Cia

As most of you know, I have 2 kids. A girl and a boy, almost exactly 2 1/2 years apart. Sort of 'ideal' and all that. I was fortunate to get to stay home after the 2nd was born and I'm still here at home with them. It varies how enthusiastic I am about having them depending on how much they are fighting Case in point, just this morning I had to send him to the wall and comfort the girl as she screamed because they were wrestling after I said stop and things went horribly wrong, as they usually do. Still trying to break my 4 year boy from headbutting when he gets mad and hearing a nose go crunch at 7:30 am is NOT a good morning. Then again, in the past she dislocated both of his arms at the elbow. Ahh... siblings! All horror stories aside, I love having my kids most of the time though but I don't want any more. I am past the diaper stage, almost to both of them in school stage after this summer and trust me, when September rolls around and I get mornings to myself I'm going to be doing the biggest happy dance ever. I like looking forward to more school events, sleepovers, sports, junior high and high school. It is a definite privelege to get to watch them change and grow as they get older and a lot of fun. Being at home has meant some sacrifices but in the end I know giving up the money I could have made and it takes to raise kids has been well worth it. It's an adventure to be a parent and one I wouldn't give up for anything.

I think the one that affected me the most as I read it was Ben Goes to the Zoo by Hamen Cheese. I beta read for it and cried the first time and then cried again when I read it in the anthology. It just had a lot of meaning and you could feel the absolute dedication to his brother that laced the main character's personality. I can think of many others I enjoyed, even some that also made me cry, but I consider this one as my 'favorite'.

So... we're going this one way with Tina and Charlie. Screech... (literally) and we have a new way with Charlie and Scott. Throw in some drama to highlight the bi/gay issues with his family and force Charlie to think about those issues, though of course he still can't apply them to himself. Bang! Tim shows up and we have a whole new direction and don't forget a poor black and blue Rick Jr. Charlie's comfortable little world full of self-delusions is just about at it's end isn't it? That whole 'bubble' metaphor was pretty good for that. Can't wait to see what is going to happen next, you have me completely turned around and I just can't tell! Please tell me eventually Scott is just going to pin Charlie to the wall and kiss him senseless, cause he soooo needs it!

Very true Clumber. But there are things I just can't know myself. I can write the dynamics and the emotions but I still like to have a 2nd look. I don't always run them by the guys but it can help, especially when I'm not sure of the scene myself. I like to write what I know but to some extent it's all make believe of course. Realism as far as possible is always my goal, even if the sex is between two aliens, lol!

Yep, my characters usually find love. I met my husband and started dating him pretty much that night, almost 14 years ago. Attraction is definitely possible at first sight and I totally believe it can lead, sometimes very quickly, to love. I think that comes into my stories but the relationship usually isn't smooth sailing though and I'm a smart lady; I make sure at least one is 'experienced' so that I don't have to write that fumbling in. The one story I would say I wrote and focused on teenagers, 'Escaping the Pain', doesn't have sex in it at all and they're both virgins. Maybe I was avoiding writing sex in on purpose so I could put that off until I can get them in college and a little bit more comfortable in their own skin. I try to make the sex as realistic as possible and run it by at least one accomodating 'gay guy' author to make sure it's not totally off since I'm a woman and hampered at least a little with some of the details of sex with 2 men. I will have to say that I laugh at all of those 'virgins who are stretched a little and then sex is totally comfortable, what were all those people talking about??' plots. At least I know that isn't true.

Thanks hun. I was really trying to make that the central focus. Appreciate the review!!

I'm not good at poetry but I could tell you had a lot of thought and feeling in this.

I don't personally confront someone on a crime where no one is being hurt right then and there. I would inform store personnel though. I've called the cops for other things, like a woman I saw put a puppy in her trunk and then drive off. I was in an appointment and saw through a window so I got a license but couldn't do anything myself. Speaking for those who can't themselves is important but you have to be careful nowadays, the world is full of crazies. I'm not getting hurt over something like theft.

Ooh, good chapter. I can't wait for this to all come together and for the main characters to meet. I also wan to know what kind of music Sam does. Good flow, I like how you introduced us to new characters and yet didn't overwhelm us with names.

You know, you're right. In my mind the fact that Dane 'stole' his mom's car, not the Saab, was clear. However, while re-reading in all the previous chapters I just say his dad's car and don't specify that it was the 'spare' car that was his mom's before she died. I'll clear that up with a few revisions to my wording. Thank you for pointing it out!!

Thank you, Comicfan, for such a great review. My goal was to make this real, as real as possible for a fiction story to be, that is. I tried to bring as much emotion as I remembered feeling into what Wes and Doug were experiencing. I am glad to hear it work. Thanks again!

