So, after my computer crash, I got a new hard drive. Fresh and clean as a newborn baby--and empty of a great deal of information. I found an excel document where I had backed up my address list last February. It took a great deal of hard work on my part to get it into an importable format, but I did it (just don't ask me how because I won't remember). I imported it back into my e-mail program but lost all my group configurations. Today, I am spamming everyone in my address book to see if they want to be re-added to my mailing list. This is also allowing me to get rid of defunct addresses--hey, I'm looking for positives!
However, because this list was only up until last February, if you and I started communicated via e-mail since that time, you no longer exist in my new brain (much like the last 2 years of family pictures I also lost). If you would be so kind, would you e-mail me at kilpack@gmail.com. You don't have to pat me on the head or tell me dirty jokes to make me smile (name that song!) just an e-mail so I can add you to my address book which will now be backed up regularly along with the five family pictures I have off of my digital camera that I hadn't downloaded yet.
If you were on or would like to be on my mailing list, let me know in the e-mail and I'll add you to that group as well.
Thanks much,
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
CRASH
On Sunday my hard drive crashed. I have a Mac that I fairly worship (as anyone who has heard me pontificate can attest) It's not supposed to crash. It's supposed to be celestial, alas--it is not. I had subscribed to a backup program several months ago, but cheaped out on the storage space and decided I only wanted to back up my documents.
NOT my photos
NOT my financial systems
NOT my e-mails
NOT my address book
Who needs family photos organized into months just waiting to be put into an online 2008 digital scrapbook, right? Who needs the 200 ward photos collected over the last year so that I can put together the ward DVD? Who needs to know what's been paid to whom for the coming tax season? Who needs the fan mail, registration reminders, passwords, recipes, etc that were saved in my numerous e-mail folders? Who needs the 300 email addresses I've spent six years compiling for my newsletter lists?
Apparently, I didn't value these things enough to take care of them. I had made no CD back ups, I had deleted all photos from my digital camera, I had not saved my address book as a document. They are gone unless by some miracle the tech at the store is able to salvage anything for the $80/hour data retrieval I'm taking my hold hard drive into for today. He told me not to hold my breath. I've spent the last 2 days trying to figure out the back up program and have managed to restore my documents. I'm very happy about that, but it doesn't take the pain of losing everything else away.
If it was only my computer that crashed, I'd be okay. I could just pick up and move forward--like I usually do. Mourn a little, rant about my ignorance, and work on getting over it. But someone I love very much emotionally crashed as well. I absolutely hate the feeling of helplessness and I'm being told that I have no responsibility in the personal issues that are pressing against me. I'm told that it's her problem. Well, if I have no responsibility then I'm helpless to help her. Kind of like my computer. I know I was ignorant and lazy in my backup practices--and now I'm paying for that. I'm learning to be more prepared. I can fix it in the future because I know I was irresponsible and I can fix that. However, if this problem she's dealing with isn't because of anything I've done or not done, then how can I do anything about it? I'm either responsible or I'm helpless--give me one of them so I know where I stand! As it is I feel impotent on every front, dependant on other people to help both sides of my melt down while I flutter around in the middle.
I wish I could sleep for the next two years, except that I'm getting old enough to know that though time heals all wounds, it continually brings new ones with it. I'd wake up just as battered.
However, I've learned a few things over the last few days:
1--Even when I yell at God he doesn't yell back, but most everyone else does
2--Having faith in inadequacy results in failure
3--Eye make-up is not for the emotionally unstable
4--Talking about things doesn't always help
5--Talking to therapists sometimes does
6--Home is only a happy place when the people in it are smiling
7--I can pretend to be fine even when I'm screaming inside
8--Alone in the car is the best place to cry
9--There are far worse things than computer crashes
10--Without the gospel none of it would be worth it--and sometimes it's hard to remember that the gospel helps that much. That's where testimony comes in handy--I know I know it even when I don't feel it.
The purpose of this post is to, well, throw a little self-pity and rediculous emotion into the universe I guess. The world always needs a little more of that, right?
NOT my photos
NOT my financial systems
NOT my e-mails
NOT my address book
Who needs family photos organized into months just waiting to be put into an online 2008 digital scrapbook, right? Who needs the 200 ward photos collected over the last year so that I can put together the ward DVD? Who needs to know what's been paid to whom for the coming tax season? Who needs the fan mail, registration reminders, passwords, recipes, etc that were saved in my numerous e-mail folders? Who needs the 300 email addresses I've spent six years compiling for my newsletter lists?
Apparently, I didn't value these things enough to take care of them. I had made no CD back ups, I had deleted all photos from my digital camera, I had not saved my address book as a document. They are gone unless by some miracle the tech at the store is able to salvage anything for the $80/hour data retrieval I'm taking my hold hard drive into for today. He told me not to hold my breath. I've spent the last 2 days trying to figure out the back up program and have managed to restore my documents. I'm very happy about that, but it doesn't take the pain of losing everything else away.
If it was only my computer that crashed, I'd be okay. I could just pick up and move forward--like I usually do. Mourn a little, rant about my ignorance, and work on getting over it. But someone I love very much emotionally crashed as well. I absolutely hate the feeling of helplessness and I'm being told that I have no responsibility in the personal issues that are pressing against me. I'm told that it's her problem. Well, if I have no responsibility then I'm helpless to help her. Kind of like my computer. I know I was ignorant and lazy in my backup practices--and now I'm paying for that. I'm learning to be more prepared. I can fix it in the future because I know I was irresponsible and I can fix that. However, if this problem she's dealing with isn't because of anything I've done or not done, then how can I do anything about it? I'm either responsible or I'm helpless--give me one of them so I know where I stand! As it is I feel impotent on every front, dependant on other people to help both sides of my melt down while I flutter around in the middle.
I wish I could sleep for the next two years, except that I'm getting old enough to know that though time heals all wounds, it continually brings new ones with it. I'd wake up just as battered.
However, I've learned a few things over the last few days:
1--Even when I yell at God he doesn't yell back, but most everyone else does
2--Having faith in inadequacy results in failure
3--Eye make-up is not for the emotionally unstable
4--Talking about things doesn't always help
5--Talking to therapists sometimes does
6--Home is only a happy place when the people in it are smiling
7--I can pretend to be fine even when I'm screaming inside
8--Alone in the car is the best place to cry
9--There are far worse things than computer crashes
10--Without the gospel none of it would be worth it--and sometimes it's hard to remember that the gospel helps that much. That's where testimony comes in handy--I know I know it even when I don't feel it.
The purpose of this post is to, well, throw a little self-pity and rediculous emotion into the universe I guess. The world always needs a little more of that, right?
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Movie Reviews~The Duchess & Forever Strong
Lee and I went to the Duchess last night. It's rated PG 13, based on a true story, and stars Kiera Knightly (who I quite like). It's the story of Georgiana Something-or-other who became the Duchess of Devonshire in the last 1700's. The catch phrase I had heard was that "She could seduce everyone in England except her husband" this did not turn out to be the case. She was not a seductress or woman of questionable character, she was instead very bright, very engaging, and very admirable in many ways. The whole point of making a movie about her is because she was so remarkable, especially for that period of time. I happen to love Regency England, and so I loved many things about the movie--the dress, the cultural views, the intrigue of social class and I felt it was all very well portrayed and meshed well with the things I know of this time period. However, this is an adult movie. There are several bedroom scenes that, although not graphic, are very 'clear' on what is happening. There are adult themes of mistresses, infidelity, illegitimate children and all such things you can pretty much expect of a marriage based on nothing more than power, inheritance, and social standing. There were several very gripping and heartbreaking scenes as you watch a young woman of ideal and optimism realize that she does not live in a fairy tale and she never will. It was a powerful reminder of how grateful I am to live in the day and time and circumstance I do. Equality is an amazing thing and although I wouldn't call myself a feminist, perhaps it took women of that kind of aggressive zeal to save the rest of us from the powerless existance so many women lived in without chance of recourse. There was on scene that had me grinding my teeth--reminding me very well that Hollywood (or BBC films) is still behind this story. It's a scene about 1/3 way through the movie where the Duchess's freind is trying to show the Duchess that intimacy can be pleasurable. It didn't too too far, but it was too far in my opinion. Nothing graphic, but sensual between two women and completely gratuitous since it was not necessary to make the point. Scenes like this really chap me--and I'll be writing someone a letter to tell them so. They will probably laugh at me, but the film itself was so well done and powerful--to have thrown that in was like an onion in my fruit salad! There is also female back nudity where a maid is running from the Duke's bedchamber--also unnecessary but without the sensuality of the other scene. All in all, in case you can't tell, I really liked this film but I will probably never own it because it's not one I'd want my kids to watch. It's very much about sex and how it related to adult relationships of this era.
Forever Strong is also based on a true story, is very different from The Duchess, and a great family movie. I believe it's rated PG. It's about a young man who plays rugby on his high-school team in Arizona where his dad is coach. He is on a bad path and ends up sent to Juvenile Detention in Utah where the head of the Detention center realizes his skill at Rugby and gets him on the Highland High School team, the ongoing national champion and nemesis of his old team and his father. The Highland High Rugby team is coached an amazing coach whose name I can't remember. The story follows the transition of this troubled boy as he is coached in Rugby, and life, by the high ideals and genuine compassion of this coach. This is, I believe, a local film and yet you would never, ever guess it. It was very well scripted, very well acted, and wonderfully filmed. They have fabulously done rugby shots, and it is one of, if not, the best filmed 'local' movies I've ever seen. Not only that, the filming and acting beat the socks off many sports based movies that have been released nationally. We took our kids to see this for family night and we all really liked it. It has a great message, but you don't lose the story in it. If it's showing in your area (Utah) please take the chance to see it so it can be well supported. It hasn't had a lot of marketing and such but is really really well done. Unlike some other local films, this isn't something you would do as a favor to the film maker, to support local companies, you would be doing to get a great experience. Believe me, it will be worth the $$ and the time. This is one I will definitely buy as soon as it's released. You can watch a trailer about it here. I believe it's been in theaters a couple weeks so it might not be there much longer. It was directed by Ryan Little, who I think I went to high-school with if he had a twin brother named Chad (I think). That would be a cool little coincidence if it was true so if you know whether Ryan Little attended Olympus high-school and graduated in 91, let me know.
Anyway, there's my thoughts. Have a great weekend.
Monday, October 13, 2008
New Books and Great Cooks
The first part of this blog is an announcement of my next book. It's something totally different from anything I've done before; one viewpoint character (Sadie Hoffmiller), no LDS themes, not set in Utah, and brimming with some of my favorite recipes. Yes, after eight LDS novels, I've tried my hand at a Culinary Mystery--Lemon Tart. The story is about Sadie Hoffmiller, a retired teacher, widow, mother of two, and neighborhood busibody who takes the case when her neighbor, Anne Lemmon, is found dead in her back yard. Anne's 2 year old son, Trevor, is no where to be found and when the police start treating Sadie like a suspect, she determines she has no choice but to prove her own innocence. The easiest way to do this, of course, is to figure out who killed Anne in the first place, rescue Trevor, and restore order to the world she's always known. In addition to a great story (if I do say so myself) the book includes five of my favorite recipes guaranteed to put a smile on any readers face. Never underestimate the power of baked goods.
Lemon Tart will be published by Deseret Book in the spring of 2009, to be followed a few months later by the second book in the series, English Trifle, which I'm currently working on, and which brings me to the second part of this post.
