Ugh with a Capital Uh

My head is spinning. I feel like Linda Blair. lol I’ve been taking my Meclizine, but according to the package, it says NOT to exceed 2 tablets in 24 hours. I’ve taken one at about 10am this morning. Here it is about 2pm, and I feel like I need another one.

So what will happen if I exceed the 2 tablet minimum? Is Meclizine habit-forming? It’s actually a small, chewable tablet that resembles children’s medication. Even has the chalky-orange flavor we remember as kids.

It’s so weird, though. I feel like I’m buzzed. If I sit still, I’m fine. Move my head and WHEEE!!!

The first time I got this was Christmas of 2004. I got it again 9 months later in September. Here it is, nine months after THAT, in June. If I get this damned illness again in April, then we’ll all know how often it rears it’s ugly head.

But since my kids have been sick recently, I can’t help but wonder if *their* sickness brought on the dormant Labyrinthitis (dance magic dance). I wonder if being “sick” kind of triggers it in there. I don’t know. All I know is I feel like I’m on a ship in the ocean. With a head full of cotton.

I think I’d fail a field sobriety test right about now. LOL But is that due to the illness or the Meclizine? Hmm…

~~Becka

Sicktastic

Welp, every year this happens. Someone in the family gets sick, and it spreads throughout the house like wildfire.

All the kids had fevers last week, and we battled that. Now this week, they’re all coming down with colds. Miriam is the only one that it hasn’t effected yet. But my oldest, Hannah, has a big frog in her throat. Poor thing sounds like she’s been smokin’ for forty years!

I rarely get sick, and if I do get sick, it’s mild. Today, I woke up with a mild sore throat and a headache. I’m hoping it won’t escalate into full-blown sickyness. But lately, I’ve been having dizzy spells, short ones, but it’s alarming. No, I’m not pregnant, so please don’t jinx me in that regard.

But two years ago, I was struck by an affliction called “Acute Labyrinthitis”. Unfortunately, this is not a sickness where David Bowie and his codpiece come to kidnap you back to the Goblin City. Darn it all. No, this is a malady that is a “cold” in your inner ear, attacking the “labyrinth”, the term doctors use for that nifty little fluid-filled thingy that affects your balance. Needless to say, you have extreme dizziness and vertigo. It’s horrid.

To treat this illness, the doctor can’t do much for you. Therefore, to save you from a trip to the doc, the icky paperwork, the co-pay, and deductible that you might have to fork over, I’ll just tell you the treatment.

Dr. Goings is IN.

Meclizine. That is what you need. It is an over-the-counter motion sickness drug that people usually buy for long car trips. It costs maybe $4.99 a bottle. Save your money and trust Dr. Goings. Labyrinthitis goes away after about a week or so. Until then, don’t operate any heavy machinery.

Anyway, as I was saying, I’ve been getting dizzy spells lately and I think it’s coming back. I got it last year again as well. I guess once you get it, it’s “chronic”. Dammit. My dizzy spells aren’t that bad right now. And if I treat them with Meclizine, they won’t become worse. But if you don’t treat it with some kind of drug, you will need a barf bag. Literally. Labyrinthitis doesn’t fool around. I learned that the hard way two years ago. **shudders**

Let’s just hope this crappola goes away. I hate being dizzy. Then again, it gives me an excuse to get out of doing housework to sit still on the computer all day.

Pass the meds!

~~Becka

On Eagle’s Wings Coming to Print July 31st PREORDER NOW!

Will Eagle’s Wing be able to fix the time-line he’s derailed without losing his heart in the deal?

~*~

Now here this! LOL On Eagle’s Wings is coming to PRINT on July 31st, but you can pre-order NOW for a limited price of $8.95 (normally $9.95).

To pre-order, go to http://www.champagnebooks.com.

~*~

In 1866, Shannon Phillips has hired a guide to take her to her grandfather’s cabin in Wyoming. But the guide has other appalling ideas. As he tries to rape her, she is saved just in time by a handsome Indian named Eagle’s Wing.

But Eagle has made a grave mistake. Being a Time Tourist from the year 2166, the rules are clear: do not interact with the populace, or you risk altering the time-line permanently. And Shannon Phillips was meant to get pregnant from that rape!

