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My old computer fried on me. I purchased an iPad to replace it. I tried to type with the keyboard provided on the tablet itself. I was using 1 finger and it wasn’t working for me. I finally found a keyboard for my iPad. I have been writing using pen and paper. Now I can get some of these stories typed up and on the blog for you to enjoy.

Coming up the next adventures on the Evil Joe Files with Miss Nose! Some amazing things have happened to our characters since we last came together. Are you excited?

I AM

Studies on masks

I have no clue which way to tell you to go. I do know masks can hurt anyone with asthma or copd. I also know children should never wear them. But… I went out and found but a few of the masks studies out there for you all. There are many from every country. I still believe in herd immunity and in proper disinfecting to control any virus or bacteria. Proper cleaning will keep you safe even during our worse flu outbreaks. I know this because I do it and taught my children to do it. It meant pre covid, that we were mocked and bullied for wiping down tables, chairs, desks at school, and other items with antibacterial wipes. I believe you can stay healthy without a mask but should wear one if you are sick. I still believe no child should go to school right after vaccination so they won’t infect others. I got those little handouts from the doctor and it stated my child had this disease from vaccination for up to 72 hours. Anyway, here is what I put together.

Discussion

We found that critical care nurses who assisted with suctioning before intubation and intubation of SARS patients were four times more likely to become infected than nurses who did not. Manipulation of a SARS patient’s oxygen mask was also a high-risk factor. Our findings support reports that exposure to respiratory secretions or activities that generate aerosols can result in SARS transmission to healthcare workers (13).

The 11 nurses in our study who did not enter a SARS patient’s room did not become infected. This finding, along with the finding that respiratory care activities pose high risk, implicates either droplet or limited aerosol generation as a means of transmission to healthcare workers. The finding is compatible with the relative high risk (6% per shift worked) of critical care nurses. Our results did not implicate environmental transmission (i.e., contact through gowns) as a major risk factor. These data are in keeping with the report by Scales and colleagues, in which activities associated with droplet or limited aerosol spread were implicated as important sources of transmission (14).

We found a near 80% reduction in risk for infection for nurses who consistently wore masks (either surgical or N95). This finding is similar to that of Seto and colleagues, who found that both surgical masks and N95 masks were protective against SARS among healthcare workers in Hong Kong hospitals (9). When we compared use of N95 to use of surgical masks, the relative SARS risk associated with the N95 mask was half that for the surgical mask; however, because of the small sample size, the result was not statistically significant. Our data suggest that the N95 mask offers more protection than a surgical mask.

This study focused on critical care nurses working at the first SARS hospital outbreak in Toronto. Since use of personal protective equipment was not standardized during the study period, it was possible to assess the effect of personal protective equipment. The use of personal protective equipment was highly variable because the nurses were often unaware that their patients had SARS. Our results highlight the importance of using personal protective equipment when caring for SARS patients. We estimate that if the entire cohort had used masks consistently, SARS risk would have been reduced from 6% to 1.4% per shift.

A limitation of this study is that it is retrospective. Recall bias on the part of the critical care nurses is a possibility. We believe that by verifying the information provided (e.g., patient care activities) using medical records, and using the medical records to cue the interviewed nurses, we minimized recall bias. Any prospective evaluation (e.g., using an observer in ICU) after the initial outbreak would have been limited by uniformity in use of personal protective equipment (i.e., use of N95 masks, gowns, gloves, goggles). We acknowledge that the study cohort was small, and this limits inferences that can be made. Nevertheless, these data support current recommendations for use of N95 masks and for special precautions when performing intubations on SARS patients

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3322898/?fbclid=IwAR15YHkoS7GRqAdnQb7y_l4o1SboeRWRbWS8-FWH-nxalUxXjgKcyHf_OW8

Conclusions: Considering our findings, pulse rates of the surgeon’s increase and SpO2 decrease after the first hour. This early change in SpO2 may be either due to the facial mask or the operational stress. Since a very small decrease in saturation at this level, reflects a large decrease in PaO2, our findings may have a clinical value for the health workers and the surgeons.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18500410/

They also advised healthcare workers who choose to wear cloth masks to “have at least two and cycle them, so that each one can be washed and dried after daily use. Sanitizer spray or UV disinfection boxes can be used to clean them during breaks in a single day.

