A few weeks ago I posted a mini rant about a TV show I can't watch simply because of bad timing on my part. I thought, perhaps, I might explain a bit about why it became important enough to post.
I'm the type of person who loves to be obsessed with things - disposable things, you might say, things that I can absorb myself with for a few days, then let them go with a happy sigh easily and lovingly.
This particular show became my first happy obsession after Analin died. It became a bonding time for me and my boys as we absorbed ourselves in these characters. It was a story line I love any variation of. So when I couldn't track down just a few first episodes of a new season, I became very frustrated.
Thankfully, with this happy obsession, I am content to visit the episodes Netflix has for me. And I'm taking it as a blessing that I'm not able to watch, since I'm not sure how catching up in the series, then still having to wait week to week for an episode would settle with me. I'm guessing not very well. The idea isn't to be stressed out by having to wait, but to enjoy the story in my time.
My Mom doesn't mind waiting week to week, but she doesn't get into stories like I do. I'm the type of person who doesn't want to read a book unless I know I have time to read it cover to cover in 1-2 sittings, either. Of course, with two boys, three dogs and a husband I'm also obsessed with, that makes for little reading time, but I have no problem with the order of my priorities.
So what of you? Happy obsessions? (Not so) silly frustrations? Patient or controlling? ;)
Friday, December 20, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Dear Analin
Kris and I have taken on a new project to help us remember our daughter and have others remember her, too. The website is Dear Analin, a place for us to put our letters to her, a place we can share her and keep her with us. We also hope that, by doing this, we help others better understand how we are grieving and perhaps provide a place for others who have lost their children to connect and share.
You're welcome to stop by, to share the site, and to take part in it.
<3
You're welcome to stop by, to share the site, and to take part in it.
<3
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
WWBH Prompt
Nicole is taking care of you this week. :-)
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Is everyone ready for the holidays? I don't make too big of a deal during this time of year, but it's going to be wonderful to have a few days off to spend with family. I notice the blog hop is slowing down a bit, but I think everyone is just busy getting prepared for the holidays.
Here's the two stories we got from last week -
Untitled Story by Tena Carr
Market Day by Sally
A quick look at the guidelines:
1) Write a story using both photos.
2) Keep your word count to 500 words or less.
3) Submit your completed story to your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) via the inLinkz linky below. (If you need a bit of help with this step, just leave a comment and we’ll get you linked up!)
4) You have the next week to post.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow!
Here are your photos -
Submit your entry to the weekly writing prompt using the link below! Make sure you have followed the rules of the blog hop to be elligible for the monthly prize.
| 1. | Remembering, by Scott Taylor | 2. | Chocolate Milk and Hope by Leanne Sype |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Friday, December 13, 2013
Christmas Preparation
We put the Christmas tree up the day before Thanksgiving. We put up our stockings, including the one we bought for Analin. The idea is that we will all write her letters each Christmas and stuff her stocking with them. Once it's full, we can pull them out and be able to see how she's affected us each year.
I wasn't able to put up my snowflakes, though. I have 3 boxes of glittery snowflake decorations, and this year we bought a box of much bigger ones. I generally use them to make a design on our front picture window, throw a few on the other windows and hang remainder on the tree.
I just didn't feel like it this year. I didn't feel like going through the effort to plan a design, to arrange them on the windows at all - to be happy about putting them up.
On Analin's 2nd Monthday I decided it was time. It was a sad day anyway, and I had reached a point I wanted them up more than in their boxes. I free-handed a tree on the window, gave Analin her own snowflake and even hung up a pair between her and Chiaotzu, our 9 year old boxer dog who passed away in the late summer because of a bee sting.
I cried the whole time. Putting up the snowflakes was just so final. Christmas is really coming, really happening and I feel like we're missing a key member in the celebrations.
Kris says we still have Analin, just not in the way we wanted. I understand the thought, but have trouble agreeing with it. But I still have this driving need to include her - to give her a snowflake, to hang her stocking, to get her a personalized ornament along with the ones we buy for the boys every year. So yes, she is here with us, just not in the way we wanted. I hate the very thought, because let's be honest - this is not the way it was supposed to be.
The first year is the hardest, they say, because of all the firsts. I'm beginning to wonder if I might be able to hold my breath for the whole time, to let the pain build up until I can let it all go in one big relieving exhale. Of course, I'm pretty sure I don't have the Navy Seal training for that.
The holiday season is the worst, I think, for a lot of us who have lost loved ones. I hear so many stories now, and whether it's because no one talked about them before they knew I would understand, or now I understand and make the effort to pay attention. Or maybe I was always paying attention, but just didn't have the experience to be able to empathize.
Regardless, the stories are there, and with them some hope. Because I see there is still joy to be found in the holidays. I feel it myself while I'm planning what to do with the boys. I just wish grieving didn't have to be so hard because I'm beyond tired of it already.
I wasn't able to put up my snowflakes, though. I have 3 boxes of glittery snowflake decorations, and this year we bought a box of much bigger ones. I generally use them to make a design on our front picture window, throw a few on the other windows and hang remainder on the tree.
I just didn't feel like it this year. I didn't feel like going through the effort to plan a design, to arrange them on the windows at all - to be happy about putting them up.
On Analin's 2nd Monthday I decided it was time. It was a sad day anyway, and I had reached a point I wanted them up more than in their boxes. I free-handed a tree on the window, gave Analin her own snowflake and even hung up a pair between her and Chiaotzu, our 9 year old boxer dog who passed away in the late summer because of a bee sting.
Kris says we still have Analin, just not in the way we wanted. I understand the thought, but have trouble agreeing with it. But I still have this driving need to include her - to give her a snowflake, to hang her stocking, to get her a personalized ornament along with the ones we buy for the boys every year. So yes, she is here with us, just not in the way we wanted. I hate the very thought, because let's be honest - this is not the way it was supposed to be.
The first year is the hardest, they say, because of all the firsts. I'm beginning to wonder if I might be able to hold my breath for the whole time, to let the pain build up until I can let it all go in one big relieving exhale. Of course, I'm pretty sure I don't have the Navy Seal training for that.
The holiday season is the worst, I think, for a lot of us who have lost loved ones. I hear so many stories now, and whether it's because no one talked about them before they knew I would understand, or now I understand and make the effort to pay attention. Or maybe I was always paying attention, but just didn't have the experience to be able to empathize.
Regardless, the stories are there, and with them some hope. Because I see there is still joy to be found in the holidays. I feel it myself while I'm planning what to do with the boys. I just wish grieving didn't have to be so hard because I'm beyond tired of it already.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
WWBH Prompt Post
Via Leanne!!
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The chill of an icy morning is cozy from the inside, where sandalwood candles warm my space, and a cup of hot coffee warms my soul.
Winter has certainly blasted its way in hasn't it? Seems like everyday is a good day to curl up with a good book or settle into a cozy corner to write. Speaking of which, it is time for this week's blog hop photo reveal!
First, our winner for this month's featured blog hop author is Tony Roberts! Here's his button for you to display on your site. (Remember, this is a great way to support and build community with one another!):
We had two stories emerge from last week's prompt:
1) One Fine October Day by Tony Roberts
2) Hidden Treasures by Leanne Sype
And a brief word about how the blog hop works:
1) Write a story using both photos.
