Wednesday, February 29, 2012

50 Book Challenge- Book 7- Zombie Cinderella

My 7th book of this challenge was a short novel called Zombie Cinderella. It was a featured title on my Kindle for free. I am now a firm believer that every fairy tale should be a zombie story.

Zombie Cinderella was a fantastic story of her fairy dead-mother scratching her in the cemetery after her father's funeral. She walks home after being left by her step-family and notices that the town seems more deserted than ever before. Once home, her step-mother immediately strips her of her fancy things and her dignity and makes her a maid. Her step-sisters make her life as a maid hell on earth before leaving for the ball.

Cinderella dies from the pain and torture she endures during the short time between her father's funeral and her sisters leaving for the ball. After a few hours, she is awoken. Alive and hungry, she goes in search of her stepmother, to eat her brains.

This was an awesome read. I am a firm believer in the zombie apocalypse- what, with all the medications, nuclear damage that can be done, deformities, and ever grown number of harmful contagions in our world it seems entirely likely- and this story is just another prime example of how we can still retain memories after death. Think carefully of how you treat the living, they may come after you when they are dead.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

50 Book Challenge- Book 6- The Help

I just finished reading The Help. It was a phenomenal book! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in civil rights or stories of the south. It was a little hard to get through at times because many parts of the book are phonetically spelled. But the story was great. I also watched something on HBO that said that many of these events in the book were true events (not just the parts of civil rights events but stories from the maids.)

This was the story of what it was like being a black maid during the height of civil rights during the 1960s. These were stories of maids working with white families and the duties they performed, the lives they led and the overall feel of living in the south during these trying times. It also detailed the life of a white woman, Skeeter, who didn't see those lines of color. She was an outcast for many other reasons than wanting to associate with the help, like the fact that she was too tall, too skinny, not dating anyone, and that she lived a little too far out of town.

I loved this book, nearly as much as I loved the movie. I recommend this book to everyone. I think it carries a powerful message that everyone should not only know, but respect and strongly consider.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Finals are Coming! Finals are Coming!

Well as the title indicates-- my finals are coming. I hate finals because they always seem so daunting. This week alone, I have 2 tests. One today and one tomorrow. I'm more worried about the one tomorrow than I am today's test. the nice thing about test days is that I get out of class early. Once the test is done, I'm out of there. Sometimes it makes things nice.

I finally got registered for my classes for next quarter. They weren't what I wanted, but they are some of the ones I needed. I am taking a writing 121 class, sociology, and an intro to fiction literature. It should be a decent quarter but I'm going to have a lot of papers to write. I may have even less time to work. :( I hope that I will be able to keep up with everything that I want to do. On the sunnier side, I will be going to class only 2 days a week, but I have to be there at 8 am for my first class then I have a 2 hour wait before my next one. I guess that gives me enough time to do my homework...

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Getting a Little Worried

I don't know if it is because I haven't gotten much sleep lately, or because I have been trying to do too many things all at once. Whatever the reason, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Hail has been driving me crazy. I feel bad because he hasn't really done anything out of the usual. I just feel like I want to be left alone to watch True Blood on HBO and work. Thankfully, I am no longer behind in my work which makes me glad, I worked for nearly 12 hours yesterday to get caught up and now I'm on track again.

I am getting a little anxious about CBS pay. I have followed all their instructions, written the articles before the required time, and everything seems kosher. I sent in a message to support, inquiring about the pay and how to get more articles but I haven't heard anything back yet. I am hoping that when their payday comes on the 10th, I am not left empty handed for the work I've done so far. I haven't heard anything about my articles needing editing. In the postings, they all say that CBS isn't going to publish the articles until May or April when they are more applicable. I hope I don't have to wait that long to be paid too. I have searched forums for an answer and nothing.

*Sigh* Hopefully things will find a place soon. I suppose I will just have to wait until the 10th to see if a check comes or not. I hope that it does because I have a pretty significant start already. I don't want to wait until April or May to be paid. That seems more than sketchy to me.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

TV mom Likenesses

I love the show Roseanne. I grew up watching it throughout childhood and even still, when I catch it on one of the cable channels, I still feel compelled to watch it, no matter how many times I have seen the episode. I remember how much my grandma hated Roseanne growing up. She felt that it was inappropriate because she was sometimes rude, yelled,she was working class, showed the struggles of everyday living, and pretty much told the world the true inner workings of a typical family. She thought everything should be Leave it to Beaver style and never detail anything that really goes on.