These are pragmatic, rather than evidence-based suggestions, given the situation.”

A preprint of a rapid systematic review has assessed the current evidence on respiratory illnesses and the use of face masks (mainly surgical paper masks) in community settings.4

The paper, yet to be peer reviewed, included 31 studies, of which 12 were randomised controlled trials.

The researchers reported that “wearing facemasks can be very slightly protective against primary infection from casual community contact, and modestly protective against household infections when both infected and uninfected members wear facemasks.”

However, they said that many of the studies “suffered from poor compliance and controls.”

They concluded, “The evidence is not sufficiently strong to support widespread use of facemasks as a protective measure against covid-19. However, there is enough evidence to support the use of facemasks for short periods of time by particularly vulnerable individuals when in transient higher risk situations.”

https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1422

Results The rates of all infection outcomes were highest in the cloth mask arm, with the rate of ILI statistically significantly higher in the cloth mask arm (relative risk (RR)=13.00, 95% CI 1.69 to 100.07) compared with the medical mask arm. Cloth masks also had significantly higher rates of ILI compared with the control arm. An analysis by mask use showed ILI (RR=6.64, 95% CI 1.45 to 28.65) and laboratory-confirmed virus (RR=1.72, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.94) were significantly higher in the cloth masks group compared with the medical masks group. Penetration of cloth masks by particles was almost 97% and medical masks 44%.

Conclusions This study is the first RCT of cloth masks, and the results caution against the use of cloth masks. This is an important finding to inform occupational health and safety. Moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection. Further research is needed to inform the widespread use of cloth masks globally. However, as a precautionary measure, cloth masks should not be recommended for HCWs, particularly in high-risk situations, and guidelines need to be updated.

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577

Results
The median-fit factor of the homemade masks was one-half that of the surgical masks. Both masks significantly reduced the number of microorganisms expelled by volunteers, although the surgical mask was 3 times more effective in blocking transmission than the homemade mask.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that a homemade mask should only be considered as a last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, but it would be better than no protection. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;0:1–6

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster-medicine-and-public-health-preparedness/article/testing-the-efficacy-of-homemade-masks-would-they-protect-in-an-influenza-pandemic/0921A05A69A9419C862FA2F35F819D55

Nevertheless, mechanistic studies found that surgical masks could prevent transmission of human coronavirus and influenza virus infections if worn by infected persons

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/8/20-1498_article

Masks do not filter all particulates from the air inhaled and exhaled by the wearer. Much of the air is drawn in and escapes where there is least resistance to flow, usually around the sides of the mask (venting). The masks do not form a complete seal against the face and are therefore not classed as respirators or personal protective equipment (Stull, 1998).

https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-archive/infection-control/the-effectiveness-of-surgical-face-masks-what-the-literature-shows-30-09-2003/

Results
A total of 158 healthcare workers participated in the study. Majority [126/158 (77.8%)] were aged 21‐35 years. Participants included nurses [102/158 (64.6%)], doctors [51/158 (32.3%)], and paramedical staff [5/158 (3.2%)]. Pre‐existing primary headache diagnosis was present in about a third [46/158 (29.1%)] of respondents. Those based at the emergency department had higher average daily duration of combined PPE exposure compared to those working in isolation wards [7.0 (SD 2.2) vs 5.2 (SD 2.4) hours, P < .0001] or medical ICU [7.0 (SD 2.2) vs 2.2 (SD 0.41) hours, P < .0001]. Out of 158 respondents, 128 (81.0%) respondents developed de novo PPE‐associated headaches. A pre‐existing primary headache diagnosis (OR = 4.20, 95% CI 1.48‐15.40; P = .030) and combined PPE usage for >4 hours per day (OR 3.91, 95% CI 1.35‐11.31; P = .012) were independently associated with de novo PPE‐associated headaches. Since COVID‐19 outbreak, 42/46 (91.3%) of respondents with pre‐existing headache diagnosis either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the increased PPE usage had affected the control of their background headaches, which affected their level of work performance.