2) Keep your word count to 500 words or less.
3) Submit your completed story to your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) via the inLinkz linky below. (If you need a bit of help with this step, just leave a comment and we’ll get you linked up!)
4) You have the next week to post.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow!
Have fun!
----------------
The chill of an icy morning is cozy from the inside, where sandalwood candles warm my space, and a cup of hot coffee warms my soul.
Winter has certainly blasted its way in hasn't it? Seems like everyday is a good day to curl up with a good book or settle into a cozy corner to write. Speaking of which, it is time for this week's blog hop photo reveal!
First, our winner for this month's featured blog hop author is Tony Roberts! Here's his button for you to display on your site. (Remember, this is a great way to support and build community with one another!):
We had two stories emerge from last week's prompt:
1) One Fine October Day by Tony Roberts
2) Hidden Treasures by Leanne Sype
And a brief word about how the blog hop works:
1) Write a story using both photos.
2) Keep your word count to 500 words or less.
3) Submit your completed story to your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) via the inLinkz linky below. (If you need a bit of help with this step, just leave a comment and we’ll get you linked up!)
4) You have the next week to post.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow!
Here are your photos!
Have fun!
Be sure to check your word count! If you are 500 words or less, link up your story here.
| 1. | Tena - Jottings and Writings | 2. | Sally |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Friday, December 6, 2013
A Few Months Is Not Enough
We lost Analin on October 6, 2013.
Weeks ago. Hours ago. Months, even.
But I am not okay.
Surprised? Of course not. Not when I say it like that. It's funny, though, how easily others can forget.
On the Monthday of her passing, my mother emailed me to ask me to do some photo transfers for her.
Photo transfers. On Analin's Monthday.
I turned off my phone to stop the notifications, but guiltily turned it back on and did them a few hours later.
Six weeks after we lost her, I asked my husband to take the boys. I was supposed to take my niece and nephews to swim class, but I cancelled and told everyone I just wanted to be alone. Suddenly they were asking me if I was clinically depressed and suggested strongly I needed to go to counseling.
This may have been partly my fault due to my great desire to remember Analin with as much happiness as possible, to be strong for my boys and to live in the world as a successful, happy person.
But I am broken. Still breaking, in fact. And I am not okay.
For example, there I was on Thanksgiving, hurting so deeply I didn't know where to turn for relief. I began to blame everyone else as the source of my hurting until I realized it was all due to Analin's loss. I had a few apologies to hand out, though not as many as I could have, thankfully. I'm so grateful to a family who is understanding and loves me or the holiday could have gone so much worse.
All of this doesn't mean I am clinically depressed. It doesn't mean I need therapy, though I promise I will go if I need to. (I have started going to a support group once a month.) It just means I had a very painful experience, one that will take more than a lifetime to get over. I will have bad days. I will want to be left alone. I may lash out not knowing why and I will apologize after. I will say no, which I'm sure will come as a shock to many who haven't heard me say it often, if at all.
That last bit may prove beneficial in many ways.
This is going to take time and energy. Some days I'm going to be too tired to fight, to force a different way of thinking on myself. And that's okay. It doesn't mean I'm lost, or depressed-sad, or in danger of hurting myself or others. It just means I'm healing from a wound that reopens every minute, and today is a rough day.
So please, if you know someone else (or me), take all the days to notice how we are acting or feeling before jumping to the conclusion we need more than what we're giving ourselves. Most of the time, we're amazing at knowing what we need for ourselves. Trust us. Love us. Help us on those days we need you the most. And know we will be there for you, too, on the days you need us the most. Because we know this isn't over for you, either.
<3
Weeks ago. Hours ago. Months, even.
But I am not okay.
Surprised? Of course not. Not when I say it like that. It's funny, though, how easily others can forget.
On the Monthday of her passing, my mother emailed me to ask me to do some photo transfers for her.
Photo transfers. On Analin's Monthday.
I turned off my phone to stop the notifications, but guiltily turned it back on and did them a few hours later.
Six weeks after we lost her, I asked my husband to take the boys. I was supposed to take my niece and nephews to swim class, but I cancelled and told everyone I just wanted to be alone. Suddenly they were asking me if I was clinically depressed and suggested strongly I needed to go to counseling.
This may have been partly my fault due to my great desire to remember Analin with as much happiness as possible, to be strong for my boys and to live in the world as a successful, happy person.
But I am broken. Still breaking, in fact. And I am not okay.
For example, there I was on Thanksgiving, hurting so deeply I didn't know where to turn for relief. I began to blame everyone else as the source of my hurting until I realized it was all due to Analin's loss. I had a few apologies to hand out, though not as many as I could have, thankfully. I'm so grateful to a family who is understanding and loves me or the holiday could have gone so much worse.
All of this doesn't mean I am clinically depressed. It doesn't mean I need therapy, though I promise I will go if I need to. (I have started going to a support group once a month.) It just means I had a very painful experience, one that will take more than a lifetime to get over. I will have bad days. I will want to be left alone. I may lash out not knowing why and I will apologize after. I will say no, which I'm sure will come as a shock to many who haven't heard me say it often, if at all.
That last bit may prove beneficial in many ways.
This is going to take time and energy. Some days I'm going to be too tired to fight, to force a different way of thinking on myself. And that's okay. It doesn't mean I'm lost, or depressed-sad, or in danger of hurting myself or others. It just means I'm healing from a wound that reopens every minute, and today is a rough day.
So please, if you know someone else (or me), take all the days to notice how we are acting or feeling before jumping to the conclusion we need more than what we're giving ourselves. Most of the time, we're amazing at knowing what we need for ourselves. Trust us. Love us. Help us on those days we need you the most. And know we will be there for you, too, on the days you need us the most. Because we know this isn't over for you, either.
<3
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
WWBH Post - Bring on December.
What's your holiday this season? Do the lights and sparkles make you smile? They do for me, and we can definitely use more smiles.
I'm hoping this bit of news helps to bring on a few more.
I'm hoping this bit of news helps to bring on a few more.
Tony Roberts, you are our winner this month! I had thought you were a repeat winner and am surprised to find this is your first time. I (Carrie) would love to put a button together for you. Let me know if you have a photo or idea you would like to use by this weekend so I have time to work on it for next Wednesday. Oh, and congratulations!
Highlighting last week's submissions:
Don't Eat the Berries by Leanne Sype
Secrets by Scott Taylor
A Short Story by Sally Stackhouse
Be sure to check the rules as we've shifted the prompt a little and let us know if our inLink isn't working as it should.
Don't Eat the Berries by Leanne Sype
Secrets by Scott Taylor
A Short Story by Sally Stackhouse
Be sure to check the rules as we've shifted the prompt a little and let us know if our inLink isn't working as it should.
Those rules are:
1) Write a story using both photos.
2) Keep your word count to 500 words or less.3) Submit your completed story to your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) via the inLinkz linky below. (If you need a bit of help with this step, just leave a comment and we'll get you linked up!)4) You have the next week to post.5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow! Remember: the blog hop is about creative writing and community, so feel free to invite a friend to join in!
