I had lunch with Tori today and during out conversation, she told me a friend of hers took her out to dinner the other night. Then she tells me that he bought her two dinners; one to eat at dinner and one to take home for the next day.
That's when you know how poor you really are.
Tori is in her second year at Texas State. She lived on campus last year and this year she's sharing an apartment with 3 other students. What is surprising to many is that she is TOTALLY paying her own way. Steve and I have pitched in less than $500 for her college education in the last two years.
This semester she is taking 23 hours. She works from 8-12 M-F at a job she hates but the hours work out good for her. Then she takes classes from 2-9 M-Thursday. She applies for every grant or loan she can to help her out and pays the rest on her own. She occasionally asks her father for help, but he's promised and not delivered twice in the last two years; leaving her in horrible binds where we had to scramble to come up with tuition.
This semester she spent over $500 of her own accumulated earnings on books and still could not afford all the books for every class. She has to try to get study dates so she has a book to look over. She's so broke she qualifies and gratefully accepts food stamps; but not enough to actually feed her all month.
Her puppy ate most of her shoes and for weeks she was wearing shoes that were taped/glued together and would leave pieces behind her when she walks. She's so broke she can't afford the gas to drive home and visit us on the weekend -- and we live less than 30 minutes away.
She's so broke and goes without so many meals that all the other students feed her and take her out to eat. Now THAT is broke.
Tori rescheduled an exam and spent money to drive to Brady to support me when Becky was buried. In a car that has no AC and the windows don't roll down on.
I don't share this because I want everyone to feel bad for Tori. I share it because she is the most amazing person I know. I never went to college on my own. I wouldn't even know how to fill out grant or loan applications to do so. And regardless of how bad she has it, Tori never complains.
I meet her for lunch each Tuesday and buy her cheap Mc D's. I give her $20 for gas, which sometimes is hard to come by. But she always needs it worse than I do. Yet, every time I call her she is smiling and joking. She calls money found in unexpected places "God Money". She is excited and happy every week when I give her the measly little twenty. Always happy to see us and gives us hugs and kisses. If I ever text or ring her, she immediately responds with concern . . . "Is everything okay?".
She never complains about her POS (piece of shit) car -- which she paid for herself. She doesn't expect us to fix it or buy her a new one. We do pay her insurance; but she does data entry for my business for the cost.
And it's not like she's almost through school or will be done in a year or two. Tori is looking at 6 years of college; another 4 more after she completes this one.
I find it hard to believe she came from me. That part of my blood runs in her veins. Her dedication, determination, drive . . . lots of "d" words. Maybe I should have named her "D"ori. :)
While she's facing the world with a "can do" spirit, I wish there was more I "could do" for her. I see parents that give their kids everything; new car, paid education, fancy clothes, apartment, spending money. And most of the time I don't think their children are as deserving as Tori is.
When are children are young, we brag about everything they do. As our children get older, we don't brag as much. Tonight, I felt the need to brag a little.
I love you kiddo!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The short of the matter . . .
I've been slowly gaining weight since Will's birth. Then over the last year, while I was on anti-depressants, not so slowly. I've put on over 30 pounds since I had Will. Which sucks, I can't even blame it on baby fat.
But as you can imagine, this has really affected my ability to clothe myself. Sometimes I go through sizes so fast, I don't even feel the need to wash anything after I wear it. It feels like I should just wear it, through it in the Goodwill box, and purchase the next larger size.
My closet has become a revolving doorway. I can't get enough clothes I can wear comfortably into the closet, before I am boxing up the next size I've outgrown.
I think mom had a premonition this was going to happen. About a year after Will's birth she gave me clothes for my birthday . . . nice clothes. But I was stumped when I realized she'd put in a pair of stretchy maternity shorts in my size. I didn't throw them away, and it's a good thing too. Over the last few years they have often become my comfortable around-the-house shorts.
In fact, do to their comfort, I occasionally find myself staring longingly at the maternity section when I'm trying to find something that fits at the department store.
You would think that was bad enough, but today I hit a new low.
I was up late writing and not quite awake yet when I stumbled out of bed. I reached over to grab some comfy shorts and slipped them on. It was a good 10-15 minutes later when I went to visit the little girl's room before I noticed they were on backwards. The tag was in the front. All of a sudden it made perfect sense, they had been fitting better than they normally did. Really comfy.
So I don't know what is worse, the fact my pants fit better when on backwards . . . or the fact I left them that way.