I hate to break it to grandma, but there are very few people that live a June Cleaver lifestyle. They didn't back in the 50s and they don't today. In a survey that I found online one day, it said that 53% of housewives during the 50s and 60s had drinking problems from holding their tongues and never disobeying their husbands. I feel that Roseanne was more realistic in her show about what life was like. She struggled to pay bills, provide for her kids, make sure they grew up properly, but still had dreams she wanted to accomplish. She was a typical American wife during the 90s.

If I were to have a TV likeness to any TV mom, I would be Roseanne. I live my life in many similar ways as she does, struggling to make ends meet at times, I can be rude, I yell, I drink -- in public, I am not a perfect size 5 like society wants me to be. While my life is far from perfect, I have to say, I am proud to be more of a Roseanne and not a June. At least I speak my mind and be damned with holding it in!

Who is your TV mom likeness??

Friday, February 24, 2012

Busy Bee

I have a bunch of Examiner articles that I need to catch up on today. As part of my contract with CBS through Examiner, I have to have a minimum of five articles on every channel I have with Examiner posted throughout the month. With this school quarter coming to an end and finals slamming into me head on, I haven't had much time to get anything done. Now that Hail is up and walking consistently, I spend all day protecting everything I own, trying to put it higher than he can reach. Do you know how hard it is to put everything you own higher than 4 feet?

Lately, Hail has been really into cows. I don't know where he got this from as we don't live anywhere near cows, he hasn't seen any on the TV, he doesn't have and books about cows, etc. I have been trying to find a place that is not too far away that I can take him to see a real cow. I'm not having too much luck so far.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Unfocused

Lately, I can't seem to focus on much. I am sure that a large part of it has to do with exhaustion. I am so burned out from chasing Hail around all the time, telling him no, homework, attempting to do work, working on my finals that are going to slam into me in no time at all, and trying to keep up with my house. I have a pile of laundry that has needed folding for almost a week. This actually isn't anything unusual-- everyone that knows me knows how much I hate doing laundry. Honestly, I would rather do dishes, scrub toilets, or even chop off my own arm.

Last weekend, I rented the movie The Help. It is a fantastic movie. I liked it so much, that I started reading the book. It is very moving-- so much so, I can't stop reading it or thinking about it. I know that this is a large part of why I am so unfocused. Racial issues are such a hot button issue for me that this book really gets under my skin. Not that I don't love it, but because I hate people's attitudes during the 1960s!

I am so confused as to what my Virtual Assistant teacher is looking for. I really don't like her. I have been in a position of virtual assisting (and never knew it!) for nearly 4 years now. When I do my assignments, she confuses me more than anything when she returns them. She gives me nearly full credit for my assignments then leaves a bunch of comments on my work of how she wants things changed, what I did wrong, something she forgot to explain that she wants added, and so on. She is not a very thorough instructor. For instance, when we send in assignments, everything is sent from our personal school email. She still wants us to format papers with the typical information and was taking points off for not having it done, but that was something that we had to guess at because she never bothered to say that was how she wanted things done until week 3!! Never again will I be taking a class from her again. If she wants to be a teacher, she needs to go to school and take some courses in educating others. I don't feel that any instructor should leave students more confused than they were previously.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

So Frustrated!

Today, I stopped at the advising center to speak to someone about the courses I needed to register for and whether or not they got a copy of my assessment testing scores. He looked all over the office, asked every other person in the advising office if it had come through, and nothing. Finally, a copy of the original fax I sent to my previous school was found, without the test scores.

Looking over the piece of paper, I notice that the adviser that faxed the document to my previous school sent it to the wrong number. My previous school sent it back without saying a word. I find the correct fax number again and attempt to have it sent again so that I will be able to register tomorrow on time. After three attempts it is not going through. More frustration.