The photos:
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Friday, November 29, 2013
Why Does It Have To Be So Difficult?
I hate how hard things are in our digital world.
I know, I know. First World Problems, and I am super lucky those are the problems I have to deal with.
Perspective wise, they're still problems for me.
What set this off? I have a TV show I love. Like, I am obsessed with it. And it has amazing music. So I want to find and buy the music.
Problem is, I have Netflix, which means I'm watching last season's episodes. Website for said TV show only has the current season song list, and I can't find it anywhere else.
We won't even get into the fact that I cannot (well, choose not to) watch the second season because by the time I had time to check it out, both Hulu Plus and the network webpage had taken down the first two episodes. I can understand the network page, but Hulu?
Seriously, it should not be this hard. I am a customer. A customer willing to pay, even, but I cannot find what I am looking for because I'm simply too late, or too far behind the times to have caught on and catch the information I wanted at the right time. And that's so frustrating to me.
So yes, it's a bit of a rant. Yes, it's a silly problem to have (to be honest, a problem I prefer over other's I've had recently, so maybe that's why I'm focusing on it so well). But it's a problem, nonetheless, and one I feel we shouldn't have in such a wonderful age of easy-to-get information and entertainment.
Any (not so) silly frustrations on your end? What do you think should be so much easier, but just isn't? I know I have a list a mile long, but we'll stick with this one. For today ...
I know, I know. First World Problems, and I am super lucky those are the problems I have to deal with.
Perspective wise, they're still problems for me.
What set this off? I have a TV show I love. Like, I am obsessed with it. And it has amazing music. So I want to find and buy the music.
Problem is, I have Netflix, which means I'm watching last season's episodes. Website for said TV show only has the current season song list, and I can't find it anywhere else.
We won't even get into the fact that I cannot (well, choose not to) watch the second season because by the time I had time to check it out, both Hulu Plus and the network webpage had taken down the first two episodes. I can understand the network page, but Hulu?
Seriously, it should not be this hard. I am a customer. A customer willing to pay, even, but I cannot find what I am looking for because I'm simply too late, or too far behind the times to have caught on and catch the information I wanted at the right time. And that's so frustrating to me.
So yes, it's a bit of a rant. Yes, it's a silly problem to have (to be honest, a problem I prefer over other's I've had recently, so maybe that's why I'm focusing on it so well). But it's a problem, nonetheless, and one I feel we shouldn't have in such a wonderful age of easy-to-get information and entertainment.
Any (not so) silly frustrations on your end? What do you think should be so much easier, but just isn't? I know I have a list a mile long, but we'll stick with this one. For today ...
Friday, November 22, 2013
Christmas Planning
Is it too early? Not for me! I start my planning in October. If I don't at least have a plan done by November, I stress out a little bit. And then I start looking for the deals, hoping to have all my presents purchased by no later than the first week of December.
Then comes in the problem. I'm a horrible liar. Not only that, but it's made even worse when I'm excited, and I am excited about the holiday season. Everything gets so sparkly and pretty and part of the joy of planning and buying so far ahead is to make sure I'm getting something people will love.
So, enter yesterday when I had an Amazon shipment come in with some things my husband knew about and one thing he didn't.
And he asked me, is (the stuff he knows about) the only thing in those boxes?
I grinned! A big ol' cat ate the canary grin. And he just laughed at me. I told him it was unfair and rude to ask.
Well, at least I know he doesn't have a clue what I got him.
So how soon do you start your holiday planning? And can you keep secrets? I'd say I need lessons, but I'm not sure how well they would work, to be honest.
Then comes in the problem. I'm a horrible liar. Not only that, but it's made even worse when I'm excited, and I am excited about the holiday season. Everything gets so sparkly and pretty and part of the joy of planning and buying so far ahead is to make sure I'm getting something people will love.
So, enter yesterday when I had an Amazon shipment come in with some things my husband knew about and one thing he didn't.
And he asked me, is (the stuff he knows about) the only thing in those boxes?
I grinned! A big ol' cat ate the canary grin. And he just laughed at me. I told him it was unfair and rude to ask.
Well, at least I know he doesn't have a clue what I got him.
So how soon do you start your holiday planning? And can you keep secrets? I'd say I need lessons, but I'm not sure how well they would work, to be honest.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Pathology Report
Today was my six week postpartum check up with the doctor. I scored high on the postpartum depression checklist, but not Depression levels, which is good and expected. I'm also checking out to be healthy, healing quickly everywhere except my pelvic bones, which took a beating mid to late pregnancy, so are just taking a bit more time to heal.
The important part of this appointment, however, was the pathology report from the placenta and umbilical cord. There had been an underlying expectation to find clotting as a reason, a result of the Factor V Leiden disorder I have - proteins that can lead to blood clotting in it's carriers.
However, there was nothing. No clots and no other findings that may have shed light on Analin's loss.
I'm so relieved. Relieved that it wasn't something with my body that caused this. I have spoken to many women recently who have lost babies because of something their body did or couldn't do, and I can express my empathy with them, having believed the same. It really is a relief to find out this wasn't the case, that maybe Analin's loss really was just a fluke, maybe moving forward to possibly have more children won't be as difficult knowing she didn't die because of me.
My heart still breaks every day. I expect it always will. But I will continue to look for the brighter side of things. It really is the only way to get through this - to actively work at it, to force a perspective on myself that I don't necessarily feel at the moment. So right now, this is my silver lining, knowing there truly wasn't anything I could have done to save her - no intervention, no medicine that others with this condition have and do use.
Today, it will be enough.
<3
The important part of this appointment, however, was the pathology report from the placenta and umbilical cord. There had been an underlying expectation to find clotting as a reason, a result of the Factor V Leiden disorder I have - proteins that can lead to blood clotting in it's carriers.
However, there was nothing. No clots and no other findings that may have shed light on Analin's loss.
I'm so relieved. Relieved that it wasn't something with my body that caused this. I have spoken to many women recently who have lost babies because of something their body did or couldn't do, and I can express my empathy with them, having believed the same. It really is a relief to find out this wasn't the case, that maybe Analin's loss really was just a fluke, maybe moving forward to possibly have more children won't be as difficult knowing she didn't die because of me.
My heart still breaks every day. I expect it always will. But I will continue to look for the brighter side of things. It really is the only way to get through this - to actively work at it, to force a perspective on myself that I don't necessarily feel at the moment. So right now, this is my silver lining, knowing there truly wasn't anything I could have done to save her - no intervention, no medicine that others with this condition have and do use.
Today, it will be enough.
<3
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
WWBH Prompt
I'm being encouraged to return to blogging, and I think I'm getting to the point where I'm ready for it. Of course, the holidays are coming and are sure to suck up my time, so we will see. Until then, though, keep watch for these weekly writing prompts, and link up your own story for a chance to get your blog featured.
This week, Leanne has gotten our prompt together for us. :)
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Hello, friends! I had to check the calendar today to make sure it was indeed Wednesday because it feels like Monday. So strange!
