Update Time

I am finally 27 weeks pregnant! In 10 more weeks I will have the cerclage removed and will begin my maternity leave. It's been a wonderful feeling knowing that I must only endure another 10 weeks of insanity. As long as everything goes well and I don't end up in pre-term labor I'll be on cloud nine.

I did spend a few days with Mr. Munchkin to make up the missed holidays which was much needed. Unfortunately, we spent my first night off in the hospital because I got food poisoning. I'd lost 3 pounds and they were worried that I may have upset the cerclage with all the vomiting. Luckily the stitches were great, and I turned out to only be severally dehydrated (an easy fix for an IV).

My family and I have had some rough times recently. My mother is having horrible side effects from her lupus. She's lost over 50lbs and her blood pressure and pulse are extremely low. She's also going through menopause, so between the two of us hormones are constantly flying and this tension has brought us to loud arguments a couple of times. My mother-in-law has finally talked to us again, and we spent January 1st with her. Though it was awkward, I think things are getting better on that front again too, though she still claims she is just going to take off for the holidays to go wherever she pleases.

Preparing for the baby has been really fun, and the invitations for the Baby Shower will be sent out soon.

This year I only have two resolutions:

1) Play my instruments at least 2 times a week for 30 minutes at a time.

2) Find a job that I can do at home, that will give me enough money to pay for my school loans.

I am finally going to make a Facebook page to keep in better touch with my family and friends. I'll let you all know via email what the name I use is.

Happy New Year to EVERYONE!

~Munchkin

A Big Decision

I have just decided that I am going to self-publish my books.  For the record, yes, I am 98% sure.  I have never written a query letter to an agent or publisher.  However, I have a feeling that self-publishing will be the main channel of publishing in the future.  So, here goes nothing...

I need to get around to making final edits on the Waldgrave series.  I am also trying to put together cover art (If anyone has ideas or suggestions for this, feel free--please don't get offended if I decide to go a different direction, though).  I am kind of hoping to create my own cover art.  

Here is my list of priorities:

1) Finish the homework assignments for the incomplete I had to take in NLP spring semester

2) Take the NLP final exam, thereby finishing the incomplete

3) Study for (and hopefully pass) my comps for my MA

4) Self Publish the Waldgrave Series

Oh, I forgot to mention--my interview for the library position I want is on Monday (and I REALLY want it--I don't know what I'll do if I don't get it...).

Alula

Free NookBooks from Kaplan!

Anyone who has a nook, and who has not become a fan on Facebook, you should do it--that's where I keep finding out about these great offers.  Nook on Facebook.

Kaplan Publishing is running a special offer through Barnes & Noble to give away 130 of their titles for free until January 17.  Read the original post from Barnes & Noble here.

I just looked through the books--there are a lot of test preps, some professionals guides, true stories, etc.  DoHP, you might like some of the pharmacy stuff, and Q and Munchkin might appreciate some of the pregnancy and new baby stuff.  Fuzzy--lots of business type books in there, too.  Personally, I like all the writing guides.

Alula

Not a dead houseplant!

So, I have a couple shiny new resolutions for the year. 

1. Blog more. I have things I need to tell you! I have stupid healer tricks to share! But I never seem to remember anything when I'm in front of the computer. I should devote at least one piece of scratch paper per day while at work to random thoughts and blog topics so that I remember to write about them.

2. Put my technology to better use. I have a fancy phone (Mr. Q would be jealous, I got a G2), a nice computer, and they still have a lot of default settings.

3. Really clean out my clothes. I still have band shirts from high school. Good Will will take all the clothes I don't wear and give them to people who will wear them, if only they get out of my dresser.

I think that's a good start (at least on resolution #1) for now.

So, on a list of things to tell y'all, my family, including me, might be moving to Utah sometime in the next year. This is a big might, but I just thought I'd let you know.
~DoHP

Taking Care of Business

Fuzzy -- Feel free to bring by the tax stuff if you're feeling shaky about what's being asked, and Mr. B will take a look.  Q, you may want to attend as well, just to know what's going on.