Now, I have to drive down to the school tomorrow while I should be in class to physically pick up my testing scores and take them to school with me so that I can register. I am so beyond annoyed, it's not funny. Not to mention, when I signed up to speak to an adviser, they told me it was going to be a 20 minute wait. That didn't seem too bad since I got there early. I don't actually fet seen until nearly an hour and a half after I was told 20 minutes.

*sigh* Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

50 Book Challenge- Book 5- Devil's Food Cake Murder

Last night, I finished reading book 5 of the 50 book challenge. The book I chose was called Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke. This was book 14 of her Hannah Swensen series. I love this series and have read every book; however, this book dropped a bombshell for an ending that I wasn't expecting!

In this story, Hannah comes across a dead minister in the church office while visiting the pastor's grandmother,Grandma Knudson. At first, Grandma Knudson is skeptical as to whether the substitute minister is the same person she remembers from childhood, thinking that he may be his cousin, a sneaky person that had a rotten core since teenager-hood. After the minister is found dead, the supposedly real Reverend Matthew comes to town to claim the body. Everyone is confused because this new "reverend" that comes to town could be a twin of the one that just passed. While investigating the murder on her own time, Hannah gets to spend time with her long time dentist boyfriend, Norman.

Norman has recently added a new dentist to his clinic, Dr. Bev, his ex-fiance. While spending time more time with her than Hannah would like, Norman reveals that he does still love Hannah and still wants her to marry him. Together, Hannah, her sisters, and Norman work at solving the case. There are several twists and turns that surprise everyone, but not nearly as much as the bombshell that Norman drops on Hannah at the end of the story-- He is marrying Dr. Bev so that he can continue to see Diana. It turns out, when Dr. Bev broke off her and Norman's engagement, she was pregnant with Diana and never told him! Now, Hannah is without a boyfriend, shocked that he has a child nobody but Norman ever knew about, and shocked that Norman would go along with the ultimatum that was placed on him and his visitation.

The next book to this series will be released on February 28, 2012 and you better believe that I will be picking it up to see how this new tale unravels! This story was a great read, as all of Joanne's books are. There are several fantastic recipes available throughout the book for cookies, coffee, and several other great desserts. I can't wait to try them all!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Stupid School!

The one time that I could really use a day off, a national holiday no less, and I still have to go to school! That makes no sense to me that the community colleges in my area are open and holding classes when the post office, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, banks and most daycares are all closed. If Hail went to a traditional daycare I would have to skip school because I wouldn't be able to take him...

I thought of taking the day off from school anyway, but I can't do that because today is my first aid/CPR class. If I miss class, I can't get my certification then I would have taken the course for nothing.. Stupid school!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Misdirected Grouchiness

If there is anything I hate more it is misdirected anger-- specifically toward me. I get it that you are mad, in a bad mood, pissed off, whatever- That does not give you the right to act like a jerk to me,especially when I did nothing to cause or create the situation you feel you are in. This is one of my hugest pet peeves.

For whatever reason, Raph has woken up on the wrong side of the bed and has been a jerk to everything that moves. I suggested a time out, I think it is deserved. When you aren't in a pissy mood any longer, then you can come talk to me.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Limits Testing

Today has been a very trying day for me. Now that Hail can walk, he has decided that testing the limits to EVERYTHING is the way to go. Things he knew he couldn't do last week, he has decided that it is okay to try. I have tried everything from smacking his hand, telling him no, putting him in time out and spanking his bottom. I really wouldn't mind so much if he was only doing things that annoyed me, but he wants to test the limits with things that are dangerous. Like today alone, he tried to crawl over the top of the couch- backwards, he was standing up on his toddler bed and almost fell over backwards and smacked his head on the railing, tried to stick his finger in the fan-while running, and then tried to inhale his fork at dinner time.

