Sensory Bible

As many of you know Yang has what is called Sensory Processing Disorder, or SPD for short. If you are not familiar with SPD, or would like to learn more you can read my post, Living Sensory, from December 2012.

One of our biggest sensory tools is what Yang and I call our Sensory Bible. A book written by Angie Voss OTR/L, Understanding Your Sensory Signals. When Yang first received the sensory dx I had a roller coaster of emotions. For one I had never heard of SPD so I knew I had a lot of research to do. I was happy to have answers but scared at what this may mean for my daughters future. I quickly came across a group on facebook, Sensory Parents. I asked why Yang would be pulling her eyelashes out to the point that she didn't have any. Why she would pull her hair out of the ponytail and actually pull her hair out. Some great parents answered my question and also advised I buy two Angie's books, Understanding Your Sensory Signals and Your Essential Guide to Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder. At the time even tough Angie's books are VERY reasonably priced I could not afford to purchase them. One of the parents in the group contacted Angie and purchased the books for me! To this day I do not know who it was but I love this person dearly! They provided me with some very essential sensory tools that have helped Yang and I drastically. I received the paperback copy of Sensory Signals and then later went and bought the ebook version so I would always have a copy with Yang or I. Earlier this month while I was in Florida visiting my Dad I was able to pay it forward. Even though my Dad and his girlfriend have been together for 15 years I had never meet her daughter. She came to visit while we where there. Her oldest son is autistic so I graciously gifted her my paperback copy of Sensory Signals. Although I have mentioned Angie's books to several people, it felt so good to be able to finally pay it forward.

Angie has now released her 2nd edition of Sensory Signals, and you can get it for free for a limited time. With over 210 new sensory signals you will definitely find tons of useful information. If you have not already, head over to her facebook page Understanding Your Sensory Signals and like her page. After you have liked her page you will be able to download the book for free. However, I do have a few favors to ask. 1) After you have read her book please head over to amazon and write a review. It will only take a few minutes and really helps Angie out. 2) Whatever you do, PLEASE do not download any of her books, or any other author's books, from illegal sites. Continue to show your support for authors by not adding books to these illegal sites either.

I was not asked nor paid in anyway for this post. I simply wrote it to bring light to SPD and Angie's wonderful books.All links leading to amazon.com are affiliate links.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

You may have noticed that I haven't been posting as much, and I apologize. Life has been in a bit of a whirl wind this month. As you know the girls and I went to Florida earlier this month. It had been 5 years since I was "home" and 8 years since Owlet and Poppy had been to Florida. The last time I went "home" it was not a pleasant visit. I went home to lay my Grandma to rest. I was always VERY close with my Grandma and I've never dealt with death very well. I had my first encounter just a few months after turning 5. It is still a subject I am not able to talk in depth about with anyone. When my Mom was 27 weeks pregnant with my little brother she went into premature labor. The doctors tried but after 3 days my brother was no longer with us. I never got to meet my brother since he was in ICU and my sister and I were so young, 4 and 5 years old. I think that may be a lot of why I have issues with his death. A year later I lost another loved one.

Over the course of the last few years of my Grandma's life, my Mother and her brothers became separated. No one could agree to disagree. So when I went "home" I knew there would be LOTS of tension and fighting, and there was. My Father and I had a BIG disagreement before I even had my bags packed. Not what I wanted or needed at the time. I came back to Ohio not seeing or talking to my Father, and I've regretted it ever since. Because of this I really worried about how things would go during our visit this time. Things actually went very well.

