Category: Family (Page 17 of 24)

Lodging a Complaint

January 13, 2013 / Katie L. Carroll

Complaining is self-indulgent. It’s annoying. And worst of all, it’s boring. But, I’m writing this blog post on a Sunday while The Boy naps. I’ll probably be working tonight editing a manuscript that isn’t mine. When all I really want to be doing right now is snuggling up under a blanket with the book sitting on my coffee table, neglected.

There’s so many reasons why I have no business complaining. Last September I was lucky enough to be able to leave my office job to focus more on taking care of The Boy. Now my job is reading and editing other people’s stories. My schedule and my workload are determined by me. I don’t make as much money as I did in my office job, but money isn’t everything, right?

I have a solid roof over my head. A pretty nice car. A wonderful husband who works full-time, vacuums, does the dishes and laundry, and is a fun and loving father. Last year I had two books published.

Who am I to even utter a single word of complaint? I’m human, that’s who I am. I have bad days. I get tired and whiny. Some days the to-do list exceeds the number of hours in the day and my energy level to get those things done.

So official complaint lodged…I’m moving on. Focusing on the great stuff instead of the stuff that sucks the life out of me. A new year meets a new perspective. That is, until I feel like getting whiny again!

The Christmas Tradition of Decorating Cookies

December 29, 2012 / Katie L. Carroll

Fortunately there was no licking of the ladies or men this year at the annual Christmas cookie decorating extravaganza. Looking back at that old post from 2008, I realize I’ve been making cookies with my twin-not-twin sister’s kids for many years, since the lady-licking nephew was two and a half years old (the same age The Boy will be next year at Christmastime).

Well, now that I’m feeling old (are traditions supposed to make you feel old?), here’s the cookies from this year’s efforts.

My sister’s cookies…she’s such a show-off with her crazy good cookie decorating skills!

My younger nephew’s cookies…I’m guessing that sleigh covered in all that white frosting was one sweet cookie!

My niece’s cookies…the big snowman (saved to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve) and the angel are my favorites.

My older nephew’s cookies…love the eyes on the gingerbread man!

And here are mine!

What holiday traditions did you partake in this year?

Group Poetry

December 14, 2012 / Katie L. Carroll

My family likes to play games on holidays. At Thanksgiving this year, we decided to play a particular favorite poetry game.

The first person writes two lines of poetry at the top of the paper, folds down the first line, and passes it on. The second person adds one additional line and folds over the previous line, and so on until the page is full. So each writer sees just one line of poetry before having to add his/her own line. It can get pretty ridiculous!

Admittedly, they all end up somewhat offensive and slightly plagiarized, and none of them make much sense, so I just picked one that made me chuckle. Enjoy!

The lily wilted on the vine

Her veins they dripped with turpentine

It was an ugly Valentine

It had stripes in its center

They could buy, who not rent her

Spending money is the root of all evils

So hoard it all from the poor peoples

Raise a glass and salute them

Salute them for how they fought

The angry clowns who were addicted to meth

Made by the locals in the town of Bathe

He leaned back his head and drained the carafe

Down his scarf and into his banana hammock so as to set his sausage afloat

Well, I hope no one was seriously offended by that…it’s really mean to be all in good fun!

Celebrating Elixir Bound’s Release Day

September 27, 2012 / Katie L. Carroll

Did you even wonder how an author celebrates the big release day of her debut novel? You might think it’s all caviar and champagne, but it’s generally more subdued than that.

Here’s a picture essay of how I celebrated the release of Elixir Bound.

The celebration began early when Elixir Bound showed up on Amazon a few days before the official release day.

On release day, I had to work at my office job in the morning, but then I got to hang out with The Boy for a little while before it was naptime. Time with The Boy is always my favorite time of the day.

The hubby presented me with flowers when he arrived home after work. The Boy had turned one a few days before and really liked when we said in a high-pitched voice “Happy Birthday!” So all day the hubby kept saying “Happy Book Release Day!” in a funny voice, much to the amusement of The Boy.

My 13-year-old nephew and my twin-not-twin sister threw me a surprise party, complete with a framed copy of Elixir Bound’s cover. I was tickled pink that my nephew was so excited for me!

And there was a festive ice cream cake!

Proud mama with her book baby!

I also had a special post about how I became a writer on fellow Muse author Meradeth Houston’s blog. Thanks to everyone who has shared in my journey of becoming a published novelist. I appreciate all the well wishes and support. And keep buying those books!

Happy Birthday to The Boy

August 28, 2012 / Katie L. Carroll

Last I knew it was just a few months ago when I posted about the birth of The Boy during Hurricane Irene. Oh wait, it’s been a year! I don’t consider myself much of a poet, but let me have a little clichéd moment and share this poem I wrote for my son on his first birthday.

Battling bottle boycotts,

bumps, bruises, and booby bites

“Bah bah” brought a smile.

Drowning in dirty diapers,

deprived of sleep, and doubting

“Dada” drew endless laughs.

Missing pre-mommy me time,

my memory, and warm meals

“Mama” melted my heart.

Doggies say “eh eh,”

Ducks go “cack cack,”

Dragons breathe “haaaa.”