Conclusion
Most healthcare workers develop de novo PPE‐associated headaches or exacerbation of their pre‐existing headache disorders

https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/head.13811

Our study demonstrates, for the first time, that pregnant women in mid-pregnancy are unable to maintain their minute ventilation while breathing through N95-mask materials

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4647822/

The only negative physiologic change resulting from long-term respiratory protection use was elevated CO2 levels

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7132714/

At 2 metabolic equivalents (e.g., walking slowly during rounds), N95 mask use noticeably increases inhaled carbon dioxide, reduces inspired oxygen, and increases the work of breathing. The resulting inhaled carbon dioxide of 2 to 3% (normal, 0.04%) produces transient acidosis and compensatory increases in minute ventilation, work of breathing, and cardiac output.2 Symptoms include sweating, visual changes, headache, dyspnea, increased irritability, and decreased reasoning, alertness, and exercise endurance.3 Independently, the inspired oxygen of 17% (normal, 21%), yields headache, lightheadedness, drowsiness, muscular weakness, dyspnea on exertion, nausea, and vomiting.4 Simultaneously, the augmented resistance to inspiratory (15% of maximum) and expiratory flow, when experienced for greater than 10 min, results in respiratory alkalosis, increased lactate levels, fatigue, and impaired physical work capacity.5

However, a number of exercise benefits can be achieved with surprisingly low effort while wearing an N95 mask

https://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/article.aspx?articleid=2766085

The widespread use of cloth masks by healthcare workers may actually put them at increased risk of respiratory illness and viral infections and their global use should be discouraged, according to a UNSW study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150422121724.htm

And finally, I will leave you it’s this!

Could widespread (and proper) use of masks have made a difference where the virus escaped containment? A 2018 studyby Jin Yan and colleagues from the US Food and Drug Administration constructed a model based on assumptions from laboratory data. They concluded that if only 20 percent of people use masks, it wouldn’t make a difference for the spread of influenza. At 50 percent compliance, though, with the use of high-filtration surgical masks, the effect might be substantial. That’s just a theoretical result, and we know that Covid-19 outbreaks have been contained in places without widespread use of masks. On the other hand, when an outbreak is out of control, even a small contribution matters

https://www.wired.com/story/the-face-mask-debate-reveals-a-scientific-double-standard/

Stay safe and protected! My prayers are with us all!

UGH

When I started this furloughed time from work, I should have started writing a daily journal for you all. But instead, I have been working on my new home and cleaning it. I have the time to put things away.

I purchased the home in October of 2019, moved in, in November. Never had time to really unpack, clean the home, etc. It was of course winter, so I the work needed in the barn had to wait. Then my computer fried. Why is it our technology doesn’t last?

I did start the garden and I did start the seeds. So that is getting done. I have been resting. This is great. I needed this resting time to recharge. I am grateful for it. But now it is time for me to start focusing on more than resting and this house. We got extended for more time.

I was furloughed March 18, 2020. We were suppose to open back up April 6, 2020. It was just for 2 weeks, but now, it is longer. 6 weeks and soon to be 7.

My main reason for this blog has nothing to do with all that. My main reason is, I am working on this new Miss Nose story and I still don’t have it anywhere near good enough to publish.

With all the computer issues I have (technology sucks). I have been writing it the old fashion way, on paper. I then type it up just to edit it and place those scrambled areas into the proper place for the story.

Now I am at a spot where I really need someone to read it, comment upon it, and help me work it into something amazing for you to read.

And that is why I am writing this. To let you know it is being worked on and will hopefully be published soon for you to read.

Stay healthy. I am thinking about venting on my other blog about all this COVID we are having. Some stuff just doesn’t sit well with my medical side. Have a blessed day. Miss Nose is on the case!

Pandemic 2020

I hope you are all well. I, too, am home with nothing to do. I am going to use our currant situation and put it in a new Miss Nose, The Evil Joe Files. I am working on it as we speak using pen and paper.

Now that I am home, I can do that much needed writing. I hope to see plenty from the rest of you as well.

Have a blessed day. I hope I can get this story done fast.

