Today was a big potty day at Mother's Day Out. The kids in my room are two and three-year-olds, so they're either recent diaper graduates, or they will be by May. So typically, I man the bathroom adjacent to our room, and the other two teachers deal with the diapers. (Fine by me!) And I've pretty much had the same kids coming through since the beginning. But today, a little guy wandered in and told me he had to go. I, of course, expressed great delight at this turn of events and invited him in. I helped him with his pants and then told him that I'd have to take his diaper off. He didn't want me to. He wanted to sit on the potty wearing the diaper. Okay. No problem--whatever. If it helps him get acclimated, I'm all for it. So he sat down and waited. I said, 'Are you going?', and he started shifting around and looking under himself into the toilet. Then he says, 'It's not working.' So I had to explain that the diaper was in the way. So then he wanted to take it off and sit down again. I have no idea whether he ever went or not.
**Tangent: It's impossible to tell what a parent has told a little boy about potty-training, and so the process for an outside potty-trainer is dicey at best. Do they prefer to sit or stand? Raise the seat or keep it down? Tuck it in or just let it do its own thing? Wipe or air dry? And some of these kids aren't talking (meaning, they don't tell me, so basically I'm guessing, moving slow, trying to play things by ear and keep everything as sanitary as possible. Doesn't always work so well). End Tangent**
Then another little boy came in (his mother had given us a heads up that he was potty-training) and said that he needed to go. But it was clear he didn't want to do anything with me standing there, so I helped him with his pants and went to stand by the door. Minutes passed. I checked on him several times, but he was never 'done'. Meanwhile, a little girl is waiting to go potty, so I pull the boy away from the toilet (it's now been probably five minutes since he's been standing there with no success) and sneak her on, thinking it'll be quick. Then she tells me she needs to go poo-poo. Of course she does. So I pull the pull-up and pants on the boy back up and run off to find another bathroom. He stands there for another few minutes (my back is turned), and still nothing. By this time, it's time to go home, and his mom will be there any minute. I tell him this, suggest that maybe 'there's nothing there' and that maybe he'd like to wait for his mom. He wouldn't. Another minute and I zip him back up and wash his hands. I step away to do something else and he's told another teacher he has to go, so he's back at the toilet, having just gone in his pull-up, now waiting for more to come out. We had to have his mom come in and broker a deal. I was relieved to escape.
But all that said, potty-training is a big deal, so yay for those little boys!!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
UNPREDICTABLE!
In the spirit of unpredictable blogging--I mean who really knows when I'm going to find the time (read: steal a few moments away from actually writing) to blog--today's post is a plug for Eileen Cook's debut novel UNPREDICTABLE. With a release date of February 5th, it's soon coming to a store near you. I'm crossing my fingers that it'll be available at Target as a Breakout book! Eileen is an occasional poster here and very funny. If the woman can get a great review from the hilarious Wendy French (not to mention Jenny Crusie), she can do no wrong. So put UNPREDICTABLE on your list, and start the countdown!
Eight days to go!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Heroic Heroines
Well it's been forever since I've posted anything about writing--other than I'm either doing it or I'm not. But last Tuesday was my Romance Writers meeting, and something that was said has stuck in my mind. And if possible, I'd like to get some other writers' input. (Of course, you should feel free to speak up even if you're not a writer).
Colleen Thompson was speaking on engaging readers' emotions from the get-go (that is not her workshop title), and she happened to mention Donald Maass's book Writing the Breakout Novel. I've read this book, but it's been some time, and I don't remember every little bit of it. Clearly.
Anyway, Colleen said that Donald said that your heroine should do something heroic in the first five pages. (???) Now, mind you, I don't think I have a breakout novel on my hands here, but I'm wondering if this is more a general rule of thumb. My heroine is definitely not following this rule. And I just picked up one of my favorite books, The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne and tried this little test--I didn't find the heroine doing anything heroic in those five pages either.
So...either this rule is a little iffy or else Donald Maass and I have disparate views of heroism. Anyone? Thoughts? Input?
