Creative Reviews discussion

I've had a couple folks send me messages asking where I've been, so ... I don't know how many know this, but I have fibromyalgia, chronic pain from various injuries ,and depression (among other things); I get in "moods" sometimes and don't want to spread 'em around, so I just sit back and keep quiet. I had a free week between editing stuff, too, and spent it reading like crazy to try to get through some of my "to review" books - of course, several of them were the first book in a series, which I loved, then I bought the rest of hte series and read it, so I really didn't get as much done as I'd hoped ... Heh. Then I had my disability hearing today; it looks good, so that's a load off. I won't know for sure for up to two more months, but the last bit of the hearing was very positive, so I'm fairly sure I'll be getting my disability ... finally. Anyway, I now have a small break before my next editing task and will be again reading like crazy, so my apologies for not keeping up; I try to skim through the digests and will do my best to get back in the swing of things soon. Thanks for thinking about me - you folks are the best. *hugs*

Katy wrote: "I've had a couple folks send me messages asking where I've been, so ... I don't know how many know this, but I have fibromyalgia, chronic pain from various injuries ,and depression (among other thi..."

Hey it's cool.
My mom had to fight the system for over a year to get her disability so best of luck!

Welcome back, Katy.

I can empathize with you about the depression, although, I am lucky enough for it to be just a minor annoyance. You sound like you handle it the same way as I do, shut out the world and immerse yourself in another. I find watching reruns of the X-files helps me. :)

Hope everything goes your way with the disability.

Again, welcome back.

P.

Katy wrote: "I've had a couple folks send me messages asking where I've been, so ... I don't know how many know this, but I have fibromyalgia, chronic pain from various injuries ,and depression (among other thi..."

*soft hugs* {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Katy}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I know how you feel, sister! I'll be sending good vibes your way on the disability hearing. I'm confident that you'll have it. :)

Thanks, all - Jenn, I totally empathize with your mom - it sucks the way the system is set up now.

However, as I mentioned, the end of the hearing was very encouraging - the judge listed this huge list of my limitations and asked the Vocational expert if I could do any of my previous jobs and he said yeah, probably most of them. The judge thought for a moment and said "how about the fact that she needs to lie die at irregular periods during the day for from 1 up to 4 hours?" and the VE had to admit there were NO JOBS I could do with that limitation. So ... I'm feeling pretty good about the outcome.

Yeah, Paul - I've disappeared as long as a year - you can imagine the mess of email I came back to! I try not to do that anymore, 'cause email is really the only way people can communicate with me anymore, so I try to at least check it once a day.

Hope it all goes well, Katy, but that does sound pretty positive. Fingers crossed! When will you hear?
JAC

Katy-
Nice seeing you back! Feel better! And I can't imagine what a year of not checking your email must have been like. AH!

I was gone all weekend and finally got caught up last night! We are a talkative bunch!

Yes, we are and missing a day or two on here takes hours to catch up!! :)

Katy, glad to see your chin up. My sister has fibromyalgia, and she swears by a raw food diet to help with the pain. I couldn't live a life with only eating raw food (I do enjoy my meat), and she does cheat occassionally, but she's got the will power of a saint and sticks to it!

Yeah I was one of the people who sent a PM so I already said it, but FEEL BETTER!

Splitter

Dale wrote: "Katy, glad to see your chin up. My sister has fibromyalgia, and she swears by a raw food diet to help with the pain. I couldn't live a life with only eating raw food (I do enjoy my meat), and she d..."

Hmmm, I might try that, Dale. Like Katy, I have fibro plus other health issues. It's one of the things that drew us together as friends. My SIL also has fibro, as does my own mom. I figure my MIL had it also but we won't ever know since she passed away back in 2001. :( Give your sister a gentle hug from me and tell her to hang in there!

I loooove my red meat as raw as possible. My husband gets disgusted if we have fresh deer meat and I gulp it down still bloody and raw. I'm not really a fan of white meats but do like chicken! ;)

Sara wrote: "Dale wrote: "Katy, glad to see your chin up. My sister has fibromyalgia, and she swears by a raw food diet to help with the pain. I couldn't live a life with only eating raw food (I do enjoy my mea..."

SARA!!!!!
DEER MEAT? Poor Bambi... btw, why dont you add your acronyms to the list, it took a min to remember what those meant...lol

Sending good vibes and positive energy to both Katy and Sara... although it's a long way from Italy, so hope it gets to you eventually! :-)

Barbara wrote: "Sending good vibes and positive energy to both Katy and Sara... although it's a long way from Italy, so hope it gets to you eventually! :-)"

Molto bene!

