The Story of How I Died

Yup. It's that story. 

The story of how I got out all my writing tablets and favorite pens and got all keyed up to start scribbling away in my insane little worlds, and suddenly came down with a two week bout of complete and utter exhaustion. I can't even begin to describe how tired I am. I fall asleep through movies. Movies! I never do that. In the time it takes Jarod to shower at night and come to bed, I'm already fast asleep. I can't help it. It's terrible. Not to mention waking up at four am almost every morning, with a headache so severe that it literally has me staggering to the kitchen to get some Tylenol. Muscle aches and cramps, hot flashes and chills, but no fever. What? Nausea, upset stomach, lack of appetite alternating with ravenous gnawing hunger. 

It's quite a miserable story. 

And so far, its taken away all desire to write any of my real stories. It's hard to look at a white page when your head feels like its gonna explode. And don't even mention a computer screen. And overhead lights are just torture. 

Medicine? No, that doesn't do a thing. Doctors? Not so much. You're stressed, not getting enough sleep, blah blah blah. 

And lets toss in nightmares for good measure. You work at an eye doctor? How's about a serial killer comes to the office demanding to rent a hotel room. So you find some way to accommodate him to save everyone. 

Hows about a dream about mass suicides?

Chickens running all over your yard. ALL OVER IT.

Trying to run away from someone. Not sure what. But you better get going. 

A circus that comes to town and kills people for fun. 

Yeah. That will make it all better. Let's do that. 

So, not really sure where this story is going. Just thought I'd rant to you guys about the events leading up to my untimely death. I'd like a black shiny coffin, please. 

I'm still very much in love with Piper though, and have little ideas for her running through my foggy mind. As soon as I'm able to see straight again, I shall resume writing her happy insanity. 

Beautiful People- Piper

Hi guys! So, big news. It's time for Beautiful People. Bigger news. I have a character to write about. If you want to check out other peoples' posts, scoot on over to Sky's page.

Now. Let's get down to the good stuff. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Piper. 

How did you come up with this character?

Well, it started with a picture on Pinterest. And to be honest, I can't even find the original picture anymore. But it was of a girl who looked absolutely innocent and completely ornery all at the same time. She was doing something on the floor, painting, or drawing, I can't remember. I do remember that the whole picture just had a chaotic, beautiful feel to it. The girl in the picture was adorable, her hair was a mess, her hands were stained, and the scene around her was turned upside down. And I loved that idea. I brooded on her a long time before I ever created a board for her. Probably for a year or more, I would see a pin and think "That's that girl". So when I did finally decide to start building her, I had to dig through all of my character boards to collect all the pictures and ideas I'd blindly accumulated for her. 

Have they ever been starving? Why? And what did they eat to break the fast?

If you ask Piper, she is always starving. She's dramatic like that. I wouldn't say she's ever actually been starving to the point of danger, but there has been more than one occasion she has gotten into such a mood and become so captivated by one thing or another that she pours all of herself into that subject and forgets to eat. Usually when she pulls out of that state she needs to get her hands on ginger snap cookies. 

Do they have a talent or skill that they’re proud of?

Piper is compulsive, and a perfectionist, so she has lots of talents. Something will catch her fancy and she will pursue it until she's mastered it, then probably get bored and let it go by the wayside. Two things that she hasn't got bored with yet though are playing the violin, and painting/drawing. 

List 3 things that would make them lose their temper.

Depends on the day. Some days she's incredibly laid back and probably wouldn't be at all upset if someone drove a bus through the side of her house. (It would mean she finally had an excuse to put in that fireplace she always wanted) Other days though, the sound of people breathing could make her want to drive a bus into the side of their house. (Which is why bus driving and acquiring a CDL license has never been a priority for her) But, typically three things that would bother her would be people pitying her for having hyperthymesia. (Here is a page that details what that's all about if you want to delve deeper into her head) Parents who don't take good care of their kids really torque her off. And boring things. If she has to sit through something pointless, she's going to be pretty unhappy. 