Colleen Thompson was speaking on engaging readers' emotions from the get-go (that is not her workshop title), and she happened to mention Donald Maass's book Writing the Breakout Novel. I've read this book, but it's been some time, and I don't remember every little bit of it. Clearly.
Anyway, Colleen said that Donald said that your heroine should do something heroic in the first five pages. (???) Now, mind you, I don't think I have a breakout novel on my hands here, but I'm wondering if this is more a general rule of thumb. My heroine is definitely not following this rule. And I just picked up one of my favorite books, The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne and tried this little test--I didn't find the heroine doing anything heroic in those five pages either.
So...either this rule is a little iffy or else Donald Maass and I have disparate views of heroism. Anyone? Thoughts? Input?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Blech
Well, I had been doing really good with my writing, getting in at least 2 hrs. at day since almost the beginning of the month (except for one sick day and one travel/prep day). But then I got sick. Friday night, after being convinced by my husband that we were going to have to postpone the Jr. Olympics birthday party due to rain and cold, I started to feel icky. Saturday morning I felt a little worse, and it went downhill from there. Today I'm much better, the sore throat finally having mostly disappeared, but I still don't really feel up to writing. Not sure if it's related to this illness or not, but I have the worst pain in my neck, and I can't even sit in the same position for too long without it bothering me. So anyway, my record is suffering. But the plan is to get back to it tomorrow when the boys go back to school--they had MLK day and a school inservice!!
On the upside, my reading for the year is still going strong! I'm thinking of posting my list of boys read in 2008 as so far it's looking very impressive. This is as a result of lots of dedicated, lying-around time. (Having a new-for-Christmas Wii provides a girl that option.) I picked up my two library holds, No Place Like Here and Dangerous Admissions and read them both. Liked both of them but was really impressed, as usual, by Cecelia Ahern's originality (NPLH). Also started Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, a middle-grade book that I'm also really enjoying.
But tomorrow, I think it's definitely back to it. And this blog-on-hold thing, while saving me lots (LOTS) of time for writing is actually a little depressing. I feel unconnected. I've subscribed to many of your blogs via bloglines, and that's very nice, because I can easily see who's posted recently and who hasn't, but I'm still falling behind. I feel disconnected. Even my critique partner, who wrote and told me she'd be incommunique during December hasn't gotten back in contact yet. I'm a writer...er, reader adrift. So, I'm going to try to up my blog participation just a little. Oh, and not get sick again. Onward and upward!!
On the upside, my reading for the year is still going strong! I'm thinking of posting my list of boys read in 2008 as so far it's looking very impressive. This is as a result of lots of dedicated, lying-around time. (Having a new-for-Christmas Wii provides a girl that option.) I picked up my two library holds, No Place Like Here and Dangerous Admissions and read them both. Liked both of them but was really impressed, as usual, by Cecelia Ahern's originality (NPLH). Also started Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, a middle-grade book that I'm also really enjoying.
But tomorrow, I think it's definitely back to it. And this blog-on-hold thing, while saving me lots (LOTS) of time for writing is actually a little depressing. I feel unconnected. I've subscribed to many of your blogs via bloglines, and that's very nice, because I can easily see who's posted recently and who hasn't, but I'm still falling behind. I feel disconnected. Even my critique partner, who wrote and told me she'd be incommunique during December hasn't gotten back in contact yet. I'm a writer...er, reader adrift. So, I'm going to try to up my blog participation just a little. Oh, and not get sick again. Onward and upward!!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Two Weeks in Review (Book Review)
All that time I spent reading over the holidays (while not writing), yielded some new recommendations.
1. Blind Submission, which I've already mentioned, was wonderful. Set in the publishing world with a heroine who loves books and seems to just know how to make them better, it has a little bit of everything: romance, intrigue, suspense, mystery. And through it all, there is witty repartee, snarky asides, and larger-than-life behavior. Side note: also interesting is the author's website and the other books, all memoirs, that she has written.