Writing

I have some articles up on the other blog if you want to read them. I am working on getting more up for ‘Paranormal, Miss Nose’ and I have been working on a non Miss Nose story. I have another Miss Nose story to work on but it doesn’t have Miss Nose in it.

I just recently purchased a new home. I have been in 2 land contracts that haven’t worked in my favor. I would say to anyone out there, don’t ever get in a land contract unless your name is on the deed immediately. I got a loan from the bank with my name on the deed. So now it is time to focus on writing.

I went from owning my own business to working part time while owning my business to having a full time job while owning my own business. I know that is a lot. This is awesome though. It means I get to keep more money except I haven’t been doing much with my own business. LOL.

In case you are wondering, I am a massage therapist which has allowed me freedom to work as I need to. This is my own business, but at times you need more. The full time job is still being a massage therapist but I work for someone else. I work their hours and their clients. I have zero say in anything. I just do my job. I just haven’t had time with the move and the full time employment to set myself up at home or go to anyone’s house. I will get back to that eventually, but for now, this is my focus and it will allow me to write.

So stay tuned. More to come and hopefully really soon.

Day 2, The Trouble With Mother (CONT)

“Look. You get ready for work. Don’t worry about anything. Call up those amazing friends of yours and go dancing. Mama will fix everything else for you. I have already discussed it with Ben and Judy. They are coming to my house for a few days for some grandma time. They need a vacation from you and Jeff.” Mom wags her finger in my face at that line. Gee thanks mom for making me feel even less like a person since I can’t mother my babies at the moment. As I peer back at this moment, mom really is a blessing. She doesn’t have to take Ben and Judy, but is so willing to.

Mom is right about one thing, go to work. It sure didn’t help my esteem any. I ended up accidentally spilling coffee all over Mrs. Perkins. Her husband, Tommy, laughed quite loud. They are considered very wealthy people in my area. What does that mean? Well they make 6 figures while the rest of us make minimum wage.

I couldn’t wait for my 5 hour shift to just end already. Too much going through my mind and wiping tables wasn’t helping my mental health. When 1 o’clock came, I threw my apron in the basket and clocked out of there. I am sure I ran out of there.

Thankfully,  my really great friend, Michael, works at the salon right at the end of the block. If you look at our work spots, I am on one corner and he is on the other. Same block. Don’t even have to cross the street, just walk a few stores down.

I super had to talk to him. So I waltzed right through the door. Skinny little Megan was there. God she is such a charm.

“Well hellloooo.” There goes that fake sing-song voice of hers. “Are you here to talk to Michael again or actually get some work done? You would be a lot prettier if you did your hair.” Well dig me a grave won’t cha. I hate that she gets those digs in. She tries to act so nice and sweet but if you listen to her, you know it is a facade.

“I just need to TALK to him for a BRIEF moment.” Must have been something in my tone or the look on my face, but Megan went pale. She turned, walked over to Michael, said something to him, pointed at me, then she walked over to her station and stayed there. Michael finished with his client as I waited silently.

Finally Michael walks up to me and says,”Hey you. What’s going on?”

“I can’t tell you right now, but will you call the others. I want to tell you all at the same time. I will be at our favorite spot.”

“Ok. I will make those calls. Are you ok?”

“I’m fine. For now. Just get everyone together and I will talk to you all then.”

“Ok love. Will do.” Michael gave me one of his bear hugs. Which I really didn’t know I need and I felt like I was gonna cry again so I hurriedly pushed him away and as I turned to leave I said, “I know it won’t be til around 5 or 6 when you all get there, but I will be sitting in our spot waiting.” and I walked away. I never looked back to see if anyone was watching me. I must be very transparent right now.

Day 2, The Trouble with Mother

Everyone has one. We call her Mother or Mama or Mums or anything like that. Mine is an independent soul. She has been married 4 times and I can’t count the boyfriends or manfriends as she calls them. She has had more men in and out of her life than anyone I know. I never wanted to be her. I wanted a strong, everlasting marriage like my grandparents had. My mother has always had her own house, career, and life. If a man didn’t like the way she lived, it was goodbye man.

Judy called her last night and told her everything Jeff had said at dinner.

“Don’t worry about anything.” He said to our children. “Jenni will make you an awesome home and be the best mother ever!”