My telling him no has no effect on the situation regardless of how I choose to discipline him. He laughs at me, continues what he is doing or moves onto the next dangerous button pushing act. Raph is usually the one that has to finally step in and discipline him before he listens. I don't know if it is the deep voice or what but I don't want this to be a constant issue where he is the only one he will listen to when discipline is concerned. Not only am I afraid that he is going to get hurt from not listening to me and continuing on his way, but I don't want him to be afraid of Raph because all he thinks he does is discipline him. I really don't know where to go with this one or how to resolve it. It is not as if I am shirking the disciplining duty on someone else, he just doesn't listen to me. I really hope that this is not the beginning of bad teenage behavior starting at 16.5 months.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Water, Water, Everywhere, But Never a Drop to Drink

Admittedly, I do not drink a fraction of the amount of water that I should. I give Hail lots of water to drink, most of which he thinks is for spitting out in fountain form. I am beginning to think that he sees water as a play toy instead of a nourishing entity that he needs to consume to stay healthy. That is irrelevant, however, this post isn't about him, it's about me.

Most days I am incredibly tired, and consume large quantities of Coke and coffee to stay awake throughout the day. While I recognize that water is a nourishing entity that my body needs, it is usually the last thing that I go for when I'm thirsty. Many have told me that drinking water will give me more energy, make me feel less hungry and several other healthful benefits. When it comes down to it, I just can't do it. :( Water tastes boring. I think this is my biggest reason for not drinking it. I can use those flavor packets to add to my water but then I feel it is cheating because I'm not really drinking water any longer. I have tried the prepackaged flavor waters (Life Water, Safeway Select waters (the carbonated ones), Vitamin Water) and all of them leave a nasty taste in my mouth.

I realized that I am nearly dehydrated yesterday when I was on my home from school. After dropping Hail off, I have a 3 block walk to the bus stop so that I can go to school. On my way home, there is a slight hill. While walking up the hill my calves started to seize and it became increasingly painful to walk. A huge concern that I am now thinking about it is that my mom has chronic dehydration. She can never reach over 40% hydration no mater how much water she drinks. This worries me and I don't want to end up the same. I am working of forcing myself to drink more water, but I'm finding it very difficult. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Have You Ever Had One of Those Days?

I am having one of those days today where I feel like doing nothing; and that's about how much I've done. I did go to school... and fell asleep in class. I finished my homework after I finally figured out what I was supposed to be doing. Then, Hail and I watched Rio for the 546 time. He loves that movie so much. He loves to shake his booty and dance like nobody's watching. Just this morning he was dancing like nobody's business and smacked his head of the coffee table, giving himself a huge goose egg. He just kept dancing like it didn't matter.

I have been trying to work on a few articles but I keep getting distracted and can't focus on things. I keep thinking that my list of ideas to write about is getting shorter-- I write most all for revenue share, so my articles need to be within topic as well as evergreen or holiday related so that I can make money on them each year. I don't want to work on my other CBS article yet because the first one hasn't been reviewed yet and I would really like the feedback so that I know more about what they are looking for. I didn't do the orientation before they gave me articles and although I have told them this several times they kept handing me articles!

Maybe I'll just take the rest of the night off and work on gaining some ideas so that I can start fresh tomorrow. It's my Friday tonight.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

50 Book Challenge- Book 4- Husk

Recently, I took a chance on a new author that I had never heard of before. His name is Matthew Hults. Husk was his first book.

This is what the publisher had to say about it:
"ONE NIGHTMARE ENDS…
Serial killer Kale Kane has finally died, having survived five years in a coma after a shootout with police. But is his reign of terror truly over? When he died, Kane took the reasons for his atrocities with him, along with the answer to a question police never got to ask: did he work alone?

…AND A NEW HORROR BEGINS.
Mallory Wiess is a typical teenage girl… or so it seems. When she moves to rural Minnesota with her father and younger brother, she quickly discovers her new home won’t be as boring as she’d feared. Who is the dark figure watching her from the house across the street? What is the shape hanging in the shadows of the old barn behind the neighborhood? And why has someone begun digging up graves at the ancient cemetery in the forest? Soon Mallory will learn the truth. For she has attracted the attention of a killer, a ruthless predator who believes only her death will finish the work Kale Kane began, and unleash an evil that has faded into legend. In the end, one night will decide if the dead will rise. "

This book was a great read. I picked it up on my Kindle for $9.99, thinking that this book would be about zombies. I started reading, and immediately, I was hooked. The book is more of a paranormal thriller than a book about zombies, but it was still a good read. Matt has a way with words that leave you on the edge of your seat, always wanting more.

