Book give away contest!

A Few Random Posts

Favorite Reads 2009
Caroline has a great list of her favorite reads for 2009 and I was inspired to do the same. Here are my top 10 books read in 2009 - not in order.


1. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
2. On Writing by Stephen King
3. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
4. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (I LOVE ENZO!)
5. Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers
6. Julie of the Wolves by Jean George
7. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
8. The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
9. Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
10. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan


Reading Challenge
I have joined J.Kaye's Book blog reading challenge 2010 to read 100 books this year. Whew. I'll be posting my finished books as I read them. I'm starting this week with the following:

The Maze Runner
Hush Hush

and from my Inde-debut group, books that are coming out in 2010:

The Invisible Sister - Amy Allgeyer Cook
Owen and the Dragon - Carla Mooney
Brigitta of the White Forest - Danika Dinsmore
The Golden Pathway - Donna McDine
The Bug that Plagued the Entire Third Grade - Lori Calabrese
The Flute and the Dagger - Miriam Forster
Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken - Scott Heydt
Connection - Jo Ramsey

Contest
To celebrate my awesome year which included:
finally attempting to write a book
finishing the book
getting a publishing contract for the book - DOGSLED DREAMS, 4RV Publishing LLC, 2011
starting a blog
being blessed with 56 blog followers - I'm having a contest! Yeah book give aways. Here's what you win:


















Here's how you enter:

Be a follower - 1 entry
Leave a comment - 1 entry
Suggest a title for my new YA dogsledding adventure - 1 entry

When Victoria, a determined 15-year-old, gets lost with her dogteam, she finds an injured snowmobiler with a secret. With their food gone and the temperature dropping, she'll have to trust him as well as her dogs if they hope to survive.

Contest closes January 30, 2010.

holiday frolicking

Still partying over here, but wanted to quickly post some of our family fun.

Mom spent most of her time on the ground, but she kept getting back up!

My man looking for GQ scouts, perfecting his smouldering gaze.

Tanzer dog wondering why toys only last five minutes.

Minus 25 snowshoe

Went snowshoeing this morning. Gorgeous sun, but little chilly. Awesome.

I'll be scarce here this week while I party and wrap and unwrap and bake. BWAhaha, okay, you got me there. The baking will be by the PRESIDENT himself - he makes good CHOICES. But you should see me creatively arrange the plates!

(I've just had someone explain to me that my US friends may not get President's Choice products and will wonder what the heck? Take my word for it - they've got really decadent brownies)

Hope everyone has a wonderful family Christmas.

Kayak expedition can't find a home

My man paddling the Wikwemikong coastline. July 2009.

I'm having trouble with the article I wrote about our kayak circumnavigation of Manitoulin Island - the world's largest freshwater island. We completed the trip in July and I set to work immediately writing the story to sell to a magazine. I also have evocative photos to go with it that I have refrained from posting here so I could sell them as unpublished.

Alas, it was rejected by the first kayak magazine right away. Then it was sent back by the next kayak magazine requesting a rewrite. And the rewrite has just been rejected.

This may be a lesson on writing about something too close to you. Perhaps the vividly exciting and terrifying events need time to mellow in my memories. Or maybe it's just like being held captive for 3 hours looking at Aunt Mildred's vacation shots. SHE certainly thinks they're exciting.

Site for writers

Thanks to a comment from fellow dog writer Mayra Calvani on my last post, I've discovered another excellent blog. Suspense novelist Alexandra Sokoloff's blog has free articles on elements of a novel including a handy checklist of what should go in each part of a novel. Great stuff even for someone who doesn't write suspense.

Also, you can now read my article Frozen Turd Wars on the Dogs in Canada website. Each month they feature an article from their recent issue and this month, mine was selected! You can vote for it too. The best part for me is the exceptional skill of the illustrator who brought Apollo to life. He even nailed Apollo's demonic stare.

first draft done!

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Last night I finished the first draft of my still untitled, dogsledding YA novel. My rockin' beta reader Jackie White patiently read the entire thing. I'm slightly concerned this only took me a month. Is anyone else this obsessive once they start? I suppose all the winners of NaNo can hold up their hands. Now the real work begins - adding the brilliance.