Also, I would like to report that we had almost 100 unique visitors to our site over the last year, with spikes of interest during February, March, August, September, and December.  Corresponding the recent posts to the highest amounts of interest during those months, it appears that people were most interested in Q's article about Plantar Fasciitis, everyone's health and family woes in March, my post about the Wii Fit, Munchkin's pregnancy announcement, and the Montana & Baby drama in December.

In short, it appears people are most interested in specific health related information and experiences, how we handle family discord, and product information and reviews.

Alula

Kinect for xbox 360

So for Christmas I received a Kinect for an Xbox 360 and I love it the games are fun that came with it kinda boring to do it alone but I got an exercises one that has a fun kick boxing program. I hope to get another one soon but the games are to new to be found at the used game places hopefully soon they will start showing up. Little man and I will be coming into town next week sometime I have to get some stuff from my moms house. Just letting people know in advance. Hope everyone had a great new year! I've decided that it is too depressing to make resolutions so none for me this year! Last thing anyone have an idea why my Kodak printer won't talk to my laptop wirelessly? the Kodak people are not that helpful but I'm trying them again tomorrow.

Accomplishing too much

Since getting out of school, I have done the following:

-bought a few new games for my PSP, which I am new playing.  One of them is called Class of Heroes; it's kind of Harry Potter meets classic D&D.  A group of students attends a school for adventurers and goes on dungeon raids where turn-taking fights ensue.  I bought it used and on sale through GameStop along with two other games for 1/4 the cost of a new pair of shoes!  

-I am now rewriting Redemption in the 3rd person and with a more generous narrative.  Anyone who wants in on this editing project, contact me.

-I am attempting to beat all of the campaigns in Zoo Tycoon 2.  I am halfway there.

-My MIL the Librarian got me a wok for Xmas, which I now cook with daily, and all the chicken breast and veggie stir fry is part of my campaign to lose weight.  (Anyone who would like to adjust their resolutions for this year, please email me--I did well this year except for my weight, which is now higher than ever since the fast food binge I went on while Mr. Borealis was sick the first half of the year.)

-I finally talked myself into treating myself to some new skins from Decal Girl.  I have never had a skin from this company before, but the reviews are very good.  I'm getting one for my Barnes & Noble Nook and another for my new phone.

-Speaking of new phone--I wanted to get an LG Ally, but it turns out this phone has been discontinued (LG, I feel this is a bad move, as the slide out keyboard is a very functional feature that does not usurp screen space to use).  Instead, I am getting the LG Vortex.  I should have it in hand by the end of this week--review to follow.

-My husband got me Hermione Granger's Time Turner for Christmas.  I was very impressed by this present, because I never directly told him I wanted it, but I really love it.  

-I've made it through a few more rounds towards the library position I am applying for, which I still dearly hope I get.

-We went to Oklahoma between Xmas and New Years.  We drove with my family.  At the last minute, my brother decided to come, bringing two of his kids along (7 & almost 5).  My husband and I got to drive in the car with my dad and the 7-year-old; she traveled very well.  However, my mom and my sister shop WAY too much, and we had too much luggage (for TWO cars, mind you) on the way home, resulting in airline-like seating conditions.  Once again, Mr. B and I have vowed that we will never again drive with family out to Oklahoma--we will take our own car.  The gas money is worth it to have the leg room, stop when we want, listen to what we want, and not have to mind our language.

-I have fully organized my basement using the shelves Mr. B got for me for our anniversary.  The room is now functional.

-I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins on the way back from Oklahoma.  Actually, I started reading it in a Barnes & Noble in Tulsa using the "read for free" feature on the Nook while using my Nook coupon for a free raspberry smoothie.  The smoothie was awesome, and the first chapter of The Hunger Games was so good that I felt $5 was worth it to get the whole book.  The storyline follows Katniss, a teenage girl who finds herself entered into the morbid Hunger Games that are orchestrated by the Capitol--twenty-four children are picked ever year to fight to the death in these games for the Capitol's amusement, and the winner takes home food and glory to their District.  (I can lend this book from my Nook, so let me know if you're interested.  Also, check out the free e-reader screensavers Barnes & Noble are offering here.)

Alula