Tramadol's main benefit is that it makes other pain medication work better. I've been on it, morphine (makes me puke so no good stuff for me), oxycontin, tylenol with codeine, vicodin... Pretty much the gamut of pain medicine. You do have to be careful about addiction but if you can't function without it you can't. I do hope they figure out something to help you beyond managing the pain though.

Depends on what your issue is, who you go to about it, and HOW you go to them. If it's a site issue then going to a general mod/admin is perfectly fine. If it's an issue about a mod/admin or to do with a decision made by them then the appropriate thing to do is go to the member advocate who has the power to review those sorts of things. That happens to be Trebs. If it's a personal issue you just need to talk about then again, it's who you go to and how you go to them. You can't expect people to see your side of things if they don't agree with you or have no basis to judge the situation you find yourself in. All that said, I hope you feel better soon about whatever it is. If you can't find anyone to speak to about it maybe try writing it out. Sometimes that makes me feel better.

“Wake up, damn it! You okay?” “Huh? Oh, crap. Did I fall off again?” “Yes, you did. I swear, you can’t even make it as a clown. I don’t know why I let you stick around.” Seamus sat up. “You let me stay because no one else can handle the big cats like I can.” He wiped the water out of his eyes and grimaced at the paint smearing his hands. Barnabas snorted. “Yeah well, go earn your keep before I decide to kick you out of the circus anyway. Lars can’t get the lions back into their cages

Well of course they'll be good daddies! I'm glad I threw another unexpected twist out there. I thought it wasn't too unexpected since I kept mentioning that they wouldn't be able to have kitlings to keep the clan going but this way they don't have to worry about that since she is blood related to Bashta. Thanks for the review hun!

Awww, back pain is one of the worst kinds ever. You move your arms or head or legs or cough or pee... yeah, anything and everything hurts. I live with pain every day, thank god not in my back most of the time, so I understand the absolute screeching frustration that brings tears to your eyes when you just want to feel normal and can't. This too shall pass won't work because it sure as hell won't. All you can do is what you are doing now. Stand up (or sit down and rack them in the knees til they are on your level) and demand relief that will work. The morphine may help day to day but they should be able to DO something for you. Don't give up on trying to find that something and just live with the pain, it's not a good thing. Huggles!

LOL. That's okay I like hearing you loved it more than plus points. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!! If you like this type of story I continue with a new Carthera couple in Two of a Kind, which has only one more chapter to go to the end.

Awwww, if it makes you feel better I had a story make me cry today too. Thanks so much for the review, having a reader tell me a story touched them enough to actually make them tear up is one of the best compliments I feel I can get.

This story had me so upset through so much of it. It was so sad!! I felt so bad for Gabriel and Mikie too. Even when Gabriel and Jake didn't think he knew I sort of figured he did. You can only protect a person so much. I really liked the fact this story had a happy ending, everyone deserves someone to love them like Jake does Gabriel.

LOL. I know which way I was leaning but I was really wanting to leave the details as vague as possible to see what the readers would think. I tried not to get too graphic so I wouldn't freak anyone out that has a weak stomach. I was doing a bit of research on medieval torture devices and just cringed. Soooo nasty! Thanks so much for the great review!!

‘What…’I raise my head and groan. My neck hurts. Heavy chains rattle when I try to bring my arms up to rub it. My eyes snap down and I feel them widen as I take in the manacles around my wrists in shock. I can barely move my arms an inch. I try moving my feet and they feel chained as well. My head slumps back and hits the rough wall behind me. ‘I did it.’ “I see you are awake.” A tall man walks into the room and I find my eyes drawn to him as I try to speak. My words come out as grunts. There

Yeah, out of tragedy comes a silver lining. I know it's a tad convenient but hey, I like happily ever afters. I'm glad you are enjoying the story, thanks for leaving me a review!!

May the road to recovery be short and smooth!! I was trying to be all sage and stuff. Did it come off? lol. Truly, I am glad things are on the mend for you!

It was definitely interesting getting Scott's thoughts in this chapter. I like that you progressed it through the dinner. Will we be getting the dinner from Charlie's side next or are you stickiing with Scott for a bit??

Cavel wasn’t too surprised when The Snake called the next day. Even Bashta could hear the pounding music in the background. He briefly spoke to Cavel who appeared to reluctantly agree to something. Then Cavel held the phone out; apparently he wanted to speak to Bashta. “Yes?” Bashta held the phone gingerly to his ear. He still wasn’t used to the modern contraption. “I need more history on your clan and this sickness; it would be helpful if we could meet and talk in person. I would also