Ministry of Inter-Story Tourism: Camelost

All Camelot Tours Cancelled Until Further Notice

A camelost t this time M.I.S.T must regrettably place a moratorium on all Camelot visits as the castle was recently, “misplaced” -as Master Merlin puts it- during the unfortunate wishing event. For some inexplicable reason, however, Camelot’s reflection is still visible in the waters of Avalon. The Lady of the Lake is being investigated for the theft.

In addition to the cancellations, the official tourism board has also issued a travel warning for the area for characters of both Legend and Fairy-tale Stories. Though Master Merl field in had hoped to organize a search party to ascertain the current whereabouts of Excalibur, the Ministry has grave concerns that the castle may choose to reappear unexpectedly on top of any foolish enough to go searching for the sword. All crossings by horse, pegasus, and fairy godmother are expressly forbidden.

CASTLE SHOPPING NETWORK: Green Light Special

Right now, for a limited time, you can feel like the Queen in this 100% authentic relic of the Emerald Dynasty, salvaged from the gemstone wreckage of the the former Palace after Griz blew it down with her storms.

*some exclusions apply

There’s only one available, so hurry fast and use your spellphones to dial #555-CASTLE1

And if you call within the next ten minutes, we’ll throw in these Hans Christian Loubatin knock offs for no extra charge (excludes 9.99 handling fee)

All of this can be yours for one thousand 4-star reviews. (Plus shipping and handling) Storybook Express cards are the preferred payment method of the Castle Shopping Network.

*This is the really really fine print. As if you couldn’t tell, this is a fake infomercial. You cannot have this crown cuz its in the Smithsonian or something. The shoes are actual Christian Loubatin’s that can be yours for about $700. We hope you have enjoyed this Spelled extra content and please please enjoy the book.

PAGE PIX: May the Fourth be with Ewe

Clone War between Bo Peep and Little Girl Down the Lane

Story by Jabba the Huntsman

Photo courtesy of Shannon at Creative Coomons

More fallout from the cursed wishing star incident, Wish-pocalypse caused by Princess Dorthea, hits Story residents as the top leaders in the shepherding industry have reportedly joined the Dark Side. Tensions between Bo Peep and the Little Girl Down the Lane over ethics of Black Sheep have always been high, but the absence of fairytale rules has destroyed the peace between the two parties. Reports of mass fleecings have been pouring in, as well as rumors of a full scale Clone War set to begin on May the Fourth.

A large army of Peep’s clone troopers were seen marching down the lane, with Dolly said be leading the charge. This claim could not be substantiated as white armor used on both sides makes it impossible to differentiate between the troops. If confronted by these clones, residents are advised to wave a hand in front of the Ewes and say, “These are not dragons you’re looking for.”

Ministry of Inter-Story Tourism: Travel Advisory

Inter-Story Travel Advisory in effect for all of Libraria

Following the Wish-quake reportedly caused by a misfired wish (see FOX and the Hounds coverage here), the Ministry of Inter-Story Tourism has issued a travel advisory for all Libraria. The epicenter of the phenomnon seems to be the Emerald Palace, but the investigation is still ongoing. Prime Minister Goose urges calm and caution while the after wish effects are felt throughout the Fairy Tale realms .

Particular areas of concern include the Sherwood Forest, where trees have been recently reported as uprooting themselves and chasing tresspassers;

Wondergardens has also reported strange plant behavior including rapid growth and carnivorous blossoms. This is the last known image of Red before her cape was found in tatters. WARNING: THIS PHOTO MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR MORE SENSITIVE READERS.

All Princesses are advised to stay inside their towers and not let down their hair for anyone until the side effects have passed.

FOX and the Hound News: Wish-pocalypse

Emerald Princess Wishes Upon a Cursed Star; Happily Ever Afters Lost Forever?

Photo courtesy of Scott Smith and Creative Commons

Muse Day, a patriotic holiday in honor of our beloved Storymakers, has ended in pandemonium after Dorthea, the Princess of Emerald, allegedly wished upon a cursed star to avoid an arranged marriage. This is not the first time the Princess has been in trouble, in fact only hours earlier, she tried to escape in wanton disregard of the Emerald Death Curse as well as public safety. (See previous story here) This image, captured just before the Emerald Palace collapsed shows thunder clouds forming, indicating the Storm Witch of the West, Griz might be involved.

While the palace was a total loss, the aftershocks of the wish are still being felt. Unsubstantiated reports are going viral on Flitter, #wishpocalypse. Photos have surfaced of Beauty turning rather hairy while Rapunzel seems to have gone bald all together. Queen Em and King Henry had no comment, in fact they seem to have vanished all together.

Since the rules of Fairytale have disappeared with them, other stories are being effected as well. Magic has run amok in a process known by literary scientists as “Oz-mosis” and characters have been cautioned to wait in their towers and avoid all forms of spells and potions until the crisis is over.

In related news, the local amphibian population is up 1000% while prince sightings have decreased sharply.

ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION OF THE PRINCESS’S WHEREABOUTS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR STORYMAKER. DO NOT APPROACH WITHOUT FLAME RETARDANT SHIELD.