What is their favorite type of weather? Least favorite?

All of them! She likes walking in the sun, splashing around while it rains, catching snowflakes on her eyelashes. She even likes bad weather to a certain extent. Wind, hail, lightning. But only if she's safe inside. Her least favorite is probably no weather at all. Those days where its too cold to swim, but too hot to wear a sweater. The air is still and nothing much is happening at all. 

What is their Hogwarts house and/or MBTI personality?

Well, I went and took the tests real quick using her answers and her MBTI result was Debater 

(ENTP-T), with the T being for Turbulent in the Identity category. Her Hogwarts house is Slytherin apparently, which really doesn't make much sense to me. I'll have to investigate further. 

Slytherins are very determined and ambitious. They tend to have a clear vision of the future, and are very meticulous and directed when working towards their goals. You are a strong leader, because you possess the ability to stay firm in times of crisis and power through. Although you usually work best individually, remember the importance of close friendships to help you up when you're down!

Are they more likely to worry about present problems, or freak out about the unknown future?

Present problems, definitely. Piper is a 100% live in the now type person. She doesn't think about tomorrow until she wakes up in it. 

What is their favorite thing to drink?

It goes in swings. Tea and coffee have both stuck around consistently, but hot chocolate, milk, ginger ale, kombucha, and orange juice have each taken their turns as well. 

 What is their favorite color? Least favorite?

She's kind of a pink person, or any shade that remotely resembles pink. Hot pink, baby pink, orange, yellow. Anything in that half of the color wheel. Least favorite? Green. She detests it. Green is a horrible color. What is a book that changed their life?

All books have changed her life. Every time she reads one it affects her. She picks up something. A new thought plants itself in her brain and shapes the way she sees everything. She absorbs everything. 

She's a sponge. 

A Snippet

Hello everyone! I hope you're all having a fantastic Monday. I don't believe they exist, but you know, you might see the world through a much more optimistic filter than I do.  I had a great weekend though! Got the dog pen cleaned up, and its nearly ready to bring Scout home on Friday, canned hot salsa, corn and black bean salsa, and tomatoes with my mom Sunday. Watched a bunch of awesome movies with my family, and brought home a pack of apples that I'm gonna make applesauce and butter out of.

I've been debating starting a second blog that deals more with the married, adult person part of my life, but I can't decide. Seems like I've been pretty bad at blogging on this one lately, so a second one seems kind of silly. I guess, the thing is I have lots of ideas, but mostly they involve home décor, and gardening, and recipe experiments, and I just don't know if they fit into this blog very well. Like, I don't want to bore you guys with landscaping if you want character interviews. Decisions.

But, the real point of this post is to share the first part of my new story with you guys. Uh huh. A new story. The first part. Like, I've actually written some. It's going slow, but I have been steadily plucking away at it over the last week. And I am so happy. It's for the character idea I gave you guys a few weeks back, trying to decide on a name and so forth.  So, here we go.

"I can't take it! I just can't take it anymore!" Piper flung her arms out and collapsed onto the shaggy blue area rug.

"What's the matter?" Colt's concerned voice came from above her. 

"Everything." She whined into the floor, letting it muffle her voice.

"Be specific, Piper." He didn't sound as worried now. He must not understand the tragic nature of the situation.

Piper propped up on an elbow and pointed to the rust red brick walls of the living room. "That color. It's awful. I can't bear to look at it another day." She looked up at Colt when no response was forth coming. "Don't you think it's hideous?"

"I think," he said slowly, tugging her to her feet and placing an appetizing smelling carry out box in her hands. "That you bought the house because you loved that color, and that you should eat your supper. I got Chinese."

"But that was years ago, and it's ancient now." She protested, taking the fork her offered her and flopping onto the floral pastel couch. "And I'm Scottish, not Chinese!" She added, already opening the container and forking a piece of orange chicken into her mouth. 