To start with, I lay out a pile of events that I want to happen. When I write the actual scenes, my characters end up doing things I hadn't planned and it leads to more scenes. My biggest fear is getting somewhere in the middle, and have it not work like I envisioned. Such a sense of relief to know it's completed.

Does anyone have a completely different method? How about a title for a dogsledding adventure?

When inside dogs go out

Poor little Remington thinks he's a big dog. He runs outside with the big dog. He burrows through the snow and pounces on deep drifts like the big dog. But his little dog hair betrays him every time he tries to stay out longer than ten minutes. He's now on the market for a full body snowsuit and booties.

New look

To celebrate my upcoming release, DOGSLED DREAMS, I've done some renovations to my website. While I was at it, thought I'd update my blog. I welcome any comments! Easier on the eye to read? I would love if you could click on the link to my website on the top right and take a quick gander at that too.



I purchased this royalty-free image from Getty Images. Very inexpensive. All the other photos are my own including the header for my blog and the website is a free one from Webnode. Once my second book sells I may splurge and get a webdesigner.
I'm interested, did you do your own website or did you get a webdesigner?

sled dog blog

You seriously need to check out the awesome blog I've just found.

Karen from NorthWapiti Kennels emailed me to say she liked my latest article in Dogs in Canada, Frozen Turd Wars. And when I followed her link, I discovered this gem of a blog.

No wonder she liked my article, she's probably dealing with her own frozen somethings...

Blogger Award

I received another blogger award! This one from Caroline Starr Rose. She used to be a teacher, but quit her job to write full time! That's my kind of leap of faith! Check out her blog. She runs an after school book club as well and has some great insights.

Seven things about me sounds a little boring, and you already know way too much about me. Since this is a creative award, I'm going to tell you seven things about my MC from my upcoming book, Dogsled Dreams.

1. Her name is Rebecca

2. She's 12 years old

3. She wants to run a dogsled race alone with her dogs

4. She secretly loves to sing, especially anything by the Pussy Cat Dolls

5. Her favorite dog is Doppler, who she's trained since he was a puppy

6. Sometimes, Rebecca worries she's not a good musher

7. And something that's not in the book - when she was younger, she used to pretend she was Mogli and crawl through the woods with the puppies and get covered in mud...wait a minute, or was that me?

I'm passing this award on to Mary over at Writers butt does not apply to me. She is halarious and fun.

Inde-debut group - small presses rock

Thanks to Amy Allgeyer Cook our founder, and Lori Calabrese our blogger guru, I'd like to introduce our new Inde-debut blogsite. Our group is made of authors whose books are being published by small presses in 2010 or 2011. Our blogsite is a great source of information on small and independent publishing presses as well as writing tips and other cool stuff.

Check out the "about" page for a quote from Business Week about how small presses are finding unique ways to market their authors.

Also check out the member links on my sidebar and perhaps discover a new favorite author.

Temptations

I had the whole afternoon to myself today to work on my manuscript. I wanted to share with you the awesomeness that I managed to resist. One quick walk and then back inside to type. The good news, I'm now on chapter five and as a reward, I can take Catching Fire to bed!

Other news: I received an amazing email from someone who read my latest article, Frozen Turd Wars in Dogs in Canada. She took the time to write and tell me she laughed until she cried. That she couldn't wait for my book, Dogsled Dreams to come out. This complete stranger totally made my day! What a feeling!

Interview for Dogsled Dreams

Please check out my first interview for my debut novel Dogsled Dreams. Here.

Not due out until 2011, but Jessica over at Shut Up I'm Reading offered to give me an interview discussing the process. Her blog is always a great read full of bookish information and succinct reviews. I'm honoured to be there.

Mush with PRIDE

Mush with PRIDE is another organization that I belong to. Providing Responsible Information on a Dog's Environment. They promote the musher/dog relationship and work towards responsible dog care and public perception of dogsledding.

There's all kinds of great information here.

And if all mushers were members, perhaps stories like this wouldn't happen. I hope they find good homes for all 97 of those unfortunate sled dogs.



"When I grow up, I want to be a sled dog."
This image is pilfered from here.