PAGE PIX: Royal Menace

PRINCESS NEARLY ESCAPES… “ROYAL MENACE” SAYS PALACE SERVANT

Story by The Fairy Gossip Mother

BREAKING NEWS: Princess Dorthea of Emerald has attempted to escape the palace in the Muse Day pre-ball commotion. Her efforts were thwarted by Queen Em, long may she reign.

An anonymous kitchen source says the princess showed no concern for the well being of the citizens of Emerald and scoffed at the curse laid upon her family. “She’s a pixing royal menace, even without the curse. Making me bring her chocolate wands in the middle of the glammed night.” The kitchen girl was unavaible for further comment de to a sudden case of frog-itis.

Though the details of the curse are kept hush hush by the palace PR reps, a taunting nursery rhyme is often whispered in dark alleys. “Girl of Emerald, no man can tame. Burn down the world, consumed by flames.” Some village residents, tired of the candle ban and constant threat of destruction are compiling a petition to have Princess Dorthea locked in a tower with weekly haircuts to avoid the Rapunzel problem.

When our Flitterazzi fairies caught up with the princess and asked her about this latest escape attempt, Maribell narrowly avoided being stepped on by one of the heels in Dorthea’s legendary royal shoe collection.

Will the curse come true? Is there a brave prince that can rein in this reign of terror? Will the princess try to escape again? And most importantly, what will she be wearing to the Muse Day Ball? Tune into to our continued SPELLED coverage to find out.

No Turning Back

Some people are born without fear. They can charge towards something without a second thought.

I am NOT one of those people.

Don’t get me wrong, I still finish whatever I start. But that doesn’t mean when I’m about to climb a mountain (real or metaphorical), I don’t stand at the bottom and get vertigo seeing how far away the top is.

If I want to get up that mountain, I’ll do a gut check and realize that the distance is really just an accumulation of steps. “I can do steps,” I’ll tell myself. “I can break it down and make it 300 ft to that rock.” After I get to that rock then I figure, “I can make it 500 ft to that tree.”

Before I know it, I’m half way. But I’m tired. More likely than not I have a few blisters and the path down is looking pretty good because I don’t want to take another step. Here’s a secret though…

Running away and quitting in the middle has just as many steps back down as going forward to the top. And there’s no way I hauled my butt up half a mountain just to pack in my trail mix. So as long as I can keep moving, it’s going to be up.

One of the keys to fighting fear is making a commitment that there’s no turning back. Because as long as I see heading back down as an option, I’ll keep nervously looking over my shoulder at the possible way out. Once I choose to take away that option, something miraculous happens: peace. Peace and determination that all I have to do or think about is taking those steps forward.

Whether its easy, hard, slow or fast — doesn’t matter. Just get there and enjoy the view from the top. It’s much better than the one from the bottom.

Making goals that stick – any day of the year

Happy day after new year! I felt the need to make a resolution post on any day BUT New Years. There is a point to that, besides non conformity. You see, you can make goals and changes in your life at any given time, not some arbitrary day. No excuses of “Oh, I missed it. Maybe next year.” BZZZZ. Wrong. Start today. Start next week or month. Just start and know that you can finish. And I’m gonna help. Starting Line

So Step One of making a successful goal resolution etc . . . Create ACTION SPECIFIC GOALS. Word what you want to do as opposed to what you want to happen.

Example of what not to do. “I’m going to lose 50 lbs this year.”

That is a result. And it’s outside of your control. Your body may not be able to drop that weight due to medical conditions of other factors out of your control. So if you only lose 30 are you a failure?

Try this instead. Same idea, just stating what you’ll DO.

“I’m going to be healthier this year by exercising daily and controlling my portions.” (eating more veggies, counting calories– whatever you want to alter in your eating habits. Eat less move more concept.)

The above is a goal you can take a day at a time and succeed every single time. You control what you do, the actions you take. Weight loss might be a happy bi-product of these actions, but your success of a goal doesn’t hinge on something you can’t control.

Some people might say, “Well, aren’t those two goals the same thing?”

Kind of, but the approach and how you look at it are different. Some of the best things in life were already there, but all we need is a little shift in perception to see it.

Upside Down Boy

Before I became a finisher, I would make lofty goals and some cockamamy plan to get there. “I’m going to be a size 2 by summer.” Or “Get my dream job.” I’d bust my hump for a month or two, but the results that I thought I should have, the ones I’d set in my goals weren’t happening for me. So I gave up, gained back the 30 pounds and stopped trying to writing a book. Then I spent the rest of the year feeling like a loser that couldn’t do anything.

Now I lament those years I wasted. I made my expectations and goals based on things outside my control. They were dependent on luck, someone else’s whims and biology. Instead of wallowing in the shame spiral or blaming my failures on the things outside my influence, I needed to shift my goals on the changes I could make.

