Cuddle Camp: Sick Day

I just started a second round of antibiotics after finishing the first this past Monday. I am definitely feeling the strain of having had a few doses of antibiotics in my life thanks to many, many sinus infections.

Both the boys were shipped off to day care today, thank goodness. As for me, it's Cuddle Camp. The puppies are making sure I stay warm in my weakened state. ;)

Rukia in front, Winston looking at you and Rambo doubling as Kia's pillow.

Love my puppies!!

(They are only dogs when they're in trouble)

Making Some Changes

First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who has stuck with me this last year. I know I grabbed a bunch of you at April A to Z time, then left you hanging throughout my pregnancy, then through the loss of it. It means a lot to me that you stop by, even when all I've been posting is the weekly WWBH.

I've taken a completely different view this year. I've decided I need to make time for things. The fact of the matter is, I have too many interests and my priority is clearly my boys so most of those interests get ignored, which means parts of me do as well. I have no intention of losing time with my growing children, particularly while they are so very much mine in these formative young years, but I can't ignore myself in the process.

Bring on compartmentalization. There are seven days a week, after all, and 16-18 hours in each where things can be done. I'm at a place in my life where I don't need to focus on deadlines as much as just getting things done.

Chasing Revery is still going to be around, I'm just changing things up a bit. I'm going to be writing more from the Mommy perspective than the writing one. Writing may still come up, and the WWBH will definitely still come every Wednesday. Heck, I may even write a story for it and post it up. But I've decided I want my creative writing energy to go where it belongs - toward my WIP.

I will still be writing letters to Dear Analin as well. The greatness of that blog is it really is personal and I have no intention of keeping a 'schedule' as I do here. I think I will add a blog feed here, though, so you can stop by and see if Kris or I have written something new if you aren't following Dear Analin already.

Then there's the new thing. Yes, a new blog. Nicole and I have started a blog called Reading Like Writers. We've been talking about co-blogging for a while, and this particular blog seems to fit a whole in my compartmentalization plans that somehow makes it work, rather than making more work. We're really excited to be taking on this niche set blog and have big plans for where we would like it to go.

There you are. Lots of many changes. I hope you are interested enough to stick around a while longer, and maybe even bring some more people on board. Because at the end of the day, Chasing Revery is my blog-baby and I'm not ready to let it go.

Lots of love,

Carrie.

WWBH Post

Nicole has the reins this week (if you can't tell from the photos she chose). Don't forget to link up your submissions by Tuesday. I pick an ad winner next week!!

On top of that, the Blog Hop will have an announcement soon (Nicole hints as well), and changes will be coming here soon as well. :-)

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It's Wednesday again! We're that much closer to Friday. It's exciting around these blog hop parts because we will be having an announcement coming up for everyone who has participated at all this year. Make sure to stay tuned!

Here's the stories we got from last week. Make sure to go by and read the creative work everyone has done! -

With Time to Spare by CR Fowler
A Chat at Sunseta by Scott Taylor
Nachos, A Glass of Wine, and a Memory by Tena Carr
Leaving by HJ Musk

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 -

And here's the link up when you're ready!

WWBH Prompt

Leanne is up! Here's your weekly prompt.

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Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Well in that case, we should be quite excited about today. It's Wednesday-- Writer Wednesday! The best day of year and the highlight of this week. I have the pleasure of hosting our Blog Hop Photo Reveal today. :D

Before we get to that, here are the stories that sprung from last week's photo prompt. Be sure to give them a read and send the author an encouraging comment. Writers need encouragement! :)

Me and the Countess on a Sunday Night by Scott Taylor
Missing by Heather Musk
Companion by Tena Carr

Everyone is invited to participate in the Blog Hop Photo Prompt! Don't be shy. Here are the instructions of how it 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 until next Tuesday post.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow!

Here are your photos for this week:

Have fun!

WWBH Prompt

Via Tena. :)

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Hey, Guess What???? I'm back at the wheel.... The WWBH wheel that is. Haven't done this hosting thing in so long..... Gee, I hope I remember everything correctly.

First off, our winner for this month: Scott Taylor Go on, take a moment to check out his blog, but don't forget to come right back over here for a view of last week's stories and for this weeks ...

Back???? Good!!!!

Here are the awesome stories (as inspired by last week's prompt:

• Buttons' Box...A Short Story by Scott Taylor
• Jezabell’s Rescue by Leanne Sype
• Scared by Tena Carr

Now for this week's 2 photos:

Remember the 2 photos must connect in your story and the story must be limited to 500 words (don't worry we're not gonna count so if you go a bit over = DON'T SWEAT IT.... Most IMPORTANT Rule!!!! HAVE FUN!!! {and link in with the froggy at the bottom}.

Toddler Tales: Phone Call

We were dropping off the boys at my Mom's on Saturday. As Sebastian (2 in Feb) got out, he stepped on his toy phone. He held up one finger to my husband to tell him to wait, picked up his phone and said, "Hello?" Sebastian continued his conversation all the way into the house. It must have been something important. :-)

(Photo taken at a different time, but who's counting?)

WWBH Winner and Prompt!!

It is viciously cold here in Michigan. We're 'feeling like' -40's at night and not climbing out of the negatives during the day, even in actual temperatures. It's so very beautiful and so very dangerous. In this cold, it's warned you can get frostbite within 10 minutes.

So, we're staying warm and inside, and cooking up a bit of a writing prompt for you!

I hope you had a great holiday season. We decided to delay the prompts until this week to give everyone a chance to fully enjoy it. That still gives us 3 weeks of submissions to chose the blogger we'll feature for the next month.

Scott Taylor

The winner!

Make sure to check his blog out, along with our other bloggers every week. They come up with some amazing stuff.

Our last prompt was posted on December 18, and here are the stories inspired by it.

Remembering by Scott Taylor
Chocolate Milk and Hope by Leanne Sype

Now for your 2 photos:

Photos by Carrie Sorensen

Happy New Year!