Stealing from Cary

Not really... but I am going to use his idea, sort of.

See, today was the deadline for the NaNoWriMo Novel contest... to produce a 50,000 word novel in one month.

I lost interest in the subject matter, and haven't been able to get into the right frame of mind to return to it... so:

Anyone wanna be a guest blogger and write part of it for me?

I'll do the proofreading and editing, of course... all you have to do is write. If you misspell, etc. don't worry about it, because I will fix it when I check it out. Any interested parties just let me know.
; )

What Planet Are You From?

You Are From Mercury

You are talkative, clever, and knowledgeable - and it shows. You probably never leave home without your cell phone! You're witty, expressive, and aware of everything going on around you. You love learning, playing, and taking in all of what life has to offer. Be careful not to talk your friends' ears off, and temper your need to know everything.

What Planet Are You From?

Holiday Wishes...

I found this on Shawna's blog... but she took it from somewhere else. I may modify it a bit, though...

Step One

Make a post to your diary. The post should contain your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fandom-related ("I'd love a Snape/Hermione icon that's just for me") to medium ("I wish for _____ on DVD") to really big ("All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV.") The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.

If you wish for real life things (not fics or icons), make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.

Also, make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your diary, or link to this post (it'll be public) so that the holiday joy will spread.

Step Two

Surf around your buddy list (or your buddy's buddies, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now here's the important part:

If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true. Sometimes someone's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use--or even know where you could get someone's dream purebred Basset Hound for free--do it.

You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf--to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not--it's your call.

There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.

My Holiday Wish List:

- I wish to spend more time this coming year on my music than I did this year.
- A new guitar, P.A. and some other equipment for performing music publicly
- A karaoke setup complete with the discs
- The usual Amazon wish list stuff...
- Braces for my oldest 3 or 4 kids' teeth...
- A new cage for my hamster
- Better hutches for my bunnies
- A vehicle large enough to fit my whole family of seven into so we don't have to take two cars when we all want to go out together
- A larger piece of property that's zoned so that we could have livestock
- Any kind of gift card, certificate, or cash!

How you can make MY holiday wishes come true...

Saw something interesting on a friend's blog...

I'll link to it and try it tomorrow. Right now I'm wiped out... heading for bed. Nitey nite!

Thanksgiving...

Had a great day today... good food, etc. Hope everyone else did, too. Ugh. I'm stuffed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all Americans... hope you have a great holiday. I'm sleepy... off to bed. Tomorrow will be a long busy day for me.

omigod! there's a house under all that rubbish!

Okay. No such thing as spring cleaning around here... but I've been trying to re-situate everything so that I can decorate the mess for the holidays. Call me crazy, but I like hanging up a bunch of lights and stuff.

Hoping to find time and energy to sit down to the "novel" soon... now that I have some real ideas percolating in my head. You'll see it when I do it. I'll post a comment on this blog when I've made any further substantial additions, since I've been so few and far between with 'em.

My fitness plan is currently dead in the water... and I'm REALLY enjoying a healthy dose of White Russians. Mmmmmmmmmmmm 'tis the season.

Well... back to the grind. I've half a dozen loads of laundry to fold, a load of dishes to wash... and oh! A meal to cook?

Inspired, yet too busy to write...

I'll get there, though. The suggestions have helped to stir my creative juices, and I also actually have a commissioned job to create a new business card for someone, so I need to get the housework done & sit down to concentrate at the computer.

Random thoughts

Okay everybody. Your love is apparent. THANK YOU! To the many who have been emailing me with suggestions for my novel. It will be so much better because of all the subtle nuances that are going to be there largely because you cared enough to throw in your 2¢ worth. Keep checking back to see the rewrites with your suggestions. (Chapter 5 will be forthcoming shortly as well)

I also think I'm getting to the bottom of my self sabotage cycle. Setting goals based on personal wishes and dreams may not work for me. I think I need something larger than life... something BEYOND myself for motivation. I'm sure many of you will recognize yourselves in that statment. That is why you run marathons and stuff, right?

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm feeling the need to expand my arena of influence a bit. Staying home alomst 24/7 is killing me. If I CAN'T find a job, then I need to volunteer somewhere a few hours/week. Wish me luck on finding a niche I can fill!
; )

Voodoo & stuff

I was watching a tv program this morning, and something the lady was saying about voodoo kinda clicked for me. See, with voodoo, they basically separate illnesses and other bodily troubles into two categories: natural and (for lack of better phraseology) supernatural.

Long story short here is that when they try and try to treat someone, but their health doesn't improve by NATURAL means, then it is generally assumed to be of a SUPERNATURAL or SPIRITUAL nature.

