micamommy

I knew it had been a while since I had updated, but not this long! So many changes! Since the last time I wrote, both daughter and son have married and my Mother passed away. I have a new Grandchild and a new book out! In accordance with the new book, I will be attending ArmadilloCon in Texas this year instead of my usual Bubonicon in Albuquerque. New crowd and a chance to broaden my readership.

I've been doing a lot of promo and will be for some time. The nicest part of all this is that I feel better than I have in ages. With the lessening of responsibility, I have had time and made time for me, for writing, and for just enjoying life. I am going out with friends, pursuing interests and feel so much more vital.

Phanots Fire, the new novel, is a science fiction encircling three main and conflicting themes. Nyla, a genetically engineered woman, has been created to locate and mine ore on a remote planet. The born human beings running the planet have indebted themselves for several generations or until the ore pays off for them. The ore they're mining - a sentient life form. Nyla has no rights as a person, the ore will not be recognized by the born humans running the planet and the life form will not stand up for itself. Its a sticky situation that Nyla must find resolution for, or they could all pay the ultimate price. Available from Mundania Press.

Monday I will post the first two chapters for anyone interested.

Reflections

Current mood: implacable
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers


So, now we have another contract. That has effectively pushed me into paying more attention to work. I have spent the past few days researching where I can effectively promote this book, both on line and off. Promotion is actually quite time consuming and can be pretty pricey. And all the while we are expected to be handling our daily lives (which includes caring for a parent with Alzheimer's, preparing for a wedding in June, preparing for a new grandchild in August, being president of our local Therapy Dog program, SCCV, volunteering at church and such mundane things as housecleaning) and busily writing on our WIP.

The only thing it doesn't include is time for sleep. The bad part about this is that if I say I don't have time, there go the future book contracts, and if I do, something has to give. So what do we give up? I guess my decision is to just increase the speed and effectiveness with which I accomplish tasks. Wish me luck. I will be blogging much more regularly, and hopefully including things that will interest everyone.In another note, MiCa was slapped twice last Wednesday by one of the Autistics. It bothered me, but you have to accept this as a viable possibility when you enter this field. She's all right, and I can honestly say I don't know how I would have reacted if he'd hurt her. It would not be anyone's fault. They do their best to screen the kids, keeping out any potentially dangerous ones. And they had that kid down as I was pulling MiCa away, but still. . . . It can be hard to take.

I have a Board Meeting coming up this week. They are asking me to retain the Presidency for one more year, while we finish up the change over to being independent and set up the new policies and procedures to make the organization easier to manage and fairer for everyone. I have been promised back up by everyone on the board, so I think I may take it on, though it does, at least at the moment, require many hours of work.

I have also been asked to consider a position on the board of Camp Shaver. Don't know that I have the time to take that on right now, but I hate to leave little ones out there hanging. Two things I cannot refuse are kids and dogs. Oh well, here I go again.

Phantos Fire just sold to Mundania Press!!!

It happens every so often. This morning I got an email entitled Phantos Fire. I noticed it in passing, not really paying attention. I opened it and read that I had another contract!It took me a moment to realize what she was saying, then my day changed. Fireworks started shooting off in my head and a huge silly grin appeared on my face. Every book is special, like a child almost, because it is entirely of your own creation, but this one is especially so. I wrote and rewrote it, then did it again. For a time I feared it would never see the light of day. But it will. On or about September of 2010, Phantos Fire will make its debut. Keep posted and I will begin to debut excerpts and characters. On second thought, I will begin to debut characters and excerpts of my current new publication, then, as the time grows nearer, I will introduce Phantos Fire. Stick around everyone. I'm now fired up and ready to go!

I hate dementia. When Mom was diagnosed (it seems so long ago now) we thought we could handle it. For the first few years, it wasn't too bad. Mom forgot a lot, but apart from being mildly annoying, it was tolerable.

Then came temper fits. Those we handled fairly well too. Ignore some and stand up to others. We talked a lot. At the end, no matter what happened, there was always talk. That, and reassurances of the love and devotion we had always felt was enough, we thought, to sustain us.

It was hard to see that mind, the mind that functioned so well, that fought for advancements in nursing, that always wanted to learn new things, the mind that accepted challenges with joy, diminish. Slowly, almost so slowly I missed it, she stopped conversing. Never one to be the center of attention, she slowly became a shadow of her former self, both literally and figuratively.

My daughter refers to the disease as a thief of time, but it is so much more than that. It robs the victim of personality, interests, even speech and coherency itself. Mom is down to ninety pounds. She herself admits she "hates food", and has fought eating to the point where she has little muscle left. When illness strikes, it hits fast and hard. She just spent a few days in the hospital recently for an infection we didn't even know she had. She couldn't tell us about it, never mentioned pain, and it went on almost until she turned septic. And we never knew.

Living in a four generational household, it is difficult to see the four year old granddaughter watch out for her great grandmother, taking her by the hand and shepherding her away from danger. It is a clear indication that Alexis thinks more rationally than her 82 year old great grandmother; it is also an indication that my grandchild is growing mature far too early.