Outdoor Writers of Canada

I am now a member of the Outdoor Writers of Canada and I got this cool card in the mail. They are a National organization with the following objectives:

1. Stimulate interest in and appreciation of the outdoors.
2. Stimulate high standards of craftsmanship among those concerned with the portrayal of outdoor life.
3. Co-operate with others in support of responsible use of Canada's natural resources.

Go here to check them out.

confession

I feel the need to confess here that I went to a little store called Chapters yesterday with a $10 coupon and went slightly crazy. When I thumped them down at the cash, I was informed my coupon expired two days ago. But I couldn't put any of them back after I had carried them around, envisioning myself by the fire reading them. So I took them all. Shamelessly decadent. I have now banned myself from going again - at least until I've read these.

And while I'm confessing, I have now missed two weeks of swimming practice. You know that commercial with the woman who wakes up with a cold but takes Tylenol and goes to the pool anyway? That's not me.

I know this has nothing to do with outdoor adventure, but is there interest in a short review of any of these books after I've read them?

Hiking adventures part 2

Thank you dear readers for all your comments and support on my last post! It's so fun to be able to share here. You can see my dog was also thrilled with the news of Dogsled Dreams being published. This is her being thrilled for me.

The party lasted for a few days, but now normal life returns. I'm eagerly awaiting word from the editor assigned to me and loving the family feel of 4RV Publishing.

Congratulations flowers from my man.

And now on to more outdoor adventures featuring the pond crossing conundrum. In an earlier post I asked how you think we should cross this. Here is our first genius and cheap attempt. The initial try worked well, however since we used rope, it soon stretched and the next poor sod to try a crossing got quite wet. We are now working on plan B which involves slightly more speed and danger. Stay tuned.

Book contract for Dogsled Dreams

After exhibiting extreme self-discipline waiting until the contract was signed before I shared the news with you, my moment is finally here.

In the past year I received 20 agent rejections, 12 publisher rejections, 6 partial request, 2 full requests and one cancelled contract. I was beginning to think I had more chance at winning the lottery than getting a book published by a traditional publisher. But persistence pays off.

I wish to announce my middle grade novel, Dogsled Dreams will be released in February, 2011 by 4RV Publishing!

Soon I'll be starting the process of working with the editor, making revisions and doing rewrites. I'll be researching and working on marketing and book promotion. And I'll be learning how Canadian taxes work with an American publisher.

Then it won't be long until my next moment - holding my debut novel in my hands. But for now, I'm celebrating.

I'm shakin' my bon bon in the middle of the grocery store. I'm wearing glitter, toe socks and enormous hats. I'm buying six new books. I'm doing the Mambo No.5 across the inconvenient beaver dam that has appeared on my hiking trail. I'm singing "I like to move it, move it" at the top of my voice as I drive. And of course, there's brownies...

Dog Teams from the BARK program

Meet my dog teams that I'm sponsoring this year through a great program called BARK over at sled dog central.

Bill Cotter is an old friend I met when I worked for a kennel in Nenana Alaska. He has a rich history of racing his dogs.

Laughing Eyes Kennel run by Hugh Neff and Tamra Reynolds are very active in the sport including winning Iditarod Rookie of the Year award in 2004. Hugh races both the Iditarod as well as the Yukon Quest. Amazing. They tour schools and give lectures on the positive energy of dogsledding. Check them out.

Some teams on the list are all rescue dogs, some are award winning Iditarod racing teams. This great program allows you to be a part of a dog team of your choice and follow along with their racing season.

So if, say you've had to sell your team due to a career change but miss their smiling faces every waking moment and still hear their happy voices in your dreams, you can feel a little like you're part of it all.

Please visit my next blog post where I will finally announce the HUGE secret I've been waiting to share with you.

I made the cover!

Wind Wars is an article about my family sailing in the North Channel. Here's my stepdaughters on our sailboat. I didn't even know I made the cover! What a thrill to casually check out the Sailing Breezes website to see if the issue is up yet and see my photo!

November 2009 Issue.

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should be Reading. Here are the rules:
Grab your current read.
Open to a random page.
Share 2 teaser sentences.

I'm reading Inside of a Dog, what dogs see, smell and know by Alexandra Horowitz.

