And NaNo Begins

The anxiety is rising and the absolute impossibility of writing 50,000 words in a single month is staring me down. Beginning at 12AM, the fun that is NaNoWriMo begins. Of course, at midnight this writer will be sound asleep and dreaming of all the fantastic scenes she'll be writing tomorrow.

As huge and daunting as the task may seem, I am getting excited about it. I've planned to meet a fellow NaNoWriter at a Barnes & Noble near my job from 5 to 8:30PM every Monday and Wednesday this month. (Don't ask me when I'm going to eat dinner.) I figure the accountability will help me to commit to writing at least those two nights. And I'm planning to go there on my own every other night after work for at least two hours. That's the plan.

So, my dear readers, it's very likely that all you'll be hearing from me during the month of November is the occasional word count and maybe a few excerpts from the novel-to-be. Unless, of course I find myself sitting at work with a few minutes and some serious inspiration for an original post.

Here's to a month of Novel Writing Bliss!

Four Things Meme

I got this as an email from my best friend out in Minnesota (love you Poopers!). I thought I'd turn it into a meme so that you all could enjoy it, too. Here goes!

Four Things You May or May Not Know About Me

Four jobs I have had in my life:

1. Ice Cream Scooper
2. Babysitter
3. 1-on-1 Aide for Children with Autism
4. Writer of things technical and otherwise

Four movies I would watch over and over:

1. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
2. Anything with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan
3. Serendipity
4. Big Daddy, 50 First Dates, Spanglish, The Wedding Singer

Four places I have lived:

1. Sackets Harbor, NY
2. Canton, NY
3. Parkville, MD
4. Baltimore, MD

Four TV Shows that I watch:

(when I should be writing)

1. Heroes
2. Lost (when it's in season)
3. House
4. Criminal Minds (if I remember it's on)

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Sushi
2. My mom's lasagna
3. Turkey chili
4. Peanut butter

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. In Arizona with my sister
2. In Upstate New York with my family
3. On the couch with a good book
4. Anywhere with My Love

Things I am looking forward to this year:

1. More publications and opportunities to get my writing "out there"
2. Dreams coming true
3. Visiting with my friends and family
4. Traveling somewhere I've never been before

Four friends I'm tagging to do this, too:

1. Jen
2. Katy
3. Sognatrice
4. Betsy

And of course, if you're joining in on NaBloPoMo in November, you'll have one less post idea to come up with!

Some New Posts in Other Places

I know; you're amazed at my proliferation of posts over the last few days. I'm super excited about things that are going on, and feeling uber creative, so posting here is just another wonderful outlet for what's happening in my head. Today, it's an update on the writing front.

I've been hard at work trying to get my name out there as a freelance writer and editor, as you've all heard before. So new clips are surfacing regularly, and my work is getting out there more and more. There's the Going Green blog at Radiant Magazine Online where I recently posted two entries on living a greener life. There's the fitness and nutrition blog at Feed the Soul, Inc where I'm still posting regular tips on creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I just submitted an article for the Winter issue of Radiant Magazine. I'm also working on a query for an article about an integrative nutrition program I heard about through a friend. I'd like to get that one published in a national magazine (think Health, Natural Health, Shape, or Self). Oh, and the website I was writing content for is finally live!

All in all, it's been a pretty productive September and October. I'm very excited about what lies ahead! Of course, with NaNoWriMo starting in just a couple of weeks, I'm trying to get things in order for my month of novel writing. I'm really excited to put some serious focus on this story I have to tell. You might not hear much from me during the month of November (you should be used to that by now), but I'll at least try to keep you posted on daily word/page counts. Maybe I'll even post a few exerpts if I find myself writing good stuff!

Where Is My Beloved Autumn?

Last October I wrote about my love of Autumn over at my old blog. This year, I find myself wondering where my dear love has gone.

