admit it…I’m already hooked. Excuse me while I go ignore my other obligations and read this now.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Definitely not my first time at this rodeo. It’s actually my third time through reading the series now. But, I think it’s my favorite time. This time I’m reading them with my youngest. It’s slow going, we’re only doing a chapter or two at a time, but I love sharing these books with her. We went to Universal this summer and her love of Harry Potter from the movies blossomed along with her brand new hand-picked by Ollivander wand. She’s gaining a deeper appreciation now that we’re reading it and she’s seeing more depth to the story than she did before.
Ashes. I’ve seen This one here and there. I saw some pretty good reviews for it. I’m not usually a “sheep” when it comes to books (I actually usually don’t like super popular books…it took me a 2nd time through HP to truly appreciate them)…but I’m happy to say that so far I’m enjoying this one. My only complaint at the moment is the chapter size. It’s…weird. I guess it’s to portray some sort of speed/urgency to the text, but some of the chapters hardly even seem like a complete scene. Still, the premise is fascinating & I’m really enjoying where it’s going so far. 1/3 through and ready for more.
Wickedly Dangerous. This is a sort of interrupted read for me. I’m picking it up now and then in between the others. I actually really like the story, but as a paperback it keeps getting filed back into my bookcase and lost among the other hundreds of pages there.
I’m really enjoying it a lot, though. There’s a great humor in the story and I love the uniqueness of a Baba Yaga story. I’ve never seen another one.
The Undead: Playing for Keeps. Reading this one for review (Yes, I received a free copy from the wonderful publisher, Curiosity Quills). Not super far in, but it’s a fast read and I’m liking the characters. I’m really curious where it’s going to go, and hope it doesn’t take the obvious route that I could see happening.
A Grim Reaper…and a Grimm family (which own a funeral home??)….is it cliche? You’d think, but it’s not playing off that way as of yet.
This is Where I Leave You. I held off on this one for a long time. A LONG time. All of my friends read it, I kept seeing reviews. As I said above, this makes me usually avoid books because I don’t always really like them (I could give you five examples, but I’d be flogged and hanged for admitting I didn’t like them). Hubby and I watched the movie, though, and enjoyed it. So, I thought I’d give it a try finally. I haven’t started yet, but it’s next on my list.
*
These six books barely scratch the surface of the hundreds I have waiting on my TBR pile…but shockingly I’m still looking for more to add. What book suggestions do you have for me? I’m not big on non-fic or memoirs, but if they are AMAZING I might try (I do have Wild sitting on my shelf, after all).
by Sarah | Jan 21, 2015 | All of Us, Blogging Life, Crap, Photography, Random, Redefining Perfect, Special Needs
The past 4-5 months have been a weird sort of crazy busy, mentally wiped, not-really-busy-but-can’t-function sort of time. I got a job last year, and started working far more hours than I was hired for and my brain forgot how to function, I think. Or I just needed to focus on words. Or I focused too much on words. It’s hard to say.
I have so much to cover, and I’m trying to organize the words for full fledged blog posts, trying to wrap my mind around how to write a blog post again instead of a book. I’m trying to figure out how to expound on my world and the crazy, amazing, chaotic developments in our little corner of the universe, instead of building new worlds and characters and telling their story.
I want to resume telling my story again (while still telling theirs, of course, because I will likely never cease writing).
While I work on composing the words, here’s a few brief updates, destined to be turned into posts of their own eventually.
- We went to Disney World this year. This will require several posts, including one about Make-A-Wish and the true magic they created.
- I wrote over 500,000 words last year.
- Published 8 books.
- Contracted 7 more (& have 3 more in edits for Indie publishing later this year)
- I started working again, for real this time. After a few brief stints over the past 5 years, I’ve been at this job 7 months now. It’s the job I said I’d never go back to, and I’m still not sure how I feel about it.
- The kids are now almost-17 (3 days!), almost-10, and almost-9. Holy crap, how did that happen?
- Molly’s behavior has improved (thanks to a little help) vastly. Her school year this year has been so different, I’m the happiest I’ve been in a while w/ the school district.
- My brother got diagnosed w/ Parkinson’s (an early diagnosis thanks to early recognition of the symptoms based on our dad’s symptoms).
- My husband had surgery last month.
- We have a Monster High obsession going on around these parts (and it’s not just K)
- Our rescue dog has been with us almost a year now. I still don’t know how we lived without her stinky, strange, sweet, not-listening, mama’s-girl butt.
- K & I have started to read through the Harry Potter series together. It’s so much fun to share so much with one of my girls.
- I’m sort of turning into a planner fiend. Here’s hoping that helps with my whole “get back into blogging” plan.
