Writing prompt# 144

Found a wonderful site called Creative Writing Prompts.  I have been meaning to try them for awhile and since I need to get my flow going before Tuesday I will be exploring some of them.  If you get inspired to write by one be sure to drop me a link so I can read.  Your criticism on these posts are WELCOMED and much needed. It is like the last minuet  training for the writing marathon I am about to embark on!    

Writing prompt# 144 weave a story using this mixed proverb: Bad News Cures All Things  

Carly admitted openly that she was a bitter type of person.  She really didn't care what others thought of her in that respect and would spout her sour complaints to anyone who would listen.  She never could grasp why no one wanted to talk with her for hours on end about why So and So had done Such and Such to her.  She would move on from friend to friend retelling each sad news that came into her realm of world view.  She was the kind of so called friend that would suck the marrow of your bones dry and then take a hard bite searching for more.  Gossip was the river of life she drew buckets from daily.  Drama Queen was most definitely a fitting title for Carly and if there was one available she would surely wear the crown with pride.   

Redirecting the course of the conversation with her into pleasant up lifting stories and taking the focus off her would of be a difficult task and almost unheard of.  To get into a dialog with her was like getting caught in a spider's web with no use in trying to escape, stuck as she moved in for a kill . To say it was exasperating dealing with Carly and her self centeredness would be an understatement. To try and help her see what was right in front of her face only earned you her wrath instead of her thankfulness.  She didn't know the meaning of being thankful and she was honestly confused with other's happiness.  On the outside it would seem Carly's life goal was to bring other's down to the sad pit she lived in.  Her life philosophy was "If I am going down, I am taking EVERYONE down with me"  

Why was she like this and could she ever change?   Why did she always have to be the person who thought bad news would cure all things in her own life. Why did she feel she had to thrive on drama after drama?  Did she not crave Peace? Why could she not see the joy in her life?  Did she not see how she only created these woes and drove people away?  How can you love a person such as Carly?  

Pray for all the people like Carly out there.  They are sad and lonely people and it is a balance between trying to show them freedom and being caught up in despair with them.   Try and remember the following Bible verse when dealing with the likes of Carly and you may manage to stay out of the cycle of vial gossip and prevent yourself from being poisoned by their negativity and turning into their clone.  

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

**** Note**** Carly is not a real name ofcourse.. just one I pulled out of thin air, but we all can admit that we do know a few Carlys in our life as protrayed in this description and maybe we have in some ways been like a Carly too.

A Writing exercise inspired by the Other Journal's Section.

NANOWRIMO is coming up and I have no clue what I am going to spend 30 days writing about.  November 1st seems to be getting here too quick and I am wondering if I should even bother this year at being a .  I have been looking for writing promps that may inspire me to actualy WRITE and get out of this rut I feel like I am in.  Then I saw this tonight and my writing jucies started to flow.. so Enjoy.

Inspiration from the Other Journals Section of

Here are just a few Comments On The Events Of My Life. Nothing extremely important about this posting.  You could toss a quarter betting how it will turn out but be sure to look at Both Sides Of The Coin checking it is an even shake.  I could tell you I was Born To Blog about the Porkchop dinner I cooked last week or the Life Changes that make me long for The Back Roads Of Life. Or I could point you in the direction that Jesus Is Coming THIS Generation and give you the radio station that has an informative show called Endtimes News and Views and pray that you would not take it as just Ramblings Of She Who Reads too much.  But I know it is the Simple Yet Satisfying essays that perk readers to muse over Reflections From Within.  Sometimes I Think it is the Small Things that get readers most excited and plant seeds of Life and Faith.  I could retell the story of when I 16 and was Living Just Off The Strip in Las Vegas and how I had all these outrageous debates over at Patrick's Place but some things we just Don't Speak of anymore. Chasenkids seems to be what my life is mainly filled with these days but don't get me wrong, motherhood could be A Rose By Any Other Name and not smell as sweet as my family does to me.  I have so much to be thankful for and am glad I don't have to tell you stories such as My Journey With MS or about being broken down in MoonDawg's Parking Lot or my woes of Movin On from relationship to relationship.  My life may seem mundane to most but I am happy to have friends like you who let me blog about Life As I See it and still come back for more with each entry. But J~Land is a give and take kind of place and I grow each time I read such fantastic blogs as The Peach Pages or listen to Lori's Laurel's.  Not that I agree with everything I read and hear but I think it is great that we are the kind of community that let's people make a Point And Counterpoint and spur others to make a Cross Examination of our positions and still walk a way without too many hurt feelings.   The one bit of advice I would like to give my fellow blogers is to update your Other Journals section often incase you do embark on a writing challenge such as this. Then you will not find as many broken links and outdated journals as I have in mine while trying to compose this entry.