There ya have it. So, not very long at all yet. I'm still trying to figure out who my characters are, and what they're doing, so I'm basically trying to just keep putting words down on paper until I get the real important stuff figured out.

That's all I got for now. Later! 

A Snippet

Hello everyone! I hope you're all having a fantastic Monday. I don't believe they exist, but you know, you might see the world through a much more optimistic filter than I do.  I had a great weekend though! Got the dog pen cleaned up, and its nearly ready to bring Scout home on Friday, canned hot salsa, corn and black bean salsa, and tomatoes with my mom Sunday. Watched a bunch of awesome movies with my family, and brought home a pack of apples that I'm gonna make applesauce and butter out of.

I've been debating starting a second blog that deals more with the married, adult person part of my life, but I can't decide. Seems like I've been pretty bad at blogging on this one lately, so a second one seems kind of silly. I guess, the thing is I have lots of ideas, but mostly they involve home décor, and gardening, and recipe experiments, and I just don't know if they fit into this blog very well. Like, I don't want to bore you guys with landscaping if you want character interviews. Decisions.

But, the real point of this post is to share the first part of my new story with you guys. Uh huh. A new story. The first part. Like, I've actually written some. It's going slow, but I have been steadily plucking away at it over the last week. And I am so happy. It's for the character idea I gave you guys a few weeks back, trying to decide on a name and so forth.  So, here we go.

"I can't take it! I just can't take it anymore!" Piper flung her arms out and collapsed onto the shaggy blue area rug.

"What's the matter?" Colt's concerned voice came from above her. 

"Everything." She whined into the floor, letting it muffle her voice.

"Be specific, Piper." He didn't sound as worried now. He must not understand the tragic nature of the situation.

Piper propped up on an elbow and pointed to the rust red brick walls of the living room. "That color. It's awful. I can't bear to look at it another day." She looked up at Colt when no response was forth coming. "Don't you think it's hideous?"

"I think," he said slowly, tugging her to her feet and placing an appetizing smelling carry out box in her hands. "That you bought the house because you loved that color, and that you should eat your supper. I got Chinese."

"But that was years ago, and it's ancient now." She protested, taking the fork her offered her and flopping onto the floral pastel couch. "And I'm Scottish, not Chinese!" She added, already opening the container and forking a piece of orange chicken into her mouth. 

There ya have it. So, not very long at all yet. I'm still trying to figure out who my characters are, and what they're doing, so I'm basically trying to just keep putting words down on paper until I get the real important stuff figured out.

That's all I got for now. Later! 

I Don't Know About You, But I'm Feeling Twenty....One

Um, no. You most certainly do not. 

Not that anyone has this year. 

Last night after work we picked up my grandma and then headed to my parents house. My mom had put together a yummy delicious picnic style meal- grilled burgers, hot dogs, potato and macaroni salad, chips, homemade pickles. The works. 

Not to mention the cupcakes. Oh the cupcakes. I never knew a pumpkin cupcake could be so good. 

My family is awesome, so I'm now the happy owner of a curling iron wand (which is so much better than a curling iron. I've been lost without one since moving in with Jarod. But no more!) and a bundt pan.

Which means I can now make this.

Butterscotch Sticky Rolls. 

Yeessssss.

First thing...well, not first thing, I got up and got ready first, but second thing this morning after I wiggled back into bed for a few more blessed minutes of sleep (does anyone else fix their hair and makeup and then climb right back into bed? Just me?) my hubby rolled over and said Happy Birthday. Which is amazing really. The man doesn't wake up, and if he does, he never pieces together what day it is or anything significant. 

And while a dragon would be magnificent, I would settle for a dog. Dogs are almost as good. 

Today is going to be crazy busy. I work till five, during my lunch break I have to try and sneak in and get my drivers license renewed, because they think you need a new one when you turn 21. 