Since it is Wednesday, that means we're on for the next round of the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop. Last week's twist was a big hit; look at all the stories that birthed! Read them all because they are simply awesome, and feel free to leave some comment love to the creative writer. :)
The Unknown that Lies Ahead by Scott Taylor
Jottings and Writings by Tena Carr
The Return by Sally Stackhouse
An Empty Street and an Open Drawer by Tony Roberts
Mistaken by Leanne Sype
Get a Better Hiding Place by Nicole Pyles
Here's a quick reminder of how to do the blog hop:
1) Write a story using both photos.
2) Keep your word count to 500 words or less.
3) Submit your completed story to your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) via the inLinkz linky below. (If you need a bit of help with this step, just leave a comment and we'll get you linked up!)
4) You have the next week to post.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow! Remember: the blog hop is about creative writing and community, so feel free to invite a friend to join in!
Here are your photos for this week. Enjoy!
This week, Leanne has gotten our prompt together for us. :)
------
Hello, friends! I had to check the calendar today to make sure it was indeed Wednesday because it feels like Monday. So strange!
Since it is Wednesday, that means we're on for the next round of the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop. Last week's twist was a big hit; look at all the stories that birthed! Read them all because they are simply awesome, and feel free to leave some comment love to the creative writer. :)
The Unknown that Lies Ahead by Scott Taylor
Jottings and Writings by Tena Carr
The Return by Sally Stackhouse
An Empty Street and an Open Drawer by Tony Roberts
Mistaken by Leanne Sype
Get a Better Hiding Place by Nicole Pyles
Here's a quick reminder of how to do the blog hop:
1) Write a story using both photos.
2) Keep your word count to 500 words or less.
3) Submit your completed story to your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) via the inLinkz linky below. (If you need a bit of help with this step, just leave a comment and we'll get you linked up!)
4) You have the next week to post.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow! Remember: the blog hop is about creative writing and community, so feel free to invite a friend to join in!
Here are your photos for this week. Enjoy!
Check your word count! If your story is 500 words or less, then submit your link here. :)
| 1. | Don't Eat the Berries by Leanne Sype | 2. | Secrets, by Scott Taylor | 3. | Sally |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
WWBH Prompt - With A New Twist!
We had our first bout of snow yesterday - the sticking kind, anyway, rather than the wet, miserable, dangerous kind. Only the roofs tell that tale now, unless you take in to account it managed to freeze the ground enough that my dogs are dragging in drastically less dirt. Yay for Winter. :P
This week's prompt is coming directly from Nicole. There's a new twist to it this week. Try it out and let us know what you think! :)
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And we're back! I don't know about you guys but it's getting colder around here lately! Although not nearly as wintery as I'd expect in Oregon, so I'm glad for that.
First things first, read the awesome stories from last week! I know the holidays has everyone bogged down a bit, so we are so grateful for everyone who has the chance to join in.
Grandma's Advice by Scott Taylor
The Bench by Beth Camp
Awesome stories!!!
So, we are going to change things up a bit with this prompt, so please read carefully!
We are going to give you two photos this week instead of one photo and five words. With those two photos, you must connect the two in some way. The other rules still apply - you have until next Tuesday night to submit your link and you have a 500 word limit!
So, here are the rules again -
1) Include both of the photos in your story in some way.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up (leave a comment if you don't know how! We'll help you out!)
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
And here are the TWO photos you will be using this week -
This week's prompt is coming directly from Nicole. There's a new twist to it this week. Try it out and let us know what you think! :)
-----------------------
And we're back! I don't know about you guys but it's getting colder around here lately! Although not nearly as wintery as I'd expect in Oregon, so I'm glad for that.
First things first, read the awesome stories from last week! I know the holidays has everyone bogged down a bit, so we are so grateful for everyone who has the chance to join in.
Grandma's Advice by Scott Taylor
The Bench by Beth Camp
Awesome stories!!!
So, we are going to change things up a bit with this prompt, so please read carefully!
We are going to give you two photos this week instead of one photo and five words. With those two photos, you must connect the two in some way. The other rules still apply - you have until next Tuesday night to submit your link and you have a 500 word limit!
So, here are the rules again -
1) Include both of the photos in your story in some way.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up (leave a comment if you don't know how! We'll help you out!)
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
And here are the TWO photos you will be using this week -
Photo # 1 via Flickr
Photo # 2 via Flickr
![It's Nice [Explored]](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2843/9388834014_ddb7a41295.jpg)
Now, when you have your story ready to go, link it up below!
Submit your entry to the weekly writing prompt using the link below! Make sure you have followed the rules of the blog hop to be elligible for the monthly prize.
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
WWBH Prompt - Welcome, November!
Today is the Monthday of Analin's loss and I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. I honestly don't know what is going to happen to my blogging. I'm going to take some time to figure it out, while still participating in the WWBH prompts. I love helping to put together and post these prompts with Nicole, Tena and Leanne each week and they are the only thing keeping me coming back to the blog world right now. In fact, I love them so much I wouldn't dare to miss my chance to select our winner and put together the first prompt of the new month. :-D
Soo .....
Miss Sally Stackhouse, you are our winner this month!!
Congratulations, and thank you so much for all your contributions. Thank everyone else, as well, for their contributions. It seems to have been a tough year for a lot of people and it means a lot that you still visit our writing prompt whenever you can.
Last week's prompt help produce these stories:
The Empty Bench by Scott Taylor
The Bench by Sally Stackhouse
The Language of Relationships by Tony Roberts
Till Death Do Us Part by Melissa Gardiner
Pop and Grams by Leanne Sype
And moving on to the November set of writing prompts, I've chosen a photo by an amazing photographer, Trey Ratcliff. If you haven't seen his work, you really should follow the link at the photo for his Google Plus profile, or you can find him on FaceBook as well. The picture I chose was taken at the Burning Man event and the album he's posted paints a picture of an amazing world full of stories, real and imagined.
Getting to the prompt, here is a quick review of the rules.
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
Soo .....
Miss Sally Stackhouse, you are our winner this month!!
Congratulations, and thank you so much for all your contributions. Thank everyone else, as well, for their contributions. It seems to have been a tough year for a lot of people and it means a lot that you still visit our writing prompt whenever you can.
Last week's prompt help produce these stories:
The Empty Bench by Scott Taylor
The Bench by Sally Stackhouse
The Language of Relationships by Tony Roberts
Till Death Do Us Part by Melissa Gardiner
Pop and Grams by Leanne Sype
And moving on to the November set of writing prompts, I've chosen a photo by an amazing photographer, Trey Ratcliff. If you haven't seen his work, you really should follow the link at the photo for his Google Plus profile, or you can find him on FaceBook as well. The picture I chose was taken at the Burning Man event and the album he's posted paints a picture of an amazing world full of stories, real and imagined.
Getting to the prompt, here is a quick review of the rules.
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
The Photograph by Trey Ratcliff:
The Words:
reject
flood
toy
angle
trophy
The Link-up:
| 1. | The Bench by Beth Camp | 2. | Grandma's Advice, by Scott Taylor | 3. | Sally |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
WWBH Prompt (Plus a brief update)
Hello, everyone. :) With tomorrow being Halloween, things are a bit touch and go over here. Not only because we had holiday plans including little Analin, but because it is the last day of our due-date month. We have dress up all day, through breakfast at day care, lunch at Kris' work and possibly trick or treating at night, depending on the rain-predicted weather. We had already gotten all of the kids' costumes, including Analin's, which is now packed up with the rest of her things.
