Writer's Workshop: At least they weren't tighty-whities . . .

The Prompts:

1.) Ask A Dad! Write a letter asking your husband for advice regarding any issue you might have and record his answer

2.) Describe a situation that forced you to confront a neighbor.

3.) Tell us about Grandpa.

4.) Which appliance in your home would you most miss living without if you had to live without.

5.) What are three things we would love to know about you!

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**This wasn't so much a confrontation on our part, but a neighbor confronting us. It was just too funny not to share. =)**

We were so excited when we bought our house three years ago. We thought we were moving to a nice quiet neighborhood. We were mostly right. We bought in winter. No one was outside.

Note to self: house hunt in summer -- the crazies don't like the cold.

Within two weeks of our moving in, our neighbor to the west came over to discuss a problem he was having. He asked me to please keep my kids and dog in the house until 2 or 3 in the afternoon because he and his wife work third shift and sleep during the day. Kay . . .

To me that is a bizarre enough request. I make sure my kids and dog aren't being unnecessarily loud at all hours of the day, like yelling and incessant barking. This was also coming from the man who has no problem waking me up at 3 am because he is watching TV too loudly in his backyard.

**clears throat**

My biggest issue that day is that the man showed up (in my front lawn mind you) in the middle of the day IN HIS UNDERWEAR.

I'm sorry, but I just didn't need to know that he prefers boxers. I am thankful however, that he doesn't wear briefs.

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Don't forget to read the other entries and sign the linky at Mama Kat's.

Writer's Workshop: I've been blessed!

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, then go sign Mr. Linky!!

The Prompts:

1.) Describe something someone has done to make you feel special.

2.)Name your current addiction...we can get through this together. It's milkshakes, and I always drink them late at night when I get off of work. I've gained 10ish pounds. I need an intervention.

3.) What have you been busy doing that's keeping you from updating your blog? How hard is it for you to get back into the swing of blogging when you take time off? School, stress, drama. It always takes me a while to get back into a groove. That's why I should plan posts in advance. You'd never even miss me!

4.) Write a letter. Would someone like one? Hmmm?

5.) Where would you like to be? At this moment, napping. In general, I'm looking forward, albeit nervously, to my Australia trip at the end of next month.

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I did not really grow up in a stable household. Luckily, God sent many special people to bless me in my childhood (and even now!). I've had many special teachers. I'll tell you about a few.

Mrs. Storms was my first grade teacher. She had a special knack for making all of the children in her class feel special and loved. She had a large Christmas tree in her room. Every year, she would crochet ornaments for Christmas. She made two with each student's picture -- one as a gift for home and one for her tree. Her tree was filled with the faces of every child she taught throughout the years.

Mr. Wallen I had two years, for both fourth and fifth grade. Our school offered enrichment programs in the summers. Our family couldn't afford them. Mr. Wallen paid for these programs for me to attend as well as some field trips. I didn't even realize he took care of most of it at the time. Others we'd tried for pie. He and the other teachers endured some awful pie from me without complaint. I was never ever singled out or made to feel ashamed, just truly blessed.

Mr. Quinn helped me to reach incredible heights in Algebra. He is brilliant, patient, and kind. With his help, I attended a math and science camp hosted for the top students in the state. He enlisted the help of another teacher to ensure another student and I could attend the camp. He always had time to play golf in the school yard, and never got too nervous when I didn't hold a club tight enough.

I've truly been blessed!

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For more Writer's Workshop visit Mama's Losin It!

Writer's Workshop: When I Grow Up

The Prompts:

1.) If you could cut back on something in your life that takes up your time what would it be? And what would you prefer to spend that time doing? Mmmm. I'd like more time for cleaning or better yet, a house that cleaned itself. A girl can dream.

2.) Share a recent adventure you had with a friend. I went rummaging this weekend. It was fun yes, but not adventurous. I have lunch date with Val Monday. Our latest conspiracy is sure to be an adventure.

3.) Describe a memorable gift. Why was it important to you? The best gift I ever recieved was a thank you.

4.) If you could change career paths now and be anything you wanted to be...what would you be and why?

5.) Kim's email: In the St. Louis News-Dispatch paper, they had an article of a man who wrote his own obituary before his death, and gave it to his sister to post when he died. He summed life up in 45 words: (Click here to read his words).
I know it's a morbid subject, but what about a prompt about what would one's obit say, with a word limit. You could stipulate that everyone died at 100, so we'd all be predicting what our future would be like.

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If I could change careers, I'd be a stay at home mom. I really want to be at home with my kids, and I wouldn't mind expanding the family. I've always wanted a big family. =) Ideally, I'd like to homeschool as well.

