October 20th Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina – 

Good morning. So the reason I was being so cryptic was on Friday I drove up to Vermont and picked my daughter up from school so she could surprise my nephew at his going away party. To say he, and a whole bunch of other folks, were surprised would be an understatement. It made it worth the 650 mile trek and the 19 hour day.

I will be bringing her back up to school today after church because she has class tomorrow morning, but this time, I will not be making the trip all in one shot. I will be crashing in my daughter’s dorm tonight and then driving back tomorrow, so hopefully I won’t be as dead come Tuesday.

This also means there really will not be a blog tomorrow. I’m not even bringing my computer with me, so I’m not lying this time. You will have until Tuesday to respond to today’s post.

My daughter is currently in the kitchen getting on her baking fix with some sour cream, chocolate chip muffins. Other than her animals, I think kitchen privileges are what she misses most while at school. Yesterday she made a batch of brownies to bring to the party, but apparently our dog missed my daughter’s baking, and he helped himself when we weren’t looking. He’s fine, but we needed to scramble to come up with a dessert. We took the brownies he did not eat, mixed them with some vanilla ice cream and refroze the mixture. Come dessert time we were able to scoop brownie chunk ice cream. It was a big hit.

Well, I have to get ready for church and pack an overnight bag, so I should get going. I hope you have a wonderful day, and happy writing!

 

Your Last Challenge was:

It was so good to see him/her/them again…

 

At first I didn’t recognize him or perhaps, subconsciously I did, because I continued to stare. He had changed quite a bit, but then again, so had I. Then I heard him laugh at something the store clerk said, and I knew it was him; Josh, my first kiss, my first love, my first broken heart.

He had matured into a handsome man. Gone was the lanky awkwardness of the boy who had grown far too much, far too quickly for his equilibrium to keep pace. He had filled out, but was not overweight by any stretch of the imagination. His hair was still blonde, although liberally streaked with grey, and his azure blue eyes still sparkled with joy and a hint of mischief.

I worried my lip while I debated whether or not I should say anything. He wouldn’t recognize me. I was hardly the girl he knew thirty years ago. Then he turned and saw me. He smiled politely and nodded his head in greeting, the way you would any stranger you met in a store, and started to walk passed me. I sighed. I hadn’t really expected a different reaction, but I had hoped. Well, it was nice seeing him again.

As I put my purchase on the counter, I hear, “Karen?”

I turn and smile, “Hi, Josh.”

 

Your Next Challenge is:

 

 

You have 10 minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

July 24th Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

I had a nice surprise last night. My son popped by. He didn’t stay long, but it was nice to see him. I’m not really caring for this not seeing him every day thing. I know it happened to all parents, and I knew it was time for him to move out, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. I miss him, his sisters miss him, and although he doesn’t say it, I know his father misses him too. AND in less than a month, my daughter’s leaving as well. Just shoot me now.

They need to spread their wings, to grow, to become their own people, find their own way. I get that. I encourage it and I am very proud of them for doing it. I just can’t seem to get the Carrie Underwood lyrics out of my head, “Don’t forget to remember me.” I can’t even imagine what a mess I’m going to be four years from now when my youngest one is gone too.

Ugh, enough of that. I can’t get all bummed out and still be able to write. I think I will be giving you folks another photo challenge today though. I have a bunch of good ones saved, and no new challenge is calling to me at the moment. Hope you all have a great day, and happy writing!

Your Last Challenge was:

 

Write a story containing the following three items: Beach Ball, Ice Cream, Lifeguard

 

It was a glorious beach day. It was hot, but not oppressive. The sky was crystal blue with wispy white clouds, the water was refreshingly cool, and a gentle breeze blew from the ocean to the sand keeping the bugs at bay. Perfect. You couldn’t ask for a better day.

The teenagers I brought with me were frolicking in the waves and I was stretched out in my chair engrossed in a juicy book when a shadow fell across me. I shielded my eyes and looked up. There, standing before me, was an extremely fit, handsome man, holding a beach ball.

He smiled. “I believe this is yours,” he said as he held out the beach ball.

I glanced around our encampment to see if our ball was missing. When I didn’t see it, I stood and scanned the water to locate the kids to see if they had taken it with them. It took a moment to find them, but no, they didn’t have a ball with them.

I sighed, “It appears to be. Thank you.”

 “I watched it roll from your blanket.” He pointed to the lifeguard stand. “When it rolled under my stand, I jumped down and got it for you.”

 “Thank you.” I said as I reached for the ball. “Sorry to have troubled you.”

 “It was no trouble. My shift is over and I was looking for an excuse to come over and introduce myself anyway.” He admitted and handed me the ball. “The Fates must have wanted us to meet as well.”

Oh my God! It was like every teenage fantasy I had ever had. A day at the beach, I catch the eye of some hunky lifeguard, we end the day sitting on my blanket, watching the sun set, eating an ice cream cone. But I was hardly a teenager any more, yet here was this hunky lifeguard, who was around my age, and for some reason he had singled me out.

 

Hmm, this one may just end up being a real story…

 

Your Next Challenge is:

 

You have 10 minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

July 23rd Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

 

Good morning all. Hope everyone had a great Monday. The girls and I were quite productive yesterday, but we realized there was no way we were going to get through all the laundry any time soon with only one washer and dryer, so today we are going to bag it up and head to the laundry mat. Three hours and it will all be done!

 

A majority of the things being washed are things they will no longer wear and are going to be donated, so I didn’t want to waste any extra time on them, when their time could be spent organizing, or in my older daughter’s case, packing. There are still a ton of things down there from when my son lost all his weight, and although my husband is not opposed to hand-me-ups, some of the stuff is just too young for him to wear.

 

I just realized, many of you don’t know about my son’s amazing weight loss. In a little over a year, he dropped 173 lbs! To put that into perspective, that is the equivalent of losing a full grown man! He cut out all soda and sports drinks, almost all carbs, and started going to the gym. He was determined and focused. We are all so proud of him! I made him take one of those cheesy pictures you see in ads that no one ever believes are true.

 

 

 

YES, those really are a pair of his old pants. He went from a 46 to a 32. I’d be happy to drop 20lbs and can’t manage to do it. I am in awe of my child.

 

Your Last Challenge was:

 

 

Phew, the last three bails. Dang my back hurts, but I can’t stop. Not with that storm rollin’ in. Not that I’ complainin’ Lord, we sure could use the rain. These last few weeks have been mostly dry, but if today’s a good soaker, the crops will be just fine. From the feel of my back and shoulder, it’s going to be a good soaker.

Ok, hay done. Next mend the fence, then back to get the horse so I can find where that dang cow’s got to. I swear this is the third time she has wandered off right when she was about to deliver. I don’t get it. Is some rocky ravine more appealing to give birth? Ah, no use complainin’, ain’t gunna change the situation none. I just gotta go get her.

Wonder if Mike’s around? Sure could use the help if she’s actually gone into labor. Best pack some food, just in case we’re out there a while. Lord only knows how it will take to find the fool creature.

There. Done. That wasn’t too bad. Thank God for small favors. Alright, back to the house.

 

A cowboy’s thought’s while he’s working???

 

Your Next Challenge is:

 

Write a story containing the following three items: Beach Ball, Ice Cream, Life Guard

  

You have 10 minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.