The difficult part is the memories we won't be making that we thought we would is brought into light on a holiday, and this is the first one we've reached so far. As with everything else, however, I'm sure it won't be as difficult as we're thinking it may be.
I am ready, I think, to start up with the WWBH prompts again. This week Leanne has put it together for us, and I'm scheduled for next week, along with the choosing of the monthly ad winner. Get your writing caps on, and dive into the prompt, making sure to get it in by 8pm EST next Tuesday to be eligible. :)
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Scary movies and candy galore, entice the imagination to explore. Take a picture and five simple terms, write a story of fiction to make readers squirm.
Haha! Happy Writer Wednesday and Happy Halloween, friends. It's time for another round of the blog hop photo stories. Here are the two stories we received from last week's prompt:
No Heroes Death by Tena Carr
Window Seat by Leanne Sype
Writers inspiring writers, spurring the growth of an imaginative writing community! This is what the blog hop is really all about, my friends. So we hope you'll join us this week, and be sure to invite a friend to join in too. All are welcome. Here's a quick review of how the blog hop works:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
The difficult part is the memories we won't be making that we thought we would is brought into light on a holiday, and this is the first one we've reached so far. As with everything else, however, I'm sure it won't be as difficult as we're thinking it may be.
I am ready, I think, to start up with the WWBH prompts again. This week Leanne has put it together for us, and I'm scheduled for next week, along with the choosing of the monthly ad winner. Get your writing caps on, and dive into the prompt, making sure to get it in by 8pm EST next Tuesday to be eligible. :)
------------
Scary movies and candy galore, entice the imagination to explore. Take a picture and five simple terms, write a story of fiction to make readers squirm.
Haha! Happy Writer Wednesday and Happy Halloween, friends. It's time for another round of the blog hop photo stories. Here are the two stories we received from last week's prompt:
No Heroes Death by Tena Carr
Window Seat by Leanne Sype
Writers inspiring writers, spurring the growth of an imaginative writing community! This is what the blog hop is really all about, my friends. So we hope you'll join us this week, and be sure to invite a friend to join in too. All are welcome. Here's a quick review of how the blog hop works:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
Here is this week's photograph (courtesy of Leanne Sype):
Your mandatory words:
day
vowel
stool
spaceship
calm
Blog Hop for October 30, 2013
| 1. | The Empty Bench, by Scott Taylor | 3. | Tony Roberts | 5. | Pops and Grams by Leanne Sype | |
| 2. | Sally | 4. | Melissa at My Unpublished Life |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Kris' Speech
These were the words Kris wrote and spoke for Analin's memorial. <3 You can read more about her here.
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I want to start by thanking all of you for coming tonight. Carrie and I have been overwhelmed by all the love and support we’ve received from our families, friends and colleagues. It has been incredibly helpful to us to know that we have not been alone in our grief. We can never express our gratitude to all of you, but we will always try.
One of the things I kept asking myself early last week was ‘Why?’. Why did this happen to us?
Why did this happen to our family? What had we done to deserve this fate?
I know that many of you shared the same question with me. That this was so pointless - that it was so hard to understand the reason for our loss.
I’ve come to realize that it’s really the wrong question to ask - this should not make us question and it’s not helpful for us to ask ‘why’.
If there’s a greater meaning with Analin’s death, I cannot see it - But what I can do, is to cherish Analin’s memory and make her mean something.
I take great strength from the fact that Analin was with us for 38 weeks. I smile when I think about how she would get mad at Carrie (and me I suppose) when the food Carrie ate was too spicy. It was amazing to feel Carrie’s belly when Analin had hiccups.
It was incredible to see when Analin had her kick-boxing workouts.
I will cherish forever those hard, hard hours after Analin was born when we had her in our room at the hospital. When we got to hold our baby-girl in our arms.
As I think of all those memories, I so wish that we could have had more. Right now, that’s the hardest thing for me to accept - that those incredible memories won’t continue. It makes me so sad but I’m really grateful that since I can’t have those future memories, at least I have some.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how you actually can have a memorial for a baby girl when you hadn’t spent all that much time with her. But the thing is - I know her. We all do. And I know she’s with us. Right here.
We know she would have been beautiful and compassionate like her mother.
She would have been smart and sweet like her oldest brother Joshua. She would have been smiling and happy like her brother, Sebastian.
And maybe she would have had her father’s sense of humor - which of course would have driven her mother crazy.
We know she would have been all those things - and of course, she would have been completely her own - our unique, amazing, beautiful girl.
So what do we do now? Well, we continue. Analin and her story is now part of our family and we will always keep her memory with us. We will cherish life and we will keep sharing our love with our family and our friends. We will try to be the best people we can be. Now this is just part of us and our lives.
I want to share with you just how amazing Carrie and our boys have been to me and to our family in the last week. Our boys are our super-heroes.
Carrie, it sucks so much that we have to go through this, but I’m so incredibly grateful that since I have to go through it, that I go through it with you. You’ve been amazing for me, for our boys and you give us so much strength. Not an hour passes without me thanking the stars for you.
I want to finish by saying thank you again to our family, our friends and also to Kristin and everyone from Tiny Purpose. We will always be grateful for the support you have given us in these difficult days.
And of course a huge thank you to all for being with us tonight - we appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.
We will continue to need to lean on you. But you can lean on us too.
Tonight, we want to start a tradition that we intend to keep every year on Analin’s birthday - and that is to release sky lanterns. So with your help, we’d like to begin.
-----
I want to start by thanking all of you for coming tonight. Carrie and I have been overwhelmed by all the love and support we’ve received from our families, friends and colleagues. It has been incredibly helpful to us to know that we have not been alone in our grief. We can never express our gratitude to all of you, but we will always try.
One of the things I kept asking myself early last week was ‘Why?’. Why did this happen to us?
Why did this happen to our family? What had we done to deserve this fate?
I know that many of you shared the same question with me. That this was so pointless - that it was so hard to understand the reason for our loss.
I’ve come to realize that it’s really the wrong question to ask - this should not make us question and it’s not helpful for us to ask ‘why’.
If there’s a greater meaning with Analin’s death, I cannot see it - But what I can do, is to cherish Analin’s memory and make her mean something. I take great strength from the fact that Analin was with us for 38 weeks. I smile when I think about how she would get mad at Carrie (and me I suppose) when the food Carrie ate was too spicy. It was amazing to feel Carrie’s belly when Analin had hiccups.
It was incredible to see when Analin had her kick-boxing workouts.
I will cherish forever those hard, hard hours after Analin was born when we had her in our room at the hospital. When we got to hold our baby-girl in our arms.
As I think of all those memories, I so wish that we could have had more. Right now, that’s the hardest thing for me to accept - that those incredible memories won’t continue. It makes me so sad but I’m really grateful that since I can’t have those future memories, at least I have some.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how you actually can have a memorial for a baby girl when you hadn’t spent all that much time with her. But the thing is - I know her. We all do. And I know she’s with us. Right here.We know she would have been beautiful and compassionate like her mother.