But as you can imagine, this has really affected my ability to clothe myself. Sometimes I go through sizes so fast, I don't even feel the need to wash anything after I wear it. It feels like I should just wear it, through it in the Goodwill box, and purchase the next larger size.
My closet has become a revolving doorway. I can't get enough clothes I can wear comfortably into the closet, before I am boxing up the next size I've outgrown.
I think mom had a premonition this was going to happen. About a year after Will's birth she gave me clothes for my birthday . . . nice clothes. But I was stumped when I realized she'd put in a pair of stretchy maternity shorts in my size. I didn't throw them away, and it's a good thing too. Over the last few years they have often become my comfortable around-the-house shorts.
In fact, do to their comfort, I occasionally find myself staring longingly at the maternity section when I'm trying to find something that fits at the department store.
You would think that was bad enough, but today I hit a new low.
I was up late writing and not quite awake yet when I stumbled out of bed. I reached over to grab some comfy shorts and slipped them on. It was a good 10-15 minutes later when I went to visit the little girl's room before I noticed they were on backwards. The tag was in the front. All of a sudden it made perfect sense, they had been fitting better than they normally did. Really comfy.
So I don't know what is worse, the fact my pants fit better when on backwards . . . or the fact I left them that way.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Where the wild things are . . .
I set up a separate blog for the sole purpose of posting my chapters there as I finish them. The blog is located at http://novel-wolfcub.blogspot.com/.
First, please remember that I am writing against extreme time constraints. I am not editing or reworking the chapters as I finish them. They are in RAW form. Please feel free to post edits, issues you find, or even comments about the chapters. But be aware that I will not be working on those chapters again until December at the earliest.
Also, I'd like to let you know the book I am writing is a paranormal romance that is extra sexy; so be prepared. This is the genera I find myself most drawn to at the moment and therefore the easiest to write in.
As Tori says, I've read every thing else. LOL
If you've tried to follow the link out to my profile on the NaNo site and been unable to follow the link . . . they have been experiencing unexpectedly high traffic and are having some problems. They are suppose to be working on it and it should improve over the next few days.
Thanks to everyone who's emailed me and shared their cheer and goodwill!
First, please remember that I am writing against extreme time constraints. I am not editing or reworking the chapters as I finish them. They are in RAW form. Please feel free to post edits, issues you find, or even comments about the chapters. But be aware that I will not be working on those chapters again until December at the earliest.
Also, I'd like to let you know the book I am writing is a paranormal romance that is extra sexy; so be prepared. This is the genera I find myself most drawn to at the moment and therefore the easiest to write in.
As Tori says, I've read every thing else. LOL
If you've tried to follow the link out to my profile on the NaNo site and been unable to follow the link . . . they have been experiencing unexpectedly high traffic and are having some problems. They are suppose to be working on it and it should improve over the next few days.
Thanks to everyone who's emailed me and shared their cheer and goodwill!
Dead Kitty Trap
I was out sitting beside the driveway watching Will ride his bike when Steve drove up. He joined me, and we sit outside in the pleasant weather for about an hour or so. Will stopped riding his bike at some point and started playing in the gravel/rocks along the side of the driveway.
Before you know it, he's digging a hole. While we are sitting there talking a cat runs across the road in front of us and Steve mummers in an evil voice, "Here Kitty, Kitty."
That reminded me to tell him about the day before when Will and I were driving through the neighborhood and Will saw a cat. He said emphatically, "We hate kitties." I just rolled my eyes, knowing exactly where he got that opinion.
"Why? Why do we hate kitties, Will?"
"Because they are evil," he responds, like I'm an idiot and didn't know that.
Steve laughs.
Then we ask Will what he is digging. "A dead kitty trap," he mumbles. Steve laughs harder. Death has been spoken of a lot in our house lately, but I don't think Will has grasped the concept. I'm pretty sure he meant he was going to trap and KILL a kitty . . . which isn't really better.
"If you are going to catch dead kitties," I ask, "what are you going to bate your trap with?"
"Dead catnap," Steve replies.
Before you know it, he's digging a hole. While we are sitting there talking a cat runs across the road in front of us and Steve mummers in an evil voice, "Here Kitty, Kitty."
That reminded me to tell him about the day before when Will and I were driving through the neighborhood and Will saw a cat. He said emphatically, "We hate kitties." I just rolled my eyes, knowing exactly where he got that opinion.
