Saturday

Ok, so I failed miserably on the challenge yesterday. I was supposed to "buy my spouse something thoughtful to show I was thinking of them." I didn't.

Why?

I didn't go anywhere yesterday. I was pretty much home bound. So i think I'm exempt, nevertheless I will have to do that challenge again.

Michael Jackson....

I know everyone is discussing his death and it's everywhere but I want to add my two cents. I too, was one of the people who believed he was guilty when he was tried for molesting that 11 year old boy. I think he was a very sick man. Then today, this morning, I was watching some of his old videos and had a change of heart. Well kinda.

I think Michael was still very childlike. The way he did things. He truly was eccentric. He had the neverland ranch which was an amusement park. He didn't want to get old. Who does?

At this point in time though, he has passed away. I still hear all these people bashing him and calling him a molester. He's gone people. He's can't defend himself. Can't we allow the man to rest in peace?

it's just wrong to talk about the dead that way.

They said he had a cardiologist with him at all times and that he was taking a LOT of medications for pain. Sound like another overdose or maybe the drugs brought on the attack. It's almost like he knew.

He went from being the King of Pop in the 80's to becoming eerily introverted. He changed and I'm wondering if maybe we didn't change him.

While I'm not really the authority to speculate, I think he probably died a sad man. Have you seen a lot of his pictures towards the end? He didn't seem very happy. Which, he had lost everything. Went bankrupt, they took his beloved home.

I think we should allow him to rest in peace. Stop the bashing. He WAS great at one time. Let's allow that legacy to survive and forget about his bad. Don't we all go through them? Is he not entitled? And aside from teh obvious, we really don't know what happened.

He did try to hide from the media and they sought him out.

Regardless of your personal feelings of his allegations, does all that really and truly matter now? He's gone. It's over. Let him go. And his children. They lost their dad. Is anyone wondering how they feel right now? Especially if they see all of this hate that is driected towards him. Think of how your own children would feel if you had just died and people were saying horrible things. It's awful.


Rest in peace Michael.

Day 2

OK, yesterdays challenge was easy peasy. My husband came home from work and was so tired and not feeling good he went to bed. I told him I hoped he felt better and pretty much left him alone. Then late last night I got sick. He left this morning before I got up. Today's challenge was to show an act of kindness and not say anything negative again. I've discovered that I do this on a normal basis. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. I continued on...I washed his shoes, called the Dr for him, fixed his dinner. I don't really have anything negative to say. So now what? How can it be a challenge when I haven't changed anything? This is life. Maybe this book is for people in worse shape than us?

Nevertheless I'm on to day three.

The Love Dare

I decided to start the Love Dare Book today. I went yesterday and got it at Books A Million. Today is the first challenge. You are supposed to avoid saying anything negative to your spouse. For me, today will not be hard because he works all day. by the time he gets home I'm tired from the kids and as he takes over with them, I'm writing. After I finish up my work for the day I will watch an episode or two or Lost.

Also, by the time he gets home I've missed him being here so it's easy to remain positive. I'm sure the Dares will get harder. I expect them to. I plan on tracking my progress here. So if check back if you want to see our Love Dare Journey.

Rants and Raves and hot summer days and Alaska

Rants...

I hate mosquitos, my feet getting dirty, mean people who don't take the time to understand me, the state of the economy, puppet liberals, TV commercials, laundry, steak (gross) and feeling misunderstood and alone.

Raves....

I love my children most of all. They are great people. I love thunderstorms, the show Lost, writing, frozen fruit, long showers, a good book and honesty.

Hot Summer Days....

Welcome to the Sunny State of Georgia. It hit nearly 100 degrees today and it's only June. UGGH. I hate Summer. I love Fall and I love Spring. I love temperatures that hover around 60-70. I hate sitting and sweating when you are doing nothing at all.

Oh....I'm moving to Alaska.

Headaches

I've had a headache for the past two days now. I've taken everything. I know it's sinuses. Last night I went to bed thinking I'd wake up and it would be gone.

I was wrong.

So now I'm battling it again. I'll have to break down and take something for allergies. I just have no desire to sleep right now.

The headache has won.

Anyway, we drained the pool yesterday. I had seriously been considering this anyway but I guess me, by myself, made the solid decision. Because we waited forever last year and didn't cover it, didn't winterize it...it was literally a swamp when we finally did put the cover on. So this Summer when the cover came off....

there was the swamp again.

I should have taken a picture but believe me, you didn't want to see it. I'm surprised there wasn't something dead in the bottom. Or worse, something living.

So anyway, it took all day yesterday to drain it, scrub it. Then of course it's taken forever to fill it. Going on a full day now and it is still not full. Joy.
But we have the solar cover on and in spite of the sub zero hose temps, the kids want to get in today. It's supposed to be 90 so I seriously wish they would leave the cover on today and get in tomorrow. Give it a chance to get somewhat warm...uh....at least non-freezing. It will be a week before I get in I'm sure.

You know me, my bath water could scald meat. I like my showers steamy. The cold does nothing for me. Even in 90 degree temps.

Ok, so I know this isn't the most interesting post. Sorry, it's the migraine.

It's now 10 am. Maggie just got up. Allison is up. (I can tell from the loud music that is coming from her room). Graham is asleep on the couch. Julianna is still upstairs asleep and Brook is still in bed. I guess I will feed my little one and then write a bit.

Sundays......ahhhhhhhh relaxing.

I'm a writer

So I can officially call myself a writer. My professor told me of a site to get published and paid for my work. He told me to expect a lot of rewrites on my articles with my editor when I'm just starting out. So far I've had 5 articles approved with no rewrites. I have 10 more flat fees that I will be paid for. I need to write 2 of them, the others are waiting on review. There are 8 revenue sharing articles that have to be written, I'm hoping to add 2 more because for every 10 I write and have approved it's a guaranteed set amount of money with of course increased revenues as the article is read.

I'm a writer. I'm writing and getting paid. So it feels great. 12 articles to write, 8 waiting approval, $75 in my hand for not even 2 hours of work. That's nearly $45 an hour and I can do what I LOVE. Feels so good to do what I want and get paid for it for a change. Once the number of articles I can write at a time increases, I'm hoping to have at least 10 a day approved. That would mean a solid income of $1000 a week while working less than 4 hours a day. Oh how this will solve our financial woes for good. Then top that with teaching this fall and we are set.

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Everything in my past has led me to this point. I am so greatful. God is truly good!

Happy Sweet Sixteen

You're coming into your own. So smart and so beautiful. I truly thank God for you!

I love you sweet girl! I hope you have an amazing day.

Allison Nicole Smith
June 2, 1993