On our way back to Ohio from Florida we ended up stopping in South Caroline, not far from the North Carolina state line, and spent the night in a hotel. When we awoke the next morning my husband called with his sister. Unfortunately, they weren't calling with good news. My sister-in-laws youngest daughter lives with her father and he had been incarcerated. Once I got home we began our quest to get custody of my niece. It has been quite an ordeal and one we are still fighting with.
Last Friday I started my spring cleaning in Yang and Poppy's room. They haven't slept in their room in months and it has been at catch all. Yang's toy box was wedged between a wall in their bed, and as I attempted to pull it out I heard a pop and then a shooting pain. I hardly made it to the livingroom to lay down. They pain grew in intensity and by Saturday morning I called my Mom to take me to the ER. I was, and still am, in so much pain that I can not sit, stand, lay or walk. The ER doctor said that I either pulled or tore a muscle and I was having muscle spasms causing the increase in pain. He put my on a pain med, muscle relaxer, told me to use ice packs, lay on my side and put me on bed rest. Tuesday I felt better and did not take any meds all day. Yesterday was another story. The pain was back and in full effect. I called my doctor and have an appt. today.

Since everything has been so hectic between vacation, the situation with my niece and now my injury I haven't been able to do a lot of formal lessons with Yang. The last two nights however she has actually BEGGED me to let her get on Time4Learning! This is the same child that almost never brought home a paper from school. The child that would whine and constantly ask me if we where done when doing our schoolwork from K12. The one that told me her brain would stop working when the sun went down. I'm not sure what has come over my child, but I LOVE IT!! In addition Poppy has completed all of her math, literature and vocabulary for the year!
As my Mother would say - When life gives lemons, make lemonade! Just because things aren't going as planned in your life, especially when it comes to homeschooling, don't give up or even focus on the negative. Look to the good, even if it small. There will be plenty of things that come up that you didn't plan for - illness, family emergencies, injuries, etc. but you just have to keep trucking on. You CAN do this!

DIY Powered Laundry Detergent

With the cost of everything rising everyone is looking for ways to cut cost in anyway possible. I've read LOTS of blog post with different ideas. I was very interested in taking a swing at making our own laundry detergent. Last fall we actually made our first batch. There are 5 of us plus extra kids on the weekends so it didn't last nearly a year, but still was cheaper in the long run.

1 - 4lb 12 oz box of Borax
1 - 3lb 7oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Suds
1 - 3lb container of OxyClean (generic works just as good)
4 - 14.1 oz bars of Zote or Fels-Naptha Soap
1 - 4lb box Arm and Hammer Baking Soda
1 - 48oz bottle of Purex Crystals Fabric Softener OPTIONAL
1 - 5 gallon bucket with firm fitting lid

NOTE: The Purex Crystals are optional. You can use the 55oz if you want a stronger scent/softer clothes. By using the Purex Crystals you do not need to use fabric softener.

All items can be found in the laundry detergent aisle with the exception of the bucket. You can find it in the paint department at Wal-Mart or Lowe's.

Begin with grating the bars of Zote or Fels-Neatha soap like you would for shredded cheese. I cut the bars into 1 inch squares and then toss them into the Magic Bullet. You can use a hand grater but it takes MUCH longer. After all of the soap is grated begin layering in the bucket. Pour a portion of the Borax, Washing Suds, OxyClean, grated soap, Baking Soda, Purex Crystals and then mix.

     If you are lucky you can get a cute little mixer like I did!

Continue doing this over and over until all the boxes are empty, making sure to stir after each addition. Place the lid securely on the bucket, pick up the bucket and shake to mix it up really good.

Now here comes some recycling. Use the OxyClean and Purex containers to store the laundry detergent near your washer. If you look inside the removeable cap on the Purex bottle there are lines inside. Fill to the top line with the laundry detergent (approx. 2 TBSP).

When I originally found this it said it last about a year. Since we wash at least 2 loads of laundry a day it last us about 4-5 months. However, it still works out to be cheaper. This last time I made a double batch so that I have 2 of the OxyClean buckets and 2 of the Purex bottles filled in the drawer under my front loading washing machine, and then my 5 gallon bucket.

All of the ingredients are safe to use in your HE washer.