I'm looking for cooks, bakers, people who, like me, love getting lost in cream of tarter and finding themselves up to their elbows in chocolate ganache. With Lemon Tart, I baked ferociously and then with the help of a Deseret Book employee (and fabulous cook), figured out the final details for each recipe. This time, I want to perfect the recipes as I go, but I need the help of fellow goddesses (and gods) of the kitchen to make it work. I'm looking for half a dozen people that are willing to cook up a recipe to make sure it works in their kitchen. Any tricks, additions, step-saving practices, etc, will be welcome. Each recipe will be an experience of creation and I need bakers commited to the cause of culinary perfection. Some points to consider:
*Participants will be added to a private blog for Sadie's Test Kitchen
*A new recipe will be posted about every two weeks
*Recipes will be simple enough to be executed in a household kitchen, but will be fun enough to be new and different.
*Participants will agree to cook up each recipe at least twice.
*Test cooks will recieve two copies of each book they participate in and get mention as one of the Test Kitchen Bakers in the acknowledgements section of said book.
*Participants will sign a contract promising to keep the details of each recipe a secret until the book is released.
*If at any time being one of Sadie's bakers interferes with life as you know it, participants may quit at any time with no hard feelings from me.
If you're interested in joining Sadie's Test Kitchen, please reply as such to this blog or contact me at kilpack@gmail.com
Lemon Tart will be published by Deseret Book in the spring of 2009, to be followed a few months later by the second book in the series, English Trifle, which I'm currently working on, and which brings me to the second part of this post.
I'm looking for cooks, bakers, people who, like me, love getting lost in cream of tarter and finding themselves up to their elbows in chocolate ganache. With Lemon Tart, I baked ferociously and then with the help of a Deseret Book employee (and fabulous cook), figured out the final details for each recipe. This time, I want to perfect the recipes as I go, but I need the help of fellow goddesses (and gods) of the kitchen to make it work. I'm looking for half a dozen people that are willing to cook up a recipe to make sure it works in their kitchen. Any tricks, additions, step-saving practices, etc, will be welcome. Each recipe will be an experience of creation and I need bakers commited to the cause of culinary perfection. Some points to consider:
*Participants will be added to a private blog for Sadie's Test Kitchen
*A new recipe will be posted about every two weeks
*Recipes will be simple enough to be executed in a household kitchen, but will be fun enough to be new and different.
*Participants will agree to cook up each recipe at least twice.
*Test cooks will recieve two copies of each book they participate in and get mention as one of the Test Kitchen Bakers in the acknowledgements section of said book.
*Participants will sign a contract promising to keep the details of each recipe a secret until the book is released.
*If at any time being one of Sadie's bakers interferes with life as you know it, participants may quit at any time with no hard feelings from me.
If you're interested in joining Sadie's Test Kitchen, please reply as such to this blog or contact me at kilpack@gmail.com
**KITCHEN IS NOW FULL. IF YOU'D LIKE TO BE PUT ON MY ALTERNATE LIST, I'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU BUT WE'VE GOT ALL THE COOKS WE NEED FOR NOW. THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT SUPPORT!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Looking for Music for the Ward DVD
In the name of masochistic insanity, about five years ago I volunteered to put together a video montage (still pictures set to music) for my ward. I was activity leader back then and had heard the idea from a friend who at that time had 15 years of videos for her ward. I thought it was a great idea and my bishop agreed with me. The only problem was that I had no clue how to do it, no software, and no real direction. The first year was a big learning experience and the final result ended up being due a friend of a friend who bailed us out at the last minute. The next summer I took a class so that I could do it myself. Each year since has shown a little more improvement over the last one to the point where I now feel proud of what I've learned to do. I enjoy doing it and I have 5 years of our ward history that shows my own kids and many friends. However, I have a problem every single year that is only getting worse.
Music.
I know many people love music, always have it playing, and often use it to set a mood or fill the background or whatever. I'm not one of those people. My favorite groups are Queen and the Scorpions. My husband's and my song is "Turbo Lover" by Judas Preist--not quite the type to use on a church DVD. At home, the TV fills the background for me and I choose talk radio over music stations most of the time (especially if Dr. Laura or Dave Ramsey are on). So, each year I try to keep my ears open for good music. Things I've used in the past are:
Somewhere over the Rainbow (Iz)
100 years to live (Five for Fighting--I absolutely LOVED this one, it was a great fit)
I'm from the Country (Tracy Byrd)
Better Together (Jack Johnson)
Small Town (John Melloncamp)
Simple things (Jim Brickman)
My heart to yours (John Denver)
Warriors of Light (Afterglow--can't find the lyrics)
Where I come from (Alan Jackson)
Proud of The House we built (Brooks and Dunn (I think))
Shine (newsboys)
Be Thou Near to Me (Jim Brickman)
There are others but I can't think of them. I try to get ones that fit the part of the montage--so upbeat country music for the July 4th and ward parties, cute family things for the family photos, upbeat stuff for the kids, etc. But every single year it's a job to try and find things that work. Because I'm not a music person, I don't even know where to look and most of what I come up with is chance or friend recommendations. This year has been a particular challenge because anything I already owned and knew has been used--in other words, I have depleted my personal music supply which makes me that much more dependent on other people. So, I'm asking you guys to help me out. I will buy the CD's I need, so I'm not asking anyone to burn me something, but I'm just drawing a blank on several portions of the DVD. The ideas I've come up with so far:
*Jesus (Jim Brickman piano only) for "In memory of" section
*Dream Big (Ryan Shupe) for youth or primary
Two of the following for family:
*It's good to be Us--Bucky Covington (I haven't actually heard this one although I've read the lyrics)
*You're gunna miss this--Trace Atkins (not sure I like this one, seems a bit preachy/sappy)
*Roll with me--Montgomery Gentry (this one talks about an early death and I'm not sure that's what I want to do)
*If I only had Today--Hilary Weeks (I love this song, but I worry it's a little bit sad, but I'm not sure--it's probably the one I want the most. It's brand new and I couldn't find the lyrics although I already bought the CD)
**One thing about the family music is I try not to use anything too romantic, since it's families more than it is couples. I'm okay with a little bit, but want it more general 'togetherness' than romantic love.
I need something upbeat for the youth and considered doing Crazy but it might be a little too psychadelic. I also need something churchy, but not preachy, for sunday school/primary classes. And I still need a good ward activity one similar to Small Town and I'm from the Country. They have to clean, no talk about what happens in the dark, no words like 'lover' or any swear words either. They need to have a good message but not pointedly religious. Probably the biggest goal of this project is that it's fun--I don't want it to be boring and 'churchy' I want it to be something the youth and kids can enjoy, without crossing the line.
So, anyhow, I very much appreciate any help you guys can give me. Whether it's agreeing that some of my suggestiosn are good ones, or giving me more ideas--I'm all over. I'll start putting this together in a couple weeks and can use all the help I can get.
Music.
I know many people love music, always have it playing, and often use it to set a mood or fill the background or whatever. I'm not one of those people. My favorite groups are Queen and the Scorpions. My husband's and my song is "Turbo Lover" by Judas Preist--not quite the type to use on a church DVD. At home, the TV fills the background for me and I choose talk radio over music stations most of the time (especially if Dr. Laura or Dave Ramsey are on). So, each year I try to keep my ears open for good music. Things I've used in the past are:
Somewhere over the Rainbow (Iz)
100 years to live (Five for Fighting--I absolutely LOVED this one, it was a great fit)
I'm from the Country (Tracy Byrd)
Better Together (Jack Johnson)
Small Town (John Melloncamp)
Simple things (Jim Brickman)
My heart to yours (John Denver)
Warriors of Light (Afterglow--can't find the lyrics)
Where I come from (Alan Jackson)
Proud of The House we built (Brooks and Dunn (I think))
Shine (newsboys)
Be Thou Near to Me (Jim Brickman)
There are others but I can't think of them. I try to get ones that fit the part of the montage--so upbeat country music for the July 4th and ward parties, cute family things for the family photos, upbeat stuff for the kids, etc. But every single year it's a job to try and find things that work. Because I'm not a music person, I don't even know where to look and most of what I come up with is chance or friend recommendations. This year has been a particular challenge because anything I already owned and knew has been used--in other words, I have depleted my personal music supply which makes me that much more dependent on other people. So, I'm asking you guys to help me out. I will buy the CD's I need, so I'm not asking anyone to burn me something, but I'm just drawing a blank on several portions of the DVD. The ideas I've come up with so far:
*Jesus (Jim Brickman piano only) for "In memory of" section
*Dream Big (Ryan Shupe) for youth or primary
Two of the following for family:
*It's good to be Us--Bucky Covington (I haven't actually heard this one although I've read the lyrics)
*You're gunna miss this--Trace Atkins (not sure I like this one, seems a bit preachy/sappy)
*Roll with me--Montgomery Gentry (this one talks about an early death and I'm not sure that's what I want to do)
*If I only had Today--Hilary Weeks (I love this song, but I worry it's a little bit sad, but I'm not sure--it's probably the one I want the most. It's brand new and I couldn't find the lyrics although I already bought the CD)
**One thing about the family music is I try not to use anything too romantic, since it's families more than it is couples. I'm okay with a little bit, but want it more general 'togetherness' than romantic love.
I need something upbeat for the youth and considered doing Crazy but it might be a little too psychadelic. I also need something churchy, but not preachy, for sunday school/primary classes. And I still need a good ward activity one similar to Small Town and I'm from the Country. They have to clean, no talk about what happens in the dark, no words like 'lover' or any swear words either. They need to have a good message but not pointedly religious. Probably the biggest goal of this project is that it's fun--I don't want it to be boring and 'churchy' I want it to be something the youth and kids can enjoy, without crossing the line.
So, anyhow, I very much appreciate any help you guys can give me. Whether it's agreeing that some of my suggestiosn are good ones, or giving me more ideas--I'm all over. I'll start putting this together in a couple weeks and can use all the help I can get.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
HELP ME, the google reader idiot
So I've heard people talking about google reader and I want to love it. I really, really, really want to love it. But so far I don't. I've been working on it all dang day and it's got to be easier than I'm making it to be. I added my blogs to my blogger dashboard but now I can't figure out how to import them into the reader thing. I mean, I know there are horrible things like a crumbling economy and world hunger going on, but I am dang annoyed I can't figure this out. I want to read all my blogs in one place like everyone else and it's making me swear.
So, someone much smarter than me (uh, that would be everyone) help me out here. Is there no easier way of doing it other than typing in the url on the reader page? I'm a horrible speller and I keep going to blogs and exiting before I note how they are spelled. And can I put it as a feed in my toolbar like I have some of my other favoritist blogs. I want to! And if I can't, I'm gunna be even madder!
Here's what I need to know:
*Can I put it in my toolbar like an RSS feed. If so, how, if not, why the $%#@!! not, this is America!
*Can I reply on the actual reader page or do I have to go to the blog every time?
*Can I import my 'blogs I'm following' or do I seriously have to type them all out?
*Is this really worth it?
Thanks in advance, and my apologies for my unnecessary emotional state about this. I can't explain my state of mind in a way that will make sense so I'll stop here.
So, someone much smarter than me (uh, that would be everyone) help me out here. Is there no easier way of doing it other than typing in the url on the reader page? I'm a horrible speller and I keep going to blogs and exiting before I note how they are spelled. And can I put it as a feed in my toolbar like I have some of my other favoritist blogs. I want to! And if I can't, I'm gunna be even madder!
Here's what I need to know:
*Can I put it in my toolbar like an RSS feed. If so, how, if not, why the $%#@!! not, this is America!
*Can I reply on the actual reader page or do I have to go to the blog every time?
*Can I import my 'blogs I'm following' or do I seriously have to type them all out?
*Is this really worth it?
Thanks in advance, and my apologies for my unnecessary emotional state about this. I can't explain my state of mind in a way that will make sense so I'll stop here.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Farewell Canning Season 08
Though I'm a zealot now, I was far from converted to the gospel of home canning when I entered adulthood. Quite frankly, I thought canning was a hideous waste of time AND that the only people that did it, did it because they were poor. Yes, my mother often talked about the high quality, how much better it was for you, blah, blah, blah, but I hated canning, let me say that again, I HATED canning.