Now in an effort to repair the time-line, Eagle must do something to get Shannon pregnant and fast. But there’s just the two of them on the wide open plain. Will Eagle be able to fix his mistake without losing his heart in the deal? And will Shannon be able to let go once he returns to the future?

~*~

5 Hearts from The Romance Studio: “…Sensual and romantic is this story and if I could I would give it ten hearts. Loved it!!!!”

4 Stars from eCataromance: “…ON EAGLE’S WINGS will keep you entertained and smiling long after the last page is turned.”

4 Cupids from Cupid’s Library: “…On Eagle’s Wings is a sweet, sensual time-travel story and an enjoyable read for a lazy summer afternoon.”

~*~

Preorder your PRINT copy today!

http://www.champagnebooks.com

~~Becka
http://www.RebeccaGoings.com

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

There has been some talk in the writing world about JK Rowlings interview where she says that she is killing off two of her HP characters at the final book.

She is quoted as saying: “I can completely understand, however, the mentality of an author who thinks, `Well, I’m gonna kill them off because that means there can be no non-author-written sequels. So it will end with me, and after I’m dead and gone they won’t be able to bring back the character.”

This has brought up discussions on various blogs including one at Paperback writer’s Blog. Reading all of the comments posted there got me to wondering, what would I do in this case? First off, I’m not Ms. Rowlings so I doubt I’ll ever have to worry about this being an issue for me. But I do have a myriad of partial WIPs in my files. I also have hand written sketches for another book, a sequel to my book Hawk’s Rayne (I’ve been requested to write a sequel, ages ago by the publisher) and a secondary character in my book Seeing the Light, I was asked for Tawny’s story. (She is in the works, honest I just have to finish some other obligations first.)

So what would I do in this case? I discussed it at length when my DD and I had lunch with my mother this afternoon and my DD had this to say: “If you will any of your writing stuff to someone don’t let it be me because I suck when it comes to writing.” Of course I had obligations to argue this point because a) she’s my DD and b) the child has a vivid imagination and she does have potential as a writer. She had her first book published in the third grade. Granted it was a school project and the books were paid for printing, but that isn’t the point. I spent the next hour or so trying to convice her that she should think long and hard about it before making a decision.

And of course this brought another issue to mind. Am I trying to force a future career on my DD? Every parent has at one point or another been thrilled to hear their child say I want to be this when I grow up because its what you do. I was an EMT for many years on the local fire department and from the time my DD was able to think about what she longed to be when she grew up she said “I want to be an Emt just like you, mommy.” Words to make my heart soar. I wasn’t considering her reasons for this. I became an EMT because I wanted to help people. Sure there is a bit of glory seeking, how ever miniscule it may be. To me there was nothing more heroic or appealing than EMT/ Rescue workers. (I grew up ont the television show Rescue with Randolph Mantooth…to me he was the epitome of the hunky hero). So did I want my DD to be an Emt to honor my role in her life or because helping people is the real issue. I can’t say for certain.

Now that she is getting older her passions are changing. She no longer is absolutely one hundred percent sure of what she wishes to be when she is grown. Her goal is to graduate high school and get a place with her best friend either residing in Tennessee or Pennsylvania. (Neither option I am thrilled with. The whole empty nest thing, ya know.) But she doesn’t have a goal for the rest of her life.

I am trying to squelch the desire to say you have to know now because I didn’t know at her age. One thing I knew for certain was that one day I wanted to be a published author. A dream I’d had since I was young enough to pick up my first book and get enthralled with the world the writer created. I’ve had so many jobs while trying to find this point in my life, I was sure people saw me as a wishy washy person who had no idea where they were headed, like a ship tossed about without a course. I prefer to think of myself as a free spirit…

So now two topics are floating in my brain. What am I going to do with my characters and stories that are in hodling or working stages? And am I pushing my daughter too hard to be what I want her to be rather than giving her the chance to plot her own course for her life?

I have two hopes: I don’t die before all my thingsd are published and I have no further to be written works. And that my daughter finds happiness in whatever she chooses to be when she grows up. (I also hope for the wisdom to keep my mouth shut unless asked for opinions in helping her giude her course in the future.)

