Oh, dear fridge!

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

941024_10151474135762483_1243253880_nI spent the past weekend in my hometown where we own a house. My teenage son who is done with college for the semester is going to be living in our house during the summer. I cleaned the fridge, which was pretty empty, and took a picture to prove it is clean because knowing him, it won’t last long.  :) I don’t want to hear, it wasn’t cleaned before I had it. Any of you hear that before? LOL…so I have proof!

He is kind of a messy boy. I was hoping college dorm living would have changed that a bit, but so far it didn’t. I thought maybe having to trip over his own stuff and mom not there to pick up would help a bit to make him clean. NOT.  I am a bit nervous because I already have one place to clean and then if he doesn’t pick up after himself I will have to clean that place as well.  I do love him, but gosh eighteen years of cleaning up after him is long enough.  :) We joke around that he is going to need to either be rich and hire a maid or marry someone who loves to pick up after him. In this day and age where women are career oriented, he needs to be rich!

I suppose part of his messiness is my fault, I would get tired of looking at it and just clean it when he was growing up. It was easier that way. I did that with the daughter as well and she is doing alright with her cleaning. Do you think I have learned with the two younger ones? Nah, I still clean their rooms. I do make them clean here and there more than I did with the other two though. I guess there is hope for me so quite possibly hope for a clean fridge at the end of the summer. Hmmm….I’ll post a picture at the end of summer.

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I did it!

Novel

I accomplished my first rough draft! I hit the 50,219 word count last night. It feels great! I will soon be editing and looking forward to bringing you some sneak peeks at my new novel. I am planning on a June time frame for self-publishing. It was fun writing, but I am glad to have it behind me for awhile. This weekend I am going no where near the manuscript. :)

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me. It helps just having those few people out there that believe in you. I am one step closer to checking off a dream come true, a published novel!

Have a great weekend everyone! Mine starts tomorrow! :)

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Progress Progress and Progress

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

creative-writing (Bing.com clip art)

This was me last night!

I began writing in the afternoon and didn’t stop til 1:00 a.m. I was on a roll. I thought I could be someone that would write a little bit everyday. I found out I am not. I am one of those people who write when the light bulb goes off. It seems once I start I don’t stop til I run out of steam. I wrote last night 9,817 words and enjoyed every minute of it.

There was one point when I did this little dance of a neck stretch and hubby burst out laughing at me thinking I was acting out my writing. I had to explain that no, I was a bit stiff from sitting there the last few hours. :)

well-of-creative-writing_thumb (Bing.com clip art)

My total word count for Camp NaNoWriMo is…..drum roll…….30,011! Yippee!

I only need roughly 20,000 more! And less than a week to do it in. Panic, nah, if I can do that word count in one night I believe I will reach my goal! ONLY IF……

royalty-free-writing-clipart-illustration-227148(Bing.com clip art)

I don’t get stuck! LOL!

 

I can do it, I can do it! Repeat….I can do it.

 

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Camp Nanowrimo

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

????????????????????????????????????????(Bing clip art)

I am doing so much better on this challenge for my novel-writing. The story line is coming along better than it did the last five months. I am still shooting for the 50,000 word mark for this month of Camp Nanowrimo. My total word count is now 10,286 words as of yesterday! I couldn’t stop smiling seeing that I have already way surpassed the initial 3,000 word count that I had done last November. Big smile! :)

I have found if I take my mini laptop away from my desktop computer I get so much more writing done. I don’t care to web surf on the mini laptop so it is not a distraction like the desktop computer is. I have tried to handwrite first but I admit I like checking that word count tool way to much. :) It tends to be my motivator. I like all the likes I get on here and my Facebook page. It has really helped me to keep going. They are small numbers but that’s all I need to motivate me. I thank all of you. :)

I use the WriteWay software and really enjoy it. I do not use all the features, I tried at first and just didn’t like the electronic use of note taking. I have a mini notebook that I keep all my short notes in. I guess you could say I am all about paper when it comes to the note process but all for the electronic way when it comes to writing. I have found that all the research on outlining sounds like the way to go but this ole brain just isn’t into it. I am all about sitting down, daydreaming, and then writing the story. In fact, I am backwards in doing all of it. Once I am done with a chapter I print it and put it in the three-ring notebook I have titled Novel #1 . Then for each chapter I fill in all the note taking on the characters and scenes. Yep, backwards. I guess that is the way my mind thinks. My grandmother always said I did things backwards and she is right. :)

Once I complete this novel, then I will do all the wonderful editing and polishing from the printout chapters. I get to play teacher and mark all the bad grammar and silly scenes that tend to happen when putting thoughts to paper. My goal is to be able to self-publish this on my wedding anniversary, June 22nd. It has been the best day of my life and has brought so much good things I figured it might bring some good vibes for the book. Even if people don’t like my book, I will feel like I achieved my long time goal of publishing a novel. :)

It will be the first in a Trilogy series. I  intend to begin the second book in July and then the third one in November since it is a Trilogy. My favorite number is three and so I may be a little OCD about it, but it is also kind of fun to have hidden meaning behind the book. Afterall, it is an adventure book with many secrets unfolding throughout the story. The best part is the year is 2013, a three in the end so I believe it is the year to do this. Plus, I have to get a job next year, so not as much time to write then. LOL

I’d like to say I should have done this a long time ago, but in reality, my heart and thoughts were not in sync before this year. I don’t know if it is because of the changes in my life or just life in general slowing down a bit. I know it helps not working outside the home at this point.  I feel it in my bones that now is the time. I’m going to give it my best shot. :)

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They grow fast.

Posted on April 5, 2013 by

My Sweet Little Girl

They grow too fast.

It seems like such a long time ago that my daughter was a small toddler. She loved to watch all Disney movies, color, and learn whatever she could. I think I saw Mary Poppins more times than I cared to but I am glad it is those movies that interested her instead of something violent. I remember the many colored pictures and usually in the lines. I was always afraid to throw any away because I thought it was being mean to her. I thought I was saying you are not good enough. Yes, I do have them in a tote buried with hundreds of school papers. I will someday have them all in a scrapbook, someday.

She was my first born and so I learned many things from her. I found out if you allow her to sleep all the time with you, it’s a bit difficult to teach her to sleep in her own bed. She definitely was my night owl. She could almost out last me when it came to going to bed. Luckily, when she began kindergarten, she discovered bed time was a good thing. I assume the day wore her out enough that she began to like sleep which was a blessing for me.

When her baby brother was born, she was determined that he was not coming home. She didn’t want no sibling. When I did bring him home and she got to hold him. She looked up at me and said, “I guess we can keep him.” From that moment on, she became mother hen to him. She was a good little helper. As the years have gone by they tell me more stories of how little missy wasn’t always so nice to little brother. I am glad they can laugh about it and it makes me happy to see they love each other.

I recall a time when she had a friend over to play and they were giggling in her room on the top bunk of the bunk beds she shared with her brother. When I walked into the room they quickly covered something on the bed. I walked over and pulled the cover up and oh my goodness. They had taken several different soaps, lotions, and liquids and mixed them altogether on the bed. My first reaction was thank goodness they did not chemically react. It was a mess to clean up. She got a chewing for that one. No she did not become a scientist.

Oh, the years of girl drama. I could go on and on about those but I won’t. It definitely was an interesting time. As most teenagers go through periods of insecurity so did my beautiful daughter. I now know there were times she felt she couldn’t come to me for help and I so apologize for giving her that feeling. It was never my intention to be like that. I thank whoever and however she made it through those times. I remember being like that. I made it through with determination and writing in my journals. I see the same determination in her so I am glad she is a strong person even if she thinks she isn’t.

As she blossomed into a young lady with her whole life in front of her, she asked to join the Army. I think my mouth dropped two stories. It was very difficult to see her leave for boot camp two days after she graduated high school. I couldn’t have been more proud that she knew what she wanted to do. She was born to be a leader. It was in her from the start. She just didn’t always know or get the chance to prove it to herself or to others. She has been serving the United States Army Reserves ever since.

Life didn’t completely go as planned. She made mistakes and family tensions have been there. The one thing I had hoped she would never have to experience, she did. She lost her baby boy to a miscarriage. I can write words but when it comes to saying them, I simply suck at it. I didn’t say what I felt and it gave her more insecurity from me. It created a whole big mess for the good part of a year while she was deployed serving her country. When she came back I let go of all bad feelings and our relationship has blossomed. It’s like having my little girl back again only she has become the most beautiful, determined, and strong young woman any mother would love to have.

She has achieved her college degree, been promoted in the Army Reserves, and balances two jobs. I couldn’t be more proud. She is a survivor. She has proven that no matter what obstacles get in the way she will conquer them. It is the best feeling in the world to know your child can take care of themselves. I look forward to all the ups and downs we will travel together as a family.

Loved you then, love you now, love you forever, Mom.13 - 1

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Exercise is a Funny Thing!

Posted on March 30, 2013 by

Fitness_tnb(clip art from Bing.com) (A short story by Julia Ray)

I finally got up my nerve to go to the YMCA. I think it has mostly been a battle with admitting I need it. Now, I wish I had done it a lot earlier, I feel so good. I am not so worried about the pounds coming off as I am about shaping up and feeling good about myself. Of course, if the pounds drop a whole bunch I won’t be sad about that.

The first day was a snowy and blistery cold day, which in itself made me want to stay home and snuggle in my blanket.  I walk in through the double set of glass doors that seemed to challenge me to turn around and go back home. I can do this, I know I can. I will see this through. It can only be good results. I scanned the front room for someone to tell me what to do.

“May I help you?” the young lady asked me.

“Yes, I paid for a membership and I am not sure where to begin.” I replied.

“Alright, first you need to sign the book and then follow me. “ The young lady answered.   After I signed the book, she led me to the back of the building where the lady’s locker room was.

“You may use these if you like. We only require that you take your padlock off by the time you leave. I would suggest no valuables just in case.” The young lady turned around to leave me to begin my new me program. I guess I had hoped she would lead me by the hand, tell me I need to go here, and how many of this to do. How silly of me, I am a grown woman, I can figure this out. I know where the rooms are. I have exercised before, back in the dinosaur years.

I placed my things in the locker and turned to walk out. It is a rather strange layout, you have to walk right past the two showers to get to the door. I don’t think I will be using those. I don’t want my fat butt coming out of those and the doors open up. Scare everyone for life.

I turned the corner and walked by the weight room. I saw a big, red X flashing across the window saying, no you are not ready for that. I don’t think I can even remember how to use those machines. I wouldn’t want to have my flab of a belly hanging out for all the world to see. I do believe that will be down the line after my confidence level goes to say ten and perhaps twenty years! I went around another corner and came to the gym. Oh good, no one in it. I walk across to the other side and go through the door for the exercise room.  Oh dear, there’s people. Oh dear, I need to turn around and run as fast as my chubby little legs will go.

I somehow keep walking and walk straight to this monstrous treadmill with all these gadgets. I make myself look like I know what I am doing. We do have one at home just not as fancy. I can do this. I step on, only my foot wasn’t quite on the side like it is meant to be. I found that out when I clicked the start button and did a quick arm flying dance. I recover like I meant to do that.  Oh, please nobody be looking and smirking at me. I could feel my face turn several shades of red. Phew, everyone is going about their own business like pros. They are probably laughing in their heads saying “newbie”.

As I am walking I look around the room and see several different machines. Oh, yes, a cycle, a hip thingy, a stair stepper, and I have no idea what that thing over there is. I will avoid that at all costs. It looks complicated and a red flag saying, you think you did a dance on the treadmill, you will be become an acrobat on that. Not only no, heck no.

I have the treadmill set for half an hour, yes, I am that out of shape. I keep switching from the calories burned to the time left. The bright reading says you have burned fifty calories.   What!

I tap on it, thinking that it will make a difference. No difference. Technology, what does it know. I keep walking.   Another ten minutes and I can feel my legs begin to burn. Oh, that is a good burn.  Again another ten minutes. Am I done yet? Sweat is beginning to drip. I begin to breathe heavy. I feel like time is dragging by. I want to be done. Sweat is really rolling down my face. I look at the time, two whole long minutes left.  Finally, I see it scroll, you are finished. Yay! And then pops up, cool down mode. What!

Did I return the next day? Yes and the day after and the day after. Did I try any other machine? I did try the hip machine. I looked pretty stupid having my knees on the pad part the wrong way and realized it wasn’t doing any good. I scan the instructions and find out turn them around. Oh, that is a good burn. Have I tried any other machines?

No, I think I will master these two first. Baby steps.  Needless to say, don’t step on the scale, wait a few weeks. It was depressing, until I told myself you are adding muscle. Now, I walk in like I own the place. I have even mastered the hip thingy. Awesome feeling.

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Try try try

Posted on March 22, 2013 by

me two 005I am going to try it again. I joined Camp Nanowrimo for April to write my novel. I am staying with the 50,000 words even though this challenge one can set any number of word count. I did get me a T-shirt for the challenge hoping it will be my “muse”. Hey anything helps. :) I wonder if I need to wash it everyday…:)

Of course, I won’t wear it everyday.

After I took this picture, I chopped all my hair off. I guess I needed a change to write this novel. Or could it be I was bored with the long hair. Or really wanting that warm weather to show up.

I went back into my novel for the first time since January and ended up scrapping a whole chapter. It sounded really ridiculous. I have been doing research on writing a novel to get me more prepared. At least that is what I tell myself, though I think it is just another way to put off writing. :)

I am going to achieve this. It is my dream. I have wanted to write a novel since I was a teenager. I just got side tracked the last 25 years. I feel the timing is right. I just got to get past this block in the story. I know what I want to write, just need to put it all together somehow, some way. :)

Yes, I have a good feeling about this. Now if the sunshine and warmth would come out I could go write in other nice places without being trapped at my desk area. I think that would help.

I think the groundhog lied. :(

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Puzzle Madness

Posted on March 5, 2013 by

Puzzle in pieces

This is how I spent my Sunday afternoon. I began about 2pm. It is a 3D puzzle and boy did it play with the eyeballs. One had to sometimes pick up the piece to see all the colors in it. It was a challenge. I bought the puzzle to make myself enjoy something that wasn’t electronic and to encourage my family to help as well. I can remember when I was young in grade school putting puzzles together with my Grandma Marie. It is some of the best memories I have of her. She taught me to start with the outline and to turn all the pieces over so you can see them. If you get stuck on one part look for another color to begin working on. I even had a sixth grade teacher that would allow us to put together a puzzle once our homework was done. You bet I worked madly so I could go put that puzzle together. He usually had those enormous puzzles with a million things going on it. Loved them. Grandma and I mostly put together landscapes and those were challenging because of all the close colors and many pieces of the same color. I believe both taught me a much needed skill of patience and determination to succeed. I can even look at a piece and picture it in the slot and know it will or won’t fit. I’ve played some of the electronic puzzle games and yes they are fun but there is something special about putting one together by hand. It could be just the wonderful memories I have of who I put them together with. I truely miss her.

I sat and put that puzzle together with hardly a break. I even forgot to eat. :) I was bound determined that I was going to finish it that day. My boys even sat down and began to help. I loved it. They even forgot about their computers for the evening and stayed helping me. They got a bit frustrated because of the 3D part, but they soon figured it out. I told them the next one I will get a regular puzzle to give our eyes a break. I like 3D stuff but staring at them for a period of time is not fun.

We finished the puzzle about 10:30 that evening, thank goodness there was no school for the boys the next day. :) We are going to glue it together and hubby is going to make a frame for it. I so enjoyed putting the puzzle together and shouldn’t have taken so long to make myself do it. I love the fact the boys enjoyed it. Now the hunt will begin for our next puzzle.

Finished puzzle board

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Lettermo sparks creativity

Posted on March 5, 2013 by

Letters Feb 2013 006

I received a letter from one of my new pen pals and they had made their own envelope out of a map. I loved it!

I took the envelope apart and traced the outline on to paper for a template. I now have my own long envelopes which can be made from any paper you may wish. I had this wild animal paper that has been sitting in my stockpile for years and now have a great use for it. :) I did use white labels so the post office could see the addresses clearly. I also taped the sides to make sure the letter didn’t slide out on its travels.

I hope it adds some smiles to all who look upon it. :)

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Mail Time

Posted on February 12, 2013 by

blog post 001

I had to go out and buy new stationary for the Lettermo challenge. It was a must. :) It was a great excuse to get some new bright colors. I love paper, envelopes and pens. I am also using some of my old stuff but one can never have too many pretty things. I would rather buy these things than a bunch of clothes any ole day. :)

blog post 003

One of my first letters from a new pen pal was a package full of swatches of paper and some of her art. I loved it. I am thinking of a collage of art with all the items. It is so much fun getting actual letters instead of just bills and junk mail in the mailbox now. I have received a couple post cards and some long letters. The best part it is from people who have similar interests like art and writing. I don’t have a lot of friends around me that enjoy those things on the level that I do, so it is nice to be able to talk to some that do now. I have enjoyed thinking of things to mail and things to say to my new pen pals. One thing that would make it better is if the weather was warmer out. :) The trip to the post office would be more joyable. I guess we can’t be picky. :)

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