Page 33.
She's waiting at the threshold of the kitchen, just beyond underfoot. Somehow Pump knows precisely where "out of the kitchen" is.

Article published in Dogs in Canada Magazine

My feature article Not Just Walking the Dog, about my good friend Alana Grant and her awesome outlook on life with her two dogs is out in the November issue of Dogs in Canada Magazine. Also, my short bio and photo is featured as one of their contributing writers. I'm thrilled that there's a cute PUG on the cover.

Next month I'll be on the back page with an essay about one of my sled dogs. And a third article on sled dogs will be coming out in the near future!

I'd have to say being featured in a DOG magazine is a proud moment for me. I think I'm more excited about this than any other article I've had published.

What was your most thrilling moment in your writing journey?

Non-fiction, fiction and Woodpeckers

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In reading the fall 2009 issue of Bird Watch Canada, I learned some interesting things about Woodpeckers. During breeding it's the males that excavate the nest, do most of the nest guarding and incubate the eggs. Some females will even have simultaneous nests with different males in different trees and the Lewis's Woodpecker females initate the breeding with the males. Go female Woodpeckers!

It occured to me that writing non-fiction can be fairly easy when you find gems like this to research. Nature is full of fascinating facts all on its own that make for interesting reading.

In pondering this on my hike this morning, I thought how I could transfer some of that interest into my fiction writing by simply changing up sex roles or putting a new spin on an old theme. This is nothing new as far as writing advice goes, but the theory made new sense to me.

I'll also be watching the Woodpeckers that come to our feeder this year with renewed appreciation.

Morning hike

I thought I'd bring my camera along today to share some images while hiking around our lake. Slippery frost coated most of the leaves on the ground. Today is the first morning I found ice forming along the shoreline. Won't be long before snowshoes! Yeah!

Here's my man and our dog out for a boat ride.

And here's a new trail. We're trying to figure out the best way to cross. What do you think, zip-line? Rope bridge? Tarzan swing? The two pines seem perfectly aligned to set something up. Any suggestions welcome.

I love all the support I've received here for my writing successes lately. The blogger community is awesome!

passing on the blogger award

I've had the honest scrap award long enough. I am now passing it on to Megan Rebekah because she has introduced me to lots of other great blogs and I would love to know more about her.

And for the good news file: Sailing Breezes Magazine just accepted my sailing adventure story of my family and I in the North Channel of Lake Huron. Coming out in November issue!

Blogger Award Nomination

I've been given this blogger award by LeSan of Bluegate Gardens Blog. The catch - I must now share 10 honest truths about myself. I won't be able to compete with LeSan's halarious list, but I'll do my best to think of semi-interesting stuff:

1. I once chased a bear with a chainsaw - and I was wearing nothing but shoes at the time. (and ironically, the time I almost died was minding my own business in my tent when this moose came along...)
2. If I could wake up tomorrow with a natural talent, I'd choose to be a dancer.
3. Denali, one of my sled dogs who is now deceased, visits me regularly in my dreams and talks to me. He wasn't even a lead dog or anything. Very strange and sort of creepy, I know.
4. We only get one TV channel in our house and just got our first computer last year.
5. I was a top 4 finalist in a cruise ship American Idol competition with my version of Mustang Sally. No, I can't sing - perhaps it was stage presence.
6. I've handled for a dogteam in the famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska.
7. I'm afraid of the dark and keep a light on in the house if I'm alone.
8. Besides writing, my inside hobby is making cards and scrapbooking.
9. I'm the first ever female in Ontario in the Lake Unit at work.
10. I used Poison Ivy as toilet paper after a pee in the bush. Wouldn't recommend it.

Full Manuscript Request!

Yeah Muse Conference! Apparently my pitch went better than I thought. After only a week, I've received a request for the rest of my manuscript! The party voice in my head is now battling with the voice of reason - DON'T get too excited, it's not a contract offer, just a full request. I have allowed myself one celebratory brownie (okay, I did have another small one, but I ate it with my eyes closed so it doesn't count)

How I got published

I've been invited to be a guest blogger! Check out Amber's blog for my guest post on how I got published.