I grew up as one of nine children. My mother stayed home and my dad taught school. Canning was a necessity. We had a HUGE garden and numerous fruit trees. In addition to our own stuff, because we had nine kids, people often called us to finish off their fruit trees. Every summer we bottled hundreds and hundreds of quart jars full of all kinds of things--cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, tomatoes, pickles beets, apples, applesauce, grape juice and a variety of jams and jellies. However, I use the term 'we' rather loosely since the kids never did that much. I remember many times promising my mother I wouldn't eat any peaches or anything made with the tomatoes, therefore I shouldn't have to can them. It never worked and so as I skinned peaches and packed tomatoes I swore I would never, ever, ever can anything once I was an adult. (I swore the same thing about taking my kids to church, making them do chores, sewing their clothes, making my own bread, planting a garden, and painting a bedroom by myself--I've gone back on all of those ones too)
I did become an adult eventually. I got married, had a baby, took over custody of a neice, did elderly care in our home so I could stay with my kids, and got pregnant again. I was about 4 months pregnant when one day Lee's aunt showed up at my house with a tub of blackberries. She'd been at the wet pack cannery and they had extra blackberries they were selling for $5. She bought them and brought them to me because "I know you love to can." How the heck she knew I loved to can when I most certainly did NOT love to can is beyond me. I was far more annoyed than gracious and after she left I glared at those blackberries with absolute abhorance (anyone that knows the value of a 10 gallon tub of blackberries wants to slap me upside the head about now). But, I was cheap and couldn't let them go to waste so I first put several gallon bags of blackberries in my apartment sized freezer and then decided to make some jam. Christmas was a couple months away and I figured I could give the jam for neighbor gifts.
So I did.
And the result was about 60 pints of the most beautiful jam I'd ever seen. I finished and just stared at what I had done. I made jam! I rescued 10 gallons of blackberries from spoiling and I preserved them until my family and freinds. I was mighty impressed with myself and a few months later was even MORE impressed with myself when my neighbors responded with astonished excitement when they got my jam instead of more candy. A switch was flipped, however, I lived in an apartment and soon had 2 little kids and a pre-teen, and a grandmother--so I didn't can again for several years. Then, we moved to Willard also known as the Famous Fruit HighWay. Whereas I felt like some kind of Martha Stewart when I lived in the city, up here I'm just like everyone else--they ALL can, but it's turned into a great resource for me in those ways as well.
I found a water bath canner at DI for $3. I planted beets and tomatoes, bought peaches and pears and apricots--I learned how to make mustard pickles. Now, some twenty years after my cursings about canning, I am so converted it's almost disgusting. I absolutly love to can. The feeling of accomplishment as I look at food I put up is almost hard to discribe. I think it ties back to an anciet female desire to create--and do I ever create! This year was actually a bit thinner than others because of time issues, but I still managed to can the following:
14 quarts of peach pie filling
20 quarts of peaches
12 pints and 4 quarts of mustard pickles
24 quarts and 4 pints of tomatoes
I only do jam every other year and this was an off year as I'm trying to use through the stuff in the freezer, and apples and grapes are yet to be dealt with--but most of the season is over for me. I finally figured out how to clean my stove (easy off, with a bowl placed over the sprayed burner to keep the fumes from knocking me out) and I had a great year for tomatoes. I had a couple friends ask me for tips when they decided to try their hand at canning for the first time in a few years, and that was a huge boon to me because they then get to feel that feeling of success, preservation, and accomplishment. I'm certainly no expert, and I've never yet attempted canning with a pressure cooker, but I'll get there and I'm sure I'll love it :-)
Now, I'm off to make an apricot cobbler--come on over this afternoon if you'd like some.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Show Me the Money--Again!
Last year I posted about the money published authors really make called Really Show the Money. It was fun to get a cross section of many authors and see the range of spectrum in the financial lucre. Recently, LDSpublisher had a blog post about the LDS market and the comments trailed into the $$ we make in this market. It's a question people ask A LOT, and are often surprised when I answer them without hesitating. I know our society is supposed to be all close mouthed about money issues, but I figure that's only because people are judgemental. You wanna judge me because I make a certain amount of $$, fine with me. If it destracts you from other things like bad hygeine and poor social skills, I'll take judgements over money any day.
Soooooo, being as I'm a total copy cat and since I'm cleaning my stove after canning season and therefore have nothing of interest to post about, I thought I'd ask the same question I did last year--How much money are you authors making?
Here's the format:
What Market are you published in?
Do you have a traditional publisher or are you self-published or both?
How much $$ have you recieved in ROYALTIES or ADVANCES in the last 12 months?
How many books do you have published? 1, 2-6, 6-10, more than 10
What did you do with your last royalty check?
And despite my 'open and free' comments in regard to $$, please post anonymously if you're sharing finances--no need to tempt me since I've recently learned just how easy it can be to hack into bank accounts :-) Also, my answer will be anonymous also, I'm fine having an in depth discussion with anyone on a one on one basis, but would rather not put it out into blogland.
Any other comments along this trail are welcome
Soooooo, being as I'm a total copy cat and since I'm cleaning my stove after canning season and therefore have nothing of interest to post about, I thought I'd ask the same question I did last year--How much money are you authors making?
Here's the format:
What Market are you published in?
Do you have a traditional publisher or are you self-published or both?
How much $$ have you recieved in ROYALTIES or ADVANCES in the last 12 months?
How many books do you have published? 1, 2-6, 6-10, more than 10
What did you do with your last royalty check?
And despite my 'open and free' comments in regard to $$, please post anonymously if you're sharing finances--no need to tempt me since I've recently learned just how easy it can be to hack into bank accounts :-) Also, my answer will be anonymous also, I'm fine having an in depth discussion with anyone on a one on one basis, but would rather not put it out into blogland.
Any other comments along this trail are welcome
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Mastering of the English Language
There is a point in all human development when we find the perfect word or phrase that so perfectly describes a moment we are experiencing that it is worth the preservation of said moment in blog land:
Example #1:
(Setting: 6 year old daughter, a week after starting first grade, i.e. all day school (insert angelic hallelujah chorus as all of you look at mother of this child with envy she very much deserves) Now, back to the child upon which this example is based)
Child: "I hate first grade."
Mom: "No you don't, you love it." (how could she not love it when I absolutely adore it?)
Child: (shaking head emphatically) "No, I hate it. It's a piece of poo."
Example #2:
(Setting: same 6 year old daughter, a month after starting first grade)
Child: "I hate homework. Can I throw it away?"
And then there are times when the words just come out wrong:
Example #1:
(Setting: Kilpack family is trying to leave a party held at a park for a friend who is leaving on a mission. Kilpack-boy-child is hanging on a fence despite still being in his sunday clothes. Parents have tried unseccessfully to lure him to the car, but since he has recently devoured several pounds of desserts, we have very little to bargain with. Mother Kilpack (that's me) is making polite goodbyes while Father Kilpack (that's my dearly beloved) is trying not to spank kilpack-boy-child in public.)
Lee: "Let's go now." (insert menacing dip in voice frequency on the last word, clear signal that dad is on the brink.)
Boy-child: "Just a sec."
Lee: "No more secs!" (said in loud clear tones. You might need to say this one out loud in order to experience the true beauty of the moment and understand the hush that fell over the crowd.)
I hope you have all enjoyed this particular lesson on how to, and how not to, use the words we have been given. Choose wisely.
Example #1:
(Setting: 6 year old daughter, a week after starting first grade, i.e. all day school (insert angelic hallelujah chorus as all of you look at mother of this child with envy she very much deserves) Now, back to the child upon which this example is based)
Child: "I hate first grade."
Mom: "No you don't, you love it." (how could she not love it when I absolutely adore it?)
Child: (shaking head emphatically) "No, I hate it. It's a piece of poo."
Example #2:
(Setting: same 6 year old daughter, a month after starting first grade)
Child: "I hate homework. Can I throw it away?"
And then there are times when the words just come out wrong:
Example #1:
(Setting: Kilpack family is trying to leave a party held at a park for a friend who is leaving on a mission. Kilpack-boy-child is hanging on a fence despite still being in his sunday clothes. Parents have tried unseccessfully to lure him to the car, but since he has recently devoured several pounds of desserts, we have very little to bargain with. Mother Kilpack (that's me) is making polite goodbyes while Father Kilpack (that's my dearly beloved) is trying not to spank kilpack-boy-child in public.)
Lee: "Let's go now." (insert menacing dip in voice frequency on the last word, clear signal that dad is on the brink.)
Boy-child: "Just a sec."
Lee: "No more secs!" (said in loud clear tones. You might need to say this one out loud in order to experience the true beauty of the moment and understand the hush that fell over the crowd.)
I hope you have all enjoyed this particular lesson on how to, and how not to, use the words we have been given. Choose wisely.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Backpackers Are We
So I mentioned after labor day that Lee and I were going to try an overnight backpacking trip. For whatever reason I imagined this would take place next summer--there are times I forget the details that go along with the man I married. He has an ingrained sense of adventure in many things--be it business, ambition, or recreation. He found out I was thinking next summer while all along he was thinking this month. And so the planning began.
I found a woman's backpack in the classifieds for $40--a little googling told me that would save me about $160 if I were buying the same pack retail. Sold.
A friend--and avid recreation affectionado--had a bunch of other equipment she said we could borrow, including sleeping bags where you slide the sleeping pad into a sleeve underneath the bag--i.e. no sliding off the pad. Brilliant.
We spent another $60 on little backpacking gadgets like pans, flashlight-compass, small hatchet, freezedried dinner, a visor, etc.
Lee's cousin, the fabulous Janae, agreed to watch the kids and so around noon on Friday we headed for the hills--well mountains, actually, above Ogden. I don't really know what they are called, Ogden mountains or something super creative like that? We took Tex, our blue healer, to protect us from bears and mountain lions we knew wanted to eat us for dinner.
We started on what is called Indian Trail, supposedly named because the indians would use it to cross into Ogden Canyon when water levels of the Ogden river were too high. This trail runs along the north side of the mountains and I was a little annoyed that here we are with big ol packs on our backs and we're looking into people's backyards for the first half a mile. But then it turned and offered some great views of Ogden valley, such as this one:
I ain't gunna lie to you, it was hard. We were really worried about water, since we went through three 16 oz bottles just on the walk up. I'd thought there was a stream alongside the trail, but there wasn't, so we had to share some with Tex. But, aside from a serious challenge for my glutes, I kept up with Ironman (i.e. husband who often said "Oh, do you need to rest?") About three miles up there is a split in the trail. The signs were confusing and we THOUGHT we took the trail that would take us into Coldwater Canyon, where we wanted to camp, but we actually took the trail that took us toward the Odgen Canyon trailhead. We ran into another hiker that educated us on where we really were--did I mention I managed to lose the trail map? I is a good outdoors woman, lemme tell ya! By the time we met up with this guy we were almost out of the canyon--you could hear horns honking and big trucks making the turn. Hmmm. Not quite the adventuring seclusion we were looking for. We also found a spring, so we could refil our waterbottles for Tex. Then we determined what to do next--hike back up to the fork, or hike half a mile up and make camp. We hiked half a mile and made camp:
We even built our own fire ring, my girl scout leaders would be so proud.
