Monday, August 05, 2002

 

I had just finished my mail and had a few minutes to catch up on journals (I wanted to see how Diana's wedding went, and what new project Erin has started) and blogger came up. I'd forgotten that I had it set as my home page and I decided that I would update here.

So much has happened I don't know where to begin. The SRP at the library is over (YEAH!) and we are settling into a routine without that extra work. Xander is growing like a weed. He is crawling (still slow though), standing on his own in his crib and learning bunches. We are working on teaching him to sign "please" (put open hand on chest and move in a circular motion) so that he can communicate. Children can learn communication through actions before they can verbalize anything.

The first day he resisted us taking his hand and signing "please" for a piece of graham cracker. By the third day, not only was he not resisting us, but he was also moving his hand that direction on his own (after we touch his arm). Then, one time I decided to wait a little longer to see if he would do it on his own. He started reaching for my hand. I put my hand on the highchair tray where he could reach it. He picked up my hand and pulled it to his chest! I laughed so hard I thought I'd bust! I woke James up from his nap just to tell him about it. Xander still hasn't done it on his own, but today is only day five of teaching him this.

Just a bit of writing news. I haven't worked on my latest project in quite a while, but I was making quite a bit of progress. I've made some deep revelations about my writing and why I struggle so much with certian areas. I have trouble with antaganists (bad guys). I just can't get into the head of them. I'm starting to see them as people, though. I know that sounds funny, but I always pictured the bad guy as this evil dude that I couldn't understand because he's just so evil. If you think about it from the bad guys point of view though, they're not so bad. It's just that they want something so badly that they'd do anything to get it, even kill for it.

The other thing that I discovered is that as far as the story went, I was goddess. Meaning I controled the world, the environment, etc. But when it came to the characters, I'd act like I wasn't in control. I'd heard so much about "characters having a life of their own" that I took it too literally. I wanted the characters to evolve on their own; for Items of the person's character to be revealed from the story. But I am in control of both the characters and the story line. I am goddess over all (when it comes to my stories). :)

I also need help with plot. My poor brain just won't go beyond the ordinary. Oh, I come up with some extraordinary ideas occasionally, but ideas are not whole stories.

Anyway, I've been reading despite the fact that I was so busy with library work. I finished the Hobbit and I'm in the Lord of the Rings. It's kind of slow, but I'm just getting to the part where Frodo has left on his journey. I think things will pick up now. I had hoped to finish it by the time the movie released to video tomorrow, but that's not happining. I will, however, finish it before I see the movie.

Xander took several sets of Walmart portraits. He had some taken, then he had some with my in-laws, then some taken with my mom and I. We are planning to have more done in September. James b-day is September and we decided to have family portraits done ever September, then have Xander's portraits done in October around his b-day. I'll see if I can put up a few on my other website real quick and then post the link here. TTFN!

Dawn posted this at 11:20 AM.

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