Pitch session and Muse Conference

I've had my first ever pitch session online. Since it lasted only five minutes, there really wasn't much to it other than me pasting my 100 word pitch and the publisher asking one question. She then gave me a special code to submit the first three chapters of my ms. Here's my pitch:

In Sled Dog Seasons, a 17,000 word middle grade novel, twelve-year-old Rebecca dreams of becoming a famous sled dog racer.

She's an inventive, but self-doubting musher who tackles freezing blizzards, wild animal attacks, puppy training and flying poo missiles. But all of her challenges seem easier than living up to the dogs' trust in her abilities.

Rebecca runs her huskies along the crisp trails near Thunder Bay, Ontario, where northern lights flare and dangerous beavers lurk.

Through the bond she shares with the dogs, Rebecca learns that hard work, dedication and living in the moment bring their own rewards.


Before my turn, I was gathered in a chat room with the other pitchers and somehow, that elevated my stress level. By the time my turn came I had worked myself into a lather and could hardly type. I was so nervous my ice cold fingers quivered on the keyboard. How embarrassing!
Since it will be at least three months before I hear back from the publisher, I will from this point forward wipe it from my mind and not dwell. Yup, no dwelling, or obsessing or worrying...

I'm heading back to the rockin' conference. I'll return when it's over and I'm full of knowledge.

Busy Writing

Contest alert! Over at YA Book Queen they're giving away some cool books. Check it out.

Also Nathan Bransford is holding a first paragraph contest!

Tonight is my first chance at pitching Sled Dog Seasons, my middle grade novel, directly to a publisher. I'm getting this chance through the free Muse Online Writers Conference. All week I'll be involved in workshops and forums designed to help move my writing forward and to network with other writers and editors. And I'm doing all that from home!

I'll detail about the pitch in my next post.

'Scuse me while I get deep

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The outdoors is like church for me. I procrastinate going - can't go hike today it's too wet, don't feel like loading the kayaks, not enough wind to sail. But when I finally get there, it only takes 20 minutes to feel renewed, energized, inspired. It washes the cobwebs and allows in the light.

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. (Maybe I just say that at the change of each season because I like change) The earthy musk of wet leaves on the ground, the brilliance of colours along a lakeshore, the bite of a frosty morning, all fill me up. Suddenly I remember to be thankful.

Thanks to my friend LeSan for her suggestion I get out there.

What fuels your spiritual self?

One last trip?

Decisions! The leaves are turning fast around here. Frost last night. Help me choose: one more sailing trip, or kayak trip?

Can't wait for my workshop tonight at the Muse on-line writing conference. How to pitch! Stay tuned for that and another exciting chapter of me freezing my tiny little butt (an active imagination is a good thing) somewhere in the wilderness.

7 Habits

For my 8 hour drive to the Ottawa SCBWI conference I listened to a few audio books, something I've never done. I've always assumed I didn't have the attention span. I loved it. It made the time go by in a blink. I actually sat in my own driveway for an extra 2 minutes to hear the end of The Taking. Creeped me right out, but in a good way. Aliens are scary is all I'll say. I know this is a little blasphemous, but I did not get past Chapter One of Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich. She wrote a great book, How I Write, but her fiction just isn't for me.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey had me mentally cleaning out my closets. I arrived at the conference full of promises to myself to practice habit 5. This has lasted for a day, but it was a good reminder to continue to work on personal growth. Here's a summary. This link goes more into depth on the habits if you're interested.

1. Be Proactive - be response able
2. Leadership - begin with the end in mind, make your mission statement
3. Management - first things first
4. Think Win/Win - or no deal
5. Communication - listen first to understand
6. Synergize - creative solutions from both sides
7. Self-renewal - sharpening the saw

I won!

Spunk on a Stick blog held a book giveaway that I won! I'll be receiving this book in the mail shortly! Yeah! Thanks Diane!

And at Christy's Creative Space I also won a copy of this book! Thanks Christy Evers!

Thoughts on Ottawa Writing Conference

Well, after my first SCBWI conference experience, I can now say that going to a conference ROCKS!

I did learn quite a lot from the two guest speaker NY agents. Such as:

The whole process of how an agent picks you from the 1000 other submissions that week.

How two agents can be completely different but equally good at what they do.

And that I don't need to get all sweaty and tongue-tied if I find myself next to one.