We had Mountain High brand Chicken a la King for dinner--quite good. Reminded me of cup o' noodles, but tasted different and although I don't like chicken, I apparently DO like freeze dried chicken after I've hiked four and a half miles (oh, we took the wrong trail for awhile before realizing that there had been no mention of scaling cliffs with 60 lb packs on our backs) We enjoyed the fire, scared some scouts out of their minds when they came down from a night hike and we let Tex go up and greet them--good times, good times--and then we went to bed only to realize we had put the tent at quite an angle. So much so that I spent most of the night trying to 'hold' a position that would keep me from sliding to the bottom. Tex hated being left outside--but there was no way he was coming in AND we might have only been a mile from the canyon road but we still had lions and tigers and bears in mind. He was our insurance policy, but kept us up since he didn't seem to sleep a wink. And then, it started to rain--of course!
So I guess it's not our kids that are cursed, it's us. Luckily, there was a really good rain fly on the tent. We pulled in our gear, Tex finally settled down under it and I tried to shut off my worrier, which only made me more worried because what if I neglected to think of one horrible thing that could befall us! I thought I would sleep like a rock because I was so tired--well, I didn't. I might have gotten a couple hours, but mostly I tried to find positions, lamented not bringing a pillow, and told tex to stop scratching at the tent.
The next morning, we got up and changed scrambled eggs for breakfast to granola bars. We were down to our 50 ounce camelbak for water and so were very conservative. My legs were killing me, while Iron man wasn't even sore. We had to hike back up to the fork in the trail, and then it was easy breezy since most of it was downhill from there.
By noon we were back in the truck and on our way to 7-11 for a Coke Slurpee. Here's our stats:
Hike in: 4 hours (with 30 minutes of that being the wrong trail)
Hike out: 2 and a half hours.
Tex was great, the food was pretty good, and the solitude of just the two of us was wonderful. Today, I am soooooo sore. My shoulders, back, bum, and legs are all incredibly stiff and sore, but I'm taking it as a challenge rather than an injury. We're hoping to do a two night hike in October somewhere down south and I'm deterimined to be in better shape that time--even though I'm quite proud of myself since I totally overpacked and had never done anything like this before. Also, I recently heard about camping with hammocks and I'm intriqued, if anyone knows anything about that, I'd love to hear your opinions. The cost of a hammock is close to the cost of a tent, so it's not cheap, but it's off the ground and a lot lighter. We also need to invest in a good water purification thingy, since the stress of thinking we would run out of water was a huge concern. I'd appreciate any advice :-)
I found a woman's backpack in the classifieds for $40--a little googling told me that would save me about $160 if I were buying the same pack retail. Sold.
A friend--and avid recreation affectionado--had a bunch of other equipment she said we could borrow, including sleeping bags where you slide the sleeping pad into a sleeve underneath the bag--i.e. no sliding off the pad. Brilliant.
We spent another $60 on little backpacking gadgets like pans, flashlight-compass, small hatchet, freezedried dinner, a visor, etc.
Lee's cousin, the fabulous Janae, agreed to watch the kids and so around noon on Friday we headed for the hills--well mountains, actually, above Ogden. I don't really know what they are called, Ogden mountains or something super creative like that? We took Tex, our blue healer, to protect us from bears and mountain lions we knew wanted to eat us for dinner.
We started on what is called Indian Trail, supposedly named because the indians would use it to cross into Ogden Canyon when water levels of the Ogden river were too high. This trail runs along the north side of the mountains and I was a little annoyed that here we are with big ol packs on our backs and we're looking into people's backyards for the first half a mile. But then it turned and offered some great views of Ogden valley, such as this one:
I ain't gunna lie to you, it was hard. We were really worried about water, since we went through three 16 oz bottles just on the walk up. I'd thought there was a stream alongside the trail, but there wasn't, so we had to share some with Tex. But, aside from a serious challenge for my glutes, I kept up with Ironman (i.e. husband who often said "Oh, do you need to rest?") About three miles up there is a split in the trail. The signs were confusing and we THOUGHT we took the trail that would take us into Coldwater Canyon, where we wanted to camp, but we actually took the trail that took us toward the Odgen Canyon trailhead. We ran into another hiker that educated us on where we really were--did I mention I managed to lose the trail map? I is a good outdoors woman, lemme tell ya! By the time we met up with this guy we were almost out of the canyon--you could hear horns honking and big trucks making the turn. Hmmm. Not quite the adventuring seclusion we were looking for. We also found a spring, so we could refil our waterbottles for Tex. Then we determined what to do next--hike back up to the fork, or hike half a mile up and make camp. We hiked half a mile and made camp:
We even built our own fire ring, my girl scout leaders would be so proud.
We had Mountain High brand Chicken a la King for dinner--quite good. Reminded me of cup o' noodles, but tasted different and although I don't like chicken, I apparently DO like freeze dried chicken after I've hiked four and a half miles (oh, we took the wrong trail for awhile before realizing that there had been no mention of scaling cliffs with 60 lb packs on our backs) We enjoyed the fire, scared some scouts out of their minds when they came down from a night hike and we let Tex go up and greet them--good times, good times--and then we went to bed only to realize we had put the tent at quite an angle. So much so that I spent most of the night trying to 'hold' a position that would keep me from sliding to the bottom. Tex hated being left outside--but there was no way he was coming in AND we might have only been a mile from the canyon road but we still had lions and tigers and bears in mind. He was our insurance policy, but kept us up since he didn't seem to sleep a wink. And then, it started to rain--of course!
So I guess it's not our kids that are cursed, it's us. Luckily, there was a really good rain fly on the tent. We pulled in our gear, Tex finally settled down under it and I tried to shut off my worrier, which only made me more worried because what if I neglected to think of one horrible thing that could befall us! I thought I would sleep like a rock because I was so tired--well, I didn't. I might have gotten a couple hours, but mostly I tried to find positions, lamented not bringing a pillow, and told tex to stop scratching at the tent.
The next morning, we got up and changed scrambled eggs for breakfast to granola bars. We were down to our 50 ounce camelbak for water and so were very conservative. My legs were killing me, while Iron man wasn't even sore. We had to hike back up to the fork in the trail, and then it was easy breezy since most of it was downhill from there.
By noon we were back in the truck and on our way to 7-11 for a Coke Slurpee. Here's our stats:Hike in: 4 hours (with 30 minutes of that being the wrong trail)
Hike out: 2 and a half hours.
Tex was great, the food was pretty good, and the solitude of just the two of us was wonderful. Today, I am soooooo sore. My shoulders, back, bum, and legs are all incredibly stiff and sore, but I'm taking it as a challenge rather than an injury. We're hoping to do a two night hike in October somewhere down south and I'm deterimined to be in better shape that time--even though I'm quite proud of myself since I totally overpacked and had never done anything like this before. Also, I recently heard about camping with hammocks and I'm intriqued, if anyone knows anything about that, I'd love to hear your opinions. The cost of a hammock is close to the cost of a tent, so it's not cheap, but it's off the ground and a lot lighter. We also need to invest in a good water purification thingy, since the stress of thinking we would run out of water was a huge concern. I'd appreciate any advice :-)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Got Curves? Opinion Poll for Curves Gym
So I've been doing Jazzercise--well, I guess I WAS doing Jazzercise, but then Summer came (oh, four months ago) and whereas it had been convenient to go before, it no longer was. I really didn't have any right being in that class anyway, as it required a certain amount of coordination that I seriously lack. Still, I had enjoyed it and I'm not certain I won't go back one day, but for right now it just isn't working into my schedule so I quit. That's what I do, I quit.
But so I need to start something up again. I have a good freind that loved curves, she's a tiny little thing and found the workout to be great and wonderful and she loved it. She also helped me haul shelves into my car last summer and for being such a tiny thing, she's dang strong. Serious pointage for Curves.
I have another freind who didn't like curves. She's very athletic--biking, running, swimming--all kinds of serious sportage goin on with her. She tried Curves and found it monotonous and annoying and not all that effective for her.
I'm intrigued by the idea. I toured our local curves a couple weeks ago to see how it was set up and it's basically about 15 'stations' made up of tension based work out machines (no adjustable weights) set up in a circle. In between each station is a 2 foot square impact pad. There's music playing and ever 30 seconds it tells you to 'switch stations' so you might be at an arm machine then switch to run in place on the impact pad, then rotate again. You're supposed to do this rotation twice in a 30 minute period of time. Being as I'm driving kids hither and yon nearly every day of the week, I think I can easily do this at least three times a week, probably more often in the course of my usual errands without having to make a special trip. That sounds very very good to me. But not if it isn't a good work out. I'm in fairly good shape, I just want to tone up and get some strength training. I realize I could go to a regular gym, but I also like the idea of someone telling me what to do since yoga videos at home usually end with me sitting on the couch watching them, and when I've gone to the gym in the past I use one or two machines I can figure out, and ignore all others.
To sign up is $150 (ouch!) but you can get a half price discount if you sign up on your first visit. I didn't sign up during my first visit, but I don't think if I asked for it they would deny me--especiailly when I say there is no way in Heck I'm paying $150 to sign up. Then it's $34/month if you sign up for a year or $44/month if you pay month to month. Some of you won't beleive this about me, but I'm very cheap when it comes to certain things. That's a lot of money--one pair of shoes for a kid each month, which is about how many pairs of shoes I buy a year. So the big question is . . . is it worth a new pair of shoes for my children? (Not that I won't buy them shoes, but you get the idea)
I searched blogland for reviews but it's hard to do a google search for the word "curves"--I don't reccommend it. "curves gym" brought up some, but not a ton and the reviews were mixed. Now, I'm not looking to blame anyone if I choose to do it and end up hating it, but if you've had experience with Curves I'd appreciate it.
But so I need to start something up again. I have a good freind that loved curves, she's a tiny little thing and found the workout to be great and wonderful and she loved it. She also helped me haul shelves into my car last summer and for being such a tiny thing, she's dang strong. Serious pointage for Curves.
I have another freind who didn't like curves. She's very athletic--biking, running, swimming--all kinds of serious sportage goin on with her. She tried Curves and found it monotonous and annoying and not all that effective for her.
I'm intrigued by the idea. I toured our local curves a couple weeks ago to see how it was set up and it's basically about 15 'stations' made up of tension based work out machines (no adjustable weights) set up in a circle. In between each station is a 2 foot square impact pad. There's music playing and ever 30 seconds it tells you to 'switch stations' so you might be at an arm machine then switch to run in place on the impact pad, then rotate again. You're supposed to do this rotation twice in a 30 minute period of time. Being as I'm driving kids hither and yon nearly every day of the week, I think I can easily do this at least three times a week, probably more often in the course of my usual errands without having to make a special trip. That sounds very very good to me. But not if it isn't a good work out. I'm in fairly good shape, I just want to tone up and get some strength training. I realize I could go to a regular gym, but I also like the idea of someone telling me what to do since yoga videos at home usually end with me sitting on the couch watching them, and when I've gone to the gym in the past I use one or two machines I can figure out, and ignore all others.
To sign up is $150 (ouch!) but you can get a half price discount if you sign up on your first visit. I didn't sign up during my first visit, but I don't think if I asked for it they would deny me--especiailly when I say there is no way in Heck I'm paying $150 to sign up. Then it's $34/month if you sign up for a year or $44/month if you pay month to month. Some of you won't beleive this about me, but I'm very cheap when it comes to certain things. That's a lot of money--one pair of shoes for a kid each month, which is about how many pairs of shoes I buy a year. So the big question is . . . is it worth a new pair of shoes for my children? (Not that I won't buy them shoes, but you get the idea)
I searched blogland for reviews but it's hard to do a google search for the word "curves"--I don't reccommend it. "curves gym" brought up some, but not a ton and the reviews were mixed. Now, I'm not looking to blame anyone if I choose to do it and end up hating it, but if you've had experience with Curves I'd appreciate it.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
It's Opening Night!