Cost break down:

2 loads a day for 4 months = 240 loads

Borax - $3.38
Super Washing Soda - $3.24
OxyClean (generic) - $5.47
Zote/Fels-Naptha - .97¢
Baking Soda - $2.24
Purex Crystals - 48 oz $4.76

Total = $22.97
.0957¢ per load

5 gallon bucket - one time charge of $5.00

Tide - 80 loads $17.97   .2246¢ per load
Gain - 95 loads $14.97  .1575¢ per load
Arm & Hammer - 120 loads $13.47  .1122¢ per load

Dragon Wars Giveaway: Blogger Opportunity

Bloggers Wanted: Dragon Wars Giveaway
                              
Want to offer your readers a Prize Pack worth $50?
Want to tell your readers about a new book?
Want to get more fans?
If you answered YES! to any of the questions above then sign up for
Dragon Wars Book Blast Giveaway
Prize Pack includes:
$20 Amazon Gift Card
1 DW calendar (comprised of illustrations from the book, done by Robert Immings)
2 rack cards
2 signed bookmarks
1 pen
3 pencils
2 keychains
1 tote
3 Idorah mark tattoos
2 magnets
About the Book:
    Dragon Wars by Emily Fogle
    Life is filled with changes, but sometimes even the most tragic events bring joy in the end, which is something Danny Warren learns when he joins the Dragon Wars.
    Danny sadly loses his father in a hit-and-run auto accident and is forced to move to a different town. But his fresh start is a horrible one and Danny desperately wants to find a world he can belong to. One afternoon, after a particularly hard day at school, Danny finds a mysterious box hidden inside his window seat. He soon discovers that the box is his portal to Dorcian, the dragon world. Sadly, the once amazing world is in utter turmoil, and its inhabitants are suffering.
    Danny finds the one thing that can bring meaning and happiness back to his heart: saving those that desperately need his help. Together, one boy and six lone dragons, will defeat evil and wage the Dragon Wars. And, in the midst of it all, Danny will discover that even the smallest person can make a huge difference when it matters the most.
Sign up here to host the Book Blast Giveaway on April 3rd.

 

 

$300 American Girl Gift Card Giveaway Blogger Opportunity

Yang received her first American Girl Doll for Christmas this year and has been in love with Caroline ever since. We have been working on an American Girl Doll Unit about Kaya from Girls of American History. We had to push back our original review but will have it ready for everyone in a few weeks. Check back as one lucky winner will win a unit study from Girls of American History.

Now for the big one! Mark your calendars and set your alarms now as you will want to come back so you can take a chance at winning a $300 AMERICAN GIRL DOLL GIFT CARD! If you are a blogger signup below to become part of this great blog hop. I don't know who is more excited - Yang or I!!!!!!!!!!! 

Blogger Opportunity

Giveaway from May 1  to  31

Come and be part of this awesome giveaway

On the last American Girl Doll giveaway, we got 165,518 entries,

on these giveaway we will have even more!!!

We are giving away an American Girl Doll gift card of $300

We will have a max. of 200 bloggers for sign up, it will be a big giveaway.

The RC is not long because each co-host has there own RC with their links.

Here are the details to sign up:

-Free Link (Twitter or Pinterest)  

The first 50 bloggers to sign up will get a link free with announcement. 

Announcement is require or you have to pay a waver fee of $5.00

Please get your announcement here.

(Please read the sign up form on the top to know if we still have free space available)

-Link/ or extra links $2.00 each (if the free spots are gone, to be part of this giveaway you will need to pay $2.00 for each link you want on the giveaway)

Announcement is require or you have to pay a waver fee of $5.00.

Please get your announcement here.

-Co-Host $15.00

The co-host get 2 host page.  

10 links on the RC.

No announcement require.

Please send payment to melisurveys1978@gmail.com as a gift.

Any question please email me at nysavingspecials@gmail.com

Sign up here

Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz - Review & Giveaway

So, who attended the Twitter party on March 4th? I wasn't able to be attentive as I would have liked since we are on vacation but I did enjoy myself, and even learned a few things.

Nate is at it again in the third Nate Rocks book, Nate Rocks the School.

Nate Rocks Is At It Again . . .