Seems to me that this concept was well explained... but shouldn't the majority of religions be utilizing some sort of healing methods then, since I've heard others mention similar concepts?

But the bottom line is: the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I'd like to hear some true stories of "faith healing" regardless of your religious affiliation (or absence thereof)

Novel

I seem to be incredibly stuck with my novel. If any of y'all have suggestions, please throw 'em at me. But anyway, I'm hoping to meet with some inspiration soon... one way or another!

The lost post

See... you didn't think I posted yesterday... but I did. LOL

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Here's a SOMEWHAT neutral-gender quiz...

I Am Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream!

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You? Take This Quiz :-)

What Kind of PJ's Are You?

Sorry Rob... another girlie one!

The PJ's I Am Most Like: Underwear

I enjoy the simple things in life and ain't hard to please...
I have an understated, easy sexyness that men love...
And I'm confident enough to pull it off - without being overbearing!


What Kind of PJ's Are You? Take This Quiz :-)

Blah blah blah

Well, I'm still in a non-mood. Dunno what it is but it seems to be going around. A couple of other bloggers whose blogs I read regularly have also not been in the mood to write much, although Zoe does a pretty good job once she gets going, LOL

Anyway, my sincerest apologies for being so damn boring lately, but I'm sure it will be over soon.

Not much to say...

So I won't. Just wanted to cram in a post for the day, however inconsequential. Okay, I'm obsessed, so what? Am I hurting anyone? Nope. See ya!

33 Reasons Why you shouldn't post your picture on the internet:

You have to see these to believe 'em!

I wonder how often they're changed?

The Most Important Meetings You'll Ever Attend Are the Meetings You Have With Yourself

by Denis Waitley

You are your most important critic. There is no opinion so vitally important to your well being as the opinion you have of yourself. As you read this you're talking to yourself right now. "Let's see if I understand what he means by that... How does that compare with my experiences? - I'll make note of that - try that tomorrow - I already knew that... I already do that." I believe this self-talk, this psycholinguistics or language of the mind can be controlled to work for us, especially in the building of self-confidence and creativity. We're all talking to ourselves every moment of our lives, except during certain portions of our sleeping cycle. We're seldom even aware that we're doing it. We all have a running commentary in our heads on events and our reactions to them.

- Be aware of the silent conversation you have with yourself. Are you a nurturing coach or a critic? Do you reinforce your own success or negate it? Are you comfortable saying to yourself, "That's more like it". "Now we're in the groove." "Things are working out well." "I am reaching my financial goals." "I'll do it better next time."

- When winners fail, they view it as a temporary inconvenience, a learning experience, an isolated event, and a stepping-stone instead of a stumbling block.

- When winners succeed, they reinforce that success, by feeling rewarded rather than guilty about the achievement and the applause.

- When winners are paid a compliment, they simply respond: "Thank you." They accept value graciously when it is paid. They pay value in their conversations with themselves and with other people.

A mark of an individual with healthy self-esteem is the ability to spend time alone, without constantly needing other people around. Being comfortable and enjoying solitary time reveals inner peace and centering. People who constantly need stimulation or conversation with others are often a bit insecure and thus need to be propped up by the company of others.

Always greet the people you meet with a smile. When introducing yourself in any new association, take the initiative to volunteer your own name first, clearly; and always extend your hand first, looking the person in the eyes when you speak.

In all your telephone communications, answer the telephone pleasantly, immediately giving your own name to the caller, before you ask who's calling. Whenever you initiate a call, always give your own name up front, before you ask for the party you want and before you state your business. Leading with your own name underscores that a person of value is making the call.

Don't brag. People who trumpet their exploits and shout for service are actually calling for help. The showoffs, braggarts and blowhards are desperate for attention.

Don't tell your problems to people, unless they're directly involved with the solutions. And don't make excuses. Successful people seek those who look and sound like success. Always talk affirmatively about the progress you are trying to make.

As we said earlier, find successful role models after whom you can pattern yourself. When you meet a mastermind, become a master mime, and learn all you can about how he or she succeeded. This is especially true with things you fear. Find someone who has conquered what you fear and learn from him or her.

When you make a mistake in life, or get ridiculed or rejected, look at mistakes as detours on the road to success, and view ridicule as ignorance. After a rejection, take a look at your BAG.

B is for Blessings. Things you are endowed with that you often take for granted like life itself, health, living in an abundant country, family, friends, career.

A is for accomplishments. Think of the many things you are proud of that you have done so far.

And G is for Goals. Think of your big dreams and plans for the future that motivate you.