2. Hex Marks the Spot. I haven't read a cozy mystery is quite a while, but I was intrigued by this heroine who is apparently an empath (able to feel/experience what others are feeling). While I enjoyed the story, its quirky characters, and the hint of a bad-boy romance (which I assume will be developed more as the series continues), I was actually surprised that there wasn't more focus on the heroine's 'gift' as an empath. Still, a fun read!
3. The Wright 3, follow-up to International Bestseller Chasing Vermeer, which I greatly enjoyed. This second novel did not disappoint, and I have to admit to being fascinated by the apparent workings of the University of Chicago's Laboratory Schools, where author Blue Balliet worked as a teacher, not to mention the carefully crafted mysteries for middle-graders.
I'm currently reading the forward in Exultation of Larks (quite long), and I have two books on hold at the library for those moments when I'm not writing (or otherwise occupied). They are Dangerous Admissions by Jane O' Connor and There's No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern, whom I love.
1. Blind Submission, which I've already mentioned, was wonderful. Set in the publishing world with a heroine who loves books and seems to just know how to make them better, it has a little bit of everything: romance, intrigue, suspense, mystery. And through it all, there is witty repartee, snarky asides, and larger-than-life behavior. Side note: also interesting is the author's website and the other books, all memoirs, that she has written.
2. Hex Marks the Spot. I haven't read a cozy mystery is quite a while, but I was intrigued by this heroine who is apparently an empath (able to feel/experience what others are feeling). While I enjoyed the story, its quirky characters, and the hint of a bad-boy romance (which I assume will be developed more as the series continues), I was actually surprised that there wasn't more focus on the heroine's 'gift' as an empath. Still, a fun read!
3. The Wright 3, follow-up to International Bestseller Chasing Vermeer, which I greatly enjoyed. This second novel did not disappoint, and I have to admit to being fascinated by the apparent workings of the University of Chicago's Laboratory Schools, where author Blue Balliet worked as a teacher, not to mention the carefully crafted mysteries for middle-graders.
I'm currently reading the forward in Exultation of Larks (quite long), and I have two books on hold at the library for those moments when I'm not writing (or otherwise occupied). They are Dangerous Admissions by Jane O' Connor and There's No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern, whom I love.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Dear Reader
I've only made two resolutions:
1. Finish this book by School's Out, and to do that
2. Write at least two hours every day. So...if I only have two hours on the computer, and I'm writing...the math requires that I don't blog...or visit.
Which is all very sad. But I really need to pick up the pace here. Enough of this lolly-gagging. I have stories that need to be written. (See previous post).
So, to sum up, I'm writing and the blog must bear the brunt of the time constraints. But I'm still here, will visit when I can. Please be patient with me.
Your blogging friend,
Alyssa
1. Finish this book by School's Out, and to do that
2. Write at least two hours every day. So...if I only have two hours on the computer, and I'm writing...the math requires that I don't blog...or visit.
Which is all very sad. But I really need to pick up the pace here. Enough of this lolly-gagging. I have stories that need to be written. (See previous post).
So, to sum up, I'm writing and the blog must bear the brunt of the time constraints. But I'm still here, will visit when I can. Please be patient with me.
Your blogging friend,
Alyssa
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Just Wow!
I had a lovely lunch out with friends yesterday--the usual suspects in the group are three women with whom I have the common denominator of only boy children. Yesterday another friend came along--she's the mother of two girls and a boy. It was me, a friend and her seven-month-old little boy, a friend and her three-month-old little boy, and the 'mother of girls'. (My third friend, mother of boys, showed up a little late from a doctor's appointment with her three-year old little boy.)
The first announcement came quickly. The mother of girls is pregant, due in August. I suddenly felt a little outnumbered. Then my friend showed up from the doctor. Turns out it was the obstetrician, and she's pregnant too, due in August! So now I'm sitting there with two pregnant women, two babies, a toddler, and two new moms. The two new moms are focused on baby products, doctor visits, etc. The two expectant moms are comparing due dates and whatever else. I'm sitting there focused on my grilled chicken alfredo hoping none of it is contagious! Just wow!