It's official--Her Good Name is in stores and ready to go! It actually came out earlier than I expected, which is nice in that it cuts down on my heartburn caused by wondering if it's going to show up in time for my Opening night--what? You don't know what an Opening Night is? Well, let me learn ya sometin:
Four books ago (how cool is it to say that!) I had my first Opening Night where I basically hosted a party to announce the release of my newest book. I'd heard of people doing things like that in their homes for friends and family, and Harry Potter parties were selling a bazzillion copies on their opening night, but I knew mine would be nothing like either of those. Instead, I sent out postcards (i.e. invitations) announcing my book and the date and time of my first signing for that book. I gathered items to give away in a drawing and baked to my little hearts content. It was hands down the best signing I'd ever had. I sold about 40 books, I got to chat with friends and family that came, I went to dinner with several out-of-towners that came up to celebrate with me. It was awesome.
I did it with the next two books as well and now it's time to have a party for Her Good Name. I sent out postcards a couple weeks ago, I've updated my website and I should have sent the info to my e-mail list weeks ago--but I didn't. So I'll be doing that shortly, but I thought I'd make a mention of it here as well--just in case you're in northern Utah and haven't heard about it. So, here's the specs:
When: Tomorrow night, Thursday September 11 5:30-7:00
Where: Reflections of Utah Bookstore, 47 S. Main Brigham City
There will be door prizes for the first 75 attendees (The Mint candy cups), refreshments (crab ragoon puffs, cookies, fresh fruit, veggie tray, fancy drink) and a Grand prize drawing (Reflections of Utah gift certificate, Idle Isle chocolates, The Mint candy, Vouchers for free entrance to the Utah Chocolate Show, and a few do-dads) for those that buy a copy that night, and there will be a discount on books sold that night. If you are on my snail mail list you would have recieved a postcard that entitles you to an even better discount.
For those of you out of town and interested in buying a copy of Her Good Name, please contact me. Deseret Book has updated their website and Her Good Name and Sheep's Clothing got lost in the shuffle--which makes it nearly impossible to find online. But if I can help you out, I'd love to do so.
Off we go . . .
Four books ago (how cool is it to say that!) I had my first Opening Night where I basically hosted a party to announce the release of my newest book. I'd heard of people doing things like that in their homes for friends and family, and Harry Potter parties were selling a bazzillion copies on their opening night, but I knew mine would be nothing like either of those. Instead, I sent out postcards (i.e. invitations) announcing my book and the date and time of my first signing for that book. I gathered items to give away in a drawing and baked to my little hearts content. It was hands down the best signing I'd ever had. I sold about 40 books, I got to chat with friends and family that came, I went to dinner with several out-of-towners that came up to celebrate with me. It was awesome.
I did it with the next two books as well and now it's time to have a party for Her Good Name. I sent out postcards a couple weeks ago, I've updated my website and I should have sent the info to my e-mail list weeks ago--but I didn't. So I'll be doing that shortly, but I thought I'd make a mention of it here as well--just in case you're in northern Utah and haven't heard about it. So, here's the specs:
When: Tomorrow night, Thursday September 11 5:30-7:00
Where: Reflections of Utah Bookstore, 47 S. Main Brigham City
There will be door prizes for the first 75 attendees (The Mint candy cups), refreshments (crab ragoon puffs, cookies, fresh fruit, veggie tray, fancy drink) and a Grand prize drawing (Reflections of Utah gift certificate, Idle Isle chocolates, The Mint candy, Vouchers for free entrance to the Utah Chocolate Show, and a few do-dads) for those that buy a copy that night, and there will be a discount on books sold that night. If you are on my snail mail list you would have recieved a postcard that entitles you to an even better discount.
For those of you out of town and interested in buying a copy of Her Good Name, please contact me. Deseret Book has updated their website and Her Good Name and Sheep's Clothing got lost in the shuffle--which makes it nearly impossible to find online. But if I can help you out, I'd love to do so.
Off we go . . .
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
My Camping Curse
When my hubby and I were first married we told everyone we loved to camp. We had both camped at teenagers (not together, okay, well, once together--maybe twice) and considered ourselves GOOD campers. I would like it on record, however, that the first fire ever lit when we were together was started by moi, when he went through half a dozen matches trying. I'm a girl scout you know.
Anyway, our first few years of marriage were chaotic. We did elderly care in our home AND were raising Lee's niece AND had our first child a year after the wedding. We had the 'cute apartment with just the two of us' for exactly two weeks, from that point on we were sharing habitation with one or more people that depended on us for care. We didn't get out much. When child #1 came along we snuck away with her for a weekend while our niece went to a family member's home and a friend came to our home to watch over the elderly gentleman we were taking care of. We went to Kamas in our 1974 blazer, took the back seat out to put by the fire and took naps, walks, ate PB & J, read books and went to a mud bog in town. Seeing as how the baby was 3 months old, she didn't cause much trouble and it was a great time. We spent exactly $40 to camp all weekend and it was fun. We smiled at one another and said, "yep, we're campers."
Three years later, having had no opportunity to camp during that time, we went camping again with our two daughters ages 3 1/2 and 18 months. We rented a boat--the girls cried and hated it. We made cowboy dinners, the girls cried and hated it. We slept all together in two sleeping bags zipped together--I whined, didn't sleep a bit, and hated it. The second night it rained, and rained and rained until the water was coming into the tent in rivers. We promptly loaded all the wet stuff in the car and went to a hotel. The weekend cost us somewhere around $300 and we were sick to our stomachs and miserable. We glared at one another and said, "this is all your fault."
Seven non-camping years after this episode I decided we were ready to try again. We had four kids now, ages 6 months, 4, 7, and 9. Good camping ages, right? So I spent the day getting ready and we went about 15 miles from home. We brought the four wheelers and within an hour I had crashed, sending child #2 on my lap over the handlebars, the same child had peed all over herself after failing to heed my instructions about how to pee in the woods, and the 6 month old was wailing. Husband said we should go home. I was not about to conceed defeat and told him he could go home, but I was staying. He could come get me in the morning if he was so determined. Note to men: phrases such as that are specifically engeneered for the following response "No dear, I won't leave you on the mountain alone, let's snuggle." Instead husband said, "Catch ya in the morning, I'll buy some donuts on the way up." Now, we had brought two cars so he didn't totally abandon me. The kids grumbled, the older girls insisting they sleep in the car. Whatever. So me and da'boy (4 years old) took the tent which was missing the rain fly, but it wasn't going to rain. It was July.
It rained.
Around two o'clock in the morning I'm running through the mud with the four year old, throwing him in the van and we're on our way home--leaving everything there to get rained on. The next morning, gloating husband and myself return to the mountain and rescue the muddy equipment. We looked at each other and both admit this one was squarely on my shoulders.
Another four years go by, we've managed a few Kamping Kabin experiences that weren't so bad and decide to attempt tent camping once again. So last Memorial day we set off for City of Rocks--a very cool campground in Southern Idaho. Some of my family joined us and we were exicted for the weekend. We got all set up in time for the rain the first day. The next day we had a nice morning before the rain and snow set in for nearly six hours. But it did stop. The third day we had another nice morning before the wind picked up and the clouds got darker. Husband and myself looked at each other and said "What were you thinking?"
One would think I'd learned my lesson. Nope. We decided to go camping for Labor day with Lee's brother's family. Yes, the forcast talked about rain but, really, would fate do that to us AGAIN? In the last fifteen years we've been rained out every single time we've camped as a family. Surely, this time would be different. And it was, for the first 36 hours or so. And then it started to rain. And rain. And rain. We went into town for dinner and hoped it would let up. We got back to find Lee's brother's tent leaking, one of our tents pooling water, and 30 minutes of daylight left. You've never seen camp broken that fast. Monday was spent drying everything out and spraying the tents with waterproofer. Tuesday was spent organizing camping boxes and putting away the dry stuff. Today was spent rolling up the tents and re-organizing the camping stuff. Husband and I look at each other and say . . . nothing. What can we say?
So, we're cursed, but in true Kilpack fashion we are not diswayed. We've decided it's not us, it's the kids. And so next summer we plan to take a backpacking trip, just the two of us, in hopes to prove that it has nothing to do with us. Wish us luck.
Incidently, child #2 had to fill out a 'get-to-know-me' thing for school and in her 'dislikes' the only thing she wrote was 'Camping with my family'. Talk about bad Karma.
Anyway, our first few years of marriage were chaotic. We did elderly care in our home AND were raising Lee's niece AND had our first child a year after the wedding. We had the 'cute apartment with just the two of us' for exactly two weeks, from that point on we were sharing habitation with one or more people that depended on us for care. We didn't get out much. When child #1 came along we snuck away with her for a weekend while our niece went to a family member's home and a friend came to our home to watch over the elderly gentleman we were taking care of. We went to Kamas in our 1974 blazer, took the back seat out to put by the fire and took naps, walks, ate PB & J, read books and went to a mud bog in town. Seeing as how the baby was 3 months old, she didn't cause much trouble and it was a great time. We spent exactly $40 to camp all weekend and it was fun. We smiled at one another and said, "yep, we're campers."
Three years later, having had no opportunity to camp during that time, we went camping again with our two daughters ages 3 1/2 and 18 months. We rented a boat--the girls cried and hated it. We made cowboy dinners, the girls cried and hated it. We slept all together in two sleeping bags zipped together--I whined, didn't sleep a bit, and hated it. The second night it rained, and rained and rained until the water was coming into the tent in rivers. We promptly loaded all the wet stuff in the car and went to a hotel. The weekend cost us somewhere around $300 and we were sick to our stomachs and miserable. We glared at one another and said, "this is all your fault."
Seven non-camping years after this episode I decided we were ready to try again. We had four kids now, ages 6 months, 4, 7, and 9. Good camping ages, right? So I spent the day getting ready and we went about 15 miles from home. We brought the four wheelers and within an hour I had crashed, sending child #2 on my lap over the handlebars, the same child had peed all over herself after failing to heed my instructions about how to pee in the woods, and the 6 month old was wailing. Husband said we should go home. I was not about to conceed defeat and told him he could go home, but I was staying. He could come get me in the morning if he was so determined. Note to men: phrases such as that are specifically engeneered for the following response "No dear, I won't leave you on the mountain alone, let's snuggle." Instead husband said, "Catch ya in the morning, I'll buy some donuts on the way up." Now, we had brought two cars so he didn't totally abandon me. The kids grumbled, the older girls insisting they sleep in the car. Whatever. So me and da'boy (4 years old) took the tent which was missing the rain fly, but it wasn't going to rain. It was July.
It rained.
Around two o'clock in the morning I'm running through the mud with the four year old, throwing him in the van and we're on our way home--leaving everything there to get rained on. The next morning, gloating husband and myself return to the mountain and rescue the muddy equipment. We looked at each other and both admit this one was squarely on my shoulders.
Another four years go by, we've managed a few Kamping Kabin experiences that weren't so bad and decide to attempt tent camping once again. So last Memorial day we set off for City of Rocks--a very cool campground in Southern Idaho. Some of my family joined us and we were exicted for the weekend. We got all set up in time for the rain the first day. The next day we had a nice morning before the rain and snow set in for nearly six hours. But it did stop. The third day we had another nice morning before the wind picked up and the clouds got darker. Husband and myself looked at each other and said "What were you thinking?"
One would think I'd learned my lesson. Nope. We decided to go camping for Labor day with Lee's brother's family. Yes, the forcast talked about rain but, really, would fate do that to us AGAIN? In the last fifteen years we've been rained out every single time we've camped as a family. Surely, this time would be different. And it was, for the first 36 hours or so. And then it started to rain. And rain. And rain. We went into town for dinner and hoped it would let up. We got back to find Lee's brother's tent leaking, one of our tents pooling water, and 30 minutes of daylight left. You've never seen camp broken that fast. Monday was spent drying everything out and spraying the tents with waterproofer. Tuesday was spent organizing camping boxes and putting away the dry stuff. Today was spent rolling up the tents and re-organizing the camping stuff. Husband and I look at each other and say . . . nothing. What can we say?
