Books, Braids, and Born Again

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

2017 Goals... Completed?

So the first post this year had a list of my goals for 2017. Let's see how I did....

1. Do a series on writing Yes
I did do this (see Write it Right Series), and it was fun. But I don't think I'm done with it yet. Just taking a break.

2. Do three braid series No
Wow. Did I really say three? That was ambitious. I did do the Waterfall Braid Series but not the Basic braid series or the Disney one. So 1/3 success rate, which equals... fail.

3. Do at least fifty posts No
Somebody kill my ambition because I obviously have way too much. I only posted twenty-nine times (counting this post) which is a 2/3 success rate. Still fail.

4. Do my best to publish Inkling Adventures Um... No, BUT
DID. NOT. HAPPEN. In fact, it's sitting in the corner, waiting for a complete rewrite. BUT I did write a Snow White Retelling, Day and Night, and a novel, The Kingdom of Fire and Ice. So I'd call that a productive year writing-wise.

Maybe I'll do better with my 2018 goals, yeah?
RhoXie

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Words of Ink

I stare at words of ink,

Trying to say what I think.

The words stuck in my mind,

They don't fall into line.

Use this one or that one?

Should I leave them alone?

Is my story any good?

Have I told it as I should?

I stare at words of ink,

Trying to say what I think.

The words stuck in my mind,

I can't keep them in line.

Shouldn't have used that one;

Should have left them alone.

My story isn't any good;

Haven't told it as I should.

I stare at words of ink,

Trying to say what I think.

The words stuck in my mind

Need help staying in line.

Use this one or that one?

Can't decide all one.

My story may be good,

If I seek help as I should.

I stare at words of ink,

Trying to say what I think.

The words stuck in my mind,

God will bring into line.

Use this one or that one?

I'll learn from Him alone.

My story will be good;

He makes me be all I should.

RhoXie

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Cookies with Irma

I was baking cookies when it happened. The lights flickered once, twice, three times. Then they went out altogether. Hurricane Irma had interrupted my baking.

My cookies only had thirteen seconds left, and I pulled them out in the darkened kitchen. As the smells of peanut butter and M&Ms swirled around me, I heard my family discovering the power outage.

"Mommy? Mommy, come here," Norah Beth called

Noelle ran out of our room. "My light went out!"

"What's wrong?" the boys asked, coming in from walking the dog.

"Power's out," Mom told them and hurried find some candles.

Later, we each ate a cookie, savoring the mixture of oats and peanut butter along with crunch of M&Ms. Bit as I ate mine, I wondered about the half a bowl of cookie dough sitting in the fridge.

Night fell, and candles gleamed. Their faint light was all that we had. By it, we ate the cold chicken and veggie tray my older sisters had bought on their way home from work.

After dinner, Katelyn and Miranda enjoyed their own cookies. It was a small reward for a worry-filled day, and soon afterwards, we all went to bed. We hoped to have power back by morning.

But we were one family among the thousands without power the next day. As I settled down to my schoolwork, I thought again about the cookie dough. When church family power showed up with an RV to rig up for the fridge and a few lamps, there was still no way to bake.

Then, at about three o'clock, power came back on. Dad helped our friend unhook everything. As he pulled away, I took out the dough and preheated the oven. I ate my share of the cookies as I wrote this. Hurricane Irma's interruption in my life was over.

I know Irma's interruptions were often worse then unbaked cookies, but I pray to God that they may all end in ways more wonderful than any cookie.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Ladder Braid ~ The Waterfall Braid Series Pt. 6

Yes, I'm late. Yes, I've been late a lot lately. But at least, I'm posting, right? Right?

Fine, be that way. I just won't share the new hairstyle I have for you. Well.... Maybe if you beg....

I don't hear any begging.

Ah! There it is. Let's get started then.

I haven't worn this in a while, but that doesn't mean I don't love it. This is an amazing hairstyle by any standards. Do it right, and it'll last all day. It also works for day or night. It does take some practice since it combines a waterfall braid and a lace braid, and the spacing may be tricky.

The Ladder Braid

Make a deep part on your preferred side.
About an inch down from the part, pick up a medium-sized section and divide it into three pieces. You should have top, middle, and bottom pieces.
Do a waterfall braid around your head. There's a tutorial link below if you need it.
Drop a few more pieces from the bottom pieces of the braid and then finish with a regular braid.
About an inch and a half below where you started the waterfall braid, pick up a small section of loose hair and divide it into two sections. These will be your middle and bottom pieces.
Pick up the first section you dropped from the waterfall braid This will be your top piece.
Cross the top piece over the middle piece. You now have a new top and middle.
Cross the bottom piece over the new middle. This gives you new middle and bottom pieces.
Pick up the next section you dropped from the waterfall braid and add it to the top pieces.
Repeat step 7.
Repeat steps 8-10 until you run out of dropped sections to add.
Finish with a regular braid and secure with a ponytail.

Yes, that was a lot. But only because I had to write it out. It's much faster when you've got it down. Promise.

RhoXie

Other Posts in this Series:

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Quick Post

So I know I didn't post last week. I do apologize, but life is crazy sometimes. Y'all know how it is. Anyway.... I don't have time for a real post so y'all are stuck with pictures again.