Monday, May 19, 2014

SO LONG - FAREWELL...I LOVE YOU ALL

OKAY...so, the official announcement on my blog is this....As of right now, I am giving up Adventures of a Broken Housewife (and Mom). It was a wonderful experience for me and has helped my career in many ways. Unfortunately, the world of mommy blogging is not one I wish to be a part of anymore. I have met some wonderful, amazing people through the journey and I hope to remain fans and friends of these awesome ladies. But there is an aspect of the whole realm that I just can not be a part of at this point in my life. Moms need to be helpful and non judgmental to each other and I refuse to lower myself to a standard that is hurtful to anyone. I reserve the right to resurrect the blog if there comes a time when I have the time and patience to deal with the negativity. This has been an amazing experience - one that I will always cherish. Meanwhile my blog will still be located at http://www.brokenwifeandmom.com for anyone who wants to give it a read. Love and hugs to all of my friends, family and fans. Now is MY time to concentrate fully on my romance writing....sooooooo, wish me luck!!!

Friday, February 28, 2014

LET IT SNOW!!! - DON'T MAKE ME BEAT YOU DOWN!

Today I was going to write about Miss Crazy's incompetent teacher, but I am still so very upset about what happened (no clue why, it's not something that was life threatening or super bad) that I think I will wait until I calm down a bit more. Maybe Monday or next Friday.  I guess I am probably just completely fed up with this district and that makes every little thing that happens bother me more.

How about this winter we've been having?  Holy smokes, I am as done with it as I am with NCSD - Natrona County School District #1!!!  As many of you who read this blog regularly know, I love the cold and I used to love the snow.  Not so much now that it hurts me to wade through it and walk carefully on the ice that comes after melting begins. It started off in October with about 16 inches in one day and we have basically had snow every few days since then.  Just when the earth turns brown again, someone sees fit to make it white! This weekend and of course starting before I pick the kids up today, we are expecting six to twelve inches, wind and below zero temps.

Now, I love the cold, but the below zero temps of this winter are just insane and can feel free to go away soon - as in before they get here with this storm. We have had the meter area of our water pipes freeze twice this year and it is a bit annoying. Will this be the last storm of the season?  Why do I have a feeling that it won't? I hope we at least get good weather for spring break (we have it a couple of weeks earlier than most of the country because NCSD is brilliant like that <<<dripping sarcasm>>>!)

So I propose that we get together and start a petition to mother nature using change.org...or have worldwide protests...or we spit in the face of old man winter...ah hell, who am I kidding. We will sit here and take it like the wuss's we are because really, we have no other choice. Winter will end eventually (I sure as hell hope) and it will be on to a beautiful spring and summer. And maybe, just maybe, all of the planets will align perfectly and I will be on my way to a warmer, less snowy place by the time the kids start the next school year.  Wow, now wouldn't that be great!

Until Next Time...Stay warm, if you love this kind of weather enjoy it, and by all means, don't hurt your hips shoveling snow!!! There is only room for one hip hurtin, broken mama on this blog...although a different blog would be kinda cool. ;)



FIRST SNOW STORM OF THE SEASON IN OCTOBER - AND IT JUST KEPT COMING!!!!
NOTE: This blog, and any derivatives of it, are totally random, crazy, spur of the moment thoughts. I do not have a proofreader or an editor because then it would seem too stiff...less real. I sit down, I write, and then I publish. Period end of story. I refuse to write any other way (for Broken Housewife) because I want you all to feel like you know me, like we are having a conversation over coffee. Or better yet, like you are reading my personal journal. I don't know how many people have their journals professionally edited. I don't want you to feel like you are reading fiction or something, you know? And I am definitely not an editor/english teacher by any stretch of the imagination. That is why I hire someone to do it for my fictional works.

Think of this as a one sided dialogue we are having. Dialogue is far from 'the perfect written word', and that is the way I like having a blog be. I hope you'll stick around to have more coffee and conversation with the Broken Housewife.


