Carmela Dutra's Blog - Posts Tagged "new"

Have you recently gone to a chain bookstore, found a book you were interested in, and then saw the price? Don’t get me wrong I LOVE the smell and feel of a new book. There is something about being the first person to crack the spine and thumb through it, it’s an exciting feeling. Yet, as much as I love new books and trolling a new bookstore with a cup of Joe in my hand, it can never compare to the feeling of a used book store.

When I go to my favorite used book stores, it’s as if in some way I feel as though I’ve stepped back in time...

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Have an adventurous day!

Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series

www.lorenzothebear.com

Making New Year’s resolutions is a tradition that many like to uphold. Every year they pick out a few things to work on, maybe keeping the list framed by their bedside as a constant reminder. These resolutions can be anything from giving yourself more “Me Time” to starting that novel you've always wanted to work on.

What does the New Year mean to you? Is it a new beginning? A chance to excel? Maybe a time to meets goals that you didn't quite reach last year. Or an opportunity to make more powerful goals in order to push yourself further—to challenge yourself to bigger and better dreams.



Do you set a resolution for yourself? Many do, and yet out of those who do set a resolution many also fail to keep it. This can be for many different reasons, reasons beyond ones control. For me personally I do not make resolutions; I do try and better myself, my family, things I want to accomplish. But I don’t try and force myself into something, especially if I might not be able to keep it. Yes it is true what they say ‘a goal without a date is just a dream.’ But I feel you can have a goal and meet it without putting yourself into such a time crunch.

I am happy with what I accomplished last year, as I hope most everyone is as well. I like most, I have things that yes if given the chance I would like to do it differently, but that’s ok. What has happened has happened, that’s 2014’s problem. There is no use crying over spilled milk (or milk that never spilled at all).

To me the New Year brings on a chance for new possibilities. 2015 will be filled with a sense of wonder, and adventure, you just have to look for it. If you do not set for yourself a resolution, or a goal. Do you have something in which you hope to accomplish?

Here are a few things I would like to accomplish in the upcoming year.

Tackling the third and fourth Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear is high on my to-do list. Which in itself is an undertaking considering I am also the illustrator.

Officially start on my new series about a little girl and her puppy who also take adventures. I’ve already wrote it, but now after letting it sit for many months I am ready to take another look at it and dive in.

Continue more classroom visits where I get to read to, and work one on one with students. If I can have any share in helping to cultivate a love of reading, writing in them… words could not express the joy that would bring me.
I have always wanted to put pen to paper and create YA novel…… Only time will tell what I come up with.

Aside from writing and illustrating, I want to truly savor each moment. Life is very precious, something that has been thoroughly impressed upon me throughout my years of volunteer work. Never taking things for granted, not dwelling on the past, and always looking towards the future.

Most important, as we look at 2014 in the rearview mirror, I want to thank you for being with me on this passage this past year. I’m beyond grateful for your company, support, and encouragement.

So here is my challenge to you! Be it a resolution, goal or accomplishment; just be the best you can be! 2015 is your year, make it count, make it last, make it memorable. Each year is unique all on its own. Leave a comment for us all to read, and together we can make 2015 a year for the books!




Wishing you all a little to Adventure today!

Carmela Dutra
Author of Lorenzo the Bear Series

www.Lorenzothebear.com
Twitter.com/Lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Facebook.com/Lorenzothebear (Like me!)
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com

Here is something that all of us have heard several times over: Labor is hard work! As you’re reading this word that’s coming to mind is more than likely Duh!?! We already know it’s physically demanding, and mentally exhausting. If you are the type of person who wants to be in control of everything that goes on in life, well…. chances are you are going to have your thinking readjusted.


That’s me, I like to have everything planned out to the letter; but as I’ve learned long ago, there’s nothing in life that is set in stone. Especially when it comes to something as dramatically changing as labor. A month early, and 37 hrs of labor drilled that into my mind clear as day!


It’s okay though, because like almost every mother will say: He was worth every minute of it! Would I have preferred for my son to come on his due date? Absolutely! I would’ve been thrilled if he even came in the month he was due in. Do I wish he would’ve waited at least one extra day so my husband and I could have seen Star Wars the Force Awakens in the theaters? Do you even have to ask such a question??


It’s okay though, he came when he was ready. Was I ready for him? Hell to the no! We didn’t even have a mattress, or newborn clothing (everyone thought we would have a big baby since my husband and I are both tall. So the smallest clothing was 3 months). A friend of ours had to go shopping for us to pick up a few of the necessary items we were still lacking. We had planned to go shopping for the rest of the things we needed that Monday, little did we expect to be in a delivery room instead.

My point to all of this? There is never anything constant, or controlled other than the every changing of life, and nothing ever being in your control. All you can do is roll with the punches, and hold your head up while still maintaining some semblance of grace.



As out of control things seemed to quickly be going, I remained resolute in my determination to go drug free. In that area I was in control, in that way I maintained sanity, and I came out the victor! In all honesty I didn’t even know I was in labor for the first chunk of things, had I know I was I would’ve likely have gone to see Star Wars. Yes this is still a little bit of a sore subject for me…. It’s okay soon enough I will experience it in all of it’s amazing glory at home in the comfort of my pajamas. Besides, his smiles make up for anything missed.


Labor is hard work, but that’s just the beginning. I’m always asked: “Does he sleep through the night yet??” Well yes he does, but that doesn’t change things for me. Just because he sleeps through the night, doesn’t mean that I do. Things will always be physically demanding, and emotionally draining no matter how well he sleeps through the night or, how old my son gets.



Again, that’s okay! I love every minute of the out of control chaos that is thrown at me! Would I prefer it to be filled with little less vomit? Of course, what parent wouldn’t want that! It’s okay though, every moment of out of control insanity makes me a little more sane each and every day.

Happy parenting, and may you enjoy the insanity. After all, it only lasts for a little while…