If you took your BAG - blessings, accomplishments and goals - to a party, and spread them on the floor, in comparison to all your friends and the people you admire, you'd take your own bag home, realizing that you have as much going for yourself as anyone else. Always view rejection as part of one performance, not as a turndown of the performer.

And, enjoy those special meetings with yourself. Spend this Saturday doing something you really want to do. I don't mean next month or someday. This Saturday enjoy being alive and being able to do it. You deserve it. There will never be another you. This Saturday will be spent. Why not spend at least one day a week on You!

Action Idea: Go for one entire day and night without saying anything negative to yourself or to others. Make a game of it. If a friend or colleague catches you saying something negative, you must put 1/2 dollar in a drawer or container toward a dinner or evening out with that person. Do this for one month and see who has had to pay the most money toward the evening.

With over 10 million audio programs sold in 14 languages, Denis Waitley's CD album, The Psychology of Winning, is still the all-time best selling program on self-mastery. To order this Best-Seller or his newest release, The Platinum Collection and save 30%, go to http://deniswaitley.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434.

To subscribe to the Free Denis Waitley Weekly E-zine send a blank email to mailto:deniswaitleyezine@jimrohn.com

Crap, crap, crap!

Now THERE'S an Aaron-like heading for you. Speaking of whom... he seems to have disappeared. Hope he's okay.

This novel thing is harder than I thought it was gonna be. But I'm not throwing in the towel yet... I just wish I had picked something else to write about. Nevertheless... I made my bed, so now I'd better get cozy lying in it...

Meanwhile, my dear 3 year old daughter seems to have gone bonkers on me. Just now she was biting the skin off an apple and spitting it into the garbage. Either she doesn't like the peel... or she's even more bored than those of you who are reading this are!

Writing a Novel in 30 days or less...

It is National Novel Writing month, so I've decided to do like Mikel and attempt to write a novel by the end of the month. If you want to know the details of this little competiton, they're here. It is supposed to be a minimum of 50,000 words, so that means I need to put down 2000 words a day, because I started late (yesterday).

I got the theme for my novel from my daughter's overnight guest, Chelsea... and the title from my son Joe. I also consulted Chelsea on a few technical points... which annoyed the hell out of Sarah (my daughter) who claimed at one point that Chelsea was writing the whole story (NOT!)

For example, I asked Chelsea if she thought I should write it in past or present tense, and whether certain characters should be male or female. Aside from that, the rest is all from my screwy head.

If you'd like to check it out, there's a link in my sidebar... as well as a link to Mikel's. You can also comment as much as you want to, and I may utilize your suggestions as I write and re-write the story.

Earth to Allie... where are you?

I finally had to give in and remove one of the links on my blogroll, as it has become apparent that she's deleted that particular blog. I do hope Allison will drop in and provide me with a link to her new one... or at least email and let me know what's going on in her life. Hope all is well!

I love reading the blogs on my blogroll...

I found this interesting tidbit today on Robert's blog...

If anyone can offer conclusive evidence of authenticity for the first part... please let me know! I believe it, though. Sounds like something Senator Glenn would say.

Short Post

I had a long, somewhat uneventful day... good workout, park day with homeschool group, very little housework, ate a buncha crap... (okay, not REALLY but I didn't eat "clean" today, nor have I done very well at doing that much at all lately)

Anyway, I've got to re-assess my fitness goals, so I'm taking my Body-for-LIFE book to bed with me tonight to re-read the section called "Crossing the Abyss" as was recommended to me by one of the dear members of my BFL support group. I'll let y'all know if I figure anything out. In the meantime... nitey nite!

Mission Accomplished

When I went back, I was easily able to find parking, and the line for MY precinct was short. There's another precinct that also votes there, and their line was much longer. I was glad to get in and out quickly, since I took Selena and Joey with me. If they had gotten tired and frustrated, it could have been a major ordeal.

Apparently Bob is working over again today... so I'm not going to wait to eat. I'll just do my cardio later... (usually I prefer to do it on an empty stomach, but I'm not going to quibble.)

Voting saga

I will update this post as the day wears on.

At 7am I went to my previous polling place, which has been moved. I went to the new one, and they don't allow parking outside the fence (no parking signs everywhere) and there was no available parking inside the fence.

In addition to this, the line was so long I was afraid that even if I did find parking I would not get in to vote until it was too late to drive Timmy to school, so I left. I will go back by to re-assess the situation once I drop Timmy off.

I can't drop Timmy off before 8am or I have to pay for "before care" and if I do not pick him up from school by 3:30pm they charge $10 for every 5 minutes you're late unless the child is registered for "after care". I'm beginning to be really sorry I put him in this charter school. More about that another time...