This is even more interesting to me because almost a year and a half ago, I had a Girls' Night Out and posted this:
I was shocked to discover that all three of them were considering having another baby. They all wanted to try for a girl (even though, of course, they would love a boy). I was the only hold-out. I figure I have enough to deal with two rowdy, rambunctious boys, and fate would probably deal me another, leading to deeper, more prevalent forehead wrinkles, and many more premature gray hairs. Oddly enough, all three of them told me that they felt sure, certain, that if I tried again, I'd have a girl.
Based on what?! That just sounded totally ridiculous to me.
Anyway, when I got home, I was telling my husband a bit about the evening (a discussion of elephants, pole-dancing, carbohydrates after 3pm...), and I mentioned how they all wanted to try for a another baby. I told him that sounded like a great idea for a book--four women get together for a GNO, three decide to try for another baby, and the fourth gets pregnant. I thought the friendship dynamic would be great. He says, "I don't like this idea at all." No creative vision, I tell you.
So, current count: all three went for it, two boys so far, third baby is unconfirmed.
The first announcement came quickly. The mother of girls is pregant, due in August. I suddenly felt a little outnumbered. Then my friend showed up from the doctor. Turns out it was the obstetrician, and she's pregnant too, due in August! So now I'm sitting there with two pregnant women, two babies, a toddler, and two new moms. The two new moms are focused on baby products, doctor visits, etc. The two expectant moms are comparing due dates and whatever else. I'm sitting there focused on my grilled chicken alfredo hoping none of it is contagious! Just wow!
This is even more interesting to me because almost a year and a half ago, I had a Girls' Night Out and posted this:
I was shocked to discover that all three of them were considering having another baby. They all wanted to try for a girl (even though, of course, they would love a boy). I was the only hold-out. I figure I have enough to deal with two rowdy, rambunctious boys, and fate would probably deal me another, leading to deeper, more prevalent forehead wrinkles, and many more premature gray hairs. Oddly enough, all three of them told me that they felt sure, certain, that if I tried again, I'd have a girl.
Based on what?! That just sounded totally ridiculous to me.
Anyway, when I got home, I was telling my husband a bit about the evening (a discussion of elephants, pole-dancing, carbohydrates after 3pm...), and I mentioned how they all wanted to try for a another baby. I told him that sounded like a great idea for a book--four women get together for a GNO, three decide to try for another baby, and the fourth gets pregnant. I thought the friendship dynamic would be great. He says, "I don't like this idea at all." No creative vision, I tell you.
So, current count: all three went for it, two boys so far, third baby is unconfirmed.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Books To Look Forward To!
The following is a (rather slapdash) list of books that I eagerly await in 2008. (Oh, and look, a little rhyme too!)
Unpredictable by Eileen Cook (Feb)
The Little Lady and the Prince by Hester Browne (Feb)
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Trish Ryan (April)
A Fatal Waltz: A Novel of Suspense by Tasha Alexander (May)
Rumors: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen (Jun)
Rites of Spring (Break) by Diana Peterfreund (Jun)
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Aug)
I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy (Dec)
My mind is blanking and I know I'm missing some good ones, so if you'd be so good as to help me out...
Unpredictable by Eileen Cook (Feb)The Little Lady and the Prince by Hester Browne (Feb)
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Trish Ryan (April)
A Fatal Waltz: A Novel of Suspense by Tasha Alexander (May)
Rumors: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen (Jun)Rites of Spring (Break) by Diana Peterfreund (Jun)
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Aug)
I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy (Dec)
My mind is blanking and I know I'm missing some good ones, so if you'd be so good as to help me out...
Friday, January 04, 2008
Mouse
Update: No one new potty-trained; aim not noticably improved.
Younger son's broken arm is now completely healed, but next week he's going to have to have a crown put on a decaying baby tooth. I'm already feeling queasy about it.
