Down this road again...

I’m on the prowl again.  Things didn’t work out with my last agent, she left her company and things got fuzzy.  So here I am.  A free agent as they would say in sports.  Wouldn’t they say that?  Nevermind the analogy, I’ll have to ask my husband about that one.

Now I’m in the process of getting my manuscript as tight as I can so that I can begin submitting to agents and maybe even a few publishers.  The funny thing about this stage is that it’s exciting as much as it is anxiety inducing.  You begin to fret over the negative “what ifs” because you’ve been down this road before, but then you get so pumped about the potentially positive “what ifs” that you just feel is your destiny.  I’m super imaginative so I can so see myself accepting that publishing contract someday in the future.  I can see myself with a nice, long career in writing, totally giving up my science career.  Sadly, I am also a realist, and can see myself trying to reach the carrot that’s been dangling in front of my face, but never quite coming close enough to grab it.

I guess that’s why phrases like “Que sera sera” are clichés.  I specialize in clichés by the way.  If you  need one, hit me up.  I’ll be happy to lend you a few.

So, please keep me in your prayers and your thoughts!

And, here’s a few pics too, just to keep the tradition going!

Fourth of July 2011

 

New Year, New Me!

I’ve decided that in every aspect of my life, I’m going to put my BEST foot forward and put forth nothing but excellence.  I just want to be the best me that I can me (sooo cliché, but so true), so I’ve decided to do my best within this year to relinquish all (or most) of my vices and then improve upon my virtues and other good things in my life.

So here’s the good list:

*Improve my physical and mental condition.

Lol.  How’s that for starters?

Physically, I aspire to be in better shape, so I’ve recently taken up running.  The last two days I’ve essentially run/walked a 5K (both days!).  Today I did 3.3 miles and did the same yesterday (do I need to mention how I can feel absolutely every muscle in my body??).  This is toning me up way better than my elliptical workouts ever did and I am excited for the results that will be sprouting up soon.  #10lbsGoAwayNow!

Also, I plan to improve my skin care regimen and from my previous post, you might already know that I am on a journey with my hair now as well.

I’m excited that I will also be getting some improvements on my teeth.  My front tooth has been chipping lately over time and after speaking with my dentist, he told me that braces would help deter any long-term damage.  After speaking with an orthodontist, it was recommended that I get braces for approx. 12-18 months.  Now, I’m a 32 year old woman who does NOT have aspirations to return to adolescence, so I decided to move ahead with it and get Invisalign braces.  They’re the clear, plastic kind that are virtually indistinguishable!  Soooo excited about this fix.  

Then lastly, I’ve decided to be more patient.  Yes, I’ve decided.  I believe that having patience isn’t a gift, it’s a choice.  I wouldn’t say that I’m high strung, but I definitely have more anxiety than the average bear.  I noticed that the moment I made the decision to step into a perpetual zen zone (what I call it), that my emotions weren’t so wacky all the time.  Plus, it helps to meditate on the scripture “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil 4:3.

The bad list?

*Curtail my red wine habit

Well, I looooove red wine.  But, lo and behold, wine is NOT calorie free.  Darn.

Not to mention that it stains my teeth, and my workouts have been ineffective because of the extra calorie load.  When I finally get my Invisaligns, it will be that much harder to imbibe anyway since I have to wear them 22 hours a day and when I eat or drink anything I have to scrub them and brush my teeth.  It makes for a tedious routine so I may as well cut my losses now.  

            *My teeth being chipped away has also made me realize that I may be weakening my teeth with my nail biting habit.  So for the first time since I gave birth to my son, I actually have nails!! So this is a bad habit that I’m happy to kick.

So, that’s it for the moment.  Thanks for listening to my ramblings!!

Hair and Writing...not necessarily in that order

Okay, lots of new and exciting things happening!  Well, I have an agent now! Her name is Liz Jote’ of Objective Entertainment.  Things were actually finalized this past December and I’m overjoyed to be working with her—she truly ‘gets’ my writing and has really brought my novel to greater heights.  Typically, when it comes to stuff like this, I’m a realist.  My head is not usually in the clouds but I’ve got a feeling about things this time.  Keep your fingers crossed for me and if you’re not overtly opposed, whisper a few prayers on my behalf.   For more info on my writing, visit my official author website www.nicieconleymurphy.com.  Let me know what you think about it!