Something cool! Add me to your feeds

For those who keep track of websites and blogs threw a RSS feed.. click that and you will have my feed!  Something new I just found.. AOL is running a BETA My AOL.. that includes a RSS Feed.. that is easy as pie to update.  Click the

 and it will take you there and auto add me to your feed! This may also be a good idea to get into if your AOL Alerts are still acting wacky (like mine).  You can find any of your fav journals and your' RSS Feed by going to the veryyyyy bottom of the blog and clicking on the Get The Feed hyper link, then copy and paste the address it give you.

 I also have added it to my side bar about me section for any new comers who may want to use it too.  Boy that section is getting crowded.. I need to update it soon.

We have a ghost.... NOT!

The crime: fruit punch all over BRAND NEW carpet. No this was not just an "opps I spilled" (even though they have been warned 100 times no food or drink any where but the kitchen) This was a deliberant.. "lets see how red we can make the carpet and fun patterns "spill.

The guilty party: Sweet cutie-pie 4yrd Sophia 

The excuse:  We have Ghost Mommy.. he did it!

The punishment:  "get away from me Sophia and up to your room before I HURTTTTTTTTTT YOU!!!!!!!!!"

 

And when I told Josh about it on the phone (as I was scrubbing) he was rolling laughing!!  I blame T.V. for this.. really!  Have you seen that commercial for the Bissel SpotBot??!  To really see how bad it was click the pics and enlarge the screen.

I have been painting the bathroom all day and KNEW Sophia was being too quiet for my own good. *sigh*  I am almost done with the bathroom.. one more day and then I'll post the pics.. I ran out of paint.

CarnivAOL

Thanks to plittle for allowing me to participate in CarnivAOL this week and for highlighting many other wonderful blog entries from our J~Land community.  Go and check it out! And if you have an entry you would like to see highlighted, either from your own blog or some one else's for the next time around, drop him the link in an e-mail.

Well.. that was a waste of time and gas!

Today I had conferences with Zane's teacher.  We live a good bit out of town so anytime I go into town I want it to count and be productive.. you know with gas prices and everything.  I am majorly peeved that the boundary lines for this school district are so funky.. we have a brand new Elementary school 5 min. away from us but the way the line is my children have to go to the schools in town.. where every grade is split up funny.. not all in one school building.  So I have 3 of my 4 kids in 3 different school buildings!

I was looking forward to meeting Zane's 5th grade teacher and hearing how he was doing in his new school. Moving has always been hardest on him and I was wanting to hear how he was assimilating back into a regular class room.  Last year he was in the special E-Mints class where they did just about EVERYTHING on the computer and net. I asked Zane yesterday if he should tell me anything before I go.. so there were no surprises.. and with a solemn face he said, "Well, sometimes I am a bit talkative" LOL