I especially had an eye-opening experience at the Canadian-Idol-like anonymous query crit session. The agents sat like two mean judges and dissected the query letters that were read aloud. When that session began I was so hoping to have mine read. By the third one, I was wishing I could rescue my tender, virginal query and run far away with it. But there wasn't time for everyone's and so mine remained pure. Which is too bad.

But the main thing I took away from the day was NETWORKING. I met so many other writers. Published, unpublished, agented, un-agented, all working at their craft.

It reminded me of going to a Dogsled Race. One room full of other fanatical lovers of your chosen passion.

Where else could you have someone nod in silent understanding when you explain how your main character woke you up in the middle of the night and insisted you re-write the last chapter. Or see the recognition in someone's eyes of your gut-rot dismay when the book contract you thought you had was cancelled.

It was a very good place to be. Such energy and warmth. And if you think about it, we're all in competition with each other to gain the attention of the two lonely agents that were there. But there was nothing but encouragement in the air.

Let me see...how much does a plane ticket to NY cost for the SCBWI conference in January...

On writing, swimming and other uphill battles

This is a photo of me. (In my own little make believe mind.) Flickr cc

It’s that time of year. In preparing for the Provincial Masters Swimming Competition next spring, I’ve begun pool training again. It’s been a while and I’d forgotten how much I love to swim. And so I’ll be posting updates of my progress - though it’s not an outdoor adventure. (Since I live on a lake you are probably thinking, why isn’t it an outdoor adventure? That, my friends involves a tragic and embarrassing turtle phobia of which I may tell you about later)

While doing basic drills today, it occurred to me that swimming was a little like writing. So many techniques to remember. Body roll on the long axis. Relaxed, high elbow arm recovery. Kick from the hips. REACH for the catch. Stroke count. Streamline off the wall. If I try to remember them all swimming one length, my stroke becomes choppy, unpretty and fun-less.

When writing, if I concentrate too much on technique, it also becomes unpretty and fun-less. Show don’t tell. Move that plot with dialogue. Watch those tags. GOOD GOD my mc needs a disabling quirk!

The 400 meters of drills I did were certainly needed. But it was the 1000m of back and free style, slicing through the water like a dolphin, that was pure joy. It’s what ensures that I go back on Thursday to do it again. And sometimes, I begin a story with scene description. Just for fun. I’m that much of a rebel.

Happy Birthday Dad

Just giving a shout out to my awesome dad who is now...older than this time last year. In case you missed it, here's a little about him in my best thing about series.

Question of the Day

Monday's Question of the Day is hosted by Eleni at La Femme Readers.


Question: What book has made you look at life in a different light?

My Answer: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

"That which you manifest is before you." Enzo.

Narrated by the wise dog Enzo who wishes he had hands and watches the Discovery Channel. One of my favorite books.

Ready for the conference

My business cards came! The back does have a small picture of me in the corner and I think it works. I'm suddenly feeling quite professional! Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.

To prepare for the 8 hour drive to the Ottawa conference, I've signed out a few audio books: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey (well, it can't hurt) and Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich. I've read her book, How I Write, which had some great tidbits in writing for YA, but I'd never read one of her novels.

I've also been trying to sign up for the Muse Online Writers Conference. So far, having some trouble with registering, but I'm hopeful I'll be able to join this FREE chance at pitch sessions and workshops.

One last thought: over at Absolute Write, there's a group of us middle grade writers. One new blog I've discovered there is http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com
This is a great resource for any writer. Check it out.

Ottawa writers' conference

Thanks to all for the great business card suggestions. I have now closed my eyes, poked at the keyboard and ordered my very own professional-ish cards. I hope they arrive in time for the conference I've signed up for. here http://www.scbwicanada.org/east

I've decided going to a conference may help the discouraging dark cloud that's hung over my head since my book contract was cancelled. I have also bravely sent my manuscript for a critique session because I want my life to be all about moving forward. I'll give the rundown on the whole event when I return.

Also helping with the cloud - my loving parents presented me and my awesome partner with this GEM as a way of recognizing our suicidal tendencies and need for reckless adventure...wait...I mean our accomplishment. Woohoo Mom and Dad - you rock!