She would have been smart and sweet like her oldest brother Joshua. She would have been smiling and happy like her brother, Sebastian.
And maybe she would have had her father’s sense of humor - which of course would have driven her mother crazy.
We know she would have been all those things - and of course, she would have been completely her own - our unique, amazing, beautiful girl.
So what do we do now? Well, we continue. Analin and her story is now part of our family and we will always keep her memory with us. We will cherish life and we will keep sharing our love with our family and our friends. We will try to be the best people we can be. Now this is just part of us and our lives.
Carrie, it sucks so much that we have to go through this, but I’m so incredibly grateful that since I have to go through it, that I go through it with you. You’ve been amazing for me, for our boys and you give us so much strength. Not an hour passes without me thanking the stars for you.
I want to finish by saying thank you again to our family, our friends and also to Kristin and everyone from Tiny Purpose. We will always be grateful for the support you have given us in these difficult days.
And of course a huge thank you to all for being with us tonight - we appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.
We will continue to need to lean on you. But you can lean on us too.
Tonight, we want to start a tradition that we intend to keep every year on Analin’s birthday - and that is to release sky lanterns. So with your help, we’d like to begin.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
I don't know how to title this post ...
There really is no easy way to put this, so I'll use the main thing that has gotten me through these last few weeks - the Band-aid Method.
On October 6, Analin was stillborn. She was born at 2:25 in the morning weighing 6lbs 8oz, 20 inches long and she never opened her eyes or took a breath.
We had gone into the hospital on the 5th because I hadn't felt her moving. We had thought it was birth preparation and our visit was just a precaution. However, the nurse couldn't find a heartbeat, and the ultrasound confirmed there was none.
As of now, we don't have a reason for her loss. On initial exam, there was nothing obvious. We're not sure if the cord and placenta were sent to pathology because I had a different OB deliver me, and my OB hadn't had a chance to ask before my post-partum appointment with her. It doesn't matter much right now, except that my blood clotting proteins may have played a role, and that's important for any future pregnancy we might have.
On Monday the 15th, we had a beautiful ceremony for Analin in our front yard. Everyone who was able to attend had a small candle, each tied carefully with a power-word; strength, courage, memory, love, etc. Kristoffer gave a beautiful speech and chose an amazing play list. Then we lit up some sky lanterns. Joshua (4), who had been having a rough time, and I poured all of our sadness into the lanterns. We watched them rise straight up into the cold, windless dusk, and be carried away on higher winds.
We're still struggling a little over here, but have taken on the decision to move past this. The firsts - the first things to do without her - are the most difficult, hence the band-aid method. And then there's the belief that we cannot allow this grief to take over our lives, to poison our hearts against the other babies being born now (have I mentioned before that everyone we knew who was pregnant was also due in October?), to stop us from enjoying the two children still with us, or to come between us as husband and wife. So we move on, and we manage, but we don't forget. <3
On October 6, Analin was stillborn. She was born at 2:25 in the morning weighing 6lbs 8oz, 20 inches long and she never opened her eyes or took a breath.
We had gone into the hospital on the 5th because I hadn't felt her moving. We had thought it was birth preparation and our visit was just a precaution. However, the nurse couldn't find a heartbeat, and the ultrasound confirmed there was none.
As of now, we don't have a reason for her loss. On initial exam, there was nothing obvious. We're not sure if the cord and placenta were sent to pathology because I had a different OB deliver me, and my OB hadn't had a chance to ask before my post-partum appointment with her. It doesn't matter much right now, except that my blood clotting proteins may have played a role, and that's important for any future pregnancy we might have.
On Monday the 15th, we had a beautiful ceremony for Analin in our front yard. Everyone who was able to attend had a small candle, each tied carefully with a power-word; strength, courage, memory, love, etc. Kristoffer gave a beautiful speech and chose an amazing play list. Then we lit up some sky lanterns. Joshua (4), who had been having a rough time, and I poured all of our sadness into the lanterns. We watched them rise straight up into the cold, windless dusk, and be carried away on higher winds.We're still struggling a little over here, but have taken on the decision to move past this. The firsts - the first things to do without her - are the most difficult, hence the band-aid method. And then there's the belief that we cannot allow this grief to take over our lives, to poison our hearts against the other babies being born now (have I mentioned before that everyone we knew who was pregnant was also due in October?), to stop us from enjoying the two children still with us, or to come between us as husband and wife. So we move on, and we manage, but we don't forget. <3
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
WWBH Prompt Post and Winner!!
Happy October!! Are you excited for Halloween, or do you have Holiday Confusion Syndrome inspired by the plethora of holiday decor available in stores? ;-)
Good thing there's no confusion to be had here. This month's Ad Winner is --
Good thing there's no confusion to be had here. This month's Ad Winner is --
Congratulations, Scott. :-) Thank you and everyone for being so loyal to our weekly hop and sharing all your fantastic stories. Here's to a lot more to come.
With that, let's move on to our new prompt with a review of the rules:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less. 3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post. 4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below. 5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
Photo courtesy of Flikr Commons:
5 Must-Use Words:
System
Quarry
Ant
Bible
Artillery
And where to link up:
Share here.
| 1. | Turkey Talk | 2. | Turkey in a car by Leanne Sype | 3. | Sally |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
WWBH Post
Only a few more days until October!!!!! And that is very, very exciting, because at this point I have less than a month until my due date!! And I may have been quiet here, but the gears are always turning ...
And with that, off we go to Leanne's offering for the writing prompt. It's raining where she is with the first days of Autumn, but it's sunny here in the Midwest at the moment and the trees are just starting to gild themselves.
**Blogger was acting up for me this morning, so if something's not right, please let me know.
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It's raining, it's pouring... at least it is here in the NW! Has fall graced your doorsteps yet? Whether
autumn is in the throes of change or still has an air of summer, it is Wednesday for the majority of us.
Which means we have a fresh photo reveal for you this week!
Before we get to that, take a moment to read through the stories inspired from last weeks photograph (don't forget to leave some comment love to the authors ;))
Loaded Letter by Leanne Sype
Cap't Monkey and Toole Boy and the Big Decision by Scott Taylor
The Outing by Sally Stackhouse
If you are new to the blog hop, here is how it works:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, </ a>Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow. Ready for this week's photo?
And with that, off we go to Leanne's offering for the writing prompt. It's raining where she is with the first days of Autumn, but it's sunny here in the Midwest at the moment and the trees are just starting to gild themselves.
**Blogger was acting up for me this morning, so if something's not right, please let me know.
----------
Before we get to that, take a moment to read through the stories inspired from last weeks photograph (don't forget to leave some comment love to the authors ;))
Loaded Letter by Leanne Sype
Cap't Monkey and Toole Boy and the Big Decision by Scott Taylor
The Outing by Sally Stackhouse
If you are new to the blog hop, here is how it works:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, </ a>Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow. Ready for this week's photo?