What about you? What would your answers be in these situations?

On newsletter news. We have made the decision to release the Magic Mavens Newsletter once every two months rather than quarterly. We’re planning on adding more writing information and having contests for people who are newsletter members. Keep watching our blog for updates including prize lists!

Huggles all!
Donica

Come Join Me!

Hey all, I’m going to be the guest “debut” author for the next three days at Romance Junkies. Come join me.


Click to join RomanceJunkiesReaders

Wow, it’s really late and my eyes are drooping but . . . I feel a bit poetic. I’ve decided that writing is like painting. The artist starts with a concept and sketches a rough outline onto the canvas. He studies the draft, then begins laying in background. Background first for the artist. For the writer, he should know the backstory before he puts pen to paper and while he won’t write backstory first, it’s there in the back of his mind so that it trickles onto the paper a speck at a time. Now the artists is ready to begin the body of work. He layers color upon color to build a most vibrant painting. The contrast catches the eye while the focal point begs for a closer look.

Writers layer with words, building until that crucial black moment that snares the reader with emotion. And then the final touch, the HEA.

Yep – can’t tell I’m a romance author, can ya?

Ciara

Becka’s on MySpace!

Hey guys, I don’t know how many of you are on MySpace, but if you’d like to visit my page and/or blog, you’re welcome, and I’d love to connect to some friends! You can check out my page at:

http://www.myspace.com/rebeccagoings

Yay, another tool for procrastination! LOL

~~Becka
http://www.RebeccaGoings.com

The Weekend in a Nutshell

My second daughter Miriam had her birthday party on Saturday. Her actual birthday is on Wed. the 28th, but we decided to have her party on the weekend before the four day Fourth of July weekend. She had an AWESOME day. Her aunt and uncle paid to have Princess Jasmine of Aladdin fame call her for special birthday wishes. How cool is that?! She made out with some LOOT. She got all kinds of clothes, toys, jewelry, a new video game, and a cute little fold-up playhouse I bought at Target. Here are some pics of the party:

Miriam, blowing out her birthday candles on her pretty pink cake. Her sister Simone is between my arms, trying to help out. So cutesy.

The playhouse on our deck. That’s Miriam’s cousin Nathan standing outside the door, my nephew. You can see Simone’s pretty flower dress poking out.

See that pool through the slats of our deck? That’s our 24 ft. Dough Boy pool. Did we go swimming this weekend? Why yes we did. Finally summer arrived after cool temperatures, soaring into the 90’s, after nice, balmy 70 degree weather. We all swam in the pool, and bought cool floaty devices for all the kids. No longer are they grabbing precariously to the edge, they were playing and splashing and floating in the water with glee. I think they’ll be swimming for real in no time.

The cool thing about our pool is, we looked at our address on Google Maps, and we’re the only house for MILES with one. It’s so wonderful to go swimming, because it lowers your body temperature, so even though it’s hot outside, you stay cool for hours afterward. And it’s nice having a daylight basement in our house, because it stays about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than our second story. Makes sense, since it’s halfway underground and has a floor made out of concrete. LOL

We had a yummy BBQ this evening. Jim smelled someone else BBQ-ing on the wind, and that’s what he wanted for dinner. LOL So we cheated on our diet and busted out the hamburger patties, hotdogs, macaroni & potato salads, and cupcakes. Today was a good day. I have a feeling I’ll be paying for my “sins” tomorrow, however. My body doesn’t like the high intake of fatty foods any longer. It might taste heavenly, but boy, do you feel like hell a few hours later. >:D

~~Becka

Another Request!

Boy, it’s hot today. A whoppin’ 95 degrees. UGH! So there’s nothing else to do but sit in front of the computer and write my newest story, Pleasure Hideaway…and wouldn’t you know, the temperature just got hotter!