The only complaints I have about this book is that there are several grammatical errors, almost as if the editing job was a little rushed so that the book could be published. The ending kind of gave the same vibe as well. While the story was complete, the ending seemed lame compared to the rest of the phenomenal story. The characters were nicely depicted, and I could see them in my mind's eye.

For anyone that loves a good thrill, this book is definitely worth a try. I am dyslexic and a very slow reader and I was able to finish this book in two days.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Well it's that day again, probably the most undivided day of the year; 25% like Valentine's Day, the other 75% hide in the house and avoid going out if they can. Today is my nephew's 4th birthday. Happy Birthday Anthony!!!!

Personally, I'm a little mixed up about this Valentine's Day. While I have a sweetheart, the older one won't be home from school until 11PM and Hail is grouchy from teething. Also, I suspect that he has been getting up in the middle of the night to play now that he's in his big boy bed. (I woke up in the middle of the night hearing, "weee, weee, weeee!") So my Valentine's Day is coning to consist of homework by myself, watching Teen Mom 2. I have a weird/sick fascination with that show. I know it is all drama and teen issues but I can't stop watching.

On the up side, I got my first two assignments for CBS. I am freaking out about it because one of them is due Thursday and I haven't written to a specific format/deadline in months. I feel like I'm a little rusty!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Walking Dead Marathon

I love Sundays. Even though I usually spend my Sundays doing homework, preparing my work week and hanging out. It's my lazy day. Nobody expects anything of me because they know it is not gonna happen. I don't get out of my PJs and I get to just hang out.

This Sunday, a Walking Dead marathon is on of the first half of the second season. A new episode will be on at 9PM, something I have been dying to see. I love zombies, and feel that the zombie apocalypse is entirely possible. Whether zombies come about from a genetic mutation, a spirit still alive from within, or some modern medicine that changes people, it seems entirely likely. Hail likes zombies too, he laughs when he sees them and he is always entertained when he sees a zombie on TV.

Hope that everyone enjoys their lazy Sunday, I know I will.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Oh! The Pain!

Ever since yesterday, I have been suffering from some severe back pain. First, it simply started out as an annoyance. Then it escalated into being debilitating. I can barely walk on my own right now. I cannot lift Hail, which really pisses him off and makes him nervous at the same time. Advil did not work in keeping the pain at bay, not even a little bit. I took a muscle relaxer when I woke up and it was strong enough to help me shower and get comfortable on the couch. That is where I have posted and that is where I may stay the rest of the day. I kind of feel like a zombie. I shamble around when I get up to do something and the pain medication is not helping to eat through the pain.

But speaking of zombies, There is a marathon starting today leading up to the New episode tomorrow of the Walking Dead. It should be a good one. I have not seen season 2 yet so I am excited to see what is going on. Hail and I have a date to get our marathon on. Until it starts, I guess it is a good thing that I have a lot of books on my Kindle to keep me entertained.

Friday, February 10, 2012

I Love Valentine's Day

The feel of love is in the air in my home, for many reasons more than simply because Valentine's Day is near. My house is most always full of love. Raph and I don't argue, Hail listens most all the time as long as he is kept busy, and everyone is in a happy mood most all the time. I think I just love being in love and having people around me to love. :)

This is going to be Hail's first Valentine's Day that is will be able to remember. While at Winco the other day, he saw Elmo valentines he liked, so we will be filling them out this weekend and giving them out to people. He was so excited to see those cute Elmo cards. I hope that he really enjoys the feeling of people expressing their gratitude toward a simple gesture of a Valentine. It is a wonderful feeling when someone appreciates you and the time you took to think of them. I think he really does understand that. He shows it in simple ways such as never being able to stop at blowing only one kiss. He has to blow everyone several kisses and gives huge smiles between each one. When he gives you a hug, he is never happy with just wrapping his arms around you. He has to pat you on the back too.

This Valentine's Day, I will be spending it with Hail since Raph has his night class to go to. I am excited over the prospect of having someone to love nonetheless. Someone that loves me and appreciates the things I do, even if it is simply cooking dinner, or leaving a light on if I go to bed early. Raph is my sweetheart. I love him and I know that he not only loves me but he loves Hail too and that is what matters most to me.