Mandatory words:
election
t-shirt
picnic
lodger
wood
Make sure you double check your word count. Enter the title of your story with your by-line and submit here!
| 1. | Tony Roberts | 2. | Sally | 3. | Breaking Away by Heather Musk |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
WWBH Prompt Post
Via Nicole. :D
Thank you for the birthday wishes!!!
------------------------
We're back again! Anyone else ready for Friday? I know I am! And a belated happy birthday to our host Carrie! :)
Here's the stories from last week -
This Ain't No Yellow Submarine by Randy Lindsey
The News by Sally
From the Depths
A Note from the Deep by Scott Taylor
You Get Today, I Get Tomorrow
Now for the rules, in case you are joining us for the first time -
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
Here's the stories from last week -
This Ain't No Yellow Submarine by Randy Lindsey
The News by Sally
From the Depths
A Note from the Deep by Scott Taylor
You Get Today, I Get Tomorrow
Now for the rules, in case you are joining us for the first time -
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
And now for the photo -
And the five words -
Bingo
Courage
Saliva
Ant
Brooch
Submit your entry to the weekly writing prompt using the link below! Make sure you have followed the rules of the blog hop to be elligible for the monthly prize.
| 1. | Loaded Letter by Leanne Sype | 3. | Sally | |
| 2. | Cap't Monkey & Tooele Boy/The Big Decision by Scott Taylor |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
WWHB Prompt
Leanne has put together this week's prompt and this month's Ad winner button is revealed. :D
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We're at the peak of the week, friends! I hope the week has proven fruitful for you thus far. If it hasn't been a great week yet, then I hope something beautifully unexpected happens in the upcoming days that allows you to smile freely.
Okay, since it is Wednesday, it's time for the next round of our blog hop! By the way, did you catch the little creative addition to the blog hop? If not, click here to learn more.
First, here is the button for this month's blog hop ad winner, Ellen Peterson. Congrats, Ellen!
Okay-- ready?
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We're at the peak of the week, friends! I hope the week has proven fruitful for you thus far. If it hasn't been a great week yet, then I hope something beautifully unexpected happens in the upcoming days that allows you to smile freely.
Okay, since it is Wednesday, it's time for the next round of our blog hop! By the way, did you catch the little creative addition to the blog hop? If not, click here to learn more.
First, here is the button for this month's blog hop ad winner, Ellen Peterson. Congrats, Ellen!
Here are the stories from last week's photo:
Lost Again by Leanne Sype
Writing Holiday by
Sally Stackhouse
Ghosts of Memories Long Past are Haunting Me by Nicole Pyles
Bright Eyes by
Heather Musk
How Long Had it Been by Tena Carr
Here are the rules of how this all works:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, </ a>Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, </ a>Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
Okay-- ready?
Your photo:
Photo courtesy of Leanne Sype
Your words:
letter
velcro
planet
fever
shopping
Ready? Go! Have a blast, friends!
Type in the title of your story with your by line and link up here!
| 1. | We All Live On A Yellow Non-Submersible | 3. | Sally | 5. | From the Depths by Heather Musk | |
| 2. | A Note From The Deep, by Scott Taylor | 4. | You Get Today, I Get Tomorrow, by Ellen |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Sunday, September 8, 2013
And your Challenge is, should you choose to accept it ...
(via Nicole)
The challenge is here! And we are so excited to bring a new spin to our weekly writing prompt.
Now here is how it will work. Throughout the month of September, every Sunday, your writing prompt hosts will bring you the stories we shared with you from last Wednesday.
Then, you have the challenge part of it, and the challenge part of it is due the NEXT Sunday.
First, let's bring the stories we had from last week -
Memories of Granny by Tena Carr
The Journey by Sally Stackhouse
Cap't Monkey and and Tooele Boy and the Opulent Evening by Scott Taylor
Break a Leg by Debra Elliott
Now, here's what you have to do.
Take one of the above stories and do one of the following -
The challenge is here! And we are so excited to bring a new spin to our weekly writing prompt.
Now here is how it will work. Throughout the month of September, every Sunday, your writing prompt hosts will bring you the stories we shared with you from last Wednesday.
Then, you have the challenge part of it, and the challenge part of it is due the NEXT Sunday.
First, let's bring the stories we had from last week -
Memories of Granny by Tena Carr
The Journey by Sally Stackhouse
Cap't Monkey and and Tooele Boy and the Opulent Evening by Scott Taylor
Break a Leg by Debra Elliott
Now, here's what you have to do.
Take one of the above stories and do one of the following -
1) Continue the story from where it left off.
2) Write the story from someone else's point of view.
3) Write what happened before the story.
4) Turn one of the stories into one of the following genres - horror, western, romance, or mystery.
Now, after you've chosen one of the challenges, you have a maximum of 1,000 words this time.
We're so excited!
Like we said, you have until NEXT Sunday to take part in the challenge. And we will be giving you this challenge every week throughout September.
If you have any questions, leave a comment for your host and we will respond!
If you're ready to post your response, leave your link below -
Submit your entry to the weekly writing prompt using the link below! Make sure you have followed the rules of the blog hop to be elligible for the monthly prize.
| 1. | Dreams do come true by Heather Musk |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
WWBH Prompt and Winner
If you haven't yet, please stop by to check out Athena's story, my best friend's daughter who was born at 27 weeks.
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Winner-winner, chicken dinner. Well, I won't make you dinner (believe me, you're better off), but I will make you a button ....
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Winner-winner, chicken dinner. Well, I won't make you dinner (believe me, you're better off), but I will make you a button ....
Congratulations!! Let me know if you have a photo you prefer to use, otherwise I'll study your blog for inspiration and your button will be proudly shown on the hostess's blogs. :-)
On to the submission list! Sally was a little late to be counted in last week's post for her response to the prompt 2 weeks ago. Her story can be found here:
The submissions for this past week's prompt are here.
Thank you everyone who has stuck with us, and to those just trying us out. We are thrilled with how the prompt posts have been going, and would like to offer up a little twist, an added bonus, something new to thrill you --- and you can come back on Saturday to find out just what we have in mind. Until then, here's this week's WWBH prompt post to chew over.
The Rules:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
The Photo by +Kristoffer Sorensen:
The Words:
Bench
Reindeer
Court
Teddy Bear
Leader
Is your story peaceful? Twisted? Funny? Well, make sure to link it up right here by next Tuesday.
Check out all the stories linked up this week.
| 1. | Lost Again by Leanne Sype | 3. | Ghosts of Memories Past by Nicole Pyles | ||
| 2. | Sally Stackhouse | 4. | Bright Eyes by Heather Musk |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Friday, August 30, 2013
Athena
I realize I forgot this past week's WWBH post. I'll be back on board next week. Until then, please check out Nicole, Leanne or Tena's blog to see what was missed.
Life has been something of a struggle over here. My best friend and I have been pregnant together. Since she had twins, we were expected to give birth very close to each other. As it turned out, the lost their son at 24 weeks, but didn't deliver him to give their daughter a stronger fighting chance. At 27 weeks, my friend was rushed into surgery so their son and daughter could be born. Athena survived and has been cared for wonderfully at the NICU.
