The month of April has flown by so quickly. I know that my perception of time has changed as I grow older, and I can only attribute that to the amount of things I do each day. Some days are filled with obligations, and those are the ones that fly by almost instantaneously. Other days are slower, but seem to go by just as quickly. Why does this happen? I don’t know, and if I think about it I’m sure I’ll start a rant about how mothers don’t have enough time in the day. But that’s old news, and I’m tired of it. I’ve realized that I need to make myself a priority in order to be happy.

So, In order to combat the endless chatter that goes on in my head (and keeps me awake at night), I’ve taken up yoga. I have to tell you that I love it. When I’m done at my class, I feel so happy it is not even funny. After the first time, I asked my friend who’d joined me, “Do you feel good?” She gave me a strange smile and shook her head. I thought it was because I had finally taken the step to making time for myself. After speaking with another friend who is very close to becoming a certified yoga instructor, she told me that one is supposed to feel like that after yoga. She told me that I was able to connect the poses within me, and that was the reason I felt so good.

Now when I go to yoga class, I anticipate feeling good. Sure the vinyasa yoga is tough on the upper body, but I love it. I love how I feel when I’m done. My mind is clear and, amazingly enough, I feel energized. I’ve even started doing an AM Yoga practice and sometimes a PM Yoga practice – all depends upon when I decide it’s time to go to bed.

Another thing that I’ve been trying to do it relish the sight of my spring flowers. They truly are gorgeous. Here. I’ll show you some – please note that these photos do not do them justice.

I love this picture of my salmon colored tulips. These are almost now depleted. They lasted at least five days, and I enjoyed them every day.

This one shows all the colors of the tulips that have bloomed in my front yard. The salmon colored tulips are in the row beneath the hummingbird feeder – note: the boys have seen the hummingbirds, but I haven’t. I can’t wait to see my first hummer of the season!

Our Weeping Cherry is more beautiful each year. I can’t wait until it is huge and all those pretty lilac blossoms are everywhere.

So there is a bit of Michigan spring for you all who live elsewhere. I’m certainly enjoying it. I hope you are too where ever you are. Remember to take some time for yourself. You’re important too!

Peace,

Kris

Ok, been very busy with work, the kids, life, everything. Just wanted to drop in, say hi! I promise to blog more. Work, although busy at times, should be slower this week, and I should (read that as I hope) to be able to write, write, and what was that? Oh yeah, write.

Talk with you soon.

Peace,

Kris

Well, I’m in the middle of several large editing projects at the moment for work, so my own wip has been sitting on the floor next to my desk screaming at me every time I look at it.  Do I dare say, “Shut up!”? It’s ironic to me that when I finally secure an agent, the other parts of my life become hectic. Sure, some would say that since I’m a contract worker for Nelson, I should be able to tell them I’m not available. The problem with that is my work ethic. If I tell someone that I’ll have something done by a certain date, I’m driven to do that. My agent, bless her heart, doesn’t give deadlines. She told me this in the beginning, and I inwardly said, “Uh oh.” Even my own self-imposed deadlines for this aren’t working.

I guess I need to get myself a true critique partner and not just a beta reader. Perhaps with someone cracking the whip, I’d get my butt in gear and get my own edits completed.

Peace,

Kris

This morning the youngest came down stairs, flushed and cranky, stating in a loud, whiny voice, “I feel like I need to stay in bed all day long!” After taking his temperature (102.8, thank you very much), I had to concur.

I.AM.SO.SICK.OF.EVERYONE.BEING.SICK!!!

I swear, I’m going to completely disinfect my home with all those chemicals that I NEVER use. I can’t stand the fumes nor what those chemicals do to my hands. But by God, I have got to get this house healthy! Maybe if I’d been using those horrible chemicals, everyone in the household wouldn’t have gotten sick. Oh well.

Yesterday we had lovely 71 degree weather. I opened the windows, hoping that the fresh air would clean out the mustiness that has settled into the carpet, furniture, and us over the winter. It was nice to have the breeze and to hear the outside world. Today, it’s about 50 degrees and sunny. Word is is that it’s going to rain. Who knows – I don’t trust the weather people even with their Doppler 1Million. They don’t really know if the wind pattern is going to stay the same. Oh well.

So anyway, I’m home, catching up on some work, need to read a few manuscripts for Nelson, and of course, need to work on my own edits.

Life is just all right right now. It could always be worse!

Peace,

Kris

Well, the respiratory flu has finally hit the last of the Yankee clan. The youngest came down with it, but Thank God! it wasn’t as bad as the rest of us. He came down with a cold and fever. Today the fever is gone, and he’s feeling much better. Hopefully the fever won’t come back, and he’ll be able to make it into school tomorrow for his t-shirt tye-dyeing extravaganza!

I’m so tired of everyone being sick in my house! Today the temperature is supposed to be in the mid-to-high 60’s, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Spring has officially sprung in SE Michigan!! My flowers are sprouting up, just waiting to grow and bloom. The birds are back, singing and getting ready to make their nests in the neighborhood. I’m just so excited to have the sunshine.

Peace,

Kris

I’m working on my edits – yes, you would think by now I’d be finished – and it’s amazing to me how many times I use the word “was.” I’d like to figure out a way to count them all, but that really isn’t necessary. What does need to happen is for me to leave only those “was”es that are appropriate. It truly tightens up the writing by deleting this three-letter word.

Other words I use way too much are: that, just, had, as, and very. Again, slowly I’m going through and removing these little buggers.
How about you? What are your “little darlings”, as my mentor Bonnie Hearn Hill used to say? We had a conversation about this on the Romance Divas forum awhile back. I was pleased to find that I wasn’t the only one who abused these words.

Peace,

Kris

I’m so happy to report that the very first project that I’ve completed with Nelson Publishing & Marketing is now available for purchase.

. . . and that is why we teach is an inspirational book written by Patti Graham, a teacher, who wishes to honor the many “hats” a teacher wears on a daily basis. Through her whimsical prose, readers learn what makes teachers so special. Each page honors and pays tribute to all those dedicated to the profession. This one of a kind book is a delightful gift for any teacher.

You may order this book through Patti’s website here.

I’m not lying when I say that you will cry when you read this book. It is absolutely amazing. Check out Patti’s website, and you’ll be able to read praise for this one of a kind title.

Peace,

Kris

Today marks the month that my oldest son will turn 9. I can’t believe it. Remember when you were young, and the days seemed to go on forever? Summer vacation seemed to stretch and stretch, and it seemed like it would never end?

What has happened to that time reference? Someone told me once that time seems to move faster the more experiences you have in your life. That your brain fills up and with so many points of reference, the brain makes you think that time is moving faster.

I don’t know if that’s true or not. What I do know is that I’m shocked that I have an almost nine-year-old and that this year I’ll start a new decade. But…as my grandmother used to say, never feel your age. I certainly don’t feel like I’m going to start my fourth decade in four months. Not at all.

We’re in the midst of spring in Michigan which means we have weather that combines snow, rain, fog, sun, and wind. My early spring flowers have made their way through the mulch and are trying to bloom. Little yellow and purples ones, with names I have forgotten, have made it and have opened their petals to the elements. I’m grateful for these little bursts of color. Soon my front yard will be the colors of the rainbow, and this thought makes me very happy. We’ve had a long winter, and I’m ready for spring.

Peace,

Kris