One Step Forward...Now Look Back

I know the song says "One Step Forward. Two steps back.
Nobody gets too far like that."

I think we can't move forward without looking back.
Maybe it is the whole 'History Repeats' theme... I dunno.

Today I took my look back. 
Old journals... the pen and ink kind I kept.
Computers crash, memories are lost.  Pen and ink last until the fire.

As a form of entertainment my family used to play a game.
Left, Right, Straight.
It was a long time ago.  Gas was cheep and it was affordable entertainment.

True story this.
I wrote this from my daughter's eyes.

In "Group" we learn ways to cope with the world around us - replace dysfunctional thinking with better ways to view the world and deal with it... the middle... it's kind of like the Left, Right, Straight game my mother played in the car on Sundays.  We'd all pile in and someone would start, at every cross road someone would say - left - right - or straight.  Backwards was never an option. 

Off we'd go on our convoluted drive.  Sometimes you had no choice to turn, but if you kept from turning too much you could cover a lot of ground.  Mom was one of the participants and so she could keep us in some sort of forward motion - otherwise we could just drive around the block repeatedly.  Mom's choice was always straight.

She was, after all, trying to  eventually get somewhere.  We'd stop for a burger and fries when we had money or just for a quarter refill of her soda jug if we didn't, but we always happened upon someplace that would suit our needs.

One day when I suppose my mother had other things on her mind she said straight and for the most part so did we kids.  Or maybe mom thought it was cool that her kids were figuring out that in order to go places you can't keep turning, turning, turning... sometimes you have to chose foreword.

Forward we went.  Farther than we'd ever gone before.  Soon we were in the middle of no where.  "You can't get lost with Left, Right, Straight" my mother said trying to quell our fears.  You just keep going until the next choice is available."

And keep going we did.  Our twenty year old Buick was a trooper and bumped and jumped on that dirt road, kind of like a carnival ride.  Then we came to a bridge.  I said before that going back was never an option for my mother.  She stopped the car, eyed the bridge.  I suppose she contemplated how very heavy the Buick was.  You could tell it was more than a foot bridge, but it looked so old and rickety, the hanging bridges you see in movies, the ones with all the boards missing, swaying in the slightest breeze and nothing between you and a zillion foot drop but an old board and unraveling rope...

We crossed the bridge, the car so wide the sides almost touched. After the bridge it was not much farther before we found a cross roads and soon found a connivance store.  I was sure it was a 'refill day' as mom had brought the jug.  Instead we got to chose our own candy and a small drink.

We were in heaven.

Was She celebrating our ability to move forward or thrilled that were were alive and had made it across the bridge. 

I will always remember her moto.

Never back.

GVSU Commencement 2012 -

Girl fools speaker into saying "Frickin-awesome...

This is just awesome.  I like this girl. 
I love that the audience picked up on it but the gentleman reading the names didn't get it for a name or two.

You can't make this up...

Santa is too damn cute! I am so taking him and Clarice to work tomorrow.  No, I haven't been playing with him. Why do you ask?

Do you know that Santa sings lots of songs and Clarice only does Rudolf.... which sounds kind of wrong when you say it that way.

Santa is possessed and won't stop singing.  The thought of Rudolf and Clarice doing it has put him over the edge, I am going to play cookie Santa to counter the spell.  Wish me luck.

See the whole butler comment suddenly makes sense, does it not?

 

 

This is cookie Santa.  Yes, that is wine.  No it's not empty.  Not yet.

 

Santa and Clarice.  He's a multi tasker and she's a one trick pony.

 

The kids use to surprise me with stockings.  I thought that would end when they left the domain.  Seems I didn't take back all the keys and "Santa" made a visit.

 

 

I got up to walk Chester to discover that Santa had paid a visit.

Jake mentioned that they were lucky to not be maced or batted.

I mentioned they were smart enough to come in the early sleep where I'm comatose.

 

 

Santa Brought Chester a dildo.  Or a large chew..  I wanted to build an inappropriate snowman, but I did not.  You are very welcome DH.

 

Dear gods.  Mouse ears.  He does it naturally.  Must be magic.

 

 

Barbosa and Jess.  He's such an active pup that getting his picture is impossible... I did try.

It was a good Christmas. Crazy, food filled and just fun.

Oh butt shots for those who might want them.

Jake said, "You totally took a butt shot. "
I said, "I totally did."

 



But...

It has only been a couple of months.... How did you lose the crazy?

I'm out shoveling the walks.  I wanted an ergonomically correct shovel.  Which I love by the way.  DH is across the valley and my OCD need to clear the walks resulted in me requesting a 'better' shovel.

I am out shoveling 6 plus inches and I'm railing at the snow flakes.... I should have asked for a butler.

When the kids showed up for a bread machine I mentioned my need of a butler and Jess didn't get it.

How the hell did you lose the crazy?
If I had said that when you lived here you so would have gotten it.

Ya know, a butler to shovel the snow?....
Like this needs to be explained.  Who doesn't want a butler?

Christmas Traditions

At work we were talking about Christmas traditions that our families have.

Every year we got PJ's on Christmas eve.  That way in the morning when photos were taken there were no embarrassing holes. 
(Ya know the bare ass in the embarrassing thing. ;)

This appears to be a universal tradition. Parents all over the world like appropriate photos it seems.

The following tradition, not so universal.

Right before bed we'd sit around the table and get sloshed.  Seriously.  My parents would ply us with wine so we'd sleep.  Couldn't get away with that in this day and age. 

Mom would read us The Night Before Christmas.  Drunk children can make some pretty humorous comments.  Made even more hilarious when Mom had been hitting the eggnog a bit early.

We'd then stagger our way to bed.
Dad would make strong black coffee for my Mom and magical, magical in the morning Santa had left us presents.

One year Grant decided he was grown up and proclaimed there was no Santa.  He wanted to help wrap presents for 'the kids'.  My dad agreed and as Grant was wrapping presents he noticed he didn't have any.  When he inquired about the lack my father said, "You don't believe in Santa, why would you get presents."  My dad could be a dick like that. 

Grant must have mended his ways in the night because in the morning Santa had stopped by and left him presents.

Do you have any family traditions or fun stories to share.

**BTW  don't judge me or my family
It is the same family that allowed us to smoke my grandpa's pipes and Grant got a cigarette that he traded me for a pipe.  I discovered that smoking did not sit well with me.  Nor cousin Jeff who was puking audibly in the bathroom.

When I was in middle school and everyone thought it cool to smoke in the 'circle' or drink behind their parents backs.  I was free to say, "I can do that at home. What's the point?"

My family is crazy.  I am crazy. 
But it looks good on me. ; )

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve

I am not a religious person, but I love Christmas carols... I substitute words as needed. Jebus and what not. I love the harmonies and the feelings and ...   I love the carols.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day has always been my favorite.
Total god song...dunno, I love it.
My favorite Carol since I can remember.
Maybe it was the Viet Nam War and my fear of my brother Grant being in the possible draft.  Grant is my hero, as I am sure I've said before. Always has been. Always will be.
I dunno, the whole peace on earth thing resonates with me.

My family is rooted in God people.
It just didn't take with me. Only the male of the species acquired that trait in my siblings.
Scotty went to his god in his pirate costume complete with hat.
Papa didn't get the hat, but he wasn't really a believer and was bullied into the pirate outfit by Scotty prior to being burned.... funny in the fact that in Scotty's eyes, that's where Papa went. Perhaps?

As for me?

Meet you in hell Dad. Love ya.

A while ago I wondered if that was how a god was kept alive.

Where did the old gods go?
Did people stop singing their praises.
Did they stop tying ribbons to trees near springs.
Did they old gods die or just hibernate?

Do they come back?

The Mayan Apocalypse was the handing over the era from one god to another, as best I've ascertained.

Is that god pissed that I love to sing songs to another god I don't acknowledge?
And by inadvertently acknowledging give him strength?

Fantasy Writer much????

Stupid thought, but I've wondered now for many years.
Does my love of a Carol keep Jebus alive?
Thoughts?


Words if you can't video.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

Longfellow really? I didn't know this.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
'There is no peace on earth, ' I said
'For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.'

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Precisely at 4:11 am

Chester started barking uncontrollably. Bob started meowing and hissing. The bed began to levitate. 

 

Then there was the other dream where the zombie apocalypse was taking place and I had to leave home without a bra so running was uncomfortable. But pain be damned I was motivated to escaped the zombies that were following me.  

 

I did find a place to hide out. The house was built on a really tall concrete block and it took a lot of energy to get to up the block and get to the house. Jumping and scrambling and what not.  Made it very safe as zombies don't seem to have a lot of energy. There were guinea pigs in the bath tub so I couldn't take a shower.

 

Oh and somehow Simon Cowll was in my dream - I think it might have been his house. I eventually found an orange and yellow sports bra but I don't remember running after actually getting the bra.

 

I think I've been playing around with the whole apocalypse thing too much. ;)

Mayan Apocalypse

 

 

DH sent me this card.  I loved it and had to share.

 



Christmas Cheer

My friend got this from e cards and it was too good not to share.

I saw this over on Mable Talk's blog.  It made my day.

 



I might be pushing it.

I am in charge of making the signs for the window when we are going to be closed. 
This time I might be pushing it - maybe? 
Below is the sign that will greet my boss this morning.

 

Due to conflicting information

Preferred Title will be open on

December 21, 2012

Happy Solstice!!

 

Squee!!

I won first prize on the Baby Faces Blog Fest over on Trisha's blog, Words + Stuff. 
For my prize I got to choose a book from Trisha's selection.

I chose Hex Hall

 

 

Thanks Trisha, this was a fun and unexpected honor!

What did you do?

This photo came in one of those e-mail pass a rounds.  This was my favorite.  It made me think of the Lordling.  That pup, really, really tried to behave but...

So, what's on your bucket list?

Only a short time left before the Mayan Apocalypse, how will you spend your last days?

I saw this over at JJJ's blog Novel Truths and bought it immediately. 

I haven't had a chance to read the whole book yet.  

I cherry picked the ones that tickled my fancy last night.

 16.  Throw Away All Your Books (Except this one)  

ahahaha It is an e-book.  One book goes, they all go.  

20.  Go to work in a Gorilla Suite.  

JJJ suggested a devil outfit.... At my work they would just shrug and accept. 

44.  Answer the Question, "How are you?" with complete honesty

"Other than waiting to light my desk on fire, I'm doing pretty well.  After all I'm leaving here aren't I?" Oh, that would be choice.  Lighter fluid in one hand, a match in the other and a crazed smile on my face. 

Can you imagine the things that would be said if we all didn't do the polite thing? 

Oh would I had the courage to try it.  

55. Speak with a different fake accent each day.

Kind of coincides with my, never answer the phone as the same person thing.  Love it.

74. Start your own apocalypse Blog.

"If a person has a computer and a least one finger, they can start a blog."

Alas, this sounds a bit too much like my blog.

81.  Stock up on Crossbows, Stakes, Hammers and Axes.

I write fantasy - what stocking up would be required?  

It is a fun romp  by Jon Hanson and more than worth the $1.99 he's asking.

JJJ did not lead me astray.  She never does. 

 For the Zombie Apocalypse JJJ suggested that a helmet might be in order.  I think I concur.

NaNo's over. Now What?

What to do with this sprawling mass of words.

In the past I've liked my story's.  Even struggled most of last year to get  Nano 2011 Novel to fly. It was a struggle, fought me every step of the way and I decided to 'drawer it' for the time.

I wandered into Nano this year with nothing really. The basic premise was that I would have a "completed" novel when I was done.  A beginning, a middle and an end.

I had an ending in mind.  I had sketched it out earlier to help me get to the finished product.  However, on the last day of Nano as I wrote my ending a whole lot of surprises jumped out at me.  "Wait one minute. You were supposed to be helping. You're evil? Grandma - what big teeth you have."

On the last day there was much that was made clear to me.  Perhaps because my brain knew that this was it. Since I hadn't gotten where it thought I should be it took me there and said, "Here ya go. Don't say I never gave you nothing."

Now I get to be like Merlin and live backwards in time.  Start at the end and figure out what I need to get to the beginning.  I need to start discovery and flesh out these characters, something I've always done before starting the story.  Backwards works, or it won't.  But this year I am more hopeful than in the past.  I'm ready to figure it out.

Baby Faces Blog Fest

Trisha has a blog fest and I have a photo.  I will play.

What are the requirements? 

1. Between December 2nd and 3rd, post a pic of yourself as a baby, and/or;
2. Tell us a story about when you were a baby (no doubt you can't quite remember it yourself, but you've probably heard some stories from other members of your family).

You can choose to do one or the other or both, depending on your mood on the day(s). ;)

Yes they spelled Judie wrong.  It's the way my mother spelled it.  I rebelled at some point.  I remember her shouting at me. " I named you Judy!!!" I screamed back, "You named me Judith. I can do any thing with my nick name that I want."  She compromised and until the day she died she spelled my name Judi - eh, works.  Love ya mom.

Scott, he was my book end.  He is the brother that died in June - I'm still working through that.

Grant, my big brother and my hero.  

Janey and Jeff?  Yep, that would be my cousins.  You'd wouldn't know it to look at Janey, but that bald head turned into quite the beauty.  My Jr. High self was quite jealous at the time.

But that's not the stories that I first remember.

We had a dog name Snicklefritz, I thought it a monster of a dog. It was actually a terrier or some such.  What I remember is going on fly hunts.  The pup would bark and my dad rolled up a news paper and we went on a killing spree.

I remember my mom playing the old upright.  She was good enough to be a concert pianist but my dad sucked her into a life of motherhood and stuck her with us.  I am not sure that we were ever enough for her, but she'd play the piano and we'd dance.

I remember getting the chicken pox and using my best bead necklace to try and get the lotion out of the bottle, necklace went in and I never got it back.  Who'da guessed my mom had another bottle.

I remember going to the train station to see my brothers off with my grandmother and great grandmother, they were off for Disney Land. I thought the train station was the end of the world. I believed that on the other side of the train tracks the wold just dropped off.

I know these memories were at least by the age of 4, because when I was 5 my parents bought a home on the other side of the tracks.... guess the world didn't end after all.

This is a Blog Hop pop on over to Trisha's to see those who are joining in.

Meet Ginger, my new Grand Kitty

Jess and Stavo found her at a shelter.
Her first family had to move from their home and took her in to the shelter.

I applaud people who are responsible with their choices.
I have porch kitties whose people thought they'd be just fine on their own.
(It's a soap box I won't stand upon today.)

Her second family brought her back because she was 'destructive'.
They didn't bother to get her a scratch post and wondered why she took it out on their furniture.  I applaud that they had the good sense to take her back when it was not a fit.

She has found a good home with the kids.  She is still working on getting used to the boys.  She is okay with dogs, but the lordling can be a bit much.  She will win the pups over as she has the rest of us.

Welcome to the family Ginger.

TGIO

Thank {insert deity of choice} It's Over

Finished the 5:00 sprint and uploaded to NaNo for final word count.  I am glad to see November come to a close. It's been a challenge and it's been fun. For the first time I have completed a story with a beginning, a middle and an end. I even like it well enough to want to 'fix' it.

Today was crazy for me.  It was a combination of things I suppose, sleep deprivation being high on the list.  I also think that knowing this was the last day my mind went a bit wonky.

Keep in mind that I have not really slept for a week.

I got the giggles at work. Everything was funny.  My boss has a closing with [name omitted]. I worked for this creep for a month and I decided it would be best to use my alter ego Gert to answer the phones.  

Doesn't everybody have an alter ego? Mine is Gertrude Stankovich.

THEN I decided that it would be even more funny if I answered the phone using a different name every time.

This is Celeste.

This is Temperance.

My boss was rolling on the floor laughing trying to figure out how I was keeping a straight face while I answered the phones.

THEN I decided that I should use a J name and if I could end it with a y sound that would be even better.

Names I used: Julie, Jodie, Jessie, Jolie, Josie, Jackie, Jypsy, Junie, Jordy, Janie, Jackie, Joani, joy, Justine and Josephine among others.

As I used a name I crossed it off the list I had created.  It was getting late in the day and the phone rang, "Good afternoon, this is... awkward pause while I look at the list... Josie"

There are times when sleep deprivation is awesome. The whole office decided that this should become a month end tradition.

I won NaNo! Yay!

And one would think that would be enough.
But you'd be wrong.

Now I have to win Savvy Nano too?
It is the universe I unwittingly jumped into.
"In for a penny, in for a pound."

All righty then.

Off I am to sprint, write crazy word totals, meet challenges and continue to shout out on tweeter.

Three more days.  My team has been rocking it and we've been in the top three for the most part.  That is worth the final push, right?

My Nano competitiveness demands that I give all.
It is a team effort after all.
Can't just cozy up and bask in your winning.

Happy Turkey Day

Sorry I've been such a sucky blogger this month. 

Just in time for the Holiday's

Vodka Christmas Cake

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup water
1 tsp. salt
1 cup brown sugar
Lemon juice
4 large eggs
Nuts
1 bottle Vodka
2 cups dried fruit.

Instructions
Sample a cup of Vodka to check quality.

Take a large bowl, check the Vodka again to be sure it is of the highest quality then Repeat.
Turn on the electric mixer.
Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
Add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.
At this point, it is best to make sure the Vodka is still OK.
Try another cup just in case.
Turn off the mixerer thingy.
Break 2 eegs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
Pick the fruit up off the floor, wash it and put it in the bowl a piece at a time trying to count it.
Mix on the turner. If the fried druit getas stuck in the beaterers, just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the Vodka to test for tonsisticity.
Next, sift 2 cups of salt, or something.
Check the Vodka.
Now crap shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window.
Finish the Vodka and wipe the counter with the cat

My Grand Puppies

 

Lord Reginald is a frog and Captain Barbosa is a Lawn Gnome.

Chester went as a good dog. 

Every time he didn't storm the door he got a little treat.

He was a very, very good dog.

Happy Halloween or Nano Eve

Well since I told you of my costume I guess I have to buck up and actually share a picture.  You can't see it but I have false eye lashes just at the corner of my eyes and gold sparkles that I sprayed into my hair.  You can't really see the sparkles and I wondered if they had sold me a defective can.  However, once I got to work the sparkles appeared...all over my desk.  I even have sparkly nail polish.

 

 

Less than 12 hours to Nano -  {{Squee}}

Woodland Witch perhaps?

 

ooooo Much Better

 

Now I know why people allow their pictures to be taken. 

 

These were altered at picmonkey.

What a wonderful discovery.

 

re: Your Brains

I heard this this morning and it is so funny.  It is kind of long but awesome for a Halloween song.

Here's the lyrics

Heya Tom, it's Bob from the office down the hall
It's good to see you buddy, how've you been?
Things have been OK for me except that I'm a zombie now
I really wish you'd let us in
I think I speak for all of us when I say I understand
Why you folks might hesitate to submit to our demand
But here's an FYI: you're all gonna die screaming

All we want to do is eat your brains
We're not unreasonable, I mean, no one's gonna eat your eyes
All we want to do is eat your brains
We're at an impasse here, maybe we should compromise:
If you open up the doors
We'll all come inside and eat your brains

I don't want to nitpick, Tom, but is this really your plan?
Spend your whole life locked inside a mall?
Maybe that's OK for now but someday you'll be out of food and guns
And you'll have to make the call
I'm not surprised to see you haven't thought it through enough
You never had the head for all that bigger picture stuff
But Tom, that's what I do, and I plan on eating you slowly

All we want to do is eat your brains
We're not unreasonable, I mean, no one's gonna eat your eyes
All we want to do is eat your brains
We're at an impasse here, maybe we should compromise:
If you open up the doors
We'll all come inside and eat your brains

I'd like to help you Tom, in any way I can
I sure appreciate the way you're working with me
I'm not a monster Tom, well, technically I am
I guess I am

I've got another meeting Tom, maybe we could wrap it up
I know we'll get to common ground somehow
Meanwhile I'll report back to my colleagues who were chewing on the doors
I guess we'll table this for now
I'm glad to see you take constructive criticism well
Thank you for your time I know we're all busy as hell
And we'll put this thing to bed
When I bash your head open

All we want to do is eat your brains
We're not unreasonable, I mean, no one's gonna eat your eyes
All we want to do is eat your brains
We're at an impasse here, maybe we should compromise:
If you open up the doors
We'll all come inside and eat your brains

Retrieved from "http://www.jonathancoulton.com/wiki/Re:_Your_Brains/Lyrics"

Sooo who's dressing up for Halloween?

I love Halloween. I think it is such a fun time of year.  I love the decorations, the costumes, the trick or treaters. 

I love dressing up for Halloween too.  This year I'm going as a woodland fairy.  It is a costume I made a few years back and I'm recycling it this year.  Yes, you read that right.  I actually MADE the thing... well, I bought a dress at Ross and modified it.  I always amaze myself when I think I can do something that for all intents and purposes I should NOT be able to do and it works out!!  Sometimes I am amazing. ;)

Is anyone else dressing up?

Do you have any fun traditions for Halloween?

When the kids were little we always went to my Mom's house.  She made chili and spiced cider for us to eat before the kids when out for their goodies.

My favorite is the Halloween box.
 It is a big box that holds all the Halloween costumes the kids or I have ever worn. Many impromptu costumes have been thrown together from that box. 

One year Jess went as Cleopatra and she convinced me to let her color her hair black (temporarily), I botched the job and it looked GREY.  In grade school my daughter when as OLD CLEOPATRA.

Another year we took clothes from the box and made a scarecrow that sat by the front door for the entire month of October. On Halloween we took out the stuffing and put Jaker in the clothes.  Many screams were heard when the scarecrow came to life.

Halloween is just fun.

T-Minus...

This is what had decided me.

Go with your feelings.
Things will reveal themselves.
All will be made known.

Going into Nano can be mystical. 
I have a great character and/or a great love interest/antagonist.  But they are for another time.

This Nano I am going to revisit my second Nano. 
Not that universe, but the one right after it
What happens when...

The rebel daughter who caused such chaos is now in charge.
When melding the old and the new, happens.
When the connection between is gone.
The reappearing cat is no more.

Going back is not an option. This is it.

I HAVE A STORY. 

{{SQUEES}}  Yes in all caps.  I am SQUEEING!!  Totally!!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It is almost over -- but I love how companies cash in on the event.

I would have bought coffee anyway, but I bought the "Booby Blend", as  a percentage goes to the cause.  I think it all should but 20% is better than nothing.

Pictures you say?
Here you go..

It says Boobie Blend - Camera's flash deleted some of the words.

 

The reusable bag also had a percentage, even though I am not a fan of  pink.  I can stand aside and let pink happen when it is for the good of all.  

What brought you to NaNo?

For those of you who have done NaNo or are contemplating giving it a go this year:  How did you learn about NaNo?  What made you say - "I can do that."

For me it was October of 2006.  I was at a bookstore and I saw the book No Plot No Problem by Chris Baty, the founder of NaNoWriMo.  I thought, Hey, awesome.  I have no plot.  This will be great.

This will be my 7th Nano and I find that I'm right back where I started.

I have no plot. 

But I do have a character - two actually.  My main character Indigo Summerland and Valentine Joel Penderghast VI (she calls him six for short.  He doesn't find it funny).  I had thought that he would be the antagonist.  He keeps hinting he might want to be a love interest.

I work at a title company and I have come up with some interesting names.  I've been writing them on a little 3x3 sticky.  My boss is probably wondering WTF, but he has yet to say anything.

Here's what I've collected.
These are real names that have come across my desk.

Stonewald
Don-ita
Garen
Edelgard
McMimimee
Mikell
Lundee
Nyee
Nova
Micca
Paige
Padjen
Colton Catmull

I write fantasy and have found it useful to have a list of possible names handy.

NaNoWriMo

I've been participating in NaNoWriMo since 2006.  The last few years I always think that I won't do it,  but as the time creeps closer the excitement starts to build and I know that I am addicted to the crazy thing.

For one month nothing matters but your writing.  Other things get done of course, life still goes on, but because you are so consumed by your story, the universe becomes a different place. Strange things get typed, strange things get said and because you are sleep deprived it all becomes funny.


I was posting on the forums and one of the questions someone asked was "What funny things do people in your life say about Nano?"

I went in search of a quote that Doug had said one year, I had posted it on my old google webpage. I found it along with a lot of other very funny things.  Well funny to me, I'll share a few.

You know NaNo has eaten your soul when...

 

When you get this e-mail from your sweetie. "I anxiously await the start of the craziness. Will I be seeing you for dinner during the month of November?"

Nano has eaten my soul and is now beginning to consume those I love.


You know Nano has eaten your soul when...

When you are e-mailing your fiance (now Hubbie) prior to the start of NaNo and you say this:
 

I actually made the word count today and that is pretty phenomenal. Oh I know, it doesn't count yet, but generally it takes me a while to build up to that. Heck a 500 word count on the first day is good for me. Maybe this year I'll be able to have Nano and a life... I know, that's just crazy talk, and indeed it is... I might pretend to have a life, but in reality there is only Nano ;)

(Yea girlfriend, wink all you want, he's already feeling the pain of your obsession.)

 

Because you are consumed with word count you don't stop - you just keep going and strange things can happen.

When a plot bunny hops across your Nano novel, and it is a good plot bunny.  However, you now have a new character and no name.  You can’t find the list of possible names created prior to Nano and so the character is named FINDLISTPICKNAME. 

 

I never did Find List Pick Name.  The rest of November she was Findlistpickname.

 

Another time I had forgotten a minor characters name.  The character is a healer and so I named her Sister Lortab.

The statement below truly sums of the essence of  You know Nano has eaten your soul when...
 

...friends want to kill you, family wants to disown you, acquaintances are annoyed though they don't know why, complete strangers pine for your demise, and the only ones that understand your fevered rantings about non-existent happenings and persons are other NaNos, the schizophrenic homeless man living under a felled tree, and God. (Though God was a little muddled by that last plot point.)

~Darkstars2882

(If you're reading this Darkstars let me know and I'll give you credit)

 

 

 

 

 

Spirit Day

Today is Spirit Day.  I have got to be better about writing dates down.  I missed bosses day by two days - but I called it Bosses week, worked for me.  And I would have missed Spirit Day too -  Thanks Julie for reminding me.  Last year I actually wore purple.  Next year I will plan better {{snickers}} that's what I said last year too.

My How Time Flies

38 years ago today I met Doug.

He asked me out and I turned him down.  I said I had to watch my sister. It was a lie. What I really had to do was break up with my current boyfriend. 

Looking back I find it hilarious.  The relationship must have been on the ropes anyway?  I don't remember much about that part. But for whatever reason I could not date Mike if I intended to date Doug.  I apparently was as goofy in high school as I am today.

Happy Anniversary Doug!
I am glad that you saw fit to ask me out again.
I am glad that you are patient, understanding and put up with my quirks.

What?

Any old cord... really?

I can import pictures from my camera.  I can make my Bumble Bee fill with music.  Not sure of the the name MP3? maybe.  Cords that do for one thing do for another, or so it seems.  Magical, Magical.

I am amazed.

111 photos on my camera.  I will not bore you with all. But only those that are important.

My Grand Puppy.

 

Chester was attacked by wandering dogs.  It was traumatic.  I got over it with pepper spray in hand.  Chester, not.  He and the puppy have bonded as best Chester can manage. They both snore.

 

I am so blessed to have this time to be with The Captain.  It is soooo good to see Chester drop 'chews' on the pups head.  "Here ya go."

 

The pup has made me happy. 

He mostly goes on the puppy pad... but more importantly.  Chester seems happy. 

 

I love that dog.

Chester's so fragile.  He keeps trying to leave me.  I keep invoking medicine and keeping him to me. 

 

I love that dog.

His nephew is pretty cool too.

Flying on no sleep

Not entirely true.

I know I slept because I had dreams that I really, really had to get some sleep.

I am watching The Captain while the kids escape for a wee bit of a honeymoon.  He's too little to go to Doggy Day Care with his brother.  The poor pup was content enough following Chester around and doing doggy things but when bed time came something wasn't right.  "Where's momma?  Nanna, where's my daddy?"   I snuggled with him but it was a rough night and now I am feeling the effects of it.

I answered the phone:

"Good After.. morning."  Alrighty then.  Since after morning would still be afternoon I should have just stuck with the afternoon and let the people on the other end puzzle it out for themselves.

I typed a legal, hit spell check and it thought that the word I'd misspelled should be replaced with ... are you ready?  Bitch.  REALLY?  I laughed and laughed and laughed.

No sure what my poor co-workers are thinking.
All I can say is:  "Nano's coming and for 30 days this will be the norm."
Get ready!! 

I should have typed California - I typed Caledonia and it is apparently a word.  At least I caught it before I sent the document out.

I really, really, really need some sleep.  Wish me luck!

Awe...

Today the kids got married.

 

It was an awesome time.

ZZ Top music for him. "Sharp Dressed Man."

Something funky for her.  Not sure who or what.

The flower girls actually scattered the autumn leaves.

Of the two ring bearers, only one bolted.  But grandma finally got him moving in the right direction.

Stavo's mom walked him down the aisle.

Jaker walked Jess. 

I thought I'd cry a bucket but I guess I did all my crying in the coffee shop the day she asked him.

The day could not have been more wonderful.  Last nice day of fall they say.

 

 

I wanted to call the one below 'toes' but I can't get it to enlarge for me.  Argh!!

The bride wore sneakers.  They matched her dress and weren't a planned part of the ensemble.

I was in stilts with my toes painted to match her dress.

 

 

They had a zombie cake

 

 

.

 

They made this wedding their own and a good time was had by all.

 

I'll post other pictures as they become available. 

These were just the ones my sDaughter caught with her phone.

 

Found Jaker on Facebook

My middle son. 

 

 

 

Proof cats are up to no good

This one is for Julie.  You're welcome.

Not that I feel this way personally.  Y'all know I love all critters. 
I'm even coming to terms with the spiders who feel the need to show up occasionally. 
"Arachnid! You have better be gone when I get back."
"Puny human.  Don't shake your fist at me.  I have ways of making you scream."

It's true they do.  But they are always gone when I get back.

Meet Jellie

I

 

Jellie is a shelter dog that was adopted by my sDaugther's mom and nephew.  She is about 8 months old.  They think that she has been a stray all her life because she doesn't fully understand the concept of doors and other things that go with living in a house.

 

Her face is so very sweet. 

 

 

Awe, she's a lap dog.

 

 

 

It appears that October has turned into Dog of the Day.  = )

Graduation

Lord Reginald has graduated from his puppy school.

He really has become a well behaved puppy.

The Captain

My newest grand puppy.

You should see how proud Lord Reginald is of this pup.  He chose him.
"This one is my brother," you can see it in his interest and raised ears. 
It is totally awesome to see.

I think I said last post but he is Lab, Border Collie and and Austrailian something.
You can see the Chester mom in his face.

Winging it

I had a thought.
The thought drove me to the computer
and,
this happens all too much...
I can't remember what was all so important.

I dunno.

So I will go with random.

Chester's blood count is good. YaY!!
His weight sucks and that is NOT good.
I whined at them all summer because of his weight gain.
NOW they care?

Whatever, now we deal with this.

My sDaughter and a beloved friend are starting a blogJ
Jamie and Ali

I have a new grand puppy.
Jud will send photos when such are taken.
He is a golden lab, chester mom, austrailin mix.

His eye are blue and brown.

He is a love bucket.

Reg needed a friend and he chose, are you ready?
Captain Barbosa

Oh my lord....
Lord Reginald meets Captain Barbos and they like each other.
AWESOME

Will post pictures when supplied.

I told Doug we had a new grand baby and he inquirerd "What Species?"

My Beautiful Daughter

Nuff said.

Is she not the pretiest thing youve ever seen?

This is my child?

The things you do for your daughter...

I kinda knew that I'd have to wear a dress.
I knew she wanted black.

I thought... awesome, I will finally have a dress I can wear to funerals and the mormons won't scowl at me for wearing pants in their sacred zone.

Lord, this is NOT a funeral dress.

But it was important to the girl.
That made it important to me.

I've told her all along that her wedding was hers.  F*** what other people told her.  This is YOUR time to do what YOU want.  And she wanted this of me.  I was uncomfortable, but I complied.

I was shaking, truth to tell, this was so, NOT ME.  But in the sizing, I found a dress that I would wear.  It was a fluke. The gal brought a dress to figure out my size  and I liked it. 

I'll share the photo if Jess sends it.  It will be all in black, not in bumble bee yellow.

I am such a simple person, this is totally out of my league.

ahahaha I need to find shoes that Jamie (my sDaughter) would wear.  I can do that.


Totally crazy.
But I'd do anything for that girl.
She wrapped me around her heart the day she was born and has held me captive ever since.

Love the smiles

My Grandpuppy.  He makes me happy.

It's Official

I am the 'crazy cat lady'...

Oh I knew that it was bound to happen. It was gonna stick.  I laughed and eluded to the fact, but tonight, tonight, I had to embrace the reality.  A neighbor I don't know came to my door.  She'd been to the food bank and had gotten me cat food.

a) I did not know that you could get cat food at the food bank.
b) If I was donating cat food at the food bank it would be kibble, not fancy feast. 

I always worry when neighbors ask about the porch kitties as the hoa are such bears.

This was such a wonderful thing. It made me smile.  Someone cared enough to care about my porch kitties.

I always knew it was bound to happen, and that's okay.  I am the crazy cat lady and thanks to a loving neighbor, the porch kitties will have some very special delights.  They better not get used to it!!

Perhaps I should wait for thanksgiving or Halloween or some such holiday.

Struggling

I am taking a class that utilizes the plot wheel.
I am a pantser and I thought it would be good for me to stretch my legs.

Where I am struggling is that I have this GREAT character and no plot for the wheel.
Well, that's not true, I do have a plot...I'm just trying to refine it.

I am feeling confined.
I am having issues.

I still think that this is a good thing and will continue to work through it.

I think that the problem lies in my constructs and how that overlays the instructors constructs.

Trying to do something that is opposite of what I usually do - is bizaro world - but good.
I'm struggling, but that's okay.

Go Utes!!

I went in to get a body wave.
Had I been a couger fan I would have wondered as to their motive.
As it was, I came out with a perm.
F************

Not what I was intending, but it could have been worse.

Outcome of the game

At least the process was fun.  All but one was a Ute fan.  They were major gung ho Utes.  I got my face panted and everything.  It was crazy fun.

This is the second time I've described what it is I wanted. 
This is the second time I came away with not what I wanted.
This time. at least I don't look like Motzart.
But only by a little.

Damn it!!

It's kind of been one of those weeks.