Toothaches, Book Ideas, and Other Things That Fill the Hours!

Here I am, once again apologizing for not writing for a few days! But this time, I truly have a good excuse! Shortly after posting my last blog, my lower, right wisdom tooth decided to become a huge pain in my mouth! I made a dentist appointment and the soonest they could get me in was Thursday, by which I was in extreme pain. Long story short, I went in with a painful tooth, and walked (ok stumbled) out with no tooth and loopy as all get out! The dentist claimed it was an emergency and before I knew it he was hooking me up the the laughing gas (first time experience), and I had needles coming at me. Many shots, nurses and two hours later... my tooth was out of my mouth and I... I was out of my mind. Luckily, the laughing gas wore off pretty quick. Then, I headed to work. That night, after I left work four hours early because of the unmeasurable amount of pain, I had almost fallen asleep when the tornado sirens went off. Needless to say, the rest of the evening was... hectic... and painful.

So, the last few days I have been laying low and, so far (knock on wood), seem to be healing pretty well!

I did come up with a cute idea for another book one of the days while I was laying in bed! It's a cute one! But, as always, I refuse to share until it is further developed! I have the basis of it plotted out but as far as characters being named I am not quite there. With me, I either have a character pop into my head and I try to tell their story; or, I have a story and I try and locate the characters who best portray what I am seeing in my head! This time around it was the story!

Other than that, I am on kind of a dull road as far as my writing goes. It is always this was when there are numerous changes happening. It takes awhile for me to settle into a creative environment. I think once I get my desk and set up a special area that things might start popping. I was excited to come up with the idea this last weekend because it's a sign. Nothing huge, but a start is a start!

Well, off I go into librarian mode! Until we meet again, stay creative and out of trouble!

Truly,
Kat

Life Under Construction... Warning... Hard Hats Advised!

Construction, a word defined on google.com, as the “general term referring to the combination of creation and completion actions that result in a usable unit.” My definition: Me figuring out who I am and where it is that I want to go in the middle of a hectic process called life. Also, a good excuse for not being able to make a post on this blog for quite some time! Because, in fact, life for me has been under some major construction lately in hopes that I would (referring back to the first definition), become a so-called “usable unit.” Which, I am delighted to announce, may just be happening!

The first monumental step that was made was that I did graduate! And not only did I graduate, I managed to walk away with ALL passing grades, getting a C in the class that I thought I was going to fail miserably! All going to prove that miracles do in fact happen every day! Also that, if you work hard enough it will pay off in the end. Now, no, I am not exactly proud of getting a C in that class, but, considering the whirlwind of a year that occurred, I would say that was pretty good.

Next, I did move and now live on my own in a cute little apartment WHERE I no longer have to share a bathroom with a suite mate who, well, let’s just say was a few nuggets short of a happy meal! I have my own kitchen, bathroom, room and living room. All of which is decorated in my own unique way; excluding the living room which… well… it’s under construction! I am hoping to get a couch in the near future and a desk. But I will be quite honest here… the desk definitely holds precedence over the couch. I am ready to create my writing area. Currently, a Rubbermaid tub is serving as my desk……. And dining room counter chair, and area to stack stuff, etc, etc! Needless to say, there is more construction yet to come!

Another MAJOR change is that I, (happy dance), landed the job as Library Assistant at ESU. A job that I didn’t think would happen for the next several years! But one thing led to another, the job popped up, and before I knew it I was jumping up and down, bubbling with excitement as I told my family I had just gotten the phone call that they wanted me (same day I got the new keys to my apartment)! I am nearing the end of my second week and absolutely love it!

The same week that I discovered I had a “big-kid job” and moved into my new apartment, I received yet another exciting phone call that I would be an aunt…again… in January! My oldest sister is pregnant with her 4^th child! Which, I think is a girl and furthermore I think its twins. But that’s just me!

The last few months have been a crazy mess. Time has seemed to fly by in a whirlwind of tears, smiles, lessons and life changing experiences. But in a weird way, I don’t feel like I am losing time… and I don’t find myself looking back. I feel like I am only just beginning the start of something that may be amazing. New people to meet, books to write, a career to pursue… and overall, life to live! So, I can soundly say I am back to the blogging universe. However, like my life, like everyone in this world… the construction will go on. Because without construction, nothing would ever change; and without change…well…. This blog would be boring!

Yours truly,
Kat <3

Random Babble and News!

Between school, work and preparing for the incredible amount of change that lies within the next two weeks; this blog has gotten pushed to the side! But, I had a few extra moments today and decided I would pop in! Things have been unbelievably crazy lately with, well... life in general. The last few weeks have been packed full of graduation to-do's. It's hard to believe that in 11 days I will be walking across the stage and leaving behind Butler! It seems like I just moved in that very fist day, sobbing and all! But time flies... zoooo0000M! :0) I will say that what I have learned over the course of the last two years is amazing. As a person, I have changed in so many ways! But this is something I will write about later when I have a little more time.

I am excited to announce that I got a new computer! Something I have wanted for a VERY long time. Having a computer that you can TRUST to keep your manuscripts safe is something that is key. My last lap-top I did not trust AT ALL! But this lap top, which I have named Willow (yes I name my computers), is very cute and works perfect for my writing. I cannot wait to use it this summer... there are SO many stories that I have yet to write! Lily the Ladybug may have many summer adventures to embark on!