Growing up, Mom and I spent hours together. She was one of my best friends. It is hard to see her unable to watch even the simplest of television programs, unable to follow or comprehend the plot. She cannot read, and growing up I don't believe I ever saw her without a book. Puzzles of any sort or beyond her now, and she cannot write at all. She cannot dress or bathe herself. I am grateful that she is still able to remember to use the bathroom.

Mom thinks my daughter is her niece, and has no idea who my husband and my son are. Although she knows I am her daughter, she cannot remember my name most of the time.

I love my mother, but there is not much of her left. I miss my Mom. Sorry for the rant.

I have a recurring nightmare. It begins with my sitting in a large room. I am late for my meeting, so I slip into the room, trying to remain unnoticed. I sit down, only half listening to the monotonous voice. Suddenly my ears perk up as I realize the person is talking about needing something.

I feel my hand raise. I reach with my other hand to try and hold it down. Total failure. My eyes dart around the room, desperately seeking other raised hands. There are none. All eyes turn to me, plastic smiles pasted on their faces, eyes bright with relief.

They surround me like jackals after prey. I am drowning in their insincere congratulations.

I wish I could say this is always just a dream, but it isn't. I am motivated by the best of intentions, but always a sucker for a sad tale. In this way I have found myself President of the therapy dog corporation, in the past worship coordinator for my old church and now I find myself considering a job I have no business applying for, that would be nothing but headaches and pays far less than it is worth. It is a great cause, but. . .

Help! I hardly have time to write, my house is a mess, and I never have time to do a complete job of anything. But it is money, and I could get this job fairly easily. Help! Someone talk me out of this!

Our new book, due out next month is finally available! Check it out! I am so happy!

"Realms of the Shadows"
by Anne and Jeff Lambert
ISBN 978-1-59426-032-2
Trade Paperback $14.95, eBook Coming Soon

Arola wakes from another terrible nightmare, the shadows shifting restlessly
above her, waiting for their chance to claim a new victim. Iolet, driven by
a desperate, yearning need, braves the shadows to climb Widow's Peak, the
highest and most perilous cliff she knows. They are sisters who have never
met, living half a world apart, about to be drawn into a conflict that will
forever alter their lives.

Lumina, dark and sultry, is as cold inside as she is exotic without.

Escaping from a desperate past, she, with the aid of her goddess, Quadrini,
is bent of world domination. The strife centers around control of an earth
crystal defended by the Circle. It's a winner takes all situation—there are
no half measures. Iolet and Arola, with elder members of the Circle, aligned
against Lumina, and only one faction will live to tell the tale.

Iolet, Arola and Teria, Iolet's fiancé and heir to Horizon Isle, come of age
in the battle to protect the Crystal and their way of life.

http://www.mundania.com/books-realmsoftheshadows.html

What a ride!

I haven't blogged in ages. Life interferes, and I have decided that I need about six more hours in every day to get things done.

To catch up, I have a new literacy student for two hours a week, and we're still trying to find the time that works for both of us. She's incredibly smart, just needs help in written language. Its an absolute joy to work with someone who really wants to learn and applies the lessons we have each week to her life.

After telling the SCCV board I wanted to take a year off, I suddenly find myself President for the coming year. Never mind the details, its a long story. But as long as I have the responsibility, I figure I may as well do something the organization needs. So I have taken on a project; writing and implementing a policy and procedures manual. Yeah, with the way we're growing and the new tangents we're taking into schools and libraries, its past time for this.

I also have a book coming out some time within the next few months. Although I am looking forward to it, I do not look forward to the time spent in promoting it. Oh well. One goes with the other I suppose. I still attend the Cons anyway, so those are all set up, all I have to set up now are the signings and such. And spend numerous hours with promo on the net. And interviews, and articles. Yeah, I definitely need those extra hours in my day.

Jeff is finally finished with his National Boards. Thank GOD! He's also dropped the coaching. Next year looks like it will be pretty interesting and fun. He'll actually be home before dark and not fall asleep directly after dinner. I'm not complaining, its better than the Navy was, but he needs more down time. For his own health, he needs to slow down. This year has definitely proven that, even to him. So I am happy for this change.

Other than that, my life is in high gear. Someone once told me that as you get older you life settles down and slows down. If I ever catch that lying little $*^%()&, I'll kill him. He LIES!

Sometimes the nicest things happen when you least expect them. The loss of Kiska, combined with being sick as a dog (no pun intended) has really had me down. So today I went to the doctor. When I went out to get the proscriptions filled tonight, I decided to stop by my local sub shop for dinner, since I was definitely NOT in the mood to cook.

As I gave my order a woman tapped me gently on the shoulder, and it was Lori, Christie's Mom. I've been meaning to look her up, but knew she didn't have a phone, and then events got the better of me and I did nothing. But now I have her phone number, and we plan to get together as soon as I'm up and about again, which will be at least a few days since my oxygen sats were down to 92 percent and I was told in no uncertain terms to go home and go to bed!

But it really was nice to see her, and to have a lunch date to look forward to. Maybe things are looking up.

Kiska 1996 - 2008 RIP
Body: My beautiful wonderful Kiska died this evening as he lived, with dignity and love. We discovered last night that he couldn't walk any longer, and although he was willing to deal with this minor inconvenience, to see him struggle like that was horrible. A good part of my heart goes with him. I feel like I lost part of me. A perfect companion, he will never be forgotten.