On another note…I’ve ditched my chemically processed hair for a new and improved version of my hair.   

Yes, I’ve cut it all off.  Not exactly Sinead O’Conner-esque, but darn close!  If you’ve ever known anyone with relaxed hair, or have it yourself, you might know that relaxed hair cannot be undone.  It’s not extremely versatile and it can be quite fragile.  I really wanted to embrace my hair the way it grows out of my head so I decided not to transition, but to just rid myself completely of the relaxed hair so that my true texture can shine through.  I’m thoroughly enjoying the feeling of wash and go hair, as well as getting to know my hair as God intended it to be.  I can’t wait until my twa (teeny weeny afro) has grown into the lioness’ mane that is sure to come.  Just this afternoon I ran out to get some Jojoba oil and other hair products.  (Shh! I’m a product junkie! Yikes)  It’s only been about a week and half and I’ve littered my bathroom sink with product after product after product trying to find my holy grail system.

And because I’m the Queen of snapshots, here are a few pics of my new ‘do!

More on hair later….

And this is the look I'm going for...that girl in the middle, she's my little sister.  Her hair rocks. 

The other women are (from left to right), my mom, Stephanie (my older sister),

Lori (younger sis), Kenya (my 12 year old niece), Angie (my other older sister), and Moi!

This is a picture of me, two of my sisters (my father's children), and my dad.  I was the only one left that had chemically processed hair.  Now, I've taken the plunge.  Conley girls unite!

Winter Happenings

Hi People!
It’s always so long between posts, but I aspire to do better in 2011! I have so much to blog about that I wonder if my fingers won’t be sore when I’m finally done! I suppose I’ll just highlight a few things and be done with it!

Life:It’s December now and the holidays are upon us! Luckily, even though I’ve had tons of birthday cake this Oct and Nov., and lots of Thanksgiving food, I haven’t put on any weight! What does this mean? It means I’m free to be a glutton this Christmas! Yaay!

Well, it does mean that, doesn’t it?

Imagine this

In honor of my father for Father's day, I wracked my brain for something special to do that didn't involve a tie, or a new wallet. What I came up with rivals all other gifts that I could have ever imagined.

Backstory.

My father is almost 70 (this November). He was born in Huntsville, AL to very young parents. His mother was only 16 years old when she had him in 1940. My grandfather wasn't much older, and together, within 3 years, they had 2 more children, my uncle, Eddie, and my aunt, Betty. My dad remembers yanking on her skirt while she was cooking and cleaning in the kitchen. She must've been obviously pregnant during the time of this memory, but he doesn't remember the details.

Two weeks after my Aunt Betty was born, my grandmother began hemmorraging. The only hospital in town denied her registration because she was black. She died. She was 19.

I can only imagine how such a young family fared in that time. Men didn't take care of children. That wasn't a man's place.

When my dad was 9, his family (and a new stepmom to boot), moved to Louisville, KY to start a new life with other family.

....I was born in 1978. I share my grandmother's name.

May/June Happenings

My son is now 6 months old! Can you believe it! I can't! It seems like yesterday that I was carrying him, and now he's all over the place, getting into EVERYTHING!! He's such a happy baby and is truly a unique character. My daughter is a minature adult now and we have a wonderful time watching her grow up and listening to all the things she has to say.

Here are a few pics (since that's what I do best :)

Lovely Days

Its been a while, and now I’m back to work. Back to writing. And back to being a busy busy bee.

My son is 4 months old now, and my daughter is 2 ½. They are a hoot!! If you could only see my daughter play “mother hen” to my son, you’d fall out of your chair laughing. The only thing is that when she pats him on the head, I have to constantly remind her to be gentle. Toddlers don’t know boundaries and she is no exception.

My son is getting Christened on Easter and I’m super excited. All of our family is coming up and in honor of Mathias, we are all wearing blue. We wore pink for my daughters Christening which was 2 short years ago.

And because you know I can’t resist, here are some pics of my family these last few months!