Movies to Recover From Surgery By:

Hello all – I’m recuperating from a surprise surgery last week and am looking forward to Wednesday when my Harry Potter DVD will arrive via UPS (I just love Amazon). I spent today watching all 3 Pirates of the Caribbean back to back (in between bouts of dozing). Tomorrow will be Lord of the Rings. And then Wednesday will be my Harry Potter day! I don’t much get out to the movies – I’m one of those that just really prefer staying home where I can pause it if I need to and I can watch the movie sprawled out on the couch, snuggled up under a blanket!

It’s funny though how we react during sickness or recovery – the things we turn to for comfort. In my case you would think it would be books. But when I’m not feeling well it’s the movies I reach for. Like having a good friend sitting on the couch with you, commiserating with your aches and pains, not judging your unkempt hair or the slightly funky smells emanating from your general area (oh come on, you know it’s true!).

So wish me luck – I probably won’t be writing much for the next week or so (or at least until I can sit at the computer for more than 20 minutes without hyperventilating). Until then I’ll be with Frodo and Aragorn and Harry Potter and Captain Jack Sparrow!

Dear Santa,

Uh huh, you read that right. I’m going to take a night and indulge in one of the most heartwarming (and yet oh so hilarious events) I’ve ever had the pleasure to be a part of. This was the first year that my 4 year old was actually able to understand and “write” his very own letter to Santa. We did the whole bit with the envelope addressed to the North Pole (although I didn’t go completely crazy and pay for that “Dear Santa” letter thing). We got the Dear Santa part down and then my son got this very serious expression on his face.

After a few moments of intense concentration (and no writing) I asked him what he was doing. His answer? “Mother,” (all drawn out, I can’t wait until he’s a teenager *shudder*), “I want to get it right.”

“Get it right?” This from me staring in amazement (and confusion) at this little being who was looking like he had found a genie bottle and was only allowed one wish. I had been expecting a frenzied babbling of every toy he’d seen in every commercial for the last 6 months. “Honey, what would you really like for Santa to bring you?”

And it finally clicked. The slow grin spread across the face. Those beautiful green eyes lit up. And we were off.

“I want a rocket that will take me places like they have on Little Einsteins and I want a dragon that can live in our tree – he’ll be my very best friend. And I want a Power Rangers bike with the dragon and the sounds,” (finally, something I could actually take care of), “and I want a little brother . . . ” (Uh oh) “. . . the same age as me so that we can play baseball and chase together.”

Well by now I have writer’s cramp and a headache from trying to figure out how to get around the ‘little brother’ issue. And then comes the pièce de résistance . . . “and Santa, I want you to make it so my mommy doesn’t have to work so that she’s not tired and she can spend all day playing with me.”

Wow! Number one I don’t think anyone has ever wished that for me before (except for maybe MY mommy) and number two – instant ocean of guilt. Am I too short with my son? Do I not spend enough time with him? I work from home. We do lots of activities together. Do I work too much? Well yeah, probably. But I have a house to take care of and rising costs from every direction.

My little one looked at me and I guess he saw the worry on my face because he grabbed me by the cheeks, planted a kiss, told me he loved me . . . and pointed at the paper because he had thought of some other things he wanted to add! Oh well, one of the few times that a short attention span is actually a good thing.

So now I think I’ll write my own letter to Santa. And I’ll ask for the health of my family and friends, prosperity . . . and a few extra hours a day to spend with the love of my life.

PJacks

Things I’m Thankful For:

Now that I am gradually coming back out of my turkey-induced stupor, I realized that I had not devoted any time to pondering all of the things that I am thankful for. So I thought I’d do a quick little list that I can look back on through the year when I get stressed or frustrated – I know it’s hard to imagine a writer getting stressed or frustrated, right?

My List:

1) My Family. I can’t imagine life without my family – even when they are being annoying!

2) The health of my family and friends – the good health I should add.

3) Technology – the fact that it allows me to work from home so that I can spend even more time with my family!

4) Coffee – there is nothing like the smell of coffee brewing and a great cup of coffee can make even the worst day better.

5) Imagination – both mine and other’s. Books, movies, songs – I love being able to disappear for a bit into someone else’s world. Although I’m always happy to come back home again after!

I could go on . . . but I think we all get the idea. I hope everyone (who celebrates it anyway) had a wonderful holiday and has their own list of things they are thankful for!

PJacks

Technology: Books and/or E-Books

I’ve read quite a bit about the booming technology industry and the question of whether or not real, paper and print books will disappear. My opinion is that no – they won’t. I love my technology – don’t get me wrong. I even have my PDA set up to where I can download e-books and carry them with me. To be honest I haven’t evolved enough yet to do the audio book thing but I have enjoyed most of the books that I’ve downloaded. They can be found for free all over the internet and it’s a great chance to read other unpublished authors in my same field – to see what’s out there.

Having said that – I still buy at least a book a week. There’s just something about holding the book in your hands and curling up on the couch. I stare at a computer screen all day long (and sometimes all night) and going to bed and staring at yet another electronic screen to read a book just does not sound that relaxing!

On the other hand – I can store 30 or 40 books on my PDA and slip it into my purse. It’s a great way to have something to read while waiting for an appointment or on a trip where you don’t want to be weighed down.

My final opinion is that they both have their place. I enjoy my e-books and all but they will never replace my love for a physical book that I can hold in my hand, dogear a page, and revisit like the old friends they are.

PJacks