According to Nathan Rockledge, fifth grade has plenty of perks. Oh sure, there’s more work and that know-it-all, Lisa Crane, is still around – but, there’s a lot to look forward to as well: a laser tag birthday party, baseball at recess, and even a cool Halloween dance. Of course, all of that means nothing without the biggest perk of all . . . the class trip to New York City in the spring. If Nathan’s class can raise enough money to go, that is.

Give Nathan paper and a pencil and watch as his imagination turns him into Nate Rocks, hero and fifth grade super star. With adventures abound, Nate saves the day time and again. But will Nate be able to save the fifth grade trip?

Join Nathan, his hilarious family, and his friends, as he rocks the school in another fun Nate Rocks adventure.

Karen Pokras Toz lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. Karen’s middle grade childrens’ novels: Millicent Marie Is Not My Name and the Nate Rocks series, have won several awards including First Place for Children’s Chapter Books and the Grand Prize Overall in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for a Global E-Book Award for Pre-Teen Literature. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). Her first adult contemporary novel, Invisible, will be released this summer. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com.

   

• Website: www.karentoz.com
• Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptoz
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentoz
• Amazon:Nate Rocks the School
• Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nate-rocks-the-school-karen-pokras-toz/1114663864?ean=2940016344119
• Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.Karen_Pokras_Toz

My Review - 4.5 Stars

If you follow our facebook page you may have seen a post I shared from Karen recently. See, I am part of Karen's Street Team and occasionally Karen gives us some pretty awesome swag. Since Poppy has been reading Nate Rocks as well, she has been helping me with my reviews by doing book reports on the books (two birds - one stone!). When Karen sent out the latest round of swag she sent an autographed bookmark. Since Poppy did so well on her last book report of Nate Rocks the World I gave her the bookmark! She quickly went in search of a place to put it up so it wouldn't be destroyed, but not before I was able to snap this picture and send it to Karen. You can see more pictures of other great kids reading Nate Rocks here. Poppy was pretty excited to see that she had made it to Karen's website!

(Sorry I just had to share Poppy's stardom!)


Well not only is Nate at it again, so is Karen! I've sat thinking, "Which Nate Rocks book is my favorite?" I've found that it a hard question to answer. Karen is so creative and there are so many great highlights in each book. I would have to say without a doubt that the babysitting scene is by far my favorite in Nate Rocks the School! I spent a lot of time babysitting when I was a teen. One family in particular, a family friend, had 3 kids - 2 girls and a boy. They definitely kept me on my toes at all time, and could so have seen the little boy escaping a climbing a tree.Thankfully though he never did!

Nate is in 5th grade - his last year before moving up to middle school. He is finally and the top of the ladder - the big kid in the school, AND they long awaited class trip to New York City! This year couldn't be better. But wait, everything is not set in stone and there may not be a trip to NYC! WHAT? How can that be possible? Everyone has always gone in 5th grade. Plus all the parents signed the permission slip and paid the deposit so it is a go - RIGHT? With the Halloween Party (the BIG fundraiser for the 5th grade trip) being a bust due to Nate's Mom and her awful cooking, Nate and his friends must find a way to raise enough money before the school has to cancel the trip. If Nate didn't have bad luck sometimes he'd never have any luck. With Tommy's big mouth and Nate's outburst in class, they are now stuck working with Lisa Crane to find a way to raise enough money and before Christmas Break.

As with anything involving Lisa, there are lots of arguments on who has the better fundraising idea - Lisa or Nate. Lisa wants to make custom Christmas ornaments. Nate wants to do a car wash. Either way it is November, and it's not exactly car washing weather and there is not nearly enough time to take orders and make custom ornaments.

After another failed attempt for fundraising with the car wash the kids finally decide to hold an auction. They visit all the stores in the mall, passing out flyers asking the stores to make donations to be auctioned off. Nate gets super exited when there is a Phillie's jersey donated. His Mom promises she will bid on it for him, but once it is up for auction she doesn't even bid once. Nate is super disappointed, but not for long! Will they earn enough for their trip to New York City? What about the jersey Nate wanted SO bad? Well, you'll have to scroll down and buy Nate Rocks the School now so you can read it and find out! Hurry! What are you waiting for?