Everyone has dreams. Things they want to happen. Those are good and we should work towards those things in the GOALS we make. Some day I want to have a best selling smash hit novel. So that’s my want. Now I’m going to make goals to help me get there. I can’t have great book that everyone loves if I don’t write a book that I love. So this year I’m going to write the best possible book that I can. One that I love. That’s a goal I can absolutely finish if I put the time, effort, and love into. What happens after THE END is out of my control. But I will have successfully completed my goal for the year that gets me closer to my want. My DREAM.

So when you are ready, figure out what you WANT in life. It’s not set in stone, it can change. Then figure out some of the actions you need to take to get there. GOALS completely within your control. Then make that promise to yourself, and do what you set out in that goal.

I may get my dream this year, or next, or a decade from now. But that isn’t the point. As long as I keep walking forward, doing the best that I can, I keep piling these successes up.

I keep becoming a better and happier person.

And THAT dear friends, is the entire point in this marathon we call life, isn’t it?

Life, Death, and Hedgehogs

RIP Princess Pricklepants Aug 2009-Dec 2013

Last week, our beloved pet, Princess Pricklepants, died in her sleep. She was the spiky companion to my four year old, A, in particular. The hedgie would run on its wheel at night and that would let A know she wasn’t alone. Apparently the hedgie prickles kept monsters away.

There were only a few midnight dramas where A woke up, sure hedgie wanted to play, when in fact the small creature thought the little fingers reaching in were worms.

Point is, we loved this odd little creature. I, in particular, related to its defense mechanisms. Easy to startle, prickly and neurotic, but once she settled down, she would snuggle and turn over for belly rubs.

Finding her not sleeping but dead was traumatic for me. And now I had to tell my 4 and 6 year olds.

“I’m sorry buddies, but hedgie died,” I said and held out my blanket covered cargo.

Quiet stretched out through the room.

Then, “So what can we get now?” – L, 6 and socially and emotionally special

Hmm, maybe she hadn’t made the connection. I should probably try again.

Before I could A piped up asking for a cat. To which L replied that we couldn’t because Daddy is ‘lergic. And mommy already said we weren’t getting rid of daddy.

While I went downstairs with the body, the two argued about what pet would replace the hedgie. I bawled.

Where had I gone wrong as a parent? Where was the empathy? Maybe my children would be future sociopaths. I could practically hear the theme to The Omen in the background. Since I feel things so deeply, I was even more hurt by my kids lack of reaction.

I sat them down and explained that while we might someday get a new pet, no one could replace the one we’d lost. Each life is unique and special.

Then it was time to bury the hedgie. And A threw a fit.

“Put hedgie back in his cage.”

“Honey, he’s dead.”

“I still don’t want him to leave,” she said and reached for the shoebox casket. “He needs to stay here so he can’t go away.”

Aha. It wasn’t that I hadn’t explained the value of life. They didn’t understand the value of death. We hadn’t really had anyone die near us. Fish got flushed, so that didn’t count. For A, as long as hedge was still in the cage, he hadn’t really left her.

My husband and I are still trying to figure out the whole religion thing since even though we were raised with the same doctrine, our adult viewpoints have grown apart. While I take the kids to church, we don’t bring it into the home a lot. The kids know about God and Jesus, and being kind. Making good choices. But souls, heaven and the after and before life have not been discussed since it is a sore subject Jarom and I can’t agree on.

As we buried hedgie in the pond, I tried my best to explain at least my viewpoint in a way a 4 year old could understand. That our love ones remain with us even after they’ve died. The spirit lasts forever while the body can’t.

At least part of it took. Now A leaves mealworms near the spot where hedgie lived. I made the mistake of cleaning it up and now she’s sure hedgie eats them from beyond the grave.

As for L, the way her brain works is very concrete. Abstract concepts, including feelings, are still beyond her at this point. She couldn’t see hedgie anymore, so it was gone. But though she might not have recognized how she felt, she still felt an absence. “The cage is empty. It needs to be filled.”

Very practical, just like her daddy.

And she’s my little hedgehog with prickly exterior that can be near impossible to get through. But when I took the time to snuggle and rock her so she was comfortable, the tears came even though she didn’t know why.

When life gives you snow, make a snow caterpillar

I hate the snow. A lot.

However, when my daughter woke up to discover snow, she was bound and determined to make a snowman. She’s 4. And after watching FROZEN, she pretty much decided that all snowmen could talk. So she was devastated when she figured out that not only did she not have ice magic, but that the snow was too dry and powdery to roll into snowman balls.

She cried. I nearly cried because she would not go inside without her snowman, therefore I could not go in either.

Enter the snow caterpillar. She was pretty skeptical at first, but after some bumps and a few fishy crackers, a new friend was born.

He has since turned into an ice dragon, which everyone knows is so much cooler than a snow caterpillar or a snowman.

I’m going to keep the lesson of the snowcatepillar in mind as I make my goals for 2014. I may have a vision for what I’d like to happen. Unfortunately, life NEVER works out the way I predict. But if I can be flexible and keep working with what I’ve got, I will end up with something even cooler.

As much as I wanted to go inside after the first snow failure, I’m glad my daughter and I stuck it out in the 12 degree weather. Disappointment transformed into frozen delight and failure into success.

I hate the cold. And the snow. But I hate giving up even more.