Other than that, life is a on a fast-track with finals. Speaking of which, I must hop back into my busy schedule! I am working on a longer entry, and hope to have it here by the end of the week. Until then, stay safe and be creative. :0)

Why grow up?

As I write this blog, I am finishing off a happy meal! Yes, you read right, a happy meal! Complete with a princess toy (Which I am not quite sure of it's purpose? It's pink and fuzzy! Who knows, I'll figure it out)! Ahhh yes, the moments when I prove, without a doubt, that I am still very much a kid at heart. Moments that are not rare by any means!

Happy meals are a small treat I enjoy when I am writing my children book manuscripts (and other times I feel necessary). I feel that I am rewarding my inner child for her creativity! Ok, that is totally some random excuse I pulled from thin air! I'm not going to lie. I just love happy meals. :0)

ANYWAYS! I am a child at heart. I really don't see the need to grow up completely. I mean seriously? Give me a list of 10 good reasons to be without an inner child? If you can come up with a good list, with 10 solid reasons that I cannot argue, I will consider growing up.

Keeping in contact with your inner child is good for many reasons in my opinion. Reasons that creativity is among! Your inner child can keep you young at heart, ready for challenges, full of energy... so many things. I ask you this... when is the last time that you hugged a teddy bear? Painted without a paintbrush? How about going to the park to swing so high you might fly far far away into the sky? Or how about building a tent out of blankets and reading for hours? My last tent was about a week ago! My niece (age 5) and nephew (age 6) and I (age 19 going on 7) decided to play "princess and power rangers;" building our special hideout tent on top of my queen size bed. One large size blanket, 2 hair ties, a broom and all the pillows in the house later, we had a top secret club area prime for snuggling and reading. Our only limit was our imagination, which in the hours that passed, seemed to span endlessly. Giggles floating out from the makeshift tent edges.

In those hours, I was privileged to be let into their world of make believe and fairies. A world I could not have entered if it were not for my inner child (who, by the way, I think rocks)! When we ran out of books, they turned to me for new stories, which I pulled together in a matter of minutes; their grins fueling my exciting tales. Together, the three of us escaped to a world far away from our small blue house on the outskirts of town. Our stories took us to fishing ponds across the world, meeting creatures like Big Foot (who we like to call Harry, he likes gummy worms and hot chocolate....hee hee, and I am sure nice long walks on the beach if anyone is interested...though he is a hard guy to catch)! We created tales of princesses in castles waiting to be rescued; and of the ninjas who saved them (random but true)!

The point of my babble is this. Being able to pull out the inner child within is a great reliever for stress. Now of course, there are times that it is required to be grown up. This I do not argue in any way. Growing up is an unavoidable process (despite Peter Pan's wishes...though I still continue to look for Neverland, and Tinker Bell... I will let you know if I am successful). But growing up does not mean having to abandon all of our innocence or imagination. Life is serious, but it can be fun too. Taking life too seriously is where many of our stress problems come from... we over think things and complicate what, if we take a step back and breatheeeee, may be simple.

So the next time you find yourself stressed, under pressure or getting lost in the world's buzz. Get a happy meal, or go home early one night and play with your kids, build a tent! Read a book! Do SOMETHING out of the ordinary, something fun, and something creative. Now some of you may think that it is too late, that your inner child is far gone, but your wrong. If you know anything about children, it's that they are stubborn. Chances are, your inner child is close by, waiting for a little attention! So have some fun.... and as for me.... well.... who knows what is next! You'll just have to wait for the next blog, but in the mean time, go fly a kite!

Dreaming Wide Awake

It was one of those delicious moments where I lingered in between a restful sleep and waking up to begin my day. Snuggled underneath my many blankets, loving my feather bed. I wasn't dreaming, but thoughts echoed around in my head. Thoughts that were perfect for my fantasy novel I am writing; and while I was safely nestled in my warm bed, my mind wandered in a world full of magic.

I have been writing this book for about nine and a half months now. It's a new experience for me, as I am used to keeping my stories roped into a page or two. Currently, I am approximately 53 pages into my novel, my imagination still running strong. I find it relaxing to escape my everyday world, re-locating in a enchanting, hidden world... not far from our own, but different than that which any of us have experienced (that we know of)! In my world, I play with the faeries, search for new and interesting characters, and invent new adventures for my three characters; Eliza, Jamie and Lynn.

It's been very exciting lately as I am working on the second lesson that they will learn on their journey. Without giving away the plot of the story, I can say that this is a very exciting storyline and I find myself living through it. My characters are learning lessons that all adolescents learn as they make that awkward transfer between their childhood and adulthood. But they do it in a way that holds a lot of symbolism and keeps the reader on the edge of their seats!

I have had a lot of fun with this book. I can barely wait to finish it, but know that it will take time and patience and many more developments. Even I look forward to discovering where these characters will take me. My favorite part is that I am so close to their world, that all I have to do is close my eyes, and I enter as a welcomed guest. But just like the characters in the book, I can only stay so long before I must re-gain the real word. There I wait for the next idea to find its way onto paper.

Until then, I continue to enjoy the moments like the one I had the other day in bed; awake, but in a dream of my own. Creating a story that I one day hope to share with the world, one page at a time!