IWSG

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG).

They meet the first Wednesday of every month to encourage each other, share doubts and insecurities.

Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh

You can go here to encourage other participants

I missed last month.  I had the flu.  I knew what day it was.  I thought about it and that's as far as I went with that.

This month I really shouldn't post.  I have done very little writing.  My cold/flu hung on for four weeks.  Every time I thought I was starting to feel better it would slam me down again.  I'm all better now and while my progress in Nano is s-l-o-w it is good to be writing again.

Not as wordy as I should have been.

The first weekend of Nano was not as wordy as I have been in times past.  However, in my defense I came into this with just a working title.

I spent the weekend trying to figure out what it is I want to do.  Where I want my story to go. So while my word count is in the twa-let I feel like it was productive.

Of course not having interwebs helped me to stay focused.  Even my DVD player wasn't playing nice with me this weekend.  Is Mercury retrograde or something??

Hope all you Nanoers had a productive weekend.

Sooooo

Computers hat me.  It's true.

At home my computer was so slow it wasn't worth trying to do anything.  I gave up and did all my internet computing from work.

Last Saturday my son stopped by and asked if my computer was always this slow.  I nodded and he went about getting it to run better.  Magical, magical and life was good.

Then my modem went out. 

Really computer?  Really?

I always have my work computer.  Right?

Nope. Even THAT one gave out on me.

I had to borrow other workers computers when I needed one.  

So I couldn't blog or read blogs.

I got my computer back this morning.  YaY!!

I am hoping to have more time to make the rounds and even post a little even though it is NaNo.

My new modem is supposed to get to my by next Tuesday.  Let's keep 'em crossed that it works.

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween.

I'm obsessed

This is so freaking good.  I can't believe I use to hate oatmeal.

I make my oatmeal and add chunks of green apple during the nuking process.  Then I drizzle Walden Farms Caramel Sauce over that and I have candy apple oatmeal.  I know what you are thinking, It sounds delicious but I don't want to have all those extra calories.

Walden Farms products don't have any calories in them.  I don't know how this is possible I just do the happy dance. The gal at our office that is getting shredded is allowed Walden Farms products on her very strict diet (um life style change).  Who am I to argue with deliciousness.

Cats who can figure them out

I have a little black cat at home.  You met Nadja when she was Frank the Fire Drake.

She has always loved to cuddle with me and during my recent illness she seemed to really enjoy that I was constantly sitting on the couch.  At least at first she liked it.  Then she started finding other places to hang out.

I thought that she was just watching outside but I began to notice a theme.  It didn't matter where she was in the house she had her back to me.  I decided that she was angry with me for my explosive coughing that would send her to skittering off my lap.

This is me not looking at you.

I'll sit near you, but I'm not going to look at you.  

No, I won't.

This is me ignoring you.  Do you see me ignoring you?

So who could blame me when when I found another black cat that needed attention.
I found this poor little bedraggled critter and had to save him from being run over.
He'd already lost his little ear.

Perhaps sensing that she'd gone a bit too far when an interloper appeared.

She decided to make up.

Though she's not looking too pleased with the prospect.

It's a boy!

The kids are going out of town for a bit to celebrate their one year anniversary.  Perhaps I'll fill their house with blue balloons.

And just in case my daughter is reading this.  You know I would NEVER do something like that.  Everything will be fine.  You just go out of town and enjoy yourself.   No really, every thing will be just fine.

Where'd she go??

Sorry to drop off the face of the planet.  I got the flu that's been going around and my brain has been useless.  Zombies walked away from me with a disgusted look.  I even missed IWSG I remember thinking about it last Wednesday but that's as far as the thought went.

I'm still in the afterglow of the flu but I am feeling quite a bit better.  I knew things were looking up when I could find something funny in the disaster that was my morning.

I made a cup of coffee and when I came back this is what was waiting for me.

A ginormous puddle of coffee.  I was devastated. 

My son gave me this coffee maker.  

What could possibly have caused it to do this??

I then realized my mistake.  

A simple mistake really. 

Why it's one that anyone could have made.