"Why? Why do we hate kitties, Will?"
"Because they are evil," he responds, like I'm an idiot and didn't know that.
Steve laughs.
Then we ask Will what he is digging. "A dead kitty trap," he mumbles. Steve laughs harder. Death has been spoken of a lot in our house lately, but I don't think Will has grasped the concept. I'm pretty sure he meant he was going to trap and KILL a kitty . . . which isn't really better.
"If you are going to catch dead kitties," I ask, "what are you going to bate your trap with?"
"Dead catnap," Steve replies.
I'm up and running!
I managed to come up with a book title (Wolf Cub), a synopsis, and a prologue. Yeah me!
I've added all the above to my NaNoWriMo bio at: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user%252F451311.
I've written over 700 words today. I expect to write another 1000 before I call it quits tonight. I am going to post them on a page of my website so you can read along as I write my book; if you are interested. I'll probably post a link to the page later after I finish up my writing for the night. I need to average close to 1800 words a day to keep on schedule for completion; more is better.
But now? It's time to go be mommy/wife for a while.
Oh yeah, you will notice the photo I use on my bio page is an old one taking from last year. I like thinking of myself as 20-30 pounds lighter than I am; and that photos looks it, so I thought what the hell. :)
I've added all the above to my NaNoWriMo bio at: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user%252F451311.
I've written over 700 words today. I expect to write another 1000 before I call it quits tonight. I am going to post them on a page of my website so you can read along as I write my book; if you are interested. I'll probably post a link to the page later after I finish up my writing for the night. I need to average close to 1800 words a day to keep on schedule for completion; more is better.
But now? It's time to go be mommy/wife for a while.
Oh yeah, you will notice the photo I use on my bio page is an old one taking from last year. I like thinking of myself as 20-30 pounds lighter than I am; and that photos looks it, so I thought what the hell. :)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
I did it, and I hope I don't live to regret it.
As you might have guessed from my postings, I've always enjoyed writing and assumed I'd be a writer some day. Well, with recent events in my life . . .
1) My sister dying and making me realize that you can never put off what you want to accomplish,
2) My cousin Lori's unexpected encouragement, and true enjoyment, of my writing, and
3) My sister-in-laws actually getting something published (the bitch!).
((I really love my sister-in-law and she is a very religious person; so I hope she appreciates my humor in the last remark.)) . . .
I did something totally out of the blue with not thinking about it at all.
I signed up online to participate in the Nation Novel in a Month program (NaNoWriMo) -- www.nanowrimo.org. My sister-in-law first participated years ago and I was jealous when she did it the first time. We were both really into our writing then. She's never dropped the ball though. She completed a whole novel in a month. Went on to sign up and complete a several-year long course in writing online. She's attended writing conventions, met with potential agents, and now has some short stories published. And she's several years younger than me. As I feel uncomfortable continually calling her a bitch, I will refer to her as B from now on. (Feel free to substitute any thing you want for B; it could be Better Writer, Best Woman, Brighter than Me, the options are limitless.)
Anyway, she sends out a message to everyone encouraging us to participate in a contest she is holding in honor of her first publications. The link about B's contest is http://www.almarquardt.com/contest.html -- go check it out.
So there I am on her website, which is dedicated to writing, reading about her publishing something and I'm feeling both envious and low. Then I follow her link to her blog at http://almarquardt.com/blog/ and she has a post about her entering the NaNoWriMo contest for her 4th year. The next thing I know, I'm on the site and signing up.
Now normal people, have known for months they were going to participate in this event. They have pre-plotted, written out their characters profiles, have a basic idea (or a chapter outline) for their upcoming book, and have met with others participating in the same area. Sort of like a bunch of race horses neighing at the starting line. And the moment the clock rolled over to Nov. 1 they WERE OFF!
Me, I sign up Nov. 2 with nothing prepared, no support group, a business I have to run, in the middle of about 6 different patterns I wanted to get finished and out on my site this month, and a son I watch full time. Yeah, this is going to happen.
No, I'm not giving up before I start. I fully intend to complete my 50,000 words during the month of November. But, I will have to make sacrifices . . . starting with two of my favorite things to do; blog and write ehow articles.