It's October 23 and the high for today is expected to be 75 degrees. This is not normal for my area. The average high in Baltimore for the month of October is supposed to be 68 degrees. Where are my cool, crisp mornings? Where is the smell of decaying leaves and the feeling of calm and preparation that fall always brings to me? Where is my beloved Autumn, with his colorful leaves and moderate weather?

It's just not normal to wake up at 5:30AM with my windows wide open and not feel a bit of cool air blowing through. It's unacceptable that this morning I wore a sleeveless shirt and didn't need a jacket or sweater when I walked out my front door. It's OCTOBER, people! I hate to think that winter may hit me like a ton of bricks in December because I haven't had my wonderful Autumn here to help me transition.

Please, Autumn, if you're out there please come back. I want you. I miss you. I need you.

Training the Baggers

I've been getting better at taking reusable bags to the grocery store. But the baggers aren't getting any better at dealing with it. You'd think with all the talk of going green and being more environmentally conscious, grocery store cashiers and baggers would get used to being handed a canvas bag in which to place my groceries.

They're not. In fact, they generally look at the bags blankly until I explain that I'd like my groceries to go into them. Even the cashiers at the grocery store where I bought a few of my reusable bags are confused when I hand the bags over. Some practically insist on bagging things in plastic bags and then putting them in my canvas bag while my back is turned. And don't get me started on the cashiers at Wal-Mart, who have twice tried to charge me for the bags I brought in.

Maybe an open letter will help.

---

Dear Cashiers and Baggers of the World,

When a customer hands you a canvas bag that doesn't have a tag on it and doesn't look like anything you've ever sold in your store before, you can assume that the customer wants you to place her purchases inside the bag. She does not want you to first bag the purchases in plastic and then place the plastic bags inside the canvas bag. She also does not want you to place one or two things in the canvas bag and then move on to plastic bags. This defeats the purpose of the canvas bag, which is to REDUCE the number of plastic bags the customer uses, therefore reducing the number of plastic bags that need to be produced. Her canvas bag is big and strong, and if all of her things won't fit into one bag, trust me, she has another one to handle the overflow.

Also, please note that your huffing and puffing, sighing and rolling your eyes when a customer presents you with a canvas bag does not deter her from bringing them again next time. In fact, it just makes her want to seek you out again the next time she's at the store so that you can learn by practice. A better approach would be to smile kindly, thank the customer for caring about her environment, take the canvas bag, and neatly pack her purchases into it. It'll make your day, and hers, much better.

Sincerely,

Earth-Friendly Shopper

NaNoWriMo, or Now I've Gone and Done It, or I Think I've Lost My Mind

So it's finally happened. I think I've cracked. You all know how busy I've been lately (and if you don't, you certainly should, since I can't seem to stop telling you that every time I post here, which hasn't been often enough). So imagine my surprise when I found myself clicking the "Sign Up!" link on the NaNoWriMo site. If you haven't heard of NaNoWriMo, you can learn more here, but it boils down this: I've just commited to write the first draft of a novel (that's 50,000 words) during the month of November.

Does anyone know what happens in November? There's My Love's and my 4-year anniversary during which we hope to spend a couple of days relaxing and playing a little Black Jack in Atlantic City. There's the Baltimore Writer's Conference, which means I have to brush up a non-fiction essay that I'd like to have critiqued. And of course there's Thanksgiving--I'll be spending 4 1/2 days traveling and hanging out with my family. Not to mention starting over at the New Old-Job, doing per diem work for the Current (or Old New-) Job, writing group and association meetings, and various and sundry freelance projects that seem to be flying through my windows and doors every time I open them. (Don't ask what my house looks like right now...) I'm not complaining, but I truly think I must be mad to have just signed up for a motivational "contest" of sorts during which I'm required to pound out Fifty. Thousand. Words.

I won't be disappointed if I don't reach the pinnacle, but I do think this might help me get into gear where that novel is concerned. At the absolute minimum I'd like to average a little more than 3 pages a day--90 pages total. That's doable.

Right?

Do you think My Love will mind if I lug along the laptop on our weekend getaway? Will I be able to get away from the family madness for a few hours each day over the Thanksgiving holiday? I suppose only time will tell...

Stay tuned for more on the NaNoWriMo saga.

Nutty Snacks Kill the Cravings

I've been getting some offers to try out new "healthy" products recently. I generally say "yes" if they seem like anything I might actually pick off the grocery store shelves myself. A couple of weeks ago, I received a couple of boxes of Roasted Nut Crunch Bars from Nature Valley. I'm big on their granola bars and I love nuts, so I was all for giving them a try. I'm glad I did.

They come in two flavors: Peanut and Almond ($3.39 per box of 6). With only 6 ingredients, about 200 nutrient-packed calories, 7 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber each, they're a satisfying snack you can feel good about. The Peanut Crunch version reminds me of peanut brittle, with the sweet and salty flavor of roasted peanuts and sunflower seeds that kills my afternoon cravings. The Almond Crunch, my favorite, has a combination of almonds, peanuts and sunflower seeds and doesn't seem quite as sweet or salty, which I prefer. They're filling and pack in enough energy to get through an evening workout and dinner preparation without the usual hunger pangs. With that kind of power, they'll definitely be added to my grocery list in the future.

Feast or Famine

I know I keep saying this, but things really are busy around here. It's amazing to me how busyness seems to cycle in my life. Maybe I need it to be that way to keep going, or maybe it's just the way of the world, but it seems that one day I have very minimal going on in my life and then suddenly, the Heavens open up and the work starts raining down, my personal life becomes more active, and the new television season starts. What's a girl to do???

Put her nose to the grindstone and churn out the work, taking breaks only to watch her three favorite shows, eat dinner, and enjoy short bursts of QT with My Love, of course. And to keep you semi-up-to-date, I'll provide another bulleted list. I know at least one of my readers enjoys them. ;o)

• I took the offer from Old Job. It was something I just couldn't refuse.
• I'm excited to return to the old office and be around my peeps again.
• I visited Philadelphia for the first time this past weekend.
• I was very excited because I took the train for the first time to get there.
• The train isn't all that exciting.
• I stayed with one of my closest friends in Philly. She was there for a conference.
• While she was busy I spent time in Rittenhouse Square hoping to run into one of my favorite authors. Turns out it was all for naught because she was out of town.
• We worked on some writing projects during my friend's off-time.
• We also ate an amazing dinner at the Midtown version of the Continental Restaurant and Martini Bar and drank a little too much wine.
• We then ate ice cream that was to die for at Scoop DeVille. (OK, I got fat-free frozen yogurt, but if you check out their menus you'll see that it really doesn't matter...I got the Snicker Doodle Dough concoction.)
• I didn't feel guilty afterward.
• I'm almost finished with one of my recent projects--website content for a diabetes coalition in NY state. Very exciting stuff.
• I've just taken on two new projects: one is very short term, the other will take much longer, but will pay better, too.
• I can see several other freelance gigs on the horizon, including some potential ghost writing opportunities.
• My iPod Mini is on it's last battery legs and I'm debating whether I should just get it refurbished at the Apple Store or if I should suck it up and buy the 8GB (PRODUCT)RED or the 80GB classic in black. Any recommendations?
• I'm really tired...It's way past my bed time. Goodnight!

Tell Your Diabetes Story

Have you or your loved ones been affected by diabetes? Are you and your family looking for a way to give back to others? Do you enjoy being creative? Then check out the Inspired by Diabetes initiative. According to the website:

"Inspired by Diabetes is a global campaign asking people with diabetes, as well as their family, friends and healthcare professionals, to express how diabetes has impacted their lives — and share those stories with others around the world."

The initiative is hoping to get those who have been touched by diabetes to share their journeys and triumphs through the Creative Expressions Competition. And if you enter, you won't just be sharing your story--you'll be helping children around the world live with and overcome the disease. For every entry to the Creative Expressions Competition, Eli Lilly and Company will make a donation to the Life for a Child Program on behalf of the entrant. The Life for a Child Program uses donations to provide insulin, diabetes supplies and diabetes education to children around the world. In addition, Eli Lilly and Company will support initiatives to help children with diabetes here in the United States.

So what are you waiting for? If you have a diabetes story to tell, why not do it now? You'll inspire others through your experience and help children, here in the U.S. and across the globe, receive the treatment and education they need to live with diabetes.

Another Bulleted Friday

Lots going on. Unfortunately, that means not a lot of time for posting. Stick around, though. It will get better, I promise!

• It's official! I'm a contributing blogger for Radiant Magazine Online. Check out my first post to the Going Green blog, if you're so inclined.
• Jury duty is over and I have to say that it was quite the experience. I hope to do a complete post about it in the future, but for now, suffice it to say that the six days I spent on that jury were stressful and emotionally draining.
• On the bright side, I met some really great people while performing my civic duty. I had the opportunity to network and we ate some really great food, too!
• I'm still considering the offer from Old Job. It's a pretty tempting offer, complete with new position, more responsibility, and competitive pay. *Sigh* Now I have to sit down and create a pros and cons list. It's not going to be an easy decision.

Well, it's off to spend my Friday night working on freelance projects. Have a great weekend everyone!

Week's Worth of Bullets

It's been a long week. Bullets are all I have time for, so without further ado:

• I had jury duty on Wednesday and got chosen to sit for a trial.
• Trials in the city are not all fun and games.
• This is no civil trial I'm talking about.
• On a brighter note, new projects are popping up all over the place.
• Dare I say this writing thing may really be starting to take off?
• Old Job is trying to win me back, and I'm actually considering their offer.
• Last week's Thursday Thirteen must have really inspired me because I've been on the treadmill three times this week, which was my goal, and I have plans to get on it Saturday and Sunday, as well.
• Of course, the snacks and lunches out this week during the trial have not helped out in the calorie cutting department. One thing at a time, I keep telling myself. One thing at a time.
• I'm hoping for a productive weekend because deadlines are looming. Wish me luck!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday Thirteen #14

I've been very, very lax in the exercise department. This week, Thursday Thirteen is my motivation tool.

Thirteen Reasons I Should Get on the Treadmill

1. Because it's right there in my dining room and I have to walk past it every time I go to the kitchen to get something to eat.

2. Because I keep going to the kitchen to get something to eat.

3. Because the scale is screaming for relief.

4. Because my buttons and zippers are screaming even louder.

5. Because my chin is starting to grow a baby again.

6. Because I feel lathargic and tired most of the time.

7. Because what used to be muscle has quickly lost its firmness.

8. Because while I like my curves, I prefer them a smidge smaller and tighter.

9. Because I can definitely tell I'm not as fit as I was six months ago.

10. Because I remember (way in the back of my mind) that I enjoy exercising when I actually do it.

11. Because I could use those endorphins to pump me up.

12. Because the holidays are coming and I could use a little metabolism kick to keep me from gaining a buttload of pounds.

13. Because I got a last minute invite to head to the beach this weekend and my bathingsuit isn't looking as good as it did the last time I was in it.

If all that doesn't get me on that treadmill, nothing will!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Ta-Da!

The painting is finished! I actually did it, all by my lonesome. And I'm very pleased with the result. It went from this...

To this...

I was a little worried that the wall color might be too dark, but it looks great. Exactly the way I'd pictured it. You can't really tell the true colors from these pictures because of the lighting in the room, but the walls are a warm medium blue (Behr's Bleached Denim) and the ceiling and trim are a light blue-gray color (Behr's Cumberland Fog). The walls are a bit darker than they seem in the pictures, but the bottom picture is the closest to the actual shade.

Now that I've finished that little project, I'll be moving my furniture back in and getting things organized as my home office. I'm hoping to find an affordable futon or day bed to make it a combination office/guest room, but for now it's all book cases, file cabinets and desk.

I've already picked out the colors I'll be doing my dining room and kitchen. Now I just need more three-day weekends.

Reading: A TBR Update

It's been a while since I've talked about my TBR Challenge progress, so I thought I'd give an update.

TBR #7 was Digging to America, by Anne Tyler. I really enjoyed this book. There wasn't a lot of action, but the tensions of culture-clashes and assimilation were enough to keep me turning the pages. A very character-driven book, the story followed three generations of two families as they attempted to create an American story of their own. I found the different race- and culture-perspectives of each generation were well-written. The miscommunications and underlying tension caused by these perspectives were amusing, saddening and angering all at once. The obvious message of this story is that "Digging to America" isn't as easy as it may seem. And finding a place for yourself and your traditions once you get here is even more difficult.

TBR #8 was Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri. I liked it. A lot. Reading a short story collection was a good change of pace from the novels I'd been reading. I like to throw in some variety every now and then. I can understand why this collection was a Pulitzer Prize winner. The stories were execellent studies of the human experience, particularly that of immigrants, but also that of married couples (young and old), families torn apart by war, women searching for belonging and purpose, men learning to be gentle and kind. If you like stories about other cultures, you'll like this book. If you like stories about people, you'll like this book. I think it has something for most people who enjoy character driven stories about the struggles and successes that life often tosses our way.

And then, since I got through Interpreter so quickly, I decided to read Anne Lamott's Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith. I want to BE Anne Lamott. If I could chose any person to be my mentor, she'd be the one. I admire her sense of humor, her vulnerability, her ability to be honest in a way that most people aren't, her bare-naked spirituality and willingness to admit she isn't perfect. And man oh man do I want to write like her. So I devour everything she writes in the hopes that some of her talent and humor will seep into me. A writer can dream...

Labor for Labor Day

What's a Labor Day weekend without, well, labor? So, instead of visiting family for a clam bake, I'll be painting all weekend. The plan is to get the guestroom finished. I'm very excited about the colors, which I picked up today. I hope it all turns out as well as I'm imagining it (and gets done as quickly as I'm dreaming). I'll post pictures when I'm finished. If, in fact, I do finish. Because right now I should be moving things out of the room and laying down drop cloths and I'm dreading all the sanding and taping and scraping.

It will be worth it.

It will be worth it.

It will be worth it.

(*peaking through squinty eyes* Is it done yet?)

Thursday Thirteen #13

It's Thursday already???

Thirteen Things I Can't Live Without

1. Caffeine - Tea, coffee, soda...sometimes I just need a jolt.

2. Pens and paper - I've gotta be able to write. I don't even need a computer. Just give me a pen that never runs out of ink and a lifetime supply of paper and I'd be happy.

3. Phone - My family and friends are spread out all over the country. Phones are my lifeline to the people I care about.

4. My family - I'd be lost without their love and support.

5. My best girlfriends - Love, support, advice and fun--these girls are just as important to me as my family.

6. My dreams - They keep me going when I'm feeling useless, pointless, or lost in the world.

7. Chocolate - I think we can all agree that life without chocolate is not worth living.

8. Email - Another lifeline to the people I care about most.

9. Sushi - Some days my cravings for the stuff are out of control.

10. Reading material - Books, magazines, newspapers, blogs--I gotta read, people!

11. Nature - Even city dwellers need a little nature to remind them to stop and smell the roses, the rain, the freshly cut grass.

12. Faith in something bigger than myself - If I didn't believe in a Higher Power, I'd feel purposeless. I know there are plenty of people out there who disagree, but for me, my faith is what keeps me getting up in the morning.

13. And last, but certainly not least, My Love - OK, I'm sure I could live without him (just like I could probably live without most of the list above) but I certainly wouldn't want to.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Linky Post

I thought I'd pass on a few things to tide you over until I have time to write a well-organized, thoughtful post. Enjoy!

• If you're looking for some great recipes to make use of all the fresh fruits and vegetables you're finding at the grocery stores and farmers' markets, look no further.


• If you're a fan of Jennifer Weiner (and if you're not, you should be) check her out on Seattle's KKNW show "Chat With Women" at 11:05 ET. And while you're at it, check out what she has to say about the downfall of Miss America on NPR's All Things Considered.


• Interested in a local eating challenge? Join the 30-day Eat Local Challenge on September 1st. You can plan a 100-Mile Thanksgiving, too.

If none of this piques your interests, I'll be back soon to write something substantial (hopefully). Have a good week!

Can Someone Toss Me a Lifepreserver?

I'm feeling bit overwhelmed, but what's new? As you can see by my lack of posts, things are a bit busy around here. It turns out that being busy during the work day doesn't bode well for getting personal stuff done. I didn't realize how much personal stuff I used to do during work hours at my last job until I started this new job. Since I'm actually doing work for 8 hours, I don't have time to pay my bills, check my email, research and plan my vacations. So, I have to do those things when I get home, along with mowing the lawn (does it ever stop growing???), washing the dishes, doing the laundry and getting rooms ready for a tentative painting weekend in the near future, which means less time for reading and writing blogs.

Hopefully, ya'll won't feel too neglected. Feel free to check in with a comment or email (thanks for being so good about this, Jen and Katy). Getting into a new routine is going to take some time, but I'll be around and I'll post when I can. Thanks to my faithful readers (all five of you) for sticking with me. I like having you around!

Thursday Thirteen #11

Busy, busy, busy.

For this week's thirteen: 13 places I don't even have time to dream about right now.

Thirteen Places I'd Like to Visit in My Lifetime

1. The Grand Canyon

2. Hawaii - all the islands

3. Sydney, Australia

4. A beach in St. Lucia

5. A Buddhist temple in China

6. The ruins in Rome

7. Greece

8. Sicily

9. Barcelona

10. Paris

11. Alaska

12. Georgia (Atlanta and Savannah)

13. A lighthouse in Maine

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #10

Better late than never, I always say.

For this week's thirteen, I thought I'd share a few lessons I've learned (or am still learning) that I think some young (and not so young) people could also benefit from.

* Graphic courtesy of Write From Karen

Thirteen Things Young People (and Some Adults) Need to be Taught

1. Just because you can talk on a cell phone anywhere doesn't mean you should. In fact, if you're in the check out line or having dinner with a friend, hang up the phone or ignore that call. It's just plain rude not to.

2. You won't die if you don't check your email every hour, or every day for that matter. It's mostly spam, anyway. Trust me, the time you spend reading, deleting, sorting, writing and sending emails is time you'll never get back. Unless you're expecting something specific, use your time for more important things, like living.

3. And in related news: Being connected to everyone, from anywhere, all the time doesn't leave you much time to be you. Technology has done great things for our expanding worlds, but if you don't take time to yourself, to discover who you are and what you want out of life, you'll regret it later.

4. Travelling in packs doesn't exempt you from the rules of common courtesy.

5. Neither does being on your cell phone.

6. Or being in a rush to get somewhere. Look around you. Notice your surroundings. Smile. Hold that door for the person behind you. Say "Thank you" and "Excuse me," even if your friends don't. Remember, you get what you give.

7. A sincere smile does more for your looks than that lipstick, designer outfit or trendy hairstyle.

8. Your value isn't determined by the things you own, the gadgets you use or the people you know.

9. No matter what the media (or your friends, or your mother) tells you, you should judge yourself by what's on the inside rather than what's on the outside. Cliche, yes, but oh-so true.

10. Just because you treat others the way you'd like to be treated doesn't mean they'll reciprocate. That shouldn't stop you from doing it anyway.

11. Wanting something isn't the same as needing it. And no, you don't automatically deserve everything you want.

12. Hard work is good for you. It makes the finished product or final result that much more enjoyable.

13. Enjoy the ride. It may seem like you want to get there (wherever there is) as fast as possible. But you're experiencing a "there" right now. Just be, before you're 80 and realize that the "there" you were trying to get to is always out of reach.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants