Two decades ago ...

 

What was happening 20 years ago today? 

Here are a few things ...

Windshield vs. Bug

 Some days you're the windshield. Some days you're the bug ...

formspring.me

I just ran across a rather interesting website. It's called Formspring. It's an ask me anything, tell me something type of site. Curious to see who stops by. So go ahead ... ask me anything http://formspring.me/Crystal072

Wordless Wednesday ... Happy Halloween

Scrivener for Windows

Finally!It's here and right in time for NaNoWriMo. Scrivener for Windows beta download is available at Literature and Latte. Download now and watch the introductory video. Go through the tutorial and get good and comfy with the software before November 1st. Remember, this is only the beta version so be prepared to deal with possible bugs and make sure to back up your work regularly. Now, go forth and write!

Blueberries in the Snow

One of my husbands favorite desserts is Blueberries in the Snow. Tonight I taught Ash how to make it. She is absolutely wonderful in the kitchen.

Class of 2011 - Homecoming

I graduated from high school in 1990. Even though that was over two decades ago I still remember it like it was yesterday. I remember the senior pictures, our homecoming and building a float for the parade, along with all the laughter and tears spread out over an entire school year. Remember when your parents told you to cherish those times because they were supposed to be the best years of your life and how one day you would long to be back at high school? It seems that now I'm saying those exact same things to my middle child. My son, Zac, is part of the proud class of 2011.

Wordless Wednesday ...

A Bird's Eye View

~ A Bird's Eye View ~

Quick Note

Quick note:

Yes, I'm still working on my 365 Days to Improve My Life. Learning new things, working towards a healthier lifestyle, and thinking more positive makes life easier and more fun.

Blogging ... well, I love it but don't do it near as much as I should. My most recent excuses are that I have been quilting, painting, being creative and doctoring my computer (it's getting on in age). Soon I will be consumed with NaNoWriMo. Following this writing insanity come the holidays so I my days as a blogger (snicker, snicker ... if that's what I can call it) will resume in a more regular fashion eventually. 

So, all in all, life is good and the family is great and blogging suffers another busy day.

NaNoWriMo Sponsorship

 Dear Friends, Family, and Righteous Supporters,

As many of you know, the only thing I love more than reading is writing. Last year I participated in NaNoWriMo '09 and was spurred on by the encouragement of my family and friends. Well, this November I am doing it again and need your help more than ever.

For those of you who didn't have the pleasure of sharing in my road to writing insanity last year, let me explain what NaNoWriMo is. National Novel Writing Month (lovingly dubbed NaNoWriMo) is a global writing challenge sponsored by in the nonprofit Office of Letters and Light. Participants spend November writing a 50,000-word book in just 30 days.

I will proudly be among the participating authors this year. In addition to my writerly duties, I'm raising money to help the Office of Letters and Light continue to put on free creative writing programs for kids and adults in classrooms, communities, and libraries around the world.

Every dollar I raise will keep my spirits high as I write my way towards the realization of my creative goals. More importantly, your contribution will help National Novel Writing Month and its Young Writers Program create a more engaged and inspiring world.

Click HERE to sponsor me in November for NaNoWriMo.

Thank you so much for your support of my writing!

What I Love About Fall

Screw the Whales, Save the Ta-Tas.

 
 



  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
 
 
 
 
 

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

The heart is

the only broken instrument

that works. 

~T.E. Kalem

Will Work for School Fees …

There are those days that I just want to sit down and pound out a semi-nasty letter to the people who keep sending me little notes home, via my teens, regarding the new school fees that I have to pay.
 
 

No News is Good News

Usually, no news is good news ... or so they say. I tend to disagree with that statement. No news is the same as no posts. No posts normally means that:

1. I am sick and can't post.
2. I have no Internet and again can't post.
3. I am so busy with life that I haven't the time to post.
4. There is nothing blog worthy to post about.
5. I have struck it rich or won the lotto and haven't had a chance to hire someone to post for me.

Out of these five things all but one of them can be considered bad news. The last is simply the type of things that dreams are made of - pure fiction, and therefore doesn't even count. So, I would like to meet these people who are labeled "they" and inform them that "they" are wrong. No news doesn't always mean good news. Sometimes it is bad; others times it just doesn't mean a dang thing. 


354/365

Still here ...

The 365 Project is going good. The blogging about it ... not so much. I must admit that doing things specifically for the mind, body and soul bring about positive energy. I find myself wanting to repel the negativity around me and instead look for the good that's there. My outlook on life is beginning to change, for the better I'm sure. I know this post is short, but so is life. Have a great day!


356/365

What day am I on?

Day 6 & 7 ...

Am I still doing my 365 project? Yes I am. Why did I miss a blog day? Um, well do you want the truth or some really cool story? Am I losing interest already? No. Is the sky blue? I don't know I haven't really seen it today.

5 of 3six5

Day Five! The number five reminds me of a cute little song that the kids and I used to sing together. Hearing it makes me smile. :)

Day Four

Four days down ... three hundred sixty-one more to go.

Common Ground

“Why cannot we work at cooperative schemes and search for the common ground binding all mankind together?”

William Orville Douglas 

Uno, Dos, Tres

Day Three ...

Day Two

Today was just an average day ... NOT! Today was day two in my newest endeavor, the 365 Project.

Day One

Day One - Well, as the town crier would say, "It's 12 o'clock midnight and all is well."

3six5

365 WDays to Improve My Life

In my post Finish What You Start I stated a difficult realization. I haven't spent an entire 365 days devoted to any hobby or interest that I've had. For some reason it is hard for me to complete things that I start. I have the best of intentions when I begin a new project or delve into a new hobby, but we all know what they say about good intentions and where that paved road leads us. After much thought and talking it over with my sister-in-law Marie, I have decided on a 365 Project.

Paradox of Our Time

Although he has not always been a favorite of mine, as far as comedians or actors go, I must admit I like how he thinks. I read a message by George Carlin and was taken aback as his points hit home. I felt the need to share. Enjoy ...

Finish What You Start

 To finish first you must first finish.
~ Rick Mears 

 

Is it Fall yet?

Created by OnePlusYou

Bitsy's Bait & BBQ

As a general rule I usually refrain from doing book reviews. It's not that I don't like to share my opinion about a book, but it is just that ... my opinion. I would hate to give my thoughts on a book, a plot or an author's writing style, only to sway someone from picking up the same book. A book that, had it not been for my one-sided view, could hold a storyline or characters that they absolutely love. So, instead of giving my personal take on this book I thought I would share the blurb and link so you can judge for yourself.

I will however say that I tend to read dramas, thrillers, chillers, and mysteries but this "feel-good" story full of true to life characters caught my attention. Wouldn't the phrase, "I just bought us a B&B on eBay!" peak your curiosity?

Life List Update

Thankfully my bucket is still "un-kicked". I am blessed each and every day with the chance to complete a few more things on my Life List.  

Firsts Are Usually the Best

First loves, first jobs, first anything ... are usually the sweetest. I enjoy sharing in my kids "firsts". The girls came to me with their first kisses and we laughed and cried about it. Today I was thrilled to be a part of one of my son's firsts.

"Crocheted Dreams"

I have been writing stories and poems off and on since I was old enough to put pen to paper.  Recently I was reminded of a poem I had written for my mother several years ago. I thought I would share it.

Airplanes Aren't Shooting Stars.

How many times have we all wished on a shooting star or made a wish before we blew out our birthday candles? That's what I think of every time I hear "Airplanes" by B.o.B,  ft. Hayley Williams of Paramore . What things would I wish for if I had a chance? Well, that's another post.

What's Your Writing Style?

I found a quiz online that poked a stick at my curiousity. I love reading, but more than that I love writing. Add those two things to this witty quiz intro created by shrike and tell me that you could walk away without answering a few simple questions. 

There comes a time in every person's life where they come to figure out just who they are, what they want in life, and who they want to be with for the rest of that life, pathetic as it may be. Sadly, friends, today is not that day; Today, you must take my quiz to better hone your abilities as a writer and see where your strong points lie. Who knows? You may be a different writer than you thought you were...

Dr. Jekyll ... Meet Mrs. Hyde

It was on the moral side, and in my own per­son, that I learned to rec­og­nize the thor­ough and prim­i­tive dual­ity of man; I saw that, of the  two natures that con­tended in the field of my con­scious­ness, even if I  could rightly be said to be either, it was only because I was rad­i­cally  both; and from an early date . . . I had learned to dwell with plea­sure,  as a beloved day­dream, on the thought of the sep­a­ra­tion of  these elements.

~ R.L. Stevenson’s “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde”

Let's Get Random ...

Just for gig­gles (and fol­low­ing in the foot­steps of a few of my blog bud­dies) I am post­ing 25 ran­dom facts about myself.  The only rule is that the facts can’t be your nor­mal, aver­age, every­day things that peo­ple prob­a­bly already know about you. This should be interesting …




 

We the People ...

For those who have forgotten

what we truly stand for,

here is a reminder ...

Things that make you go ...hmmm.

Have you ever had a song that started out one way and then ... does a complete 180. You're so stunned that you can't do anything else but listen, only to realize that you're humming the tune as you go about your day. Well, for fun I thought I would share one such song. Enjoy.

The 10 Commandments

My youngest daughter has a teacher that has posted his 10 commandments for his classroom. If the students break a rule, "forget" their homework or feed it to their dogs or even come to class unprepared; he makes them write the commandments 10 times each (or more). Unfortunately my child knows them by heart. I thought that I would share them with you.

Have you ever wondered ...

Have you ever wondered how this red and pink heart-filled, card-sending, candy-giving, love song-playing holiday for lovers started? I never really cared. I was just happy to get my box of chocolates, hear professions of my sweetheart’s undying love and enjoy my steak dinner. That is until I heard a piece of the history surrounding the infamous day of love from a movie rightly named “Valentine’s Day”.

It's Been a While ...

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

~ Albert Einstein