Tonight, I went out and posted up three new ehow articles just so they wouldn't be hanging over me while I work on my novel. http://www.ehow.com/members/mistymq-articles.html
And now I am explaining to my family and friends why I won't be blogging much over the next month. Blogging, while something I only started a few weeks ago, has quickly become my new hobby. I enjoy it and think about what I can write about all day. I hope to post a few quick ones every now and then just to keep me current.
Wish me well!
1) My sister dying and making me realize that you can never put off what you want to accomplish,
2) My cousin Lori's unexpected encouragement, and true enjoyment, of my writing, and
3) My sister-in-laws actually getting something published (the bitch!).
((I really love my sister-in-law and she is a very religious person; so I hope she appreciates my humor in the last remark.)) . . .
I did something totally out of the blue with not thinking about it at all.
I signed up online to participate in the Nation Novel in a Month program (NaNoWriMo) -- www.nanowrimo.org. My sister-in-law first participated years ago and I was jealous when she did it the first time. We were both really into our writing then. She's never dropped the ball though. She completed a whole novel in a month. Went on to sign up and complete a several-year long course in writing online. She's attended writing conventions, met with potential agents, and now has some short stories published. And she's several years younger than me. As I feel uncomfortable continually calling her a bitch, I will refer to her as B from now on. (Feel free to substitute any thing you want for B; it could be Better Writer, Best Woman, Brighter than Me, the options are limitless.)
Anyway, she sends out a message to everyone encouraging us to participate in a contest she is holding in honor of her first publications. The link about B's contest is http://www.almarquardt.com/contest.html -- go check it out.
So there I am on her website, which is dedicated to writing, reading about her publishing something and I'm feeling both envious and low. Then I follow her link to her blog at http://almarquardt.com/blog/ and she has a post about her entering the NaNoWriMo contest for her 4th year. The next thing I know, I'm on the site and signing up.
Now normal people, have known for months they were going to participate in this event. They have pre-plotted, written out their characters profiles, have a basic idea (or a chapter outline) for their upcoming book, and have met with others participating in the same area. Sort of like a bunch of race horses neighing at the starting line. And the moment the clock rolled over to Nov. 1 they WERE OFF!
Me, I sign up Nov. 2 with nothing prepared, no support group, a business I have to run, in the middle of about 6 different patterns I wanted to get finished and out on my site this month, and a son I watch full time. Yeah, this is going to happen.
No, I'm not giving up before I start. I fully intend to complete my 50,000 words during the month of November. But, I will have to make sacrifices . . . starting with two of my favorite things to do; blog and write ehow articles.
Tonight, I went out and posted up three new ehow articles just so they wouldn't be hanging over me while I work on my novel. http://www.ehow.com/members/mistymq-articles.html
And now I am explaining to my family and friends why I won't be blogging much over the next month. Blogging, while something I only started a few weeks ago, has quickly become my new hobby. I enjoy it and think about what I can write about all day. I hope to post a few quick ones every now and then just to keep me current.
Wish me well!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
It's ALL Mine!
Last night, Halloween, as we were leaving the house to go trick-or-treating (TOT) the funniest thing happened. Will and I were out in the yard already, almost to the road. Steve was locking up the house and headed our way, when a group of kids noticed him and headed across the yard to get candy. They must have though Will and I had just been TOT there.
Will sees them head across the yard and he turns and yells at them, "No! Stay out of my yard. That is Will's candy!" I was torn between laughing my ass off and worrying about the little heathen I'm raising. Luckily, no one understood him.
As they crossed the yard, this group of 4 or 5 kids ranging from 7-13, my three-year old started after them yelling at the top of his lungs. I had to physically restrain him and explain that even if Papa gave them some of Will's candy we were going to go get more and he'd already eaten all the good candy in the house.
He calmed down. But as luck would have it we ended up following those same kids through the entire neighborhood and fighting Will every step of the way. He just knew they were getting ALL THE CANDY at each house they beat us to.
Will sees them head across the yard and he turns and yells at them, "No! Stay out of my yard. That is Will's candy!" I was torn between laughing my ass off and worrying about the little heathen I'm raising. Luckily, no one understood him.
As they crossed the yard, this group of 4 or 5 kids ranging from 7-13, my three-year old started after them yelling at the top of his lungs. I had to physically restrain him and explain that even if Papa gave them some of Will's candy we were going to go get more and he'd already eaten all the good candy in the house.
He calmed down. But as luck would have it we ended up following those same kids through the entire neighborhood and fighting Will every step of the way. He just knew they were getting ALL THE CANDY at each house they beat us to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