So, we're cursed, but in true Kilpack fashion we are not diswayed. We've decided it's not us, it's the kids. And so next summer we plan to take a backpacking trip, just the two of us, in hopes to prove that it has nothing to do with us. Wish us luck.
Incidently, child #2 had to fill out a 'get-to-know-me' thing for school and in her 'dislikes' the only thing she wrote was 'Camping with my family'. Talk about bad Karma.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Sept Ensign page 67
Several years ago (4 and a half to be exact) some writer friends of mine talked about how they had written articles before writing books. This conversation took place on an e-mail group I belong to, LDStorymakers, a group made up of published LDS authors. As the conversation continued I realized that most of them had started with articles, either through college, or newspapers or freelance magazine writing. I had only recently learned what the word freelance meant. They all talked about how much they learned through writing articles and how it got them started. Many of them still wrote articles from time to time, using the byline to advertise their name--advertising you get paid for.
So I asked some questions--how do you submit? What do write about? How long should an article be? How long is the process? They kindly answered these questions even though I'm sure I sounded like an idiot--see, I'd written exactly one article and I can thank Annette Lyon for helping me with it enough that it was publishable in an issue of Irreantum, the AML magazine she was editor for at the time. I had four books and one article--one friend, Marsha Ward, had over 900 articles to her credit. Not only was it good diversity and getting your name out there, you got paid for most articles and therefore could bring in $$ in between royalty checks. That all sounded awesome to me.
I wanted to write an article--but on what? I still didn't have a clue how it all worked, but I read the Ensign every month and so I started looking through it, seeing if it sparked an idea. It did. We'd moved into our current ward a few years earlier, it had been a hard adjustment. We'd moved several times before and we'd found that every ward was a little different. This one was no exception and it had taken us awhile to find our place here. So, with that in mind I wrote up an article on how to find your place in a new ward. I spent an obscene amount of hours on it for it's length, teaching me that good writing doesn't have to do with the number of words, it's using the words to their best ability. Once I'd labored over and over and over it, I sent it in, received an e-mail receipt and waited.
For almost two and a half years.
I got a phone call saying they had decided to accept the article last sprint. They sent me a check ($150--sweet!) and a contract giving them full right to the article. I signed everything and waited.
For a year and a half.
Then I got another phone call a few months ago saying the e-mail address they had for me wasn't working, did I have a new one. Thank goodness I hadn't moved and they could still find me. I gave them the new one and they sent me the edited article for me to approve. I approved it--like I'm gonna find a comma splice or dangling participle, ha--and sent it back and waited.
For three months.
And then my friend Anne Bradshaw saw it and told me about it. Wohoooo! So, as you thumb through your copy, smile at my article, the first step I took into the world of freelance. I is very happy about it (poor grammar intended)
So I asked some questions--how do you submit? What do write about? How long should an article be? How long is the process? They kindly answered these questions even though I'm sure I sounded like an idiot--see, I'd written exactly one article and I can thank Annette Lyon for helping me with it enough that it was publishable in an issue of Irreantum, the AML magazine she was editor for at the time. I had four books and one article--one friend, Marsha Ward, had over 900 articles to her credit. Not only was it good diversity and getting your name out there, you got paid for most articles and therefore could bring in $$ in between royalty checks. That all sounded awesome to me.
I wanted to write an article--but on what? I still didn't have a clue how it all worked, but I read the Ensign every month and so I started looking through it, seeing if it sparked an idea. It did. We'd moved into our current ward a few years earlier, it had been a hard adjustment. We'd moved several times before and we'd found that every ward was a little different. This one was no exception and it had taken us awhile to find our place here. So, with that in mind I wrote up an article on how to find your place in a new ward. I spent an obscene amount of hours on it for it's length, teaching me that good writing doesn't have to do with the number of words, it's using the words to their best ability. Once I'd labored over and over and over it, I sent it in, received an e-mail receipt and waited.
For almost two and a half years.
I got a phone call saying they had decided to accept the article last sprint. They sent me a check ($150--sweet!) and a contract giving them full right to the article. I signed everything and waited.
For a year and a half.
Then I got another phone call a few months ago saying the e-mail address they had for me wasn't working, did I have a new one. Thank goodness I hadn't moved and they could still find me. I gave them the new one and they sent me the edited article for me to approve. I approved it--like I'm gonna find a comma splice or dangling participle, ha--and sent it back and waited.
For three months.
And then my friend Anne Bradshaw saw it and told me about it. Wohoooo! So, as you thumb through your copy, smile at my article, the first step I took into the world of freelance. I is very happy about it (poor grammar intended)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Farworld Winner & other updates
So, it's only been, what, 3 weeks since the contest? What with summer winding down I'm grateful to know where my computer is these days, let alone work on it. School starts MONDAY! Yes, I'm shouting.
Okay, back to buisness. My daughter picked up my ARC of Farworld and the next morning came to me, slapped it down on the desk and said "There's going to be another one right?" she then eyed me with that look that makes parents worry their kids might start building bombs in the basement if they answer incorrectly. I assured her there would, in fact, be another one and she relaxed significantly before asking me "When?" So I'll have to ask Jeffy if he will kindly reply here and let me know so that I can pass the information on.
and the winner of the ARC of Farworld per this bloggers blogtour contest is . . . . Jenna Consolo, who runs one of my favorite blogs Cranberry Corner. I know she'll love it and so will her kids. Jenna, if you will send me your address privately I'll forward it to Jeff and he'll send the book out to ya. Thanks everyone that played, it really is a fun book you'll really love to not only read but then reccomend.
So, other Updates.
Update #1: Dogs--I'm trying really hard to love them, I really am, but they make it difficult. They run away from home, they go nextdoor and sit in the neighbors horse water trough before coming back and jumping all over me, they dig up dead animals and chew on them, they poop all over the place, and last Saturday they both jumped into the Canal. I had to jump in and save them--I really did--cause the walls are angled and they couldn't get up. My 6 year old was crying on the side, sure we were all going to die. She did not have the trust in her father that I had, and so with the help of some bungee cords in the back of his truck he rescued us. The upside of having dogs is that they are super cute, the kids love to play with them, and I feel and added measure of security having them. But they are a lot of work and I don't know how to 'fix' their bad behaviors or train them into good ones. I've been watching the Dog Whisperer and It's me or the Dog, and I read a book Mother Knows Best: The Natural way to Train your dog, but it seems that simply reading such things doesn't cure much. Anyone know of a good video or something? Husband is even less thrilled than I am, which does not bode well for the dog's future. I'm at a loss and wish I'd stuck to chickens.
SPEAKING OF WHICH, we hatched chicks! Update #2. We bought some new hens in June and the seller told us they were very 'setty' which means they like to sit on eggs. When chickens sit on eggs they go into a funky kind of trance. They don't move, they just sit there and stare at nothing. They do this for about a month. And so we had one doing that, so I figured I'd see what happened. We now 6 of the cutiest chicks you've ever seen. I'll get some pictures, but it has been so much fun. The kids and I go out a few times a day to see if we have more. AND, another hen started setting, so both hens were setting on the same clutch of eggs, one on top of the other hen. Super funny stuff.
Update 3: Isagenix. So I've been doing Isagenix for 90 days. I did the two shakes a day thing for 30 days and then I've done the 1 shake a day thing for the last 60. I'm still six pounds down from where I started, and I've lost several inches, but I gained back a few pounds I lost initally and haven't noticed dramatic physical changes. That likely has to do with the fact that I'm back into my old habits of snacking all the time and hiding candy. It's not good, and I need to curb all that stuff, but still, I'm 6 pounds down and that's pretty good. Emotionally I feel much better. I am definitely more balanced, I'm not feeling so scattered and I'm sleeping better and have more constant energy throughout the day. Basically I FEEL better, and that's my main reason for doing the program. I plan to continue doing it and might try the kid shakes for my daughters that don't take the time to eat breakfast--we'll see how it goes. all in all, it's been a success for me and I'm glad to have done it. It runs me about $120/month now and I have not had my budget thrown off by that since I'm still buying less impulse foods and snacky stuff--so that's all good too.
Update #4: Her Good Name comes out next week! I'm so excited. I got my author copies today and it's super cute. It's a little smaller than the typical trade paper back; To have or To Hold was the same size--and I like the smaller size, it makes it look more like a mass paperback. Because it's coming out in stores a little early I'm only doing my pre-orders up until the 26th so that I'm not directly competing with the retailers. If you wanted to preorder a signed copy, you've got a few more days to do that.
Update #5: Opening Night Party for Her Good Name will be at Reflections of Utah Bookstore 47 So. Main in Brigham City, on Thursday, September 11 5:30-7:00. I won't have prize drawings like I've had in the past, the economy has been hard and I don't want to ask people for donations, but there will be door prizes for the first 75 people that show up and there will still be a grand prize drawing for those that purchase a book that night. If you're local, I'd love to see you there.
I guess that's about it . . . well, until next time.
Okay, back to buisness. My daughter picked up my ARC of Farworld and the next morning came to me, slapped it down on the desk and said "There's going to be another one right?" she then eyed me with that look that makes parents worry their kids might start building bombs in the basement if they answer incorrectly. I assured her there would, in fact, be another one and she relaxed significantly before asking me "When?" So I'll have to ask Jeffy if he will kindly reply here and let me know so that I can pass the information on.
and the winner of the ARC of Farworld per this bloggers blogtour contest is . . . . Jenna Consolo, who runs one of my favorite blogs Cranberry Corner. I know she'll love it and so will her kids. Jenna, if you will send me your address privately I'll forward it to Jeff and he'll send the book out to ya. Thanks everyone that played, it really is a fun book you'll really love to not only read but then reccomend.
So, other Updates.
Update #1: Dogs--I'm trying really hard to love them, I really am, but they make it difficult. They run away from home, they go nextdoor and sit in the neighbors horse water trough before coming back and jumping all over me, they dig up dead animals and chew on them, they poop all over the place, and last Saturday they both jumped into the Canal. I had to jump in and save them--I really did--cause the walls are angled and they couldn't get up. My 6 year old was crying on the side, sure we were all going to die. She did not have the trust in her father that I had, and so with the help of some bungee cords in the back of his truck he rescued us. The upside of having dogs is that they are super cute, the kids love to play with them, and I feel and added measure of security having them. But they are a lot of work and I don't know how to 'fix' their bad behaviors or train them into good ones. I've been watching the Dog Whisperer and It's me or the Dog, and I read a book Mother Knows Best: The Natural way to Train your dog, but it seems that simply reading such things doesn't cure much. Anyone know of a good video or something? Husband is even less thrilled than I am, which does not bode well for the dog's future. I'm at a loss and wish I'd stuck to chickens.
SPEAKING OF WHICH, we hatched chicks! Update #2. We bought some new hens in June and the seller told us they were very 'setty' which means they like to sit on eggs. When chickens sit on eggs they go into a funky kind of trance. They don't move, they just sit there and stare at nothing. They do this for about a month. And so we had one doing that, so I figured I'd see what happened. We now 6 of the cutiest chicks you've ever seen. I'll get some pictures, but it has been so much fun. The kids and I go out a few times a day to see if we have more. AND, another hen started setting, so both hens were setting on the same clutch of eggs, one on top of the other hen. Super funny stuff.