In other news, my husband bought me a Roomba. In case you don't know what that is, it's a little robot vacuum cleaner that runs by itself on carpeted and uncarpeted floors. He came home with it before Christmas, and at first I imagined it was my gift--let me just interject here that while normally I would not even consider a household appliance to be an acceptable gift, this I would have embraced with open arms--but it wasn't!!! It was...just because! So now, I'm pulling this thing out at the drop of a hat and sending it on it's merry way around the house. Meanwhile...I can do anything else I want! It's almost like I have a little tiny maid that performs only one task with brisk, if somewhat noisy efficiency. I'm just a little bit in love. Today it went under my couch--whoever vaccuums under there???--now Roomba does.
My sons love it and being the Star Wars aficionados that they are, they call it Mouse Droid. My older son barely spared enough time to be impressed by it before asking if we could get other ones that did other things. His suggestion: a painting droid that would glide, loaded with paint, up and down the walls of our house. I cringe just thinking about that possibility. I'm happy with Mouse.
At this rate I should be able to crank out a book in no time, right?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Younger son's broken arm is now completely healed, but next week he's going to have to have a crown put on a decaying baby tooth. I'm already feeling queasy about it.
In other news, my husband bought me a Roomba. In case you don't know what that is, it's a little robot vacuum cleaner that runs by itself on carpeted and uncarpeted floors. He came home with it before Christmas, and at first I imagined it was my gift--let me just interject here that while normally I would not even consider a household appliance to be an acceptable gift, this I would have embraced with open arms--but it wasn't!!! It was...just because! So now, I'm pulling this thing out at the drop of a hat and sending it on it's merry way around the house. Meanwhile...I can do anything else I want! It's almost like I have a little tiny maid that performs only one task with brisk, if somewhat noisy efficiency. I'm just a little bit in love. Today it went under my couch--whoever vaccuums under there???--now Roomba does.
My sons love it and being the Star Wars aficionados that they are, they call it Mouse Droid. My older son barely spared enough time to be impressed by it before asking if we could get other ones that did other things. His suggestion: a painting droid that would glide, loaded with paint, up and down the walls of our house. I cringe just thinking about that possibility. I'm happy with Mouse.
At this rate I should be able to crank out a book in no time, right?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Nothing of Note
Okay...so apparently Beck is the only one suited to speaking authoritatively on kids' birthdays. (Thanks, Beck!) No problem--we'll wing it. And now, just as I suspected as I tried to come up with ideas and get myself together before Christmas, this birthday party is coming up fast. Guess what my side-project for the next couple of weeks will be....(!)
It was my husband's first day back to work today after being off for a week and a half, and he didn't like it one bit. I was also back to work in that I was packing away all the Christmas decorations (ugh!) Tomorrow it's back to work for real--Mother's Day Out is back in session! I think it'll be just a little painful. These kids have been at home with their moms for two and a half weeks, so I think there might just be a few with some traumatic separation anxiety. Looking on the bright side...maybe they've all potty-trained themselves over the holiday (and taught themselves to aim accurately).
I still haven't gotten back into the writing yet--today was exhaustingly busy--but I've been thinking quite a bit about the book--I figure that counts for something. And besides, my Christmas present to myself is a few more days with which to devote my spare time to reading. I've finished up Marked by Moonlight (really enjoyed it) and started on Blind Submission, which I am lov-ing! So, off to read a bit more before bedtime!
It was my husband's first day back to work today after being off for a week and a half, and he didn't like it one bit. I was also back to work in that I was packing away all the Christmas decorations (ugh!) Tomorrow it's back to work for real--Mother's Day Out is back in session! I think it'll be just a little painful. These kids have been at home with their moms for two and a half weeks, so I think there might just be a few with some traumatic separation anxiety. Looking on the bright side...maybe they've all potty-trained themselves over the holiday (and taught themselves to aim accurately).
I still haven't gotten back into the writing yet--today was exhaustingly busy--but I've been thinking quite a bit about the book--I figure that counts for something. And besides, my Christmas present to myself is a few more days with which to devote my spare time to reading. I've finished up Marked by Moonlight (really enjoyed it) and started on Blind Submission, which I am lov-ing! So, off to read a bit more before bedtime!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