- I’m trying some “30 days of”. Don’t plan on posting about them until I actually succeed (or get close to succeeding) in completing one. I’m hoping I can do anything for 30 days. I’m doing one of the toughest ones first. If I can manage to succeed in this, I know I can do anything.
There is so much more, and I have wonderful lists full of posts to create. I only need to get myself into focus to create them. I think my brain needs the release of getting these things out in the open. Maybe then I’ll start to feel like my brain is back on planet Earth.
Now, if only I could find those elusive extra hours in the day to accomplish everything I need to in every day.
by Sarah | Sep 11, 2014 | All About Me, Personal, Redefining Perfect, Story of Me
I posted this last year and the year before at this time. I’m re-posting it. I will always repost it every year at this time…
I know what today is. I know what it means to our country. I remember every detail of 2001 in vivid detail…but since before 2001, this date has been difficult for me, for my family…in 1996 my family’s core was lost, the heart of us…my grandfather…so my post on 9/11 is for him. Oh, and at surface glance I hate this picture of me, but then I see the pure joy on my face dancing with my grandfather and aesthetics be damned, it’s my favorite picture.
It was his birthday.
I was about four years old, and a very short kid…and he was TALL.
I remember standing by as he put our coats in the closet. I leaned my head way back to stare up, up, up at him and asked, “How tall are you?” With his sparkling eyes and laugh he informed me that he was over 6′. My eyes grew wide, and all I could say was, “But you’re so close to the ceiling! If you have ANY more birthdays you’ll go right through!”
His chair sat by the front door and the minute he sat the race was on – who would get the privilege of sitting on his lap, carrying on as deep a conversation as a child was capable of? Who would get to play with his round pot belly, and listen to his laughter?
He worked for GM and he was proud of it, and so were we.
When I close my eyes I can still smell his pipe and see the pipe carousel on his dresser. I can smell the cigarettes that he and grandma smoked.
I remember that after he retired he would watch soap operas during lunch.
And I remember the weddings – when my cousin and I would trade off and share him for the dance. “Grampa” by the Judds.
I remember his smile.
I remember his belly.
I remember the strength that he always carried in his soul and body.
I remember the pain that shot through my heart at the word…”cancer”. Once it was uttered it was less than a year. 10 months.
I remember the first time I saw him in the hospital-and how I had to run from the room because it made me physically ill to see my big strong grandfather lying in a bed weak and hooked up to tubes.
I remember his fight.
I remember when it was acknowledged in our hearts that the time to fight was over.
I remember how he held on – hours past when we thought we would lose him – because he would not let go until he’d gotten to hear the good-bye of all of his grandchildren, and my brother had been in surgery for a shattered wrist around the world in Japan. Half an hour after the final phone call, Grampa was gone.
I remember the sound of the tennis balls scattering across the hallway when my professor’s assistant walked up asking if she knew where I was…and all I could do was run to my car to get home as soon as I could.
From there it’s a blur…a long car ride from NC to NY. The arrangements. The funeral home. The droves of people I didn’t know, but who all knew him, overflowing the room.
The pain has lessened, resorted to a memory. For the most part I remember the love, the good things, the joy. But on this day every year the pain comes back to the forefront.
The pain seems so much stronger now that Grandma has gone to join him.
Refreshed and renewed now, they are together forever, but they will always be here in our hearts.
We love you still, and will always love you, Grampa.
by Sarah | Aug 11, 2014 | All About Kennedy, All About Molly, Redefining Perfect, Special Needs
Once upon a time I would explain it away.
“Ones a sensory seeker…”
of course…
“Well she’s just egging on her sister to get her in trouble.”
Then again…
“She knows it’s wrong and does it anyway.”
I think Erik would be happy if I just faced facts…
These two would be best known as “The Destructo Duo”.
No matter the toy…
The book…
The bed…
Whether they love it like no other…
Or could care less…
Whether it’s theirs…
Or ours…
Or something as old as myself that has stood the test of time…
They break it.
We’ve tried everything to curb the habit.
Threats.
Cajoling.
Pleading.
Nothing seems to work.
My Barbies? Lasted for twenty years until I gave them up thinking I’d not have any girls (oops).
Theirs? We’ve lost 2 to beheading’s, 4 to lost limbs, and 2 to horrifying hair situations.
The Monster High dolls are a blessing because they separate, but go back together easily.
Toys I grew up with that made it through me, and then Denver…now long gone because they weren’t spared the wrath of the crazies.
We just don’t know what to do anymore.
I’d hoped it would get better as they’ve aged…and in some ways it has.
Books are a little more cared for now.
I guess I should be happy for that battle won…
Maybe I will be…
At least until I find the next beheaded Barbie.