And then....the moment we've all (I've) been waiting for...

Jarod and me are going to town for no other reason than to have fun. No machinery parts, no errands, just dinner at a for real sit down restaurant (Applebee's here I come!) and then we are going to watch Ben Hur. 

Which I think will be really cool. Chariots, sibling rivalry, troubled past and all that. 

So, that's gonna be it for now. I wont bother showering you with empty promises to blog more. I'm trying to embrace the concept of under promise and over deliver. We shall see. 

Have a lovely day everyone!

Ain't He Precious?

The question really is, who am I referring to with that title?

Him?

 Him?

Or him?

And the winner is....

HIM!

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the little guy. My hubby brought him to me during lunch break. 

It all started with a phone call that said I had a present. I figured it was for my upcoming birthday, so I asked if I could open it, to which the reply was "its not wrapped". So at lunch Jare goes to his pickup and returns with this little guy and drops him in my hand. 

Jarod informs me that his name is 'im. Because he found 'im. 

But my doppelganger has declared his name Frank. 

I don't know what I'm calling him yet, I just know he's a cute little bugger. 

Right now he's at work with me, in a kids Halloween bucket we use for decorations at times. He's being kind of wiggly. I can't wait to get him home and create a nice little home for him. 

HELP!

Hi guys!! I'm in a pinch here. I have this lovely idea for a character, but she has no name. And I just can never really get going until the character has a name. I've kicked around so many, but none have really stuck. They're just too...normal. 

So, I'm turning to you, my lovely readers, and begging for some ideas. 

Here's a little bit of a blurb on her to possibly help spark some genius, and I'll post some picture inspiration below that. 

Alright, she has red hair that she usually wears in braids. And she's very flamboyant and spontaneous. Like one morning she would wake up and say today I'm a gypsy and do her hair and outfit accordingly and possibly even start looking to buy a motor home and go traipsing across the country. When she was young her mom was an aspiring musician and ended up becoming an alcoholic so her dad said that they needed to get some help or she had to leave and the mom decided to leave, well that really bothered this girl that her mom would willingly leave her and her twin sister. So this happened when she was like six and I'm thinking when she was 13 or so her dad remarried and the woman he married felt threatened by the way this girl mothered her sister so they really didn't get along at all, and I'm thinking when she turned sixteen and was legal to drive and get a job and such she just left. One of her quirks is that she always looks at the missing posters on store bulletin boards so see if they ever tried to look for her. So she is kind of an emotional basket case sometimes but she tries to suck it up and be strong that's why she pushes her happy go lucky side so hard. Also she has hyperthymesia which is like photographic memory, only real and proven. So when a person hears dates or times it randomly pulls up very vivid memories from their personal past that has to do with those dates and times. It's not controllable and makes it hard for people to be social and relate to the present since they're constantly watching their past like a movie. She's also got OCD and ADHD tendencies which is annoying because she's highly detailed and highly bored all at once. So she gets hobbies and gets really good at them then gets sick of them and moves on. So like painting, violin, etc. I think for the story she might decide to dabble in detective work on a whim and accidentally get caught up in something much bigger but I'm not sure what yet. I asked my husband and he just smiled and said he was going to take a shower and my sister liked the idea but wasn't sure about a plot. Anyway, she knows this guy, I think he might be a cop and he wants to date her but she is romantically clueless and totally misses it and is just his friend even though he cares and worries about her and puts up with her silliness and tries to keep her in the now. And she has some awkward girl friends who feel bad for her and try to set her up on blind dates and she always botched them bad and yes I am kind of excited about her.

I think she just generally has a fun, innocent look. Her clothes change all the time, so sometimes she's punk, sometimes she's chic, retro, etc. Whatever fancy strikes her. Her hair isn't a real bright, harsh red, its maybe just a bit redder than say, strawberry blond. 

Anyway, she needs a moniker, a John Henry, a name.

Thoughts?