The Nate Rocks series is recommended for children 7-11 years old. If you have an younger advanced reader that is ready to move beyond the simple 2-4 page chapter books then give Nate Rocks a swing! Nate Rocks is not a BOYS book, girls will enjoy Nate Rocks as well. However, if you are looking for a good book for the little girl in your life, I heard from a little birdie that Millicent Marie is Not My Name is pretty darn good!



Be sure to check out the other blog stops where there will be character guest post, an excerpt from Nate Rocks the School, author guest post, and more reviews! Be sure to come back and tells us your thoughts on Nate Rocks the School, and don't forget to enter below for a chance to win some pretty awesome Nate Rocks swag!

Schedule:

March 4 Blog Blitz and Twitter Party

March 5 Publishsavvy www.publishsavvy.com/blog Author Guest Post

March 6 There for You http://thereforyoumelissa.blogspot.com/ Character Guest Post

March 7 Marietta Homeschooling Zoo http://mariettahomeschoolingzoo.blogspot.com/ Review and Giveaway

March 8 Fresh Pot of Tea http://alisondeluca.blogspot.com/ Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway

March 9 Kid Lit Reviews http://kid-lit-reviews.com Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway

March 10 KidsnBooks http://kidsnbooksdonna.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 11 Dag-Lit Central http://daglit.blogspot.com Author Guest Post

March 12 Book Lovers Paradise  http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 13 Library Girl Reads and Reviews http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com Author Guest Post and Giveaway

March 14 Living, Learning, and Loving Life http://www.livinglearninglovinglife.com Review

March 15 Yours and Mine ARE Ours http://www.yoursandmineareours.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 16 Recent Reads http://www.recentread.com Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 17 Mom Loves 2 Read http://lovez2read.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 18 Ali's Bookshelf http://alisbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/ Guest Post and Giveaway

March 19 Lisa Bilbrey http://lisabilbrey.blogspot.com/ Review

March 20 Fairday's Blog! http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/ Review

March 21 Lissette E. Manning http://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning Review, Author Guest Post, and Giveaway

March 22
The Children's and Teens' Book Connection Review, Character Guest Post, and Giveaway
Mom Does Reviews http://www.momdoesreviews.com Review, Character Interview, & Giveaway

March 23 My Devotional Thoughts http://mydevotionalthoughts.com Character Guest Post and Giveaway

March 24 Diary of a Semi-Crazy Author http://diaryofasemi-crazyauthor.blogspot.com/ Review

Grand Prize Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway




A GWR Publicity Event. Sponsored by Karen Pokras Toz.

Vacation and Winners

I hope everyone is having a good week! We've been in FL. the last few days visiting my father and will be here for another week or so. Yesterday we went to the beach. While it is much warmer here than in Ohio, the water is still chilly. Yang has never seen the ocean before and absolutely loved it! She was in the water the entire time! Poppy got a little sun on her back where her bathing suit rode up when she way laying on her towel. My lower legs and left shoulder are BURNT! At this point in my life, I am just use to it!

After the beach we walked around and had some frozen yogurt - yum!

A few days ago we reached 100 FB likes! WHOO! Thanks EVERYONE! With the release of Nate Rocks the School and 100 FB likes all in the same week I decided to do a giveaway. With Random.org I selected one winner to receive a free copy of Nate Rocks the School on Kindle (you do not have to have a Kindle to read all the wonderful e-books out there! Click here for more info.) Our winner is.................................................................................................................................................. Elissa Nelson!!!!!! CONGRATS!! 

Please send me an email at MariettaHomeschoolingZoo@Gmail.com to claim your prize!

Don't forget to enter to win a signed copy of "The Day the Televisions Went Outside", some awesome Nate Rocks Swag. Remember to Vote Daily (upper left hand corner) and comment on our facebook page once you have voted each day) to be entered into a drawing for a $10 Starbucks e-gift card once we reach 15th place.

Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz BOOK BLAST

 

 

Nate Rocks is at it again...

The highly anticipated third installment of the Nate Rocks series is here! 

According to Nathan Rockledge, fifth grade has plenty of perks. Oh sure, there’s more work and that know-it-all, Lisa Crane, is still around – but, there’s a lot to look forward to as well: a laser tag birthday party, baseball at recess, and even a cool Halloween dance. Of course, all of that means nothing without the biggest perk of all . . . the class trip to New York City in the spring. If Nathan’s class can raise enough money to go, that is.



Give Nathan paper and a pencil and watch as his imagination turns him into Nate Rocks, hero and fifth grade super star. With adventures abound, Nate saves the day time and again. But will Nate be able to save the fifth grade trip?



Join Nathan, his hilarious family, and his friends, as he rocks the school in another fun Nate Rocks adventure.

Pick up your copy at Nate Rocks the School on Amazon

and B&N!

Chat with Karen Pokras Toz today at 10:30 am  EST and then follow the Nate Rocks the School Tour for appearances by the author and characters, reviews, and swag pack giveaways!

Grand Prize Giveaway





a Rafflecopter giveaway




A GWR Publicity Event. Sponsored by Karen Pokras Toz. 

Schedule:

March 4 Blog Blitz & Twitter Party

March 5 Publishsavvy www.publishsavvy.com/blog Author Guest Post

March 6 There for You http://thereforyoumelissa.blogspot.com/ Character Guest Post

March 7 Marietta Homeschooling Zoo http://mariettahomeschoolingzoo.blogspot.com/ Review & Giveaway

March 8 Fresh Pot of Tea http://alisondeluca.blogspot.com/ Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

March 9 Kid Lit Reviews http://kid-lit-reviews.com Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

March 10 KidsnBooks http://kidsnbooksdonna.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 11 Dag-Lit Central http://daglit.blogspot.com Author Guest Post

March 12 Book Lovers Paradise  http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 13 Library Girl Reads & Reviews http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com Author Guest Post & Giveaway

March 14 Living, Learning, and Loving Life http://www.livinglearninglovinglife.com Review

March 15 Yours and Mine ARE Ours http://www.yoursandmineareours.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 16 Recent Reads http://www.recentread.com Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 17 Mom Loves 2 Read http://lovez2read.blogspot.com Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 18 Ali's Bookshelf http://alisbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/ Guest Post & Giveaway

March 19 Lisa Bilbrey http://lisabilbrey.blogspot.com/ Review

March 20 Fairday's Blog! http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/ Review

March 21 Lissette E. Manning http://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning Review, Author Guest Post, & Giveaway

March 22
The Children's and Teens' Book Connection Review, Character Guest Post, & Giveaway

Mom Does Reviews http://www.momdoesreviews.com Review, Character Interview, & Giveaway

March 23 My Devotional Thoughts http://mydevotionalthoughts.com Character Guest Post & Giveaway

March 24
Diary of a Semi-Crazy Author http://diaryofasemi-crazyauthor.blogspot.com/ Review

Lindsay & Jane's Views and Reviews http://lindsayandjaneviewsandreviews.blogspot.co.uk/ Character Interview & Review

Be sure to check out my reviews of Nate Rocks the World & Nate Rocks the Boat if you haven't already done so.

 

The Day the Televisions Went Outside - Guest Post and Giveaway

Today we have a guest post author Redding C. Benning. A few weeks ago his mother posted a link for the video in a homeschooling group. I clicked on the link and called Yang over to watch it with me. The title was enough to get her laughing, and she continued to laugh at all the silly things the televisions where doing. I love the artwork, and wonderful message. 

Below you will find a Q & A, YouTube video (make sure you give it a thumbs up!) of The Day the Televisions Went Outside and giveaway. One lucky winner will received a signed copy of The Day the Televisions Went Outside.

                                              

What inspired you to write this book?