Here's a picture of my two sweethearts. This was taken in April of last year.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Crazy Days

The last few days have seemingly been super busy even though nothing out of the ordinary has happened to make me feel that way. I have been going to school and attempting to keep up on work so that I can have some kind of cash flowing in, even though that seems to be more difficult than it sounds. While I have a full course load, I actually only spend approximately 5 hours a week doing homework and I am only in class for 2 hours a day, 4 days a week.

I think that my biggest challenge has been Hail. While he has been behaving, his schedule has been so off from because two days a week he goes to Rachael's while I'm in school and the rest of the week he stays home with Raph or I. It can be tough although he loves getting to go and play with the dogs and kitties. Hail has now started walking most all the time. I suspect, however, that most of his walking is because we were bribing him with candy to get up and do it. Now, I cannot get him to sit down and look at his books or play or anything. He just wants to walk. In addition, because he is so tall, I have to constantly chase him around and make sure that EVERYTHING is removed from the counters because he can reach. With his bare feet flat on the ground. So chasing him around gets a little overwhelming.

I hope that once I can develop a schedule that things will start to even out some. I still have yet to come up with a schedule that works for me since I spend most of my time chasing a little one. He does not really take naps any longer either and he does surprisingly well with no nap as long as he is kept busy. Here's for hoping!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

BIG

Hail is getting to be a huge kid. At 16-months old, he is 23 pounds and 9 ounces. He is 3 feet tall, yes I said three feet, and he is getting 6 new teeth as we speak. He has learned a few more words and he is finally starting to walk. Raph and I have to bribe him with candy, but he gets up and is on the move more than ever. It amazes me how quickly a toddler grows, however, mine could stop at any time. By the time he is two, I'm going to be asking him to get me things from the top shelf in the kitchen.

It seems that time flies way too fast, and I can't even keep him in clothes. He is already wearing a 2t-3t because of how tall he is. he is learning to form his own little opinions and what he wants to do. Reading books and playing with his cars and trains is his favorite. Never before would I have thought that my kid was going to end up being so smart at such a young age.

Just yesterday, we were looking at animals on the computer and he was able to tell me what most everyone sounded like. He can't do it if he doesn't see the animal, but the point being, he can do it and knows the information as soon as he sees it. I would love to crawl inside his head and watch his thoughts float around.

Monday, February 6, 2012

50 Book Challenge- Book 3 Queen of Darkness

Admittedly, it has been a a few days since I finished reading my 3rd book of this challenge, but I have been so busy, I haven't had the time to post about it. The third book I read this was Queen of Darkness, the third Anne Bishop book in the Black Jewels trilogy.

From the editor, "It began with the mystery of Daughter of the Blood. It continued with the magic of Heir to the Shadows. Now, the stunning conclusion to The Black Jewels Trilogy.
"Darkly mesmerizing...fascinatingly different...worth checking out." --Locus"

This is the story of Jaenelle and her entourage trying to save the dark realm after war is declared. In this book, Jaenelle goes to great lengths to save the people that she loves as well as her kingdom. I loved this book. It was action packed and had everything that a dark fantasy should consist of.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Super Busy

This last week has been a hectic one for me. Not only have I been dealing with doctor's appointments but midterms, huge assignments and family drama that has been a little much to take care of all at once. Not only this, but I have family visiting from out of state this week which has made life a lot crazier. When you only get to visit once a year, you feel more than obligated to partake in their activities, regardless of whether you want to or not.

Midterms have been a crazy mess. I had a test in my stress class that was the worst I have ever done. The last question, with the most points available was, "name all the psychologists and what their theory on stress was and how they relate." Now, this seems wildly unfair since we have discussed at least 15 of them so far and remembering which is which is nearly impossible. All week long, we were told that we could not have books or notes for the test. Knowing that, I didn't bring my book to the test because we weren't going to be able to use it. When we walk in, what does the instructor say? Open book test. Gaaah!

I was accepted to write for ACE CBS, so watch for some stuff there!
 

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