Update 3: Isagenix. So I've been doing Isagenix for 90 days. I did the two shakes a day thing for 30 days and then I've done the 1 shake a day thing for the last 60. I'm still six pounds down from where I started, and I've lost several inches, but I gained back a few pounds I lost initally and haven't noticed dramatic physical changes. That likely has to do with the fact that I'm back into my old habits of snacking all the time and hiding candy. It's not good, and I need to curb all that stuff, but still, I'm 6 pounds down and that's pretty good. Emotionally I feel much better. I am definitely more balanced, I'm not feeling so scattered and I'm sleeping better and have more constant energy throughout the day. Basically I FEEL better, and that's my main reason for doing the program. I plan to continue doing it and might try the kid shakes for my daughters that don't take the time to eat breakfast--we'll see how it goes. all in all, it's been a success for me and I'm glad to have done it. It runs me about $120/month now and I have not had my budget thrown off by that since I'm still buying less impulse foods and snacky stuff--so that's all good too.
Update #4: Her Good Name comes out next week! I'm so excited. I got my author copies today and it's super cute. It's a little smaller than the typical trade paper back; To have or To Hold was the same size--and I like the smaller size, it makes it look more like a mass paperback. Because it's coming out in stores a little early I'm only doing my pre-orders up until the 26th so that I'm not directly competing with the retailers. If you wanted to preorder a signed copy, you've got a few more days to do that.
Update #5: Opening Night Party for Her Good Name will be at Reflections of Utah Bookstore 47 So. Main in Brigham City, on Thursday, September 11 5:30-7:00. I won't have prize drawings like I've had in the past, the economy has been hard and I don't want to ask people for donations, but there will be door prizes for the first 75 people that show up and there will still be a grand prize drawing for those that purchase a book that night. If you're local, I'd love to see you there.
I guess that's about it . . . well, until next time.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
"It Worked For Me" Link list: chores
So I read Annette Lyon's blog today and it inspired me, so without her permission (repentance later) I've decided to do a link list based on her idea and I hope you guys will play along with me (and Annette whether she likes it or not). It's kinda a meme, but more a way for us to share our tricks and tips about home, family, kids, etc. I'm always looking over people's shoulders to see how they make things work. Maybe that means I'm more clueless than most--I wouldn't argue that point. Still, I wanna learn from you're brilliance. So, blog about something you do that could be a benefit the rest of us--maybe it's how you clean the bathroom without puking, or the pie you make that everyone dies over, or how you keep from running over the bikes in the garage--whatever it is that "worked for you". Off to the side of my blog you'll see a link list. For everyone that comes back here and tells me they've blogged under the title "It worked for me" I'll go to your blog, capture the link and list it here so other people can find it. Hopefully we all end up a little better off and this will be an ongoing thing.
IT WORKED FOR ME:
Chore schedules have been the bane of my existence for many years--basically since I decided I actually wanted my kids to do chores. I'd come up with something, it would work for a couple weeks and then it would fizzle. I have likely tried dozens of concepts--from earning points, to earning money, to earning TV, to earning a non-screaming mother. However, I've never had one that stuck--until now. And I didn't even come up with it myself. My friend Sam did and I promptly copied it, made a couple adjustments, and since implementing it I have had not one--NOT ONE--complaint from anyone, myself included, and the house is cleaner than it's been in a very long time.
HOW IT WORKS: Instead of each kid having three or four chores every day, each kid has one day a week where they do all the chores. In addition to doing all the chores, they each have an extra individual chore only they do on their day, they make dinner (they choose one meal and make it each chore day of the month--by the end of the month they can make it themselves), clean up after dinner, read the scriptures, say family prayer, and they get to sit in the front seat. On the days they don't have chores, they only have to do 10 minutes cleaning their room. On Saturdays they each choose 3 chores from the list, first come first serve, they get assessed extra time in their room if it needs attention (3 of my kids get an extra 30 minutes every week, the other one uses her 10 minutes a day well and gets out of extra cleaning). They get $5 a week in pocket money if they fulfilled all their obligations. If they didn't, I deduct accordingly.
BENEFIT FOR ME:
These are the chores we do at our house:
So, that's what's worked for us. I'm anxiously awaiting what's worked for you.
IT WORKED FOR ME:
Chore schedules have been the bane of my existence for many years--basically since I decided I actually wanted my kids to do chores. I'd come up with something, it would work for a couple weeks and then it would fizzle. I have likely tried dozens of concepts--from earning points, to earning money, to earning TV, to earning a non-screaming mother. However, I've never had one that stuck--until now. And I didn't even come up with it myself. My friend Sam did and I promptly copied it, made a couple adjustments, and since implementing it I have had not one--NOT ONE--complaint from anyone, myself included, and the house is cleaner than it's been in a very long time.
HOW IT WORKS: Instead of each kid having three or four chores every day, each kid has one day a week where they do all the chores. In addition to doing all the chores, they each have an extra individual chore only they do on their day, they make dinner (they choose one meal and make it each chore day of the month--by the end of the month they can make it themselves), clean up after dinner, read the scriptures, say family prayer, and they get to sit in the front seat. On the days they don't have chores, they only have to do 10 minutes cleaning their room. On Saturdays they each choose 3 chores from the list, first come first serve, they get assessed extra time in their room if it needs attention (3 of my kids get an extra 30 minutes every week, the other one uses her 10 minutes a day well and gets out of extra cleaning). They get $5 a week in pocket money if they fulfilled all their obligations. If they didn't, I deduct accordingly.
BENEFIT FOR ME:
- I have one child a day to keep up with. If I have to remind them several times I threaten to deduct money. I've actually deducted twice, and they were appalled and cleaned up their act the next week (pun intended)
- On their non-chore day the kids can't do anything electronic til they've done their 10 minutes, but that's easy for me to keep up on cause it's only one thing.
- I get out of making dinner 4 nights a week and they are learning to cook, but I only have to help one kid at a time.
- I still get to cook 3 nights a week.
- Although I'm not big on allowance, I've cut back on buying them treats at the store, movie tickets and other extras I used to buy because they didn't have any money. Now they buy their own treats and they haven't even noticed that I'm buying less cause they are excited to buy their own stuff. It's evened up to be about the same amount of money.
- They are learning to pay tithing on a regular basis--fifty cents a week.
- They only have to worry about chores one day a week
- Six days of the week they are "off"
- They know exactly what's expected of them each chore day (I have a list in a page protector that they mark off with a dry erase marker)
- They get pocket money
- Mom isn't screaming all the time
- They don't get blamed for someone else not doing their job
- They all got to choose the day that works best for them and they can plan it in advance.
These are the chores we do at our house:
- Feed & Water dogs
- Put Dogs in at night and out in the morning
- Feed chickens & gather eggs
- 5 minutes upstairs bathroom
- 5 minutes downstairs bathroom
- 5 minutes straighting the basement
- 10 minutes misc. cleaning (ask mom)
- 5 minutes straightening mud room
- Empty red basket (this is a basket at the top of the stairs where I put all the stuff that goes in their bedrooms downstairs)
- Empty and sort recycling bin
- Put away your own laundry (they each have their own shelf in the laundry room)
- child #1--fill chickens water container & do own laundry
- child #2--bring in milk & do own laundry
- child #3--pooper scooper (he actually volunteered for this one)
- child #4--organize mom and dad's shoes (this one was my idea :-)
- NOTE: My kids get a laundry sorter for their 11th birthday and are expected to wash their own clothes from that point on.
So, that's what's worked for us. I'm anxiously awaiting what's worked for you.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sleepwalking Child--Need Help!
So, as a kid I sleep walked and sleep talked. I'd sometimes find myself asleep in front of my parent's door, or on the living room couch. After sleepovers with freinds they would tease me about thing things I said. Stuff like "Oh no, I dropped the drunk!" And "I'm awake, I'm awake!" I never remembered any of these episodes.
Child #2 is much like that. We'll find her on the couch, curled up with a coat she got from the closet for a blanket, or she'll giggle and tell nonsensical jokes in her sleep. There's been times we've talked to her and she communicates with us, does what we ask, and remembers nothing about it in the morning. It's cute.
But child #4 is changing the way sleepwalking and talking is done at the Kilpack house. She gets up and starts walking around, but in a panicked state. She starts to cry, then scream, and is sometimes nearly inconsolable for a few minutes. Other times, I go running to her and tell her she's okay, to calm down, and she does--immediately. She'll get back in bed and go right back to sleep. Sometimes once she's back in bed, that's the end of it for the night, other times we go through it again an hour later. In the morning she has no memory of it, in fact I'm not sure she believes us when we tell her about it. It's been happening nearly every night for about two weeks and I'm exhausted. A few nights ago she was up three times, one of the times she came into my room crying because she needed a screen. I was in some lovely REM sleep and between the two of us we were not making a bit of sense.
"I need my screen!" she said, crying.
"You're what?" I ask without even opening my eyes--I was so tired.
"My screen?"
"A screen? You mean like a piece of paper?" I have no idea why this made sense to me.
"Yes, a piece of paper would work."
"Then why are you crying?" I'm starting to wake up now myself.
"I don't know!"
I led her back to bed and she climbed right in. An hour later she's sobbing again. In the morning when I told her she giggled about it.
So, anyway, I'm asking if anyone has some advice. Some details to perhaps help with the diagnosis (yes, you are all my panel of experts).
*She'll be 7 in a few months.
*She has always had a tendancy to wake up at night, usually 2 or 3 times a week because she has to go to the bathroom, but we've pretty much trained her to do it herself, without calling for help, so we haven't done that much in the last year.
*She's the youngest of four kids
*She has always had a tendancy to be whiny and cry over small things
*She's super affectionate and cuddly
*She recently changed bedrooms, going from a room upstairs where mom and dad sleep, to a room downstairs. She's dealt with some fears about this, even though it was her idea, but we've gotten her a new night light, we leave the door open, we say special prayers. Last week she said she wanted her old room back. Her dad (bless his little pea-picken, Las-Vegas livin heart--which means he doesn't have to do the work) agrees this is what we should do and thinks it's the reason for her night issues. I, with stark memories of packing up her room, moving her room, unpacking her room, paint-planning her room, and other uses for her old room, would much rather find a way she can stick it out. But I'm definitely the hard line parent and, much as it pains me, I accept I might be wrong about this one. I certainly don't want to put her in a situation that's somehow traumatic, but it's better for all of us (yes, I do think it's better for her to be downstairs with the other kids) for her to stay put.
So, anyway--shed your brilliance on me! I'm ready.
Child #2 is much like that. We'll find her on the couch, curled up with a coat she got from the closet for a blanket, or she'll giggle and tell nonsensical jokes in her sleep. There's been times we've talked to her and she communicates with us, does what we ask, and remembers nothing about it in the morning. It's cute.
But child #4 is changing the way sleepwalking and talking is done at the Kilpack house. She gets up and starts walking around, but in a panicked state. She starts to cry, then scream, and is sometimes nearly inconsolable for a few minutes. Other times, I go running to her and tell her she's okay, to calm down, and she does--immediately. She'll get back in bed and go right back to sleep. Sometimes once she's back in bed, that's the end of it for the night, other times we go through it again an hour later. In the morning she has no memory of it, in fact I'm not sure she believes us when we tell her about it. It's been happening nearly every night for about two weeks and I'm exhausted. A few nights ago she was up three times, one of the times she came into my room crying because she needed a screen. I was in some lovely REM sleep and between the two of us we were not making a bit of sense.
"I need my screen!" she said, crying.
"You're what?" I ask without even opening my eyes--I was so tired.
"My screen?"
"A screen? You mean like a piece of paper?" I have no idea why this made sense to me.
"Yes, a piece of paper would work."
"Then why are you crying?" I'm starting to wake up now myself.
"I don't know!"
I led her back to bed and she climbed right in. An hour later she's sobbing again. In the morning when I told her she giggled about it.
So, anyway, I'm asking if anyone has some advice. Some details to perhaps help with the diagnosis (yes, you are all my panel of experts).
*She'll be 7 in a few months.
*She has always had a tendancy to wake up at night, usually 2 or 3 times a week because she has to go to the bathroom, but we've pretty much trained her to do it herself, without calling for help, so we haven't done that much in the last year.
