It's the End of the World As We Know It...

And I feel fine.

I know I promised to blog on a more regular basis, but I gotta tell you...I'm not sure what to write about. Sometimes I try to think of something I think you'd want to read. Others, I feel like venting. But, what should this page truly be about?

Tell me, oh wonderful readers, what would you like to see me blog about more often? Would you like more writing tips from experts? Or maybe some more guest posts by some of the most awesome people I've ever had the privilege of meeting? How about just a whole lot of pictures of naked people....seriously, I'll do it.

Here's your chance, peeps. Tell momma what it is you want to see on a regular basis. It's all about you at this moment!

The story of Drexel: She was more than just a dog...

Everyone means well when they say they know where I am, they had to put their dog down. But, I think I need to explain my relationship with you. Drexel was more than just a dog to me.

I adopted Drex from the Humane Society on June 1, 2000 as a four month old puppy. In the beginning, she annoyed the piss out of me. I've never been one to enjoy puppies, kittens, or even babies. Oh, I know that sounds bad. It's not that I don't like them, I just prefer to enjoy them and give them back to their moms. Drex chewed up everything; my shoes, my clothes, my furniture, everything. She couldn't seem to get housebroken, nor trained.

One day, while she was in heat, she got out and I found her mating with a male dog from the neighborhood. The next day I called the Humane Society and asked what would happen if they received a pregnant dog. At this point, she was about six months old. They told me they would put her to sleep if she was indeed pregnant. I hung up and bawled.

I called my mom and told her "she doesn't even know how to sit," to my surprise she sat. Within the next few days she was suddenly housebroken and listened to commands. From that day on she went everywhere with me. If I wasn't going to be in a store more than twenty minutes, she came along. If she was allowed in the store, she came in. She went on camping trips, canoe trips, and family trips with me. I was unable to conceive a baby, so she was my child. I embroidered her stocking with her name, bought and wrapped Christmas gifts, and stuffed her stocking. She had a bandana for every holiday, every special event.

I even kept the first puppy tooth she lost. (Yes, I still have it packed away somewhere)

I was in an abusive marriage; she was my protector. I was always alone; she was my friend and companion. Even after becoming a mother to my three awesome kids, she was still considered my first born. She was always in our holiday portraits, and I talked about her as if she was one of my kids.

Drexel was in my life for almost twelve years, and I will never stop loving her. I will never forget her. I will always hurt for the loss of my baby girl.

I love you, Drexel. Forever and ever!!!!

Did I mention I'm multi-talented?

I've been remiss in mentioning my other business endeavor. I not only write about the supernatural, I create things for babies. Yeah, I know. Kind of opposite ends of the spectrum, huh?!

Don't worry, this blog won't be taken over by my crafts, I just thought I'd mention to you all, as any publicity is good publicity. I may open a separate blog specifically for my other business, but as for now, I have my hands full with everything else!

So, without further adieu, here's a few of my items I offer in my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/christyparks:

My all natural homemade diaper wipe cubes come in a variety of formulas. All the soaps are infused with Vitamin E oil, but I also offer Lavender essential oil, Jasmine essential oil, and Green Tea and Cucumber essential oil. These are perfect to use with your reusable cloth diaper wipes. Just dissolve in one cup of hot water, then pour over your cloths. They're also great as a foot soak, a mild cleaning solution in your favorite spray bottle, or toss them into your bath for your own benefits.

I have a variety of prints for the reusable nursing pads. All pads are made with flannel and fleece for extra absorption, and max comfort.

I also offer contoured nursing pads in a variety of colors and prints. These are also made with flannel and fleece or minky for extra absorption, and max comfort.

Okay, don't worry. I'm not going to post everything in my store, but make sure you head over and take a look around my shop.

Thanks for sticking around for this post, y'all! Until next time, see you in the funny papers!

Global Warming? End of the World? Or......

Just really nice weather? I gotta say, I'll take it any way I can get it. This December has been the warmest in my memory, and I didn't have to trudge through snow and slush to clean out my chicken coup, or help my kids down the hill to their bus stop. Yet, oddly enough, I still hear people saying it's because the world will end in the year 2012...is that such a bad thing?

Here's how I see it: those of us who believe in a higher power will be in whatever Heaven or Nirvana we were promised (except those of you who killed innocents in order to jump to the front of the line), and those who don't will go *poof* into non-existence. No more bills. No more stress. No more illness. No more pain, or evil, hate or sadness. It's that really such a bad thing?

Then, of course, there are those who believe it's the beginning of the Zombie Apocalypse. Fortunately for me, I've watched tons of movies about zombies, and read twice as many books. I can survive any type of supernatural attack! Oooh, but what about you? Will you be running for the hills, searching for Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, and Jessie Eisenberg? Or will you become a Shane from Walking Dead and let your morals disappear, killing anyone to save your own ass...even if you don't have a family while the other guy does?