J.A. wrote: "Hope it all goes well, Katy, but that does sound pretty positive. Fingers crossed! When will you hear?
JAC"

A month or so - after already waiting almost 2 years since I filed, that doesn't seem so bad ...

Dale wrote: "Katy, glad to see your chin up. My sister has fibromyalgia, and she swears by a raw food diet to help with the pain. I couldn't live a life with only eating raw food (I do enjoy my meat), and she d..."

I like raw nuts, if I can get them - they're spendy, though. However, I am a carnivore through-and-through and must have red meat or I quickly start feeling like crap. I do like mine cooked, though ... Sara I can't imagine raw venison ... but oh, man, that's one thing I do miss about living so far away from my family - I looooove venison. And elk meat. Even antelope isn't too bad if you know how to dress is properly. Mmmmmm ....

And Jenn - you better believe it - Bambi tastes AWESOME! I mean, if we weren't meant to eat meat, then it shouldn't be so good! LOL

Barbara, Dale, Splitter, Cambria - thanks for the good wishes. My e-mail is going unchecked while I read Tracy Sharp's books - book one, Repo Chick Blues was awesome. Once I've read the three books in the Leah Ryan Mysteries, I'll be reading "Camilla," which is under a pseudonym which I can't remember, so no link ... so, I need to grab another drink and then get back to it - my cat will only be patient waiting for my lap for so long!

Katy, I have been a bit MIA too, so I didn't notice your disappearance, but I am glad you are feeling some better and that it seems the disability is moving is a positive direction!

I have "moods" too, and some days I wish I could just crawl off in a cave somewhere and completely forget the world outside. That's when I get angry at myself for getting so "involved" with so many people and events, etc. Because I feel I owe something to them and I can't just get away...

Then, as completely stupid and ironic as it seems, when I do take a break and come back, I realize the world does carry on without me--most of the time I'm not missed...haha...and I feel even worse about myself!!!

I guess it's nice to know I'm not the only one with "issues"... ;-)

Cassie, that 2nd paragraph explains EXACTLY how I get to feeling - all resentful that people expect me to be around! Back in 1998 - 2000 I worked at a job where we created test-bank software for various textbooks - I worked in several departments and finally ended up in the Tech Support department, supporting the techs. I could do whatever, as long as I was there to answer the phones, etc., so I spent a lot of time on-line. I ended up creating a few Yahoo groups and while I was working there and was spending all day on-line, I kept them pretty active, but since then, most of them have sort of fizzled - if I wasn't there cracking the whip, no one would talk. I'm getting to the point now (10 years later LOL) that I'm about to just delete the darn groups since no one seems interested in keeping them going.

This is the FIRST PLACE for years from which I've had people contacting me when I went MIA asking what was going on - it's a nice feeling.

I'm glad you're back, too.

*GROUP HUGGGG*

Katy wrote: "Cassie, that 2nd paragraph explains EXACTLY how I get to feeling - all resentful that people expect me to be around! Back in 1998 - 2000 I worked at a job where we created test-bank software for v..."

*bear hug*

*squeeze* I love hugs!! :-)

Ok, so, I hate hugs so if any of us ever meet, no hugging! Happy to shake hands though lol. I do think it would be a blast to get people together though.

The whole thing about this group is that it's good people and Amy and the other mods do a fantastic job keeping it that way.

Splitter

C.S. Splitter wrote: "Ok, so, I hate hugs so if any of us ever meet, no hugging! Happy to shake hands though lol. I do think it would be a blast to get people together though.

The whole thing about this group is that..."

But you are the biggest Teddy bear of the group!!!!

Hi, All!
I posted a note a few days ago, explaining my absence, to authors, friends, blog subscribers. I have been away for awhile also, due to health and family issues. Checking email, personal and on GR, I have done. Even posting a bit on GR. But I have really fallen behind in reading, and from that, fallen behind in writing reviews.
There are so many other priorities right now - me included!! hahaha (Actually that is a lesson I am learning). It's like they say on airplanes: "Put the oxygen mask on yourself, before assisting anyone - including children and those who might be ailing".
I translate that to mean: "you will be no good to others, if you can't breathe yourself".
Now.......... if I could only REALLY learn that and apply it to my life.
As far as my absence, I have had great encouragement from GR Friends and others, which I must say is very heartwarming. And I am trying to remember their words.
To everyone in this thread, especially those who have mentioned heath issues, know that you will remain in my thoughts and prayers, for whatever your needs are.
I have told my patient authors that I will be resuming my book reviewing, in the order in which I received the books - as best as possible.