*She's the youngest of four kids
*She has always had a tendancy to be whiny and cry over small things
*She's super affectionate and cuddly
*She recently changed bedrooms, going from a room upstairs where mom and dad sleep, to a room downstairs. She's dealt with some fears about this, even though it was her idea, but we've gotten her a new night light, we leave the door open, we say special prayers. Last week she said she wanted her old room back. Her dad (bless his little pea-picken, Las-Vegas livin heart--which means he doesn't have to do the work) agrees this is what we should do and thinks it's the reason for her night issues. I, with stark memories of packing up her room, moving her room, unpacking her room, paint-planning her room, and other uses for her old room, would much rather find a way she can stick it out. But I'm definitely the hard line parent and, much as it pains me, I accept I might be wrong about this one. I certainly don't want to put her in a situation that's somehow traumatic, but it's better for all of us (yes, I do think it's better for her to be downstairs with the other kids) for her to stay put.
So, anyway--shed your brilliance on me! I'm ready.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
My turn to give away a copy of Farworld!
I’ve been reading the other interviews on the other blogs and been very impressed by everyone’s creativity. Alas, I am not so creative at the middle of the summer with four kids at home who are driving me slowly insane . . . but that’s another blog. The good news, is that I have a couple kids who love to read, and thanks to be involved in this blog tour—I have a book for them! (and for me) So, without further ado, here is my interview with the amazingly talented J. Scott Savage, otherwise known as Jeffy. By leaving a comment on this blog you will be entered into a drawing where you too can win a copy of Jeffy’s new book, Farworld. If you leave no comment, you get no such chance.
1--Assuming that you liked to read as child, is there a particular book or series that really inspired you, specifically in regard to Farworld?
I was probably the readingest kid you ever met. I used to cut school to go to the library. (Not that I'm recommending that or anything!) I would have said that there was no book that specifically inspired me with Farworld, but when I first read the question, the first image that popped into my head was sitting on the outdoor balcony of a friend's cabin in the Sierra Nevada
Mtns, eating apples and reading Aesop's Fables. So may that is my subconscious coming into play. I loved that book, and as I think about, you have talking animals, unusual settings, strong messages. So, who knows? Maybe.
2--Who is your favorite Farworld character to write? Why?
Chet. Okay, maybe not. But it's actually really funny that you ask that right at the same time that Crystal is having me do an interview with Chet, how he was misunderstood, miscast, etc. It's been a hoot.
Honestly, it is whichever one I am writing at the same. I don't know if you feel the same way when you're writing, Josi, but when I begin writing a character it feels like I am taking them on like a role in a play. I feel myself slipping into their skin. I think it helps make them more real to me.
3--I read an article once by Dave Wolverton. He said that Mormons might be the best qualified people to write fantasy because we have a true belief in other worlds and therefore can create new ones in our imagination easier than most people. What are your thoughts on that?
Nah. I think we're all just looking for a way to make a buck. (Kidding--mostly)
I think that's true, but I think it even goes beyond that. We believe that this Earth is a temporary way station in the grand scheme of things. It makes this life seem no less important, but perhaps more less substantial. In order to be a good fantasy writer, there has to be a part of you that firmly believes that if you pulled away the curtain of what we think of as
reality, there would be whole universes of knowledge we can't even comprehend. I wouldn't limit it just to Mormons though. I think a lot of people of many faiths look at this world and this life the same way.
4--If you could have one magical gift attributed to any of the characters in Farworld, what would it be?
I want Kyja's magic. I want to be able to look at someone else's hard situation and know how to make it better. Kyja's magic makes me happy.
5--What are your plans for the future, be it with Farworld or any other projects?
Well, the one thing I know for sure is that I love telling stories. For most of my life I didn't know I wanted to be a "writer" per se. But I always loved telling stories. So I guess my goal is to get to the point where I can make a living doing something I love, be that with Farworld or some other series. I've got lots of stories to tell, but you know how hard it is to find the time to tell them all.
6--You've been married for over twenty years and you've often attributed much of your success to your wife and yet, having met her, she certainly has not 'given herself over' to your goals and ambitions, what advice do you have for anyone pursuing their own talents, and married to someone else who is. How can couples grow individually and yet together at the same time?
Wow, deep. If you're asking me how the hack I managed to get Jen to marry me, and stay married to me for twenty plus years, I'm going to have to claim ignorance. Dumb luck? She's dumb and I'm lucky? What I would say is that you have to be delighted at the other half's success. When something great happens to or for Jen, I'm every bit as happy as if it had happened to me, and the same with her. We honestly don't ever see ourselves in competition
with each other over anything (except Sudokus, which she kicks my butt at.) We are a team in everything we approach.
What? That's all? No questions about how I came to be such an amazing writer or which Hollywood hunk I'm most often compared to? Ooookkkaaay. Thanks, it was a lot of fun. Good luck with her Good Name. I'm sure it will be awesome. (And yes, Jeffy really wrote that last part, not me—but it was my decision to keep it in ☺ )
1--Assuming that you liked to read as child, is there a particular book or series that really inspired you, specifically in regard to Farworld?
I was probably the readingest kid you ever met. I used to cut school to go to the library. (Not that I'm recommending that or anything!) I would have said that there was no book that specifically inspired me with Farworld, but when I first read the question, the first image that popped into my head was sitting on the outdoor balcony of a friend's cabin in the Sierra Nevada
Mtns, eating apples and reading Aesop's Fables. So may that is my subconscious coming into play. I loved that book, and as I think about, you have talking animals, unusual settings, strong messages. So, who knows? Maybe.
2--Who is your favorite Farworld character to write? Why?
Chet. Okay, maybe not. But it's actually really funny that you ask that right at the same time that Crystal is having me do an interview with Chet, how he was misunderstood, miscast, etc. It's been a hoot.
Honestly, it is whichever one I am writing at the same. I don't know if you feel the same way when you're writing, Josi, but when I begin writing a character it feels like I am taking them on like a role in a play. I feel myself slipping into their skin. I think it helps make them more real to me.
3--I read an article once by Dave Wolverton. He said that Mormons might be the best qualified people to write fantasy because we have a true belief in other worlds and therefore can create new ones in our imagination easier than most people. What are your thoughts on that?
Nah. I think we're all just looking for a way to make a buck. (Kidding--mostly)
I think that's true, but I think it even goes beyond that. We believe that this Earth is a temporary way station in the grand scheme of things. It makes this life seem no less important, but perhaps more less substantial. In order to be a good fantasy writer, there has to be a part of you that firmly believes that if you pulled away the curtain of what we think of as
reality, there would be whole universes of knowledge we can't even comprehend. I wouldn't limit it just to Mormons though. I think a lot of people of many faiths look at this world and this life the same way.
4--If you could have one magical gift attributed to any of the characters in Farworld, what would it be?
I want Kyja's magic. I want to be able to look at someone else's hard situation and know how to make it better. Kyja's magic makes me happy.
5--What are your plans for the future, be it with Farworld or any other projects?
Well, the one thing I know for sure is that I love telling stories. For most of my life I didn't know I wanted to be a "writer" per se. But I always loved telling stories. So I guess my goal is to get to the point where I can make a living doing something I love, be that with Farworld or some other series. I've got lots of stories to tell, but you know how hard it is to find the time to tell them all.
6--You've been married for over twenty years and you've often attributed much of your success to your wife and yet, having met her, she certainly has not 'given herself over' to your goals and ambitions, what advice do you have for anyone pursuing their own talents, and married to someone else who is. How can couples grow individually and yet together at the same time?
Wow, deep. If you're asking me how the hack I managed to get Jen to marry me, and stay married to me for twenty plus years, I'm going to have to claim ignorance. Dumb luck? She's dumb and I'm lucky? What I would say is that you have to be delighted at the other half's success. When something great happens to or for Jen, I'm every bit as happy as if it had happened to me, and the same with her. We honestly don't ever see ourselves in competition
with each other over anything (except Sudokus, which she kicks my butt at.) We are a team in everything we approach.
What? That's all? No questions about how I came to be such an amazing writer or which Hollywood hunk I'm most often compared to? Ooookkkaaay. Thanks, it was a lot of fun. Good luck with her Good Name. I'm sure it will be awesome. (And yes, Jeffy really wrote that last part, not me—but it was my decision to keep it in ☺ )
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Contest Winner
Big thanks to everyone that played along. The answer was "Sid" and it refered to the cashier that takes Chrissy's driver's license and debit card into the back room. Most people got it, a few of you didn't, but that's okay too.
My apologies for the delay in announcing the winner. My husband has started working out of town and that makes his weekends home precious and busy as we fit a week's worth of family time into a few days. Yesterday I had cub scout camp and today I drove up camp stuff for girl's camp. So, I'm finally finding my feet. We had enough correct entries to do two books in the drawing and the winners are:
Alice Bazel
Jennifer Shelton
Be sure to send me an e-mail with a mailing address and the person you want the book signed too.
For anyone that didn't win (so sorry) but would like to pre-order a signed copy to be mailed when the book is released, there are instructions on my website on how to go about this. Deseret Book is allowing me to do this and it will be available until September 1st.
Thanks again for playing, everybody, it makes me feel so special to get e-mail :-)
My apologies for the delay in announcing the winner. My husband has started working out of town and that makes his weekends home precious and busy as we fit a week's worth of family time into a few days. Yesterday I had cub scout camp and today I drove up camp stuff for girl's camp. So, I'm finally finding my feet. We had enough correct entries to do two books in the drawing and the winners are:
Alice Bazel
Jennifer Shelton
Be sure to send me an e-mail with a mailing address and the person you want the book signed too.
For anyone that didn't win (so sorry) but would like to pre-order a signed copy to be mailed when the book is released, there are instructions on my website on how to go about this. Deseret Book is allowing me to do this and it will be available until September 1st.
Thanks again for playing, everybody, it makes me feel so special to get e-mail :-)
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
New Cover~New Contest
Isn't she cute? I absolutely love the cover and already pronounced generations of blessings upon the designer. It's in the running with the cover of To Have or To Hold for my favorite cover of all time and I'm very happy with it. I think it does a good job of communicating the book--which is a little bit romancy--and reflecting the main character--who is a high-heel fanatic. It's always a great day to see what you're baby is going to look like.
I don't remember if I've told people how covers work on books--lots of people think that the author chooses or is somehow instrumental in designing the cover. Not true . . . mostly.
I have chosen exactly zero of my covers. I have had covers sent for my approval, and I have made suggestions, but the final cover is up to the publisher. They also own the copyright, meaning that I can't use it without their okay (though they are always okay with my using it). However, if for some reason I got rights to a book back, I would not get rights to the cover, which is why most reprints have a different cover.
I do know some authors that did design their own cover, and most self-published authors do, but typically if you go through a traditional publisher the cover is out of your hands. Apparently they think the graphic designers with all their fancy degrees and years of experience with image design know more about covers than you, the writer, does. Weird.
Anyway, it's dang exciting for me to have the cover and be able to decorate the world with it. The book is slated to be released in September and I'm getting my marketing ducks out of the pond and lined up right and proper. Which brings me to my next point:
CONTEST!
Along with the cover, the first two chapters of Her Good Name are now on my website. In order to enter the contest you have to read them and answer the following question:
"What does her name tag say?"
To answer this DO NOT PUT IT IN THE COMMENT TRAIL OF THIS BLOG, because that would give away the answer which would significantly decrease your chance of winning. Instead, e-mail it to me at kilpack@gmail.com. All the right answers will go into a drawing.
The prize is a signed, dated, and numbered copy of Her Good Name when it comes out in September. I will do one book for every fifteen entries into the contest and announce the winner at the end of this week (July 11)
Sooooo, have at it--in inbox is poised and at the ready! Go here to read the first two chapters
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