Monday, February 24, 2014

BEING NEKKIE, SUMMER OF 69, UPDATES, & MUSIC

So, I've been sitting here all day trying to get a video of Little Butt singing one of her favorite songs - there are many. But she refuses to put clothes on... again. She got out of the nekkie all day stage there for awhile but seems to be going through it again...sigh. It would be fine if it was helping her to potty train, but no, she just pees on the couch...sigh again. Ever since her oldest sister moved out she has refused to use the potty (we almost had her completely trained!!! LOL ). So now I finally sit here with a good blog idea, and I can't really do it because someone is running around my house nekkie. No video's today huh?. Wish I could do sound only because she LOVES to sing...I mean LOVES to sing, and I would love to share it with you.

So, what else have we been up to lately you might ask.  Well, for one, I have released all five books in my romance novel series and am seeing a bit of success, although much more success is what I am striving for so we can get out of Wyoming quicker. :) I am co-writing with my husband now.  We have an upcoming Wyoming series (not cowboy though). Our next work is a novel about the parents in the Sunset Destiny series I wrote - they fall in love in the summer of '69...ooh, that gives me an idea. I now have a video I can post. :D Enjoy!!!


The kids are all doing pretty good. Mr. Insane is thriving in Kindergarten, and continues to behave daily (keep your fingers crossed) I am still contemplating taking him in for testing for ADHD or something, but we'll see. Miss Crazy is doing great in second grade and is becoming quite the beauty. She has a bit of trouble with how much her little sister loves her, but I catch them snuggling and loving too and it is oh so sweet! The Sophomore is thriving too. She has a great group of friends at school, something we though Asperger's was going to keep from her.  She is also doing well in school and seems to now know how to manage school work and play time. The Hubs is working two jobs so maybe we can get the hell out of here sooner.  If nothing else it will help us pay off all our debts quicker.  And he seems to be enjoying co-writing romance novels while working on a novel of his own (not romance).  Our marriage has taken a turn for the better I would say - the best part of the horrid last few months.











NOTE: This blog, and any derivatives of it, are totally random, crazy, spur of the moment thoughts. I do not have a proofreader or an editor because then it would seem too stiff...less real. I sit down, I write, and then I publish. Period end of story. I refuse to write any other way (for Broken Housewife) because I want you all to feel like you know me, like we are having a conversation over coffee. Or better yet, like you are reading my personal journal. I don't know how many people have their journals professionally edited. I don't want you to feel like you are reading fiction or something, you know? And I am definitely not an editor/english teacher by any stretch of the imagination. That is why I hire someone to do it for my fictional works.

Think of this as a one sided dialogue we are having. Dialogue is far from 'the perfect written word', and that is the way I like having a blog be. I hope you'll stick around to have more coffee and conversation with the Broken Housewife.

Until Next Time...When all else fails, and all else goes to shit, listen to some great music. It can be professionally done, courtesy of youtube, pandora etc. Or it can be listening to your little three year old sing her heart out.  I opt for the second whenever I can.  <3

Saturday, February 22, 2014

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY READERS

This is a blog post I wrote two months ago, but am just now thinking it's time to put out there.

12/25/13
Truthfully these last few months have been...must be honest here, must be honest here...SHIT. What sucks the most is not being able to confide in all of you as to what happened. It would violate the privacy of someone and I just can't do that. All I can say is that my family, the one I prided myself on so much for this blog, was torn apart by outside forces. Needless to say, if someone asks me if I want to go on a free vacation - even if it is to Alaska - I will say OH HELL NO!!! in the future. And if my child's 'friend's' mother contacts me over FB and threatens me I won't just sit idly by and let it happen. I will put my foot down and limit contact.

So, it is kind of hard to write about the 'perfect' little family that I used to write about when it no longer exists. And truthfully, I'm not sure what to write about. The kids who remain in my home are still pretty much the same. Mr. Insane is still insane; Miss Crazy is still crazy although she's calming somewhat; and the Sophomore is still...well, the Sophomore. And Little Butt, well she has changed a bit. She just turned three!!!! It's like things are at a standstill and I don't know where to go from here.

My career is having its ups and downs which is really just a pain in my butt. lol. But I can only write so much about my struggles and triumphs there before you all think I'm trying to sell you something. (It would be great if you bought my new 2nd edition books, but I won't push it. ;) ) And that's a whole other story about being taken in by a formatter/uploader that I will save for another time.

So, this is why I have been gone for so long. I sit down to write a blog and I just come up blank. I think it is the worst kind of writer's block and I'm not sure how to deal with it...how to end it. Maybe this open letter to all of you will do that.