As for me and my family, we'll be hunkered down here, with all our critters, burning wood in the fireplace for heat, eating our chickens and their eggs to survive. Okay, so that sounds a little lacking in variety, but it's better than eating our dogs...

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Goodnight!

It's officially Christmas Eve, and I'm as excited as my kids are for the annual festivities. One slight problem; the Christmas party has been cancelled for the first time in thirty eight years due to an idiot in the family. Have not fear, Momma Claus is here.

I will never allow anything or anyone to ruin Christmas for me. My Lord and Savior was born regardless of who does what, and my kids will still have gifts to open, as will my nephews and nieces. There is no better joy for me than watching a child (more specifically, those in my family) open a gift I lovingly picked out just for them.

So, if the party is cancelled, what shall I do? I'll tell you what I'm going to do- I'm going to shower, put on some makeup and some goofy Christmas jewelry. Then, I'm going to load the kids, and the gifts into the car and head out to my family. First, my sister's house. I can't wait to see my nephews' expressions when they open their gifts. Then, I'll head to my mom's where the kids will open the gifts grandma chose for them.

Okay, so there will be no chocolate chip cookies, no rye bread and dill dip, no sandwiches and relish tray. There will, however, still be joy. There will still be gifts. There will still be love.

 I don't need no stinking party!

What the F*ck is Going On?!

Normally I blog about things to do with writing. You know; tips, links, inspiration, etc. Sorry to say, today I'm going to be on a soap box.

Another news report came out today about a 24 year old man raping, slapping and burning a one year old girl with cigarettes. He then persuaded a 15 year old to have sex with him. Just last week a mother beat her thirteen month old son to death because he wouldn't stop crying and go back to sleep. She was hung over and wanted to sleep in. Then, the infamous case of Casey Anthony murdering her beautiful little girl, Caylee.

Why?! Why is this happening? I asked my husband his opinion and he thinks it's because of all the instant sources of news. It just gets more attention. I don't think that's the case. I think it's way more prevalent.

I have never given birth to a child, yet I'm the mother of three beautiful kids. Never would I even think about beating one of my kids. Have I slapped them on the behind? You bet I have. Have I ever closed my fist and punched one of my kids because I was hung over and wanted to sleep? HELL NO!

I keep going over these atrocities in my head. Is it from the easy access of pornography? No longer to you have to hide your face and go into an adult book store. A few clinks on the Internet, and viola! You got yourself some porn.

Maybe it's because of the whole 'you're okay, I'm okay' mentality. Or perhaps because society as a whole refuses to make children accountable for their actions or give them any responsibilities. Maybe it's because of the entitlement mentality. 'I deserve this!'

I'm sure the ACLU's habit of protecting criminals isn't helping. There was a story I read of the ACLU claiming death by lethal injection was cruel because the man in question would feel the discomfort of the needle going into his arm. This same man was sentenced to death for brutally raping and murdering a three old girl. In my opinion, the death penalty was entirely too easy.

Why isn't society as a whole demanded more from our government as far as protecting the children? Why aren't we beating on doors and demanding they severely punish anyone who would not only molest or rape a child, but abuse them in any manner. If a human being is capable of beating a baby to death, or raping a child, is this really someone we want breathing the same air as the rest of us?

And here's another thought; where are the vigilantes we always here about? I'm not saying I condone murder, but I have to admit...I wouldn't shed a tear if some piece of shit baby raper was beat to within an inch of his life on some city street.

I know you all have opinions on what is happening. And I'm sure there's more than one of you who will say I'm evil or a sinner for wanting these monsters to suffer. Here's you chance to sound off....the comment board is all yours!

A Rose by Any Other Name....

Wouldn't be a rose now, would it?! Seriously, though, what is in a name? At least, what's in a character's name? I've written and completed four novels, all of whom have names that I'm very happy with. Each of the characters came by their names in different ways; a name of a friend, heard the name on TV, or (my favorite) derived from a candy bar. However, recently one of my characters decided that he no longer wanted to be a Choctaw with long black hair and black eyes. Nope, now he wants to be a white male with short brown hair and dark blue eyes (think Sam Worthington). What?! I made you, you can't change your mind. Oh no, it doesn't stop there. Nope, he no longer wants the name Jason.

So here's the point of the story....I'm having a hell of a time naming him. I posed the question on Facebook and have received over thirty names. Yet none of them are good enough for the hero of my book. Christy, the characters aren't real, honey. They're just a figment of your imagination. Oh, yeah, try telling that to them.

How do you come up with names for your characters? Do you have a list of your favorites? Do you pick from baby name books? Maybe the websites? Or do you let them tell you their name? I'm dying to know how other authors "develop" their characters. And not just the main ones, but the secondary ones, as well.