That was when Ben exploded. Ben has known Jenni since we moved into this house. Mike and Carol were the first people on the block to welcome us to the neighborhood. Jenni was always a cute baby with all her curls. She would run around the neighborhood on her tricycle to visit all the other kids. She still is a social butterfly. She became head cheerleader when she was a freshman. Quite a feat for a tiny child.

“JENNI! MY MOTHER! ARE YOU CRAZY!” He sure does know how to yell. Sometimes I think Ben has spent too much time at my dad’s house. He has more of my dad in him than he does of Jeff or even Jeff’s parents. ” I THINK YOU NEED YOUR HEAD EXAMINED! WE HAVE A GREAT COUNSELOR AT SCHOOL! I DON’T THINK MATT IS GONNA LIKE THIS AT ALL. HE GAVE JENNI A PROMISE RING 3 WEEKS AGO! WHY CAN’T YOU FIND SOMEONE YOUR OWN AGE LIKE MOM?”

“Jenni is fun and she knows Matt is just a cover until she is 18 which she is now.” At that statement Ben stood up, grabbed the knife next to him, looked at it, and decided to punch the wall instead.

Judy and my mom where on the phone for hours or so it seems when you are still in shock and running around your house like a zombie.

This morning, I really didn’t feel like getting out of bed. I heard the kids downstairs and a very familiar voice.

“Damn it” I said under my covers.

The voice came up the stairs and into my room. There is a tug at my blankets.

“Go away and leave me alone!” I told the voice.

“I will not, Alice Eugenia! Get your ass out of bed this instant.”

“I do not wish to leave my bed at this moment, and you can never make me.”

“Oh really?”

Ok. I may be in a bit of trouble with that tone. I peaked a bit out of the covers. Then I told the voice, “I am not leaving my bed, you can’t make me, and all I ever wanted was a marriage like grandma’s!”

“Oh my gawd, seriously! Your grandparents did not have a perfect marriage you know. My father had affairs on my mother all the time. She just stayed with him like an obedient dog.  Stop acting like her. I raised you to be a worshipped goddess not a dog to some filthy man. Men stray all the time. They never stay with one woman. The sooner you realize this, the better your life will be. You can’t be basing your whole life around a man or even your children. You have to live your life for yourself. Your children grow up and have their own lives eventually and men, well they find perkier breasts to hold. ”

At that she grabbed my covers again and we played the stupid game of tug of war with the covers. A game I haven’t played with her since my school years. She succeeded in dragging me and the blankets to the floor.

“There.” she said, “Now get up and make us all breakfast. I for one am starving. And I believe it is time for you to follow your dreams. Time to stop being a barista or whatever they call you down at that coffee shop and get a career you love. Time for you to stop being an obedient dog! Men come and go, you will always be with you. Now chop chop. Get up, get dressed, and get downstairs. Life awaits you!”

At that the voice left my room. I heard her walking down the stairs and talking to my babies. I pulled the blankets off my head and stood up. My mirror sure didn’t hide the ugliness of my hair. I walked to the bathroom and started showering. I walked back to my bedroom and got dressed in my sweatpants with a baggy shirt. Not what my mother would want me to wear but oh well.

I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Ben and Judy were already making some sort of breakfast with my mother’s guidence.

“You call that dressing?” She says to me giving me that look.

“Its not like I am going to school.” I snapped back to her.

“Doesn’t matter even if you are. You should dress more appropriately and put on some makeup. You can’t attract a man without looking your best.”

“Mom, I just found out less than 24 hours ago, I am getting a divorce. I really don’t want a man right now.”

My mother decided to do one of her dramatic sighs then says, “Fine. But do go to that nasty job your so called husband wanted you to have.  You have bills to pay right now. Then make yourself a spa day. Oh never mind, I will do that. Time for some mother-daughter time. I think you need a whole new routine. Call your friends up. I know they will help get you out of this slump.”

“SLUMP! MOTHER IT HAS ONLY BEEN 24 HOURS!” According to Ben and Judy, I looked like some freaky teenager doing some wild child thing to my mother since I had a wild look on my face and I was swinging my arms around.

“Stop being so dramatic!”