Katy - Thank you for starting this conversation. It is the first thing I found on GR this morning, and I am very glad I did - I am stealing some of the positive vibes!


Patricia

Patricia wrote: "Hi, All!
I posted a note a few days ago, explaining my absence, to authors, friends, blog subscribers. I have been away for awhile also, due to health and family issues. Checking email, personal an..."

Sending some positive mojo to you, Patricia!

Cassie- I was wondering about you! Glad to see you around.
Patricia- its great to see you here and to know you are taking good care of yourself!! Nothing wrong with that. We all understand.
Katy and Sara hope you are both well!
Splitter- I'm not a big fan of hugs either....
And EWWWWW. I will not eat deer.

Mojo! That's what I need!! Thanks, Jenn!

Cambria, thank you for the positive affirmation.

I appreciate all your thoughts!


Patricia

Your welcome Patricia!!! :)

I don't really like the taste of deer. I guess if it is cooked right, it's okay. So far, it just tastes really wild to me, and I don't care for it.

My redneck hunting family is ashamed of me ;-)...

Cassie - Gathering Leaves wrote: "I don't really like the taste of deer. I guess if it is cooked right, it's okay. So far, it just tastes really wild to me, and I don't care for it.

My redneck hunting family is ashamed of me ;..."

Well I'm not!

I just realized how wrong that sentence sounds...

My redneck family that is full of die-hard huntsmen/women is ashamed of me!

I went hunting ONE time. It was cold; it was wet... I sat against a tree and lost feeling in my toes for hours...had my eyes closed half the time b/c we were out there before sunrise...and didn't see a thing. If I HAD seen anything, I wouldn't have shot at it. What's the point?? My meat grows in a pasture...and I usually buy it at Sam's...or straight from the farmer my hubby helps out. So...

OK, let's see - Patricia - glad to hear you're taking care of yourself and I hope you will feel better.

Splitter - IRL I'm not big on hugs, but cyberhugs I'm cool with LOL

Cassie - deer will taste gamey if it isn't cleaned properly - there is a gland that needs to be removed right away. Of course, die-hard hunters would know that, so ... *shrug*

And I haven't hunted MYSELF, but I've walked along with people who were - In Montana you don't sit in a hide and wait for the deer, you go out and find them. At least in the Eastern part of the state. :-) So it's a good way to get exercise.

Everyone else ... HI!! Don't recall anything else I needed to respond to.

I think it is just a personal taste preference...LOL... I have had deer meat prepared a lot of different ways, and I haven't loved any of them. Maybe it is just psychological...haha...

My grandpa gave me fried squirrel once. I think I might have to go vomit just thinking about it now...

Patricia - hope you're getting your equilibrium back a bit at least...

Splitter - if there ever is a CR-Con, I will definitely throw you a salute from across the room.

Cass, that made me laugh out loud! But actually I find venison a bit strong-tasting. I think you have to get used to it. I couldn't kill anything myself but am happy to dress a carcass, though so far I've never been faced with a whole deer myself. But I can tell you where a cockerel keeps his gonads (don't tell me you never noticed his lack of sack?!)

heheheh
JAC

I love all types of wild game except duck, it's just too oily for me. I'd like to try alligator and rattlesnake; I've had elk jerky and it was wonderful! I'm a carnivore, I have sharp teeth for a reason. :)

Thanks J.A. and Katy for your thoughts.

Wow! This is a great group, so much affirmation and kindness. I truly appreciate it.


Patricia

Talking of people gone missing, has anyone seen Phil, or is he loitering on the threads I don't check?

Y'know, we should really have an AWOL thread - "Anyone seen?"


JAC

Well, I hope *everyone* is feeling better! I don't know about Phil, though.

I love my red meat...my daughter likes it so red that it drips down her chin. Ew!

Phil has been posting in MY thread about MY blog lol. I just felt like being a five year old right there lol. We talked about airplanes.

Hmm....now I know who doesn't read my thread about my blog :).

Splitter

Sara wrote: "I love all types of wild game except duck, it's just too oily for me. I'd like to try alligator and rattlesnake; I've had elk jerky and it was wonderful! I'm a carnivore, I have sharp teeth for a..."

Sara, if alligator tastes anything like crocodile, I wouldn't recommend it. If you can imagine a chicken that lives in the bottom of the swamp, that's about how it tastes. Snake, I imagine, would be a bit like eel -- quite tasty, but careful of the little bones. I like venison, if it's properly dressed.