It helps if you put the coffee cup on the machine and not on the drainboard.

Yep - that's the cup I was using.  Even my coffee mugs mock me now.

I will try to start making the rounds again in a couple of days.  For now I have a pile or work that I have to tackle first.  That and I have to fend off the infestation of zombies who are beating down my door.  Note to self:  Never ever offer yourself to zombies - I don't care how sick you are.

Done. WaHooo!!

I am so glad to put that three weeks behind me.
I did end up losing nine pounds.  I won't complain at all.

Now I have to figure out where I go from here.
Staying off the scale for certain sure.

Thanks again for all the support.

T-minus 2

Yesterday got crazy. I got crazy - crazy mad.

I stepped on the scale and GAINED??? Through this whole adventure I've either maintained or lost.  I kicked the scale under the table, bouncing it off the back wall and said, "To hell with YOU Bob!!"

My cat turned to look at me with a look so wilting that I realized I'd caused great affront.
"No, no, no, not you Bob.  The OTHER Bob."
I'm not sure he was appeased, but as I am alive this morning to tell the tale I think I've been forgiven.  He is a cat and so you never know.

When I had fruit for breakfast and lunch.  I lost an unheard of amount of weight for me.  Five pounds in one week.

When I cut the fruit to just morning, I still lost three pounds - I was not complaining.  Let's face it, I go on a healthy eating kick and lose ten pounds in three months.  I was not arguing.

When I started the week with no fruit - nada.  I maintained and then I GAINED.
Now in Bob's defense.  I am not eating week three meals.  I just can't.  I realized that my mileage would vary but I expected at least something.  I was still eating the plan - no fruit.  I was still exercising.  I was NOT pleased.

That's when I rebelled.  Not to worry.  I will still see it out until tomorrow. Not going to throw away three weeks because of a 'little' hiccup.  I committed to this thing I will see it through.  But I will see it through with FRUIT!

My computer and blogger are at war.  I will try and post tomorrow, but my wrap up will probably come on Monday.

Thanks to all who have hung in there with me.
Truth to tell, I'm not sure I could have done it if I was not reporting to you.

T-minus 4-Super human feats of strength

I don't have any pictures - dinner was roasted veggies and a chicken patty.

But as I was doing my auxiliary exercises this morning I thought of something to share.

When I started this adventure I could not do push ups and I settled for wall push ups.  Last week I tried doing them on the floor again and to my surprise I could do them - girly style of course, but I was doing them.

This weekend I mowed the poor neglected backyard.  It had really sprouted due to the rains and there was a LOT of grass.  I filled two bags full.  Now I have three options for dealing with these clippings.

What's the problem you inquire?
My back gate has issues and it takes an act of Congress to get it opened.
It can be done - and next week I will have to do it to get the mower to the front yard but I want to get rid of these bags this week.  If I wait a week my can will over flow - that's not good.

Option 1 - leave the bags in the backyard.  The grass will dry out and compact and by next spring it will not be a bother.  Seriously - I have done this.

Option 2 - Suck it up and open the gate.

Option 3 - Toss the bags over the fence.

You KNOW what I did.  I don't even have to tell you.  Not sure what the neighbors thought but I was quite impressed with myself and my Herculean abilities.  

I ARE AMAZING.

T-minus 5 days and counting.

If my Mom was alive I'd have to ask her if I was one of those kids who couldn't let anything touch.  I don't remember being that kid.  Perhaps it is a new development in my second childhood. ;))

I made the Sweet Potato Hash for breakfast. It was some what labor intensive for a weekday though I could see having this for a Sunday breakfast.  I did cheat a little and didn't peel and cube my own potatoes.

Though the magic of the frozen food aisle may I present:

 

However, even with this cheat it still took a while to cook.

What has this to do with food not touching???

You are supposed to mix your mass quantities of egg whites into the hash.

Not happening.  Though it might have looked more appealing.

The egg whites look like my cat got into the toilet paper again. 

It was very good. I'd make it again, but on a day when I didn't have to go to work.

BTW this is NOT a dinner plate.  Just for the record.  

