My son’s hockey team didn’t make to the semi-finals of the tournament. They played a very strong first and third game, but fell flat on the second game. These players are 7 and 8, and they are not used to playing two games in one day. Even my son, who is one of the best on the team (I’m not bragging here – it’s just a fact, come see for yourself and you’ll say the same thing) played like crap during that second game. They just don’t have the stamina. But all in all, it was a wonderful time. We even heard from other coaches that said our first game, which ended with my son tying up the score 7-7 with 11 seconds left in the third period, was one of the best mite games he’d ever seen played. I have to admit that I stood up and screamed – literally screamed – when my son made that final goal. Arms pumping in the air, practically jumping up and down. I couldn’t help myself. I was just so proud of him.

Now, this morning he’s bummed that he won’t play again until January 5th. We’ve got one practice between now and then, and he is planning on going to open skate with a non-hockey buddy tomorrow. I’ll probably take the kids to open skate next week. I like skating with my son even if he can skate circles around me. It’s a great bonding experience, and it gets my younger son in on the action as well.

What can I say? We’re just hockey fanatics.

Hope the rest of your week goes well. I’m so confused as to what day it is, that I can’t believe it is Friday!

Peace,

Kris

…and by that I mean, back to hockey. Today we start a mini-tournament at Compuware arena, just a mile or so from our house. I like hockey games that are close; we can get the gear ready and be at the rink in a matter of minutes. HockeyBoy has two games today (Noon and 5pm) and then one tomorrow. If his team is in the top four, he’ll have a game on Friday. We’ll be short at least 2 kids, maybe 3, but it should be fun.

Hope your holidays are going well. Ours was nice. I’m still looking forward to the days that the boys will be home, but ask me in a few more days and I’ll probably be singing a different tune! Not because I don’t love them – I sure do! – but the noise level in the house is exponentially higher when they are home. Guess hubby should have bought me ear plugs.

Peace,

Kris

Sure, we haven’t even gotten through Christmas 2007 and I’m already thinking about what my goals will be for 2008. Maybe it’s because of all the life changing events of the past month, maybe it’s because I’m on the cusp of turning 40. Either way, I’m determined to make the year 2008 the best yet.

With that, I’m announcing that I’m starting my own editing/critique service. It’s something that I’ve thought about for quite sometime and have even had several writing friends tell me that I should do this. I feel that I’ve proven to myself that yes, I’m a good editor, with the many books I’ve worked on at Nelson Publishing and Marketing, that I feel confident in stating that I’d make a great person to provide a service to critique manuscripts. I’m working out all the details and will post here how to submit to me if you’re interested. I promise quick turn time and very competitive fees.

I’m also going to get serious about my own writing. I’ve been dabbling in it now for several years, and it’s time that I took myself serious. I’ve realized that although I love editing and all the aspects of getting a book in physical form (including working with illustrators), writing is my passion. It’s high time I took that passion to something other than journaling and blogging.

This will be the year I get an agent.

So, even though we have several more days before the new year starts (and by the way, I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions – those just set you up to fail), what are you thinking about?

Peace,

Kris

Now that the drama of my family has subsided, my story is popping into my head once more. No longer do I feel as if the characters are frivolous, or that I should be spending my day doing “more important” things. Since today was a snow day for my children, no writing (other than the back cover blurb for my Holocaust/Hidden Children book) took place.

I’ve got a meeting tomorrow with a new author, so I’ll be spending at least some of my time reviewing and editing his submission. But I’m hoping that I’ll also have some time to work on my own story. Perhaps I should print up what I have so far, read it over and do a bit of editing.

But with the holidays quickly approaching – did I mention that I’m NOT done shopping yet?- I’m not sure really how much writing will actually get done. But it is an improvement just knowing that I still want to write that particular story. Usually when I abandon a story and its characters, I usually never go back to them. I’m not sure what that says about me as a writer, but I do know that I’m happy to be at least back in the mindset to write.

Peace.

After five weeks, my ninety-eight year-old grandmother has passed away. No matter how many times we thought she’d go, it was still heart-wrenching when I got the call this morning from my dad. Her passing was peaceful. I went to see her and well past after she’d been taken to the funeral home. It certainly was an experience that I will never forget.

I will miss her dearly as she was the single most influential person in my life. My memories with her will live on in me, and I can only be thankful that my children were able to create their own memories.

Rest in Peace, Amelia Elaine Dewstow, January 9, 1909 – December 9, 2007