It was 2009, and I was living in Portland, Oregon at the time.  I was surrounded each day by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and I spent a part of each day hiking and walking in the forests that line the western edge of Portland.  A few months prior to writing the original draft of "The Day the Televisions Went Outside" I had left a promising career at a bank to go back to school to study Music and Mandarin Chinese.  

I'm not sure exactly when the idea for the story first took shape in my mind, but I do still have the first draft that's dated "June 2009."  

Perhaps the shortest answer to what inspired me would be this:  I was inspired by the outdoorsy, do-it-yourself culture that I was surrounded by in Portland.   

  

Who did the art work for "The Day the Televisions Went Outside"?

I did the artwork, but that was not my original intention for the illustrations. 

After I wrote the story, I began asking artists to illustrate the book for me.  Most of them were too busy to get involved in a project that big.  So I decided to give it a try myself. 

I had never painted before (except once in Junior High School), so it took me a year to sketch, paint, and design the book.  Much of the paintings were done outdoors during the summer of 2010.

What are you working on next?

That's a question with many many answers.  

Under the pseudonym Redding C. Benning I have just finished writing the story for the second installment of the "Televisions Outside" series called "The Day the Televisions Played Football (meaning "Soccer").  This is another nod to the Pacific NW.  Oregon and Washington have very passionate soccer communities, and I am still very much connected to that community even though I am currently living many states away in Chicago, IL.  This book should be available on YouTube for viewing in April of this year (2013).  I have also outlined 3 more "Televisions Outside" adventures that I hope to finish by the end of 2013.

I am also working diligently on my Maze Art.  I create very detailed pieces of art that function as solvable mazes, and I am building both a portfolio of pieces and a fan-base for that venture.

Musically, I have studio time on the schedule for a guitar album due to be released in April and another more avant-garde vocal project in the Summer. 

Throughout the year, I am releasing follow-ups to my 2 poetry chapbook series:  "psomepoems" (pronounced "some poems") and "Limericks in the Wild." 

Lastly, I am in the process of finishing a play that I hope to premiere as a staged reading in Nashville, TN during November of this year. 

Maze art? WOW, that sounds interesting! Where can we find out more?



Matthew's Mazes on facebook.

What has been your most rewarding experience since your book was published and went viral on YouTube?

My most rewarding experience since publishing the book in September 2010 has been raising my daughter Quinnie (she is now 14 months old).  Since "The Day the Televisions Went Outside" has gone online, I would say that the proudest moment was when Reading Rainbow 'liked' my story on their Facebook wall. 

That is amazing! I remember watching Reading Rainbow as a child! Congrats!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a professional baseball player for most of my childhood.  In my early teenage years, that changed to a professional musician (which I actually did end up doing for a while).  I've always wanted to be an artist, but I don't think I've ever expected to make a living doing it, and--to be honest-- I'm still working on figuring out how to make a living out of it now.   

Anything else you would like to share with us today?

A few people have asked me recently how I finish so many projects at once and where I find the time.  I usually tell them that there's a lot to be said for being balanced as a person in order to be able to create consistently day after day.  "The Day the Televisions Went Outside" still teaches me a lot about how to find that consistent place from which to create:  getting outside, finding what I enjoy doing, working together with others who share my passions, and learning to find beauty in every day are just a few of the things I am reminded of when I watch that story.   

The same people who ask me about my productivity usually follow it up with a comment like, "I wish I had the creativity to do that," or "I'd like to do something like that someday,"  to which I think the best responses are "you do!" and "you can!"  There's nothing unique or special to me that makes it so I can create and another person cannot.  I think that we can see in our children the endless desire to know, learn and create that is innate to our being.  It's unfortunate that the majority of us have assumed that "growing up" means losing this trait.  It is unfortunate entirely because it is our universal ability to create that can best serve the communities, cities and world in which we live.

What an uplifting outlook, and very true! Thanks for stopping by. We hope to see you again soon, and can't wait to see the next installment in the "Television Outside" series.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway