2009 . . . here at last! I have soooo been waiting for 2008 to be over! Honestly, as bad as the economy and all that was getting, I'm trying to be positive and think - it can only get better from here, right?
So with a new year comes those always interesting resolutions. Personally, I've decided that I'm going to be less specific and more realistic about mine. For example, instead of saying I'm going to lose a certain amount of weight, I'm going with (resolution #6 in a long list) cut down on soda and junk food consumption, thereby living a healthier lifestyle. Another example, instead of saying I am going to finish X number of manuscripts, I'm going with (resolution #2 in said list) keep writing.
So here's to being realistic, happy and most of all, seeing the positive side of things. Happy New Year to everyone! Hopefully we all have a great 2009!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
A Lot of Words
Happy Holidays!
So my holiday lesson has been mostly about chicken pox. So Elise had chicken pox and got over it just in time for our family party on Christmas Eve. She's been such a trooper, no fussing, no crying, no scratching! If ever there was a time for a kid to get chicken pox I suppose that 6-7 month old time frame is ideal. Her sister, however, suddenly had spots last night. But they look different and are in different places. We're keeping our fingers crossed that its just an allergic reaction and will go away. Bring on the Benadryl!
In other news, I finished my third manuscript. A different main character and I found that the first two manuscripts have been great background help in developing this third manuscript. Now I am just going through and doing my edits, trying to keep myself from adding more to the storyline. Beefing up existing is one thing, adding more is a complete other issue and that is what I've found myself guilty of time and again. My goal is to keep it around 110,000 words. Yeah, I know, that's a lot of words. I've still got a LOOOONG ways to go to get myself down to that, but at this point I'd settle for 120,000.
And just a question for anyone - if anyone is out there . . . SpongeBob: Love or Hate?
Okay, well happy rest of the holidays to everyone! I'm off to chase away the wind monster that is outside Peyton's window.
By the way --HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!
Have a great day!
So my holiday lesson has been mostly about chicken pox. So Elise had chicken pox and got over it just in time for our family party on Christmas Eve. She's been such a trooper, no fussing, no crying, no scratching! If ever there was a time for a kid to get chicken pox I suppose that 6-7 month old time frame is ideal. Her sister, however, suddenly had spots last night. But they look different and are in different places. We're keeping our fingers crossed that its just an allergic reaction and will go away. Bring on the Benadryl!
In other news, I finished my third manuscript. A different main character and I found that the first two manuscripts have been great background help in developing this third manuscript. Now I am just going through and doing my edits, trying to keep myself from adding more to the storyline. Beefing up existing is one thing, adding more is a complete other issue and that is what I've found myself guilty of time and again. My goal is to keep it around 110,000 words. Yeah, I know, that's a lot of words. I've still got a LOOOONG ways to go to get myself down to that, but at this point I'd settle for 120,000.
And just a question for anyone - if anyone is out there . . . SpongeBob: Love or Hate?
Okay, well happy rest of the holidays to everyone! I'm off to chase away the wind monster that is outside Peyton's window.
By the way --HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!
Have a great day!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Snow Days and Chicken Pox
In light of my mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee ... I thought I'd pop in with some general updates ... It's been snowing pretty consistently on/off for about a week now, so I guess it is really safe to say that winter is upon us. Thanks to an extended maternity leave in the middle of the year, my three weeks of vacation has granted me extra time off now, so I've got some extra mommy-kid time. I have to say, that is awesome! I really miss the girls when I go off to work every day and this is great. It's also great to hear when our 3 year old tells me that she loves to stay at home instead of going to pre-school or to her grandparents' house.
On another note, the baby has chicken pox. At 7 months, she hasn't been vaccinated yet, and then when my husband went to give her a bath, he freaked out about all the spots that she had. We had a quick trip to the dr. who told us that what she had could possibly be chicken pox. Or not. What does that even mean? It would be nice to have a better answer, I mean, isn't that one of the many reasons we pay for their services? I don't really want to hear "well, it could be, but I'm not sure, so just keep an eye on her. If it is then do this and this, if not then don't worry." I could have just sent a picture from my cell phone and probably got the same answer. If they offered that service. Which actually ... hmmm that sounds like a good business idea....
Anyway ... back to the snow ... here's a couple pictures of Peyton enjoying the snow! Have a great day!
On another note, the baby has chicken pox. At 7 months, she hasn't been vaccinated yet, and then when my husband went to give her a bath, he freaked out about all the spots that she had. We had a quick trip to the dr. who told us that what she had could possibly be chicken pox. Or not. What does that even mean? It would be nice to have a better answer, I mean, isn't that one of the many reasons we pay for their services? I don't really want to hear "well, it could be, but I'm not sure, so just keep an eye on her. If it is then do this and this, if not then don't worry." I could have just sent a picture from my cell phone and probably got the same answer. If they offered that service. Which actually ... hmmm that sounds like a good business idea....
Anyway ... back to the snow ... here's a couple pictures of Peyton enjoying the snow! Have a great day!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee
I know, I know ... I'm trying to be better about the whole blogging thing, but things have been crazy!! In all my purging and end of year clean up I stumbled on an email that was forwarded to me and I thought it was important enough to share.
* * * * * *
When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked."It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
Have a great day!
* * * * * *
When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked."It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
Have a great day!
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