Leave it to my mother to think I am being the dramatic one.

 

 

Day 1, Jeff’s Exciting News

Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the really life changing, OMG what am I going to do now days. This is one of those days.

It started just like every day has with me rising out of bed. My hair looks like Medusa. It has always had a mind of its own. I stumble my way to the bathroom where I can get some sanity from the heat of the water running over my back. I just love showers. The way they make you feel. Not like a bath where you float in it, but you stand there in a nice warm rain. Finally, the water gets cold. That is when I know my calming time is over. Life now begins.

I stumble my way, slightly more awake, to my bedroom to get dress for my day.  Today is a Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 day.  My mom played 3 songs daily. One is Aretha Franklin’s Natural Woman, two is Peggy Lee’s I’m A Woman (who can ever forget that model with the frying pan commercial), and Dolly’s 9 to 5. These are her all time favorites. Today, I am humming 9 to 5 since I have to go to work at the crappy coffee shop I work at. My husband was quite insistent one day that I get this job. My old job was as a CNA for a nursing home. He didn’t like the hours or the fact that I could  bring home so much money putting us over a certain tax bracket. So lousy, little pay job it is.

I get my uniform on and then smell something amazing. Eggs, bacon, and I hear the kids chattering away downstairs talking to their dad. My eldest is Ben. He is 17 and a Senior in High School. My baby is Judy. She just turned 16 and is a Junior.  My dear husband is Jeffery, Jeff as everyone calls him.

I head down the stairs walking toward the wonderful smell of breakfast in my kitchen. I love my kitchen. It is so bright with all the windows. It took Jeff and I forever to agree on a house. We looked at over 100 houses when we first decided to get out of that little studio. Of course we really needed to with one baby almost 1 and another on the way.

This is our compromise home. It has the kitchen I adore and the everything else Jeff wanted. I enter the kitchen to laughter and my amazing family. I always feel so blessed at home.

Then Ben says, ” Oops. Judy look at the time. We have to fly or we will be late for school!”

“Crap!” Judy exclaims and she grabs her backpack.

Ben grabs his and they rush toward the door.

“Hold on!” I say. “Come here and give us a kiss and hug!”

They both run and exchange parents as they do my bidding.

“Goodbye my babies. I love you. See you after school.”

“Bye, Love you.” They say simultaneously.

Jeff then grabs my arm. I figure he wants a kiss before work, but instead he says, “We need to talk.”

“Ok” I say with a bit of suspicion. Jeff really never talks to me. He usually just tells me what is going to happen and if I don’t like it he throws a fit like a 2-year-old til he gets his way.

“This is serious Alice.” He always starts this way when he wants me to just go along with something. “I want you to sign these divorce papers.” All of a sudden my chin hits the floor.

Jeff then starts talking with a gleam in his eye and excitement in his voice, “Jennifer and I have found the perfect place and we are moving into it today!”

“What?!” I finally find a word in this fantasy. I am flabbergasted and amazed. What the hell is going on here.

Finally reality hits and a wave rushes through me. “Who the hell is Jennifer? When did you get divorce papers?” Anger starts swelling in me.

“What do you mean?” Jeff asks like an innocent child. “Jennifer is Mike and Carol’s daughter. She really loves me and I really love her. We are going to live together forever.”

“Are you on some kind of drug? Are you crazy? Jennifer just turned 18 yesterday. What the hell made this come about?”

“Oh well you see. Jennifer and I started to date 4 years ago after Ben’s birthday bash.”

“WHAT? When she was just 14. Ben’s birthday is 3 months before hers! What are you a pedophile? Does Mike and Carol know about this?”

“Well Mike did. He never cared that Jen and I are together. Whatever makes Jenni happy makes Mike happy.”

“Oh my gawd. You are a pedophile and Mike is allowing this!”

“Well she is 18 now and legally nothing can be done. Nothing you say matters anyway. Sign the damn divorce papers. I will come home for supper and explain it all to Ben and Judy. But as of right now, I am no longer living in this house.”

With that Jeff turned and headed toward the front door, I assume to go to work, but really, I have no idea where he is going. At this point, I don’t even want to go to work. So I picked up the phone and called my boss. I told him I was sick and needed a couple of days. What I really need is some sanity.