She was 10 days old when I got to hold her hand. Athena is working on getting big and strong for her trip home. She's already beautiful. I've known her mother since first grade, my best friend. This indiegogo post was put together by Athena's aunt, describing the struggle of this amazing family, and looking toward hope for the future.
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bringing-home-baby-murphy
Life has been something of a struggle over here. My best friend and I have been pregnant together. Since she had twins, we were expected to give birth very close to each other. As it turned out, the lost their son at 24 weeks, but didn't deliver him to give their daughter a stronger fighting chance. At 27 weeks, my friend was rushed into surgery so their son and daughter could be born. Athena survived and has been cared for wonderfully at the NICU.
She was 10 days old when I got to hold her hand. Athena is working on getting big and strong for her trip home. She's already beautiful. I've known her mother since first grade, my best friend. This indiegogo post was put together by Athena's aunt, describing the struggle of this amazing family, and looking toward hope for the future.
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bringing-home-baby-murphy
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
WWBH Prompt Post
Thank you, Leanne, for this week's prompt. :)
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It's Wednesday, which means another round of the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop is comin' at ya!
First up are the fantastic stories from last week's photo:
The Ascension of Freedom by Scott Taylor
Hot August Night by Leanne Sype
The Surprise by Sally Stackhouse
Mistake by Heather Musk
The Game by Vicki
Here are the reminders of how the blog hop works. If you have never joined in, please do! Invite a friend, too. ;)
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, </ a>Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
-----------------
It's Wednesday, which means another round of the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop is comin' at ya!
First up are the fantastic stories from last week's photo:
The Ascension of Freedom by Scott Taylor
Hot August Night by Leanne Sype
The Surprise by Sally Stackhouse
Mistake by Heather Musk
The Game by Vicki
Here are the reminders of how the blog hop works. If you have never joined in, please do! Invite a friend, too. ;)
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, </ a>Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
Here's your photo for this week:
Mandatory words:
corporation
bulldozer
ceiling
uniform
tartan
Check your word count and then link up here!
| 1. | It's Going To Be Okay, by Scott Taylor |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
WWBH Prompt Post
What do you get when you have an intriguing photograph paired with five random words?
The Writer Wednesday Blog Hop of course!
Last week's prompt lent itself to some really fantastic stories. Check these out... (Be sure to leave some comment love. Writers like that. ;) )
As The God-Child Sees by Christopher Shawbell
The Carousel Horse by Jessica McConaha
To The Proprietors of the Tin Shed by Scott Taylor
Trust Me by Sally Stackhouse
Escaping the Heat by Heather Musk
Dirty Little Window by Leanne Sype (hey that's me!)
By the way, Christopher Shawbell is this month's featured blog hop ad winner! In an effort to support one another in the community, once a month we draw a name of one of our blog hop participants and feature a button-ad on our blog sites. Here is Chris's button:
Alrighty on to this week's prompt. If you've never joined in, you are definitely invited! Here is a quick run down of the rules:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, </ a>Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
The Writer Wednesday Blog Hop of course!
Last week's prompt lent itself to some really fantastic stories. Check these out... (Be sure to leave some comment love. Writers like that. ;) )
As The God-Child Sees by Christopher Shawbell
The Carousel Horse by Jessica McConaha
To The Proprietors of the Tin Shed by Scott Taylor
Trust Me by Sally Stackhouse
Escaping the Heat by Heather Musk
Dirty Little Window by Leanne Sype (hey that's me!)
By the way, Christopher Shawbell is this month's featured blog hop ad winner! In an effort to support one another in the community, once a month we draw a name of one of our blog hop participants and feature a button-ad on our blog sites. Here is Chris's button:
Alrighty on to this week's prompt. If you've never joined in, you are definitely invited! Here is a quick run down of the rules:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, </ a>Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
Your photo:
Your (randomly generated) mandatory words:
prank
printer
profit
capsicum
goal
Ready. Set. GO!
Make sure your wordcount doesn't exceed the 500-word count limit, then submit your link here!
| 1. | The Ascension Of Freedom, by Scott Taylor | 3. | Sally | 5. | The Game | |
| 2. | Hot August Night by Leanne Sype | 4. | Mistake by Heather Musk |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
WWBH Prompt + A Sad Update
I missed last week, I know, but it was for a very good and sad reason. Chiaotzu, my nine year old boxer pup (they're always puppies) died last Tuesday. We got the phone call just before midnight Wednesday morning. He had some sort of allergic reaction that caused his breathing to suffer greatly and his temperature to rise dangerously. Though he appeared to be recovering from the allergy attack at the vet, he ended up going into cardiac arrest and the vet couldn't revive him. Sunday we picked up his ashes and paw print. It's been a tough week - that boy was my baby before my human babies came along. I'm doing better than I thought I would with his loss. It's a blessing to have my boys and the joy they bring.
I wasn't going to miss this week, though, not with a winner to choose! But first we will revisit the submissions from last week's prompt.
I wasn't going to miss this week, though, not with a winner to choose! But first we will revisit the submissions from last week's prompt.
Cap't Monkey And Tooele Boy And The Impressive Building by Scott Taylor
is our lucky winner this month! Stop by next week and we'll have his button proudly displayed for the following month. If you would like to win, make sure you link up your prompt inspired flash fiction over the next few weeks and the next name randomly chosen could be yours.
And lucky you, there's a prompt right here to get you started! A reminder of the rules:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
The Photo by Kristoffer Sorensen:
The Words:
passport
sunrise
carousel
travel
school
The Links:
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
WWBH Prompt
Coming to you from Leanne, this week's writing prompt!
-------------------
*ding ding*
It's time for another round of the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop! Let's hop" right to it (sorry, I couldn't resist)!
Before I reveal your photo for this week, take a read-through of the stories from last week. We have a great collection of completely different takes on last week's prompt. They're pretty fantastic!
Riders on the Storm by JP
A Decade of Lies by Scott Taylor
Rhymes with You Decide by Christopher Shawbell
Woman in the Window by Leanne Sype
The Dilemma by Sally Stackhouse
Possibilities by Heather Musk
Here is a quick rundown on how the blog hop works:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linkybelow.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
-------------------
*ding ding*
It's time for another round of the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop! Let's hop" right to it (sorry, I couldn't resist)!
Before I reveal your photo for this week, take a read-through of the stories from last week. We have a great collection of completely different takes on last week's prompt. They're pretty fantastic!
Riders on the Storm by JP
A Decade of Lies by Scott Taylor
Rhymes with You Decide by Christopher Shawbell
Woman in the Window by Leanne Sype
The Dilemma by Sally Stackhouse
Possibilities by Heather Musk
Here is a quick rundown on how the blog hop works:
1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linkybelow.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.
Here's your inspirational photo!
Your (randomly generated) mandatory words:
wagon
shark
navel
bulb
banana
Have a blast with this, my friends!
Submit your link here! Type the title of your piece with your "by" line in the Name field. :)
| 1. | Christopher Shawbell | 3. | Sally Stackhouse | 5. | Sally Stackhouse | |
| 2. | At The Corner Of Sycamore & Main, by Scott Taylor | 4. | Goal by Leanne Sype | 6. | Children of the Dust by Heather Musk |
(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
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