I really feel like I wasted my time going all the way up to the school and getting the kind of report on my son that I could of gotten over the phone or in the mail.  She showed me his grades.. 4 A- and 1 B+ and then just sat there waiting for me to speak. Umm.. ok.. "How is he in class" I asked, "is he talkative like he warned me you may say?"  for one she has perfect white straight teeth.. and that is so annoying to me considering how mine are LOL but anyway.. "Oh no.. there was just that one week he seemed to be but other than that he is never disruptive and very considerate. He is a pleasure to have in class"she answered.  that is good to hear. She really didn't have anything else to tell me about him and I was a bit frustrated that I was the one who had to force conversation.  In the past all of his teachers have said good things about him so that is expected but they also had samples of his work and if he needed to set any goals for the rest of the year and what not.  I find it hard to believe my boy is PERFECT.. heeehee well maybe not but still she could of been more prepared I think then just showing me a piece of paper with his grades and a blank look on her face.  I was there less then 10 min. She couldn't even tell me which was his desk.. because they had just moved them around today.  I stressed again that I would like him tested for the gifted program and that was one of the apeals for moving out here.  And again she said they won't do that till the end of the year when they give her a list of questions for her to answer about him.  Oh? "So from what you have seen from him this year would you say he should be in that program??" I asked.  She said on some things yes but it has been awhile since she seen the list of questions so she really couldn't say.  (I didn't do an eye roll.. I controlled myself)  I asked if he had made friends.. was he picked on at all.. you know how kids are they may not tell the parents these things.  She said as far as she could tell he did well at making friends and on the play ground is always in a group playing and if he was picked on she never heard of it but sometimes she is the last to know about those things too. 

I guess I felt like all her answers were generic and impersonal.. like she really didn't know my son or gave any thought into our conference. 

Am I just being spoiled and had good attentive teachers in the past and am thinking there should be more to it then this??  This is a rural area that is growing .. and growing fast, and I know I am not the only transplant who  has moved here and has issues with how the schools are.  Home schooling is looking more and more attractive.  My concern about my son is that he is not being pushed.. he is settling for mediocre and not being challenged.. not being prepared for the real world.

*sigh*   Lilly's teacher conference is Wednesday.. we'll see how that one goes.

I fall short all the time but tomorrow is another day, catching up with what is going on with me.

Yesterday the plan was get up for church at 10 and then drive to the In Laws for a planned family birthday party for Zane at 1 and then back all the way home and take the Girls to Awana's by 5:45.

I thought I was doing good and being a wise planner by making home made chicken noodle soup in the crock pot Saturday night.  I boiled a whole chicken and took the broth from it and added bullion and carrots and celery and then de-boned the chicken and separated it.. some for the soup and some for another dinner.. how thrifty of me.  I put the soup on high most of Saturday night and played on the computer till I was board.  Then I added uncooked noodles to the crock pot, turning it to low and went up to my room for bed.  I flipped on the tv. because I need the back ground noise to fall asleep.. the bed is very lonely with out Josh.  I found a new channel called Link TV.  I started to watch some documentary on Israel and Palestine.. a topic I am very interested in. I stomached the askew view of what was being spouted out at me.. I tried not to throw up and prayed that since the show was on so late others would miss that junk.  I don't know what time I finally fell asleep.. must of been late late. I forgot to set my alarm.

Next thing I know it is 11a.m. the kids are fighting on who pours the cereal and the milk.  I let them fight it out knowing going to church this week is a lost cause and drift back to sleep.  That was stupid.. I should of stayed awake because  when I did become fully awake it was almost 1!!  How could I of let that happen!!!  I dialed up my in laws and as the phone rings I tried to think of what I should say.. should I lie, what could possible be my excuse for being so late.  I told them we were getting a late start and were heading out the door now.. ugh.  SO I rushed us all to get dressed and after 15 min. of looking for a missing shoe we were on our way for the long drive to South County Saint Louis from Troy MO.

I don't drive hardly anywhere anymore and I forget how long it really takes to go places.  We left 35 min. after I had told my in laws we were heading out the door.  Again I was contemplating a lie to tell them for us being even more late.  After all Zane was to be the guest of honor and they were holding lunch for us.  Should I tell them I was half way to St Charles and had to turnaround because I forgot my wallet?  Should I tell them my van was having trouble starting?? Anything to make me look like less of a looser.  But I didn't, I just speed 75 miles an hour on the highway praying I wouldn't get pulled over and ticked (plus my plates are expired and my insurance needs to be renewed.. I would be in BIG trouble if I got pulled over) 

My guilt was eating at me as we pulled up at their house at 2:30.  Yesss it takes thatttttttt long to get to their house even with speeding but if my day was started as I had planned it, it wouldn't of mattered how long it took to get there. They open the door and the kids give them all hugs and kisses and the tables were set waiting for us to sit down.  I gave a big  hug to my step MIL and told her I am so so so sorry we are so late and feel really bad.. WOULD YOU PLEASE FORGIVE ME, we missed church today and it threw me all off.  There I told the truth.. I didn't lie and she SAID.. oh don't worry about it.