Maybe some day right? A girl can dream . . .

For more Writer's Workshop, go check out Mama's Losin It!

Writer's Workshop: What makes me happy

1.) What is your life's anthem? You know...that song that is ALWAYS in your head. The one you'd go to sing first if someone told you to sing a song right NOW. What is it and what does it mean to you? I get random songs stuck in my head all the time, but if I were forced to sing a song on the spot it would be Amazing Grace.

2.) We love telemarketers don't we!?! Describe a memorable experience you had with one. They only call us for money, so . . .

3.) How much does focusing on weight affect your daily life? Not much, but it is getting warmer, and I saw some very unflattering pictures of my thigh area from the weekend. I'm thinking I should think about this more.

4.) Describe in what ways you expect too much from your significant other. Do they deserve an apology? Ha!

5.) List ten things that make you HAPPY.

6.) Share a sleep walking story of your own!! One time when we were little, my younger brother woke up in the middle of the night and peed in a paper grocery sack because he thought it was the toilet. Actually, I think he did that for a while . . .

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1. My kids and hubby

2. sunshine

3. smores. yum!

4. time with family. we had a wonderful time at out cookout monday!

5. lavender. the smell not the color. i'm growing some this year and making sachets and tea =)

6. hot showers

7. cuddling with the boys

8. babies. all babies. not just mine.

9. the garden. i'm anxiously awaiting the fall bounty. remind me of that when i'm neck deep in canning

10. Reading. i do love a good book. by the way michelle, the book was wonderful. i loved it. you rock!

For more Writer's Workshop, visit Mama's Losin It.

Writer's Workshop: July 17, 1890

The Prompts:

1.) Share a love letter.

2.) Memorial Day Weekend plans?? I highly doubt it. It's to rain and the hubby has to work.

3.) List ten things you are currently sick of. Umm, better not. =)

4.) Put an outfit together using pictures you found online and show us what you'd LIKE to be wearing today. ugh!

5.) What have you been too busy to pay attention to? The blog. Sorry. I really will catch up and write posts ahead, so you don't miss me. Someday. Maybe. I hope.

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This a letter written by my great-grandmother to my great-grandfather while they were dating. I wish my scanner was hooked up to the laptop, so I could so you how beautiful it is.

1890

Royerton, Ind. July 17

Mr. C. Jefferson

Friend Charley,

I expect you will be surprised to recieve this note. Allie and Ned was home Sunday evening and we decided to have that long talked ove picknick next Sunday afternoon out in the wood's near the base ball ground. And I thought I would rite and let you know when it is.

Charley I would like for you to come over and take me over to town. We would like to start a bout one oclock. We would be glad to have you come for dinner if you can.

If you can't come for dinner come by one oclock any way. Please don't disappoint me. My twin sister went back to Muncie last Sunday night and I am so lonesome without her. I went over to see her Monday night and came back Tuesday on the five oclock train.

We had a nickpick. We had company from town last Sunday the company that went over to Eaton that Sunday picknicking and we had a nice time. They surprised me I was not expecting them.

Lena and I are going to rite a long letter to minnie to night. Lena is riting now.

Well I close by asking you to excuse poor writing and spelling.

Good by

Truly

Hannah

Please let me know if you can come if you can. If you can't let me know Come anaway.

Nannie

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For more Writer's Workshop, visit Mama's Losin' It.

Writer's Workshop: You did WHAT in the bathroom?

The Prompts: (Mama Kat)



1.) Book review!
I LOVE books!I usually read about two a week. Maybe I should start reviewing them . . . I really enjoy the inspirational romance novels from Steeple Hill.


2.) When is it okay not to listen to the words? Explain about a song you really love that has lame lyrics or lyrics you simply don't understand.
Hmmm . . . generally I prefer not to understand the words if I can't make out them or the meaning. I'm usually traumatized once I find out. Why do people write about things like that? Why are people okay with hearing it on the radio?


3.) Why won't you forget? List six true sentences that begin with the words 'I'll never forget...' Then use all six of your sentences in a paragraph, poem, or longer descriptive piece.
I'll never forget finding out I was pregnant at 18.
I'll never forget getting proposed to in a driveway.
I'll never forget the way things have made me feel.
I'll never forget taking a pregnancy test in a bathroom at the mall. (We had to know! =) )
I'll never forget my grandma's words of encouragement.
I'll never forget this thank you.