But while I was on the Internet checking out my emails, I noticed one from Triskelion Publishing. They have requested one of my steamy historicals, SPANISH EYES. Keep your fingers crossed for me that they decide to take me on as one of their authors. Not only do they publish electronically, they do paperbacks, too. Here’s the blub of the story I sent them–

It’s 1879, and headstrong suffragette, Rebecca Wakefield, is determined to be a Pinkerton Detective. Luring and capturing the notorious Spanish thief, Anton Carrera, will make that happen…if she can just avoid losing her heart to the womanizing scoundrel. But Rebecca is willing to do anything to prove her worth–even charm the man she suspects has stolen his uncle’s fortune.

Lady’s man Anton Carrera decides to seduce the woman who has attended his opera two weeks straight, but instead, her innocence and intoxicating beauty captures his heart. He is shocked to learn she is a Pinkerton Agent. Worse, her determination to win the trust of her employer means she refuses to believe the truth about his thievery. Knowing her independence is putting her in to danger, Anton is determined to protect her…even if it means proving his innocence by taking her to Spain against her will.

Anton realizes that although he has brought Rebecca to Padre Island to protect her, he can think of nothing but seducing her. But more than Anton’s heart is in jeopardy, for the murderous game his uncle has started reaches out to them wherever they go. Can Anton keep them both alive? For saving the life of the adorable Pinkerton Agent is suddenly all he wants.

Phyllis Campbell
www.phyllismariecampbell.com

Brain Mush

Hmmm, did the title arouse your curiosity. Mine, too. Ha ha. But seriously, I’ve been away this past week attending a workshop for artists and oh my, I learned tons. And I had sorta an epiphany. Just not sure my brain is up for putting it all into words, but I’ll try.

Here it is: It’s not all about me. Wow, that was profound. But the teacher really opened my eyes. A lot of times, as teachers, we do things to make ourselves look good and we forget the learning process that occurs for the student. It’s not about me. It’s about them. And ya know what. Same can be said for writers/readers. It’s not about me. I don’t write to get rich. I write to entertain, to share, to connect with others that have the same love of reading that I do.

So – what’s new in my world? Find out. Come join me on June 27 for an author day or two or three at Romance Junkies. Way cool, ugh?

RomanceJunkiesReaders@yahoogroups.com

Come join a great reading loop and discover things you didn’t know.

Ciara

My Poor Little Dude

So I took my son to the allergist today for his scratch test. Found out he’s allergic to grasses and pollens. That means, he’ll pretty much have hay fever for the rest of his life. The doc said that it should go away in a few weeks, as after the 4th of July, the grasses aren’t as prevalent. So that’s good.

He also said the boy was mildly allergic to soy and dog dander, but not enough to be concerned by. He said there’s a chance that his allergies could get worse over time, but for right now, he just gets some nasal spray and Benadryl or liquid Zyrtec for his allergies.

But let me tell ya, that allergist was a hottie! LOL He wasn’t your HUNK, but he had nice eyes and an attractive smile. It was nice chatting with him for a few minutes. hehe

But Becka, you might say, aren’t you happily married?? Why yes I am, I answer. And I love my DH dearly. But I still find certain men attractive. Doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything about it, just gonna admire from afar. LOL

Went to Fred Meyer’s today to pick out DD’s cake for her birthday party tomorrow. Her birthday is actually next Wednesday, the 28th, but since the next weekend was close to the 4th, I didn’t want to have it that weekend. She picked a beautiful pink cake with hearts and Tweety bird on it. Admittedly, I was a little disappointed in their bakery’s selection of cakes. Mostly boy cakes. For those who might not know, Fred Meyer’s, (or more affectionately known as “Freddy’s” by the locals), is a grocery store chain here in the Pacific Northwest. But not just groceries. Imagine if Target had a full grocery section. That’s what Freddy’s is like.

Or like one of those Super Wal-Marts. We love Freddy’s. In fact, I joke sometimes that I should just set up a cot in the back room or apply for a job since I’m there all the time. LOL Somewhat of a local celebrity there, not because I’m an author, but because of my kids. They’re just too darn cute for those employees to ignore. That, and my kids are chatty, so it’s hard to miss us. Hehe

Here’s a pic of the Goings Clan Children:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimgoings/64060649/in/set-1383490/

That’s them in their Halloween costumes last year. Too cutesy.

~~Becka