*~*
Any tips on curbing the destruction? I’m out of ideas. Yes, they share a room. No, there is NO hope for a playroom. TINY house, lots of people…we make do with what we’ve got.
by Sarah | Aug 5, 2014 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
I am an unashamed theater geek. I’ve done community theater, auditioned for Disney & a Broadway tour, and I’ve went to see many shows on Broadway and right here in Indy when they’ve come through on tour.
I am even an official “Twittic” for Broadway in Indy.
I LOVE musicals.
To the depths of my soul.
Of course I have my favorites.
(And a few I’m “eh” about).
Narrowing the list down isn’t easy, but I’m going to try. Some of these I have not seen, some I have. I’m going to just mix it up. 🙂
So, off we go to my top ten favorite musicals (numbers are reversed b/c numerated lists go 1-10 instead of 10-1. So my fav fav fav is 10…just sayin’.)
- Memphis. To be honest, I have Broadway in Indy to thank for my love of this show. I had never even heard of it before I got to go as my first Twittic assignment. The music, the dancing, the characters were all amazing. Even my husband was almost dancing in his seat (& Erik doesn’t do that…like, ever).
- A Chorus Line. As a dancer, of course. I also remember the day my dad, trying to discourage me from a career in the arts, told me to watch it to see what it was really like out there…I think that backfired a bit. Granted, I didn’t end up a starving artist in NYC…but it certainly discouraged me from nothing. I still live a life of rejection (just in writing instead of theater 😉 )
- Phantom of the Opera. Yes, the show is good, but in all honesty it’s the nostalgia of it. For years my dad and I would go see this one every time it came in town. My mom hates it, so I always go to go. Every time.
- Rock of Ages. My 80’s hair band loving heart has to mention it. I have not (and will not) watch the movie because, well…TOM CRUISE MAKES ME HURL…but otherwise, love my sound track and would love to see it live, like ASAP.
- You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. I have decided I was destined to play Lucy…too bad no one around here is doing this show. I would give my right arm to be in this one. Love the music, love the whole story. I listen to it (& sing at the top of my lungs to it) in my car frequently when I actually drive.
- Avenue Q. Sesame Street on crack. I mean, seriously. Laugh out loud funny. LOVE this crass and crazy show to pieces and then some.
- The Lion King. Holy crap did this one take my breath away. The spectacle and beauty of the costumes and puppetry. It’s true magic.
- Wicked. ‘Nuff said.
- Aida. I saw it with Mickey Dolenz in the cast. I mean, I had an honest-to-god “HOLY CRAP IT’S A MONKEE” moment when he came on stage. But I’m digressing. The musical itself is beautiful, the story line ages old, and the update they gave it for stage was spot on and so much fun. Amneris won my heart more than the H/h. I would love to see it again some day.
- Cats. I remember the first time I saw the show, vividly. We were living in Buffalo, it was the first ever national tour. Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer still wore their clown costumes during their number (you have to be a fan to know what I mean). During Memory – I remember quite like it was yesterday – Grizabella walked down the aisle as she sang…and me on my aisle seat was mesmerized as she past right by me. The dancing, the songs, the costumes. I was in love…at a very young age. Then, I went to see it again in my 20’s with my mother and that was the beginning of the end. I saw it 12 times on Broadway before it closed, I met the actors, danced with Tugger and walked on the infamous stage of the Winter Garden. I’ve sat front row and been teased by cats, I’ve sat front row mez & watched the actors crawl along that narrow ledge, I’ve sat in the on-stage seats and had an actor scare the crap out of me by pouncing me from behind…and yes, I’ve even gone in costume & have the pictures to prove it. I had the dances memorized (still do in some parts)…and the songs, of course. I can tell you which version of which song from which country is best. Yes. Cats IS that much my favorite musical (much to my husband’s chagrin).
I could go on, but I won’t…because I said ten and ten is ten. 🙂
There are the musicals I’ve been in – Side Show (Love it, heard it’s being reimagined & am eager to see the results), The King & I (eh…I got gypped out of the lead by politics & it sort of sucks if you aren’t 1 of 3 characters), Two by Two (oh yes, yes…so much fun even though I had to sing the most difficult song ever a cappella)….and the hilarious show Sugar Babies (The Burlesque Musical…where I got to do a belly dance, oh yeah.).
All of those musicals hold a dear place in my heart…although they didn’t make my top ten, they are so worth the mention. I had a blast in community theater. It was an amazing year. 🙂
Kennedy wished for Disney/Universal.
The biggest one of all was, of course, for Kennedy. That big giant package was an elaborate Princess Anna costume for Kennedy (pictures to come in another post).
Of course, the kids were bouncing off the walls, and so was I, but I was also packing and planning and stressing (Oh but I didn’t need to…). Oh, and planning and packing and stressing a little more. Talking to other people I knew that had done Disney through Make-A-Wish who had glowing reports just like I do now after the fact.