We have decided, definitively, that we are moving. I will announce where soon enough, if you don't already know. But for now it remains a secret. And on top of it all, we aren't sure when. Everything has to come together perfectly, at just the right time, before we can go. But we will go, and hopefully soon!!!

So, if you can all bear with me, I will return. I hope to have at least one new blog a week. It might not be super exciting, or new, but I promise to entertain you.  Thanks for sticking with me this whole time!!!

NOTE: This blog, and any derivatives of it, are totally random, crazy, spur of the moment thoughts. I do not have a proofreader or an editor because then it would seem too stiff...less real. I sit down, I write, and then I publish. Period end of story.  I refuse to write any other way (for Broken Housewife) because I want you all to feel like you know me, like we are having a conversation over coffee. Or better yet, like you are reading my personal journal. I don't know how many people have their journals professionally edited. I don't want you to feel like you are reading fiction or something, you know? And I am definitely not an editor/english teacher by any stretch of the imagination. That is why I hire someone to do it for my fictional works.

Think of this as a one sided dialogue we are having. Dialogue is far from 'the perfect written word', and that is the way I like having a blog be. I hope you'll stick around to have more coffee and conversation with the Broken Housewife.

Until Next Time...Love to all of you. I'll see you soon!!!

Monday, January 6, 2014

UPDATES AND OTHER CRAPPY STUFF. ;)

What has been going on with me?  Here are some updates

CAREER: What an adventure I've been having lately with my career. Normally I, would be discouraged and think of giving up. But my writing means way to much to me and those I love so I am sticking it out and I'm going to win this battle.

Tip #1 - Don't trust anyone with your work - especially if they offer to help for free.
Tip #2 - Trust yourself to be able to learn to do stuff yourself
Tip #3 - When you upload something to kindle, make sure they are actually selling people what you uploaded. :/

Wrong files were uploaded - months later I found out about it - uploaded correct version - months later found out incorrect versions were still being downloaded. Sigh....So, when I had my giveaway, most of the 7200 downloads that people got were the incorrect, unedited versions of my first book. Yeah, not a good thing because the reviews can kill ya! After bad versions kept being sold by kindle, I pulled all of my books off the market. I will re release them in hopes that the system has been purged of the bad copies. I will probably slap a 2nd Edition qualifier on them so people will know that they have been re worked. And, while I'm at it, I think I will revise/reedit/reformat all of them.  Why not right?  Make sure that the product going out there is as close to perfect as it's going to get.

FAMILY: We had a great Christmas and New Year despite an illness in the house. At Christmas, Mr Insane had a high fever and a sore throat. When the fever had disappeared, he got a spotty rash. It started to clear up completely and then a couple of fever blisters appeared.

At New Year, Miss Crazy had the sore throat and high fever. After the fever ended she got a splotchy rash and a fever blister. Her rash faded quickly, but now she has red patches under her eyes and on one side of her face.

Little Butt has had a runny nose and a slight cough.

The Sophomore had a sore throat and swollen gums but no fever.

I have had swollen gums and sore teeth for almost two weeks - plus a stuffy nose.

I have absolutely no clue what this virus was, but it was a strange one. Except for the fever Mr Insane and Miss Crazy had, it really wasn't that traumatic.  The fever blisters and rashes just look/looked nasty. All I can say is that I hope it is gone for good.

Despite the illnesses, we had a great time as a family during the holiday season.  I will have pictures soon - I just have to cut certain people (Who don't like having pics taken and shown) out of them.  Thanks for bearing with me while I have been gone.  This thing we call life can sometimes drive you nuts!!!

Until Next Time...Enjoy your life now that the holidays are over, because before you know it, they will be back!!! Stay happy, healthy, and warm with this crazy winter! <3 <3 <3

Monday, December 23, 2013

MOTIVATION: I DON'T HAVE IT ;)

I have been having nothing but troubles with my new blog layout so I will be changing it soon! Sorry for the constant crazy changes. LOL

So, I've been having some motivational issues as you can tell. I didn't do a blog at all last week. I am eyeballs deep in trying to finish up my latest novel and that doesn't help get me interested in much else. I actually have it written, but I am in the process of typing. Then will come editing/beta reading and I may have to cut it a bit, which would be heartbreaking because I love it so much. I am at 66,000 words now and still have three chapters to type.