Alligator tail is chewy. Not unlike chicken in taste....everything tastes like chicken, right? I would say you could also throw in a little calamari for taste too.

It's not bad. I would east it again maybe, but I have this mental block about eating reptiles. That's gross to me.

Rattlesnake is JUST like chicken to me. Wouldn't look to do it again. It's the reptile thing more than the taste.

Splitter

J.A. wrote: "Talking of people gone missing, has anyone seen Phil, or is he loitering on the threads I don't check?

Y'know, we should really have an AWOL thread - "Anyone seen?"


JAC"

Didn't think you'd notice, JA, but thanks for missing me. **hugs** Been trying to finish off the rewrite of the next two books in the Destruction series -- not that it probably matters too much, because nobody seems to be buying the first. **small tear**

Oh well, back to the drawing board....

BTW, I notice Scrivener is about to release a Windows version. Any Beta users out there who can tell us about it?

Phil

Hey, Phil - I didn't realize people weren't picking it up - don't know what their problem is - it's an awesome book! I just recommended it to 210 of my closest personal friends here on Goodreads ... :-) HTH!

Katy wrote: "Hey, Phil - I didn't realize people weren't picking it up - don't know what their problem is - it's an awesome book! I just recommended it to 210 of my closest personal friends here on Goodreads ...."

Thanks, Katy. Glad you liked it. To date I've had more reviews than sales. Even though it averages 4 stars, it doesn't seem to have attracted buyers. Is it the cover? Perhaps it looks too juvenile for the content?

Maybe I just need to learn how to blow my own trumpet.

I'm not sure - the two people who have responded to my recommendation both said it looks good, but they'd never heard of it. I think you just need to get the word out there more. Find the best-written review and talk to the person who wrote it or to Allorah with the Literary MindBlender and see if she can contact the person who wrote it, and get it on her blog. Talk to some of the other bloggers, get on their blogs, recommend it to all your friends who don't already have it on their shelves - encourage people who liked it to recommend it - I think just getting the word out there will make a huge difference.

Oi, Splitter, I do read that thread too! (though generally I'm checking in here in sneaky moments at work so couldn't look at the vids, so have been not-commenting till I'd seen 'em!) But it was before that I think. I dunno, tired today so may be talking nonsense again.

Phil, good to see you back! Know what you mean though. Bk 2 is going nowhere at the minute.

I am cross today as I took a day off yesterday to work on the book(one of the three days leave I have left between now and New Year) and ended up with such a long list of housey jobs to do that I still had to get up at 0430, hadn't had time to stop for lunch and was still trying to fix the computer while dinner was in the oven.

Meanwhile my mate has a mild stomach upset and has been off work for four days watching the entire box set of The Wire DVDs.

JAC

JA- wow! You are a busy woman!! I know what you mean though, it is frustrating when writing time is interrupted by a million other things that cannot wait. :)

Phil wrote: "J.A. wrote: "Talking of people gone missing, has anyone seen Phil, or is he loitering on the threads I don't check?

Y'know, we should really have an AWOL thread - "Anyone seen?"


JAC"

Didn't th..."

Oh no!!! Don't give up Phil, we all love you and your writing!!
Perhaps a new cover design will re-energize the book sales? Then you could do a blog tour (almost like a grand re-opening...) and we can all do something for it. that would help!! Oh! And maybe a book trailer... Brett seems to be awseome with that, hit him up!! :)

Regina over at maeidesign is fabulous with photo manipulation and her prices aren't bad at all. If you would like a personal reccomendation I would be glad to talk with you. You can email me. cambriahebert@rocketmail.com
or go to her website and check out her portfolio.
http://www.maeidesign.com
She loves doing covers and has been doing some designs that is getting a lot of attention. :)

Keep working on those other books, great things are in store for you! :)

C.S. Splitter wrote: "Alligator tail is chewy. Not unlike chicken in taste....everything tastes like chicken, right? I would say you could also throw in a little calamari for taste too.

It's not bad. I would east it..."

Ewwww. That's quite a resume of eating.... I have had calamari, I don't care for it, too chewy. the worst was escargo (snails.... GAG me!!)

Phil wrote: "Katy wrote: "Hey, Phil - I didn't realize people weren't picking it up - don't know what their problem is - it's an awesome book! I just recommended it to 210 of my closest personal friends here o..."

Phil, you may want to reconsider the cover. And horn tooting helps too, but in all honesty the cover didn't draw me in...if one were to judge a book by the cover, which most people do.

And if it makes you feel better, my sales are non-existent too! Woot woot!