4.) Write about an interaction you had with a salesman.
I was the sales lady for years and years. I do avoid magazine salesmen. I'll not be duped again. The last time I refused to talk to one the guy got pretty mad -- he was also on work release. Go figure.

5.) What's for dinner? I'm starving.
I'm making Beef & Mushrooms over noodles. I guess it's kind of like a homemade hamburger helper, but much, much yummier! And something green. Maybe brussel sprouts?

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I'm gonna cheat and go with the preggo test story. Besides, I know someone will wonder. Right?

My oldest son was concieved on birth control. I went back on it after he was born, but I had to change methods more than once. My body just can't handle the birht control. Pills/patch gave me horrible migraines on the off-week. I-can't-get-out-of-bed migraines. I'm able to control them with diet without the hormones. The shot was just a nasty mess.

Once my husband and I got married, I went off of birth control all together. It didn't take long for us to get lazy. Five months later, I was convinced I was pregnant. My silly husband didn't believe me. As if I hadn't been down the preggo road before =)

In between his step-sister's wedding and reception, we went to the mall to pick up her gift and a card. We just happened to pick a pregnancy test up too. I promptly took in the MCL bathroom. Sorry MCL, but I had to know. I couldn't have the test burning a hole in my pocket.

and I was right. Women just know these things.

Writer's Workshop

Choose a prompt that inspires you most. Write. Paste your blog URL into the Mister Linky that will be up...this way anyone can click on your name and head over to your place to see what you wrote.

The Prompts:
1.) Why did you do it?

2.) What is a common misconception about you? That I think I’m perfect. If only people could see inside my head and heart. This is something I need to pray about.

3.) Describe a moment when you felt afraid. I was followed by a man with a crow bar once. It was pretty creepy.

4.) In what ways are you turning into your mother? I think being like my mother would be a great answer for #3.

5.) Are you always right? No, I’m wrong . . . on occasion.

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I did it because I felt as if I had no other choice. I still wasn’t sure that the choice I was making was even right.

At 15, how do decide which the worst of two evils is?

Spring break of my eighth grade year my family was going through some difficult problems. For us, problems were the norm, but this problem was much more serious. In my parents’ minds, the solution to their problem was to send me away and ignore the issue hoping it would go away. I wasn’t the source of the problem, but I quickly became the scapegoat.

It was decided that I would move 800 miles away to live with my older sister and her family. Thirteen is a difficult age in and of itself. Moving so far away with but a few days notice was incredibly difficult. Knowing I wasn’t wanted was worse. I left one weekend in March with no more than two bags.

Mississippi wasn’t all bad. It was a more rural setting than I was used to. I sounded weird to the other kids, who sounded equally as weird to me. It was a completely different world. It wasn’t all bad. I made some wonderful friends, and aside from my great fear of snakes, I really enjoyed country life.

Home life, however, was difficult there as well. My sister and her husband both had substance abuse problems. This was something I wasn’t used to. They also had a very unstable relationship. While I had fought with my parents, this new level of verbal conflict was something entirely new to me. Add to this, some serious problems I was experiencing in my new high school and I soon felt again as if I didn’t really belong.

For a time, my mother left my dad and brought my younger siblings to stay with us until she got on her feet. It was nice to have them around, but the tensions in the house grew. The arrangement didn’t last long. Soon my mother snuck my siblings out of school and left without any sort of goodbye to me. It was months before she even called. I’d been abandoned again.

Eventually, my parents got back together and began speaking to me again. They wanted me to come back to live with them. One weekend while my sister and her husband were away, things worked out that my dad would be in town.

I decided to go. I wasn’t certain that the situation there would be any different than it had ever been, but the situation I was in wasn’t working either. It was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. At fifteen, I don’t feel it was a decision I should have been faced with. I did it because I wasn’t sure I could handle another year.

Writer's Workshop

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and head over to Mama's Losin It to sign Mr. Linky and read the other posts!!

The Prompts:

1.) I used to think...

2.) List ten things you can do in three minutes.

3.) Describe a time you allowed your child to do something that you normally would not let slide.

4.) I want to become friends with...

5.) What are you currently fascinated with?


I USED TO THINK . . .

. . . that 30 was old until I inched closer and closer.

. . . outside beauty mattered until I slowed down enough to realize the most beautiful people I've known had beauty that shined from within.

. . . love at first sight only happened in novels. Then my oldest son was born. Then my second.

. . . I would be novelist, famous for writing horror stories. I learned real life is scary enough. I need romance and inspiration and have been working on that kind of novel instead.

. . . I'd have kids when I was older and settled. I realized God had different plans and blessed me with his plan, a son, at the ripe old age of 19.