We eat a very yummy meal with Josh's side of the family and had cake.. no ice cream because in my rush to get there I forgot to pick up some as I was asked.  After being questioned on why we are not going Trick or Treating this year (we have not done that for almost 3 years now and they know that) and other pleasant conversation it was 5:00 and time for me to rush the kids to Awana.  Our pumpkins we had painted were in the trunk of the van but every now and then if I made a sharp turn or stop one would roll under the kids seat.  Needless to say this caused the kids very much concern. We made it to the church in Troy that holds Awana at 6:00.  I was late again.  The pumpkins did fair well but could stand a touch up.  I dropped the girls off at their classrooms with pumpkins in tow.. only to find out.... THE CONTEST ISN'T UNTILL NEXT WEEK!!!!  I was told a few times that they hope we do bring them back and to put them in a cool place so they don't rot. (I have 5 of them.. and I don't think I can find room in my fridge for them)

We got home and I was looking forward to the soup I had planned.  It has become fall weather chilly outside and hot soup would of soothed my wounds from the day.  I go to dish it out.. and find that it is no longer soup but stew.  The noodles had turn to total MUSH and there was hardly any broth. Uggggggggggggh.  See... I thought to myself all Saturday.. "Oh Mary you can't use the excuse anymore that you can't cook.. you have made some wonderful meals lately and this is going to be so good, Josh is going to wish he had not missed it."  I don't know what happen to my soup.. I guess I can still use that label as BAD COOK.  The kids picked at it and ate only a few bites.  The mush did not go over well and I am very disappointed that I had to throw it all out.

Josh called to tell everyone good night.  He had Sunday off and drove up from Rockford IL to Wisconsin to visit our friends that live up there.  Our friends are getting ready to close on a house next week and move in right away.  Since Josh is a painter by trade he helped them paint the town house they are moving out of. And he even watched the kids for my friend so she could go out for a little while with my other friend. I told my girlfriend that it is not fair.. he hasn't painted for me yet in my own house! LOL  I told her she should send something home with Josh as payback for my loss and her gain... she said.. oh no Mary.. You are a Saint now and don't do that anymore LOL.. temptation abated and I am glad, but after the day I had getting stoned sound pretty good.  As I talked to Josh and told him about the day and how I missed church and was soooooo late getting to his parents he said.. "OH, I KNOW" he had talked to them and in the course of their conversation it was stressed how late I was only like 3 times!!  So much for forgiveness huh (if you only knew the irony but I wont go there) but it is what I have come to expect.  My sweet husband told me not to worry about it or give it another thought (yet here I am thinking about it).

I am starting to really miss Josh and look forward to his return home.  I have parent teacher conferences all this week for the kids.  I wish he could be here for them.  But he is here in spirit and that is important too.  The bills have piled up and him working out of town longgggg hours is really going to help.  I got some paint am going to try painting our small downstairs bathroom with the Wall Magic kit Josh's mom gave us after she moved.  Maybe if I can't cook I can get a boost of self accomplishment from being all artsy and crafty?

Josh said the out of town job may now last till the FIRST OF THE YEAR! OUCH!!!  But he said the foreman was going on and on about how happy he is with Josh and promised that he would keep him on for the duration, something Josh is not used to hearing.  He is a hard worker but the previous company he was with had something of a jerk for a Superintendent and never gave complements or any type of appreciation.  So Josh got an ego boost.. I am happy for him.  Josh is coming home Nov 2nd but is only staying two days.  His graduation ceremony and dinner for moving up in the Union is on the 2nd at a nice Hotel so he is coming home for that event.  Even though he advanced to journeymen over the summer they hold the ceremony in November.  We are hoping to get all gussied up and have lots of fun and maybe even get a room. So at least I have that to look forward to.