I am also enjoying the time off my kids are having for winter break.  They have been relatively well behaved and it has been fun.  Today, the boy is sick and I hope everyone is okay by Christmas. I'm not exactly sure what is wrong though. He was complaining about his throat which could mean nausea or sore throat (that's just how he manifests it) And he also sounds stuffy and is tired and a bit warm.  He has thrown up once but that could have been him choking on fever reducer so we will just have to wait it out and see.

And now because my motivation is lagging, I am behind on the whole Christmas thing. I have to wrap presents and buy stocking stuffers still and it is Christmas eve, eve!  Aaah, I'm feeling that busy crunch now, when I have other stuff that needs to be done.  I told you it would come back to bite me in the ass! I hope to do some wrapping today/tonight and the stocking stuffers will have to wait until I figure out how many more we need. The package from my sister in law was delayed so we don't know how many stocking stuffers she sent.  (The delay is a whole different story that I may chronicle in a future blog if I end up having to file a formal complaint with the postal service)

So now, my schedule for the day - Type, edit, wrap, shop, household chores, take care of sick boy (who is now feeling a bit better and is playing on the Xbox), wait for postal carrier, sort presents, fix tree that was knocked over...don't ask, start pre prep for Christmas dinner, make about a thousand phone calls...and I know there is stuff I'm forgetting. I will be doing this while being in the most pain of my life but thanks to support from great readers and fans like YOU! I've got this. :) And it's gonna be a great day.  If I don't see you before then...Have a wonderful Christmas!!!! <3 <3 <3

Until Next Time...I still haven't figured out how to deal with lack of motivation except to just get off my butt and do what needs to be done. I'll be trying to do that today, and if I can't for some reason, I'll live with it because truthfully, what else can you do!

One of my novels is on sale until Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. mountain time if you are interested.

This book will make you laugh, it will break your heart and it will give you hope. - And it's on sale for only 1.99 until Dec 24th at 5 p.m. MST! http://goo.gl/rOJOU0


Monday, December 9, 2013

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY...OR NOT!

Now that Thanksgiving is over and the house is decorated for Christmas, we find ourselves in a lull. The presents are bought (except for a few), it has been decided which ones will be from Santa and which ones from mom and dad, and wrapping has to wait until closer to the big day. Presents can't be put out yet because our tree is so close to the door and melting snow/mud/presents do not mix!

So what do we do now until the big day draws closer? The kids have more activities at school, but once I drop off the snacks and sign the permission slips, I'm done. I guess we could bake some cookies or other treats, but I really don't need those here in the house. Eh who am I kidding we will be doing some baking this year, I just need to wait until I dig the recipes out. But still, that doesn't take much time...maybe a half hour each night. We usually watch tons of Christmas shows, but this year, the XBox has taken center stage out front and nobody seems to be missing them much. I might have to venture into the bedroom and take anyone willing to come along with me. We have a TV in there it yes, it gets ABC Family...We'd be all set. But still that doesn't take all night either.

I think I know the problem! There is NO rush this year.  The presents are bought (except a few), so we aren't running around all month getting this or that and wrapping this or that and buying batteries for this or that. Hell, even on Christmas Eve we will have it easy.  Nothing needs to be put together this year. I know, I know, 'just relax and enjoy' you say. Do you know how hard it is to do that when for the last eighteen years this was the busy season??? I was emailing a friend the other day and I told her I would be having a busy week this week because I thought there was so much more to do than there really is.  Well, it seems that I might be wrapping a few gifts and buying the last of the presents and maybe going to the post office. But that's it!  Nothing Nada...(well except I will be writing, but that's not work, that's fun...most of the time).

Okay, Okay, I will try to relax and enjoy it because hopefully soon the Hubs will have a longer work schedule and I will be having to take the kids to and from school every day. I'm not going to like that, with my hip pain it will increase my work load ten fold. So, yes, I will relax and enjoy my first ever non-busy holiday season. I can do this right?  Yep, I sure can!!!

Until Next Time...When you've got it easy, ENJOY! Because believe me, it might not always be that way.  Take a moment, and smell the roses (or the Christmas Cookies) YUM! :)