I went upstairs, got out of my uniform and into my sweatpants with a baggy shirt. I laid upon my bed and cried. Then I slept. I got up thinking it was all a bad dream. Went downstairs for some coffee. Couldn’t bring myself to drink it at all. Then back to bed. I was awaken by the sounds of my babies coming home from school. I laid in bed a while more.

Jeff came to dinner just like he said he would. The blowup between him and Ben was very scary. Jennifer is in Ben’s class. They will be graduating together this year. Judy is still crying as I write this. I called a few lawyers today. I am not just signing divorce papers without some idea of what I am signing.

I am sure after I get a good nights sleep maybe the shock of it all will diminish. I still feel like I have the flu. I need to let this all sink in.  Tomorrow, I will call my parents and friends. Today, I just can’t deal with anything. Emotions have gotten the better of me.  I guess I will head back to sleep. I pray this is just a bad dream and I awaken soon.

Nanowrimo Idea

November will soon be upon us. I have been trying to find a great idea for a novel this month. I am still working on my murder mystery, but I really want that to be published. Although I have been developing characters and writing about their past. That I have been sharing with you and more is coming.

But this idea is fresh for me and exciting. I have developed an outline for it. I have a character named Alice. She is divorced, raising kids, working at a menial job, trying to find true love, dealing with her parents, her ex, and keeping up with her friends.

Life is an adventure. It is what we make it so I am gonna put myself in Alice’s shoes and get that message to you. I don’t know if I will post it all daily, but I will write it daily.

What is your idea for our Novel Writing Month of November?

Let the creativity flow and let’s find adventure together. Maybe even Miss Nose will get some jinky on.

Working on details

When I was taking college English, the Professor asked us to break down our day. We could use a minute, an hour, a day, a week, or so on. But the idea was to break it down small and get those details in. He wanted us to first write a minute, then expand. Detail includes emotions, smells, sounds, color, and anything else to delight your senses.

It looks something like this:

It is morning time and I am going to make coffee in one minute or less.
1:01 I walk to the coffee pot
1:02 I open the lid on the back of the coffee maker
1:03 I pull out the coffee pot
1:04 I take the pot to the sink
1:05 I turn on the water
1:06 I put the pot under the running water
1:07 I fill the pot with water
1:08 I turn the water off
1:09 I take the pot to the maker
1:10 I pour the water in the back of the maker
1:11 I close the lid
1:12 I put the pot on the maker
1:13 I open the filler basket
1:14 I remove the basket
1:15 I take the basket to the sink
1:16 I rinse the basket
1:17 I take it back to the maker
1:18 I open the cupboard door while still holding the basket
1:19 I pull out the filters
1:20 I separate out a filter from the rest
1:21 I place it in the basket
1:22 I put the basket back in the filler
1:23 I pull the coffee out of the cupboard
1:24 I open the coffee and the smell from the grounds releases into the air putting a smile on my face
1:25 I grab the scoop
1:26 I fill it with coffee
1:27 I pour it into the basket
1:28 I scoop another from the coffee can
1:29 I pour it into the basket filter
1:30 I scoop another
1:31 I pour it in
1:32 I scoop another
1:33 I pour it in
1:34 I scoop another
1:35 I put it in
1:36 I scoop another scoop from the coffee can
1:37 I put it in the filter
1:38 I scoop the last scoop for the coffee pot
1:39 I put it in
1:40 I close the filler basket
1:41 I put the scoop back in the coffee can
1:42 I put the lid on the can
1:43 I push start on the coffee maker
1:44 I put the coffee can back in the cupboard
1:45 I put the filters back in the cupboard
1:46 I shut the cupboard door
1:47 I take a deep breath in smelling the aroma of the coffee

As you can see, you can get a lot more out of your stories by thinking about the details your character is going to be doing or facing step by step or second by second. Think of each step you take. Take time to listen to your heart beat as you take a step. If you can’t hear it, use a stethoscope.

Today, this is what I am working on for my stories. I am spending some time on the details. I want to make my stories pop and to do that, I have to remind myself that it is all in the detail. Now you can too!