It's not just 'No!'

It's 'Oh hell NO!'

It could be that I've been struggling - taking it moment by moment.   On Saturday when I sat down to figure out what I'd be cooking for next week and what I needed to pick up at the store, it was at that moment I said, "No."

This is not happening.

The Ratatouille sounds good.  There's a red cabbage slaw that will make use of the red cabbage I bought but that is where it ends.  I am limited in what I can eat because of my sensitivity to some grains. And the recipes I could eat?  Not happening.

For instance THIS is not breakfast. 
Mushrooms and onions, rolled oats, vegetable broth, spinach and egg whites.

No. Just. No.
I will happily make an omelet and have oatmeal on the side (sans vegetable broth).  But I will not mix this together and call it breakfast.  No.

I have committed to this Jump Start Program and I will see it through next Saturday.  But I am going to take items from week 1 and week 2 to make week 3. 

This program was designed for people who had an event in the near future.  I don't and thus I don't have the drive that others might.

So there you have it. 
(This would have posted on Saturday but my computer at home and blogger are apparently at war)

On Sunday I had to laugh at myself.  I refuse to put vegetable broth in my oatmeal and mix it with eggs.  Bwhahahaha this from the lady that balked at putting eggs in her oatmeal and discovered she loved it.

However, I'm still not going to try it.  I had eggs on the side and oatmeal without any fruit.  Sorry Bob.

The count down to the end of this Jump Start is on!!

Day 11 - Guess what day it is....

Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike.  What day is it?

It is hump day.  Day 11 after today only 10 more days on this adventure.

For someone who has done poorly on diets in the past this truly is a milestone.  On Monday I told my daughter I was starting week two and she was amazed I made it through the weekend.  In all honesty I amazed myself as well.

I think that it is the short duration of this diet.
As I said the other day.

This is not a lifestyle change.  This is only three weeks.

And now what you've all been waiting for...
Eggplant Chili

Fire roasted tomatoes helped to make this delicious.  

I did add some chili powder and cumin.  

I would make this again. 

And now one of the many reasons I am so happy that I don't work at a 'real' company.

It is the Utah/BYU rivalry game this Saturday.  Three guesses who I'm rooting for and the first two don't count. ;)  At any other company I've worked for I would not even consider wearing a t-shirt to the office.  But it is not a real company and I wear what I wear and they never say anything.  I don't abuse the t-shirt wearing.  I keep it for special occasions, like today.

Go Utes!!

Day 10 - Feeling much better

After dragging through the day yesterday I was very happy to wake up and feel like I had the energy to tackle the day.  And guess what...

I slept eight hours last night.  This is unheard of.  I began sleeping seven hours a night when I started this adventure and I thought: It don't get no better than this.  But it does.  It does get better.  Of course, it is taking its toll on my writing time and if this keeps up I'll have to work out something different.  But for now I'm loving the sleep.

My friend told me that they wanted to go out for dinner on Saturday. This was BEFORE I had the chance to announce that I was going to make Eggplant Chili.  I'll save it for another time.

I'm sure I'll be able to find something on the menu this weekend that is acceptable and I can request it steamed, broiled, no salt ... yes, I will be a pain in the butt. ;)

Last night I had Green Cauliflower Soup.

It would have been more pretty if I hadn't used up all the red bell peppers.  I had a little but I ended up using green for the remaining 3/4 cup.  It was actually quiet tasty.  I was dubious.  It was very green.

It uses veggie broth, spinach, cauliflower. (simmer)  Blend that in the blender.  Add back to the pot add chicken and red pepper.  (simmer some more).  Dill and also cracked pepper to taste.

Tonight??
Eggplant Chili

Day 9 - One of those days

Today all that is getting me through is the mantra:

THIS ISN'T A LIFE CHANGE.  IT IS ONLY THREE WEEKS. 

I slept last night but I woke up feeling drained.  I was only going to do a short walk with my pup but managed to put the time in.  I did the extra exercises, but that too was a struggle.

It is 10:00 in the morning.  I hope things turn around and I have better things to report.

Later:

I did manage to muddle through the day.  Did what I was supposed to do and didn't throw in the towel.

YaY me.

Day 8 - My, my oatmeal. Sob =..(

I had not looked past week one with regards to the recipes.  I'm taking it one week at a time. It was on Sunday when I was putting together a shopping list for the next week that I realized my beloved oatmeal was about to change.

At first I balked.  NO BOB! I'll eat my oatmeal anyway I please.  To heck with you.
It was bad enough when he said no fruit in week three, but this, this is too much.

Then I thought about a girl at our office who is trying to get 'shredded'.  She's paid well over a thousand dollars for a personal trainer who is guiding her through the process.  I realized that this is just a part of my journey and it is only three weeks.  I'll be just fine.

I settled down and resigned myself to the fact that my 1/2 cup of oatmeal would be cut to 1/3.  He also changed up the recipe.

1/3 cup oatmeal
1/3 cup apple sauce (no added sugar)
Cinnamon
vanilla

Okay - the resulting glump looked like the stuff my mom used to pawn off on us as a breakfast substance. Thus the reason I have not liked oatmeal.  I added liquid until the desired consistency was achieved and after that I was happy.

My eggs now consist of four egg whites with 3 cups of spinach.  Again - this was a bit hard for me.  I added some Mrs. Dash Southwestern for some kick and found that tasted much better.

I must confess that I did look a head to week three to see what medieval torture Bob had planned for me.  I will do it - I just needed to get my mind wrapped around what it was.

{{shudders}}  The horror.  Next Monday I will share but until then I'm working on repressing.

Day 6 & 7 - The weekend

I expected the weekend to be tough.  But it was a busy weekend and that helped.  No bored eating here.

When I pulled into Harmon's to buy my 900 pounds of produce that I will consume over the next week I realized that my daughter and I can now park near the doors.

For my daughter...

I

I think that is is so cool that they do this.  

The parking stalls have a picture of a stork with a baby bundle.

and for me...

I've always wanted to ask at what age parking in this spot is appropriate.

I'm terrified of the answer and continue to park with the young 'uns.

I made this soup twice this week.  I made a horrible mistake the first time and had to try it one more time before giving up on this recipe.  It is Herbed Turkey Meatball Soup.

Brown onions and celery.

Add garlic and thyme.

Add little meatballs.

Add broccoli, cabbage (missing here) I added roasted cauliflower, and broth.

Simmer for 20 minutes.  Add chopped Swiss Chard.

Plate. (Well technically, bowl)

The second go round it was delicious and filling.  What happened the first time?  The recipe called for cabbage and I saw purple cabbage.  Hey that would be pretty, I thought.  Um, not so much.  In a salad, yes.  After you simmer purple cabbage for 20 minutes it looks like gray goop.  

All in all I have to say that week one was a success.  I had my moments.  A few downs, mostly ups.  I feel good and most importantly, I have been sleeping.  It is freaking amazing.  Life is good.

Day 5: Self Talk

I have a habit of saying something aloud that I want to remember.
It is a part of getting older I suppose.

"Deodorant."  Oddly enough if I don't say this later I will think, Did I put on deodorant?
Well, you can't take a chance with something like that and there were days when I was double or triple protected.  Beats the other possibility, but still.

I use a hair torture device in the mornings.  When I unplug it to remind myself that it is unplugged I always say things like:

"As good as it gets."
or
"Ugh."

The other day I was thinking and that's pretty negative.  I walk into my day thinking mediocre or gross thoughts about myself.  That's not good.  However, that's as far as that thought went.

It is not like I beat myself up because I'm overweight or my hair sucks.  It is just a part of life and I came to accept that after a year trying to shed weight prior to my daughter's wedding.  We worked HARD. Went to the gym, ate salads and other diet foods.  Nothing happened.  It was then we both said "Whatever" and accepted that this was life.  It was after the wedding that I started trying to eat 'healthy' and things began to change.  That is why I'm okay with 10 pounds here and 10 pounds there.

Today I looked in the mirror and I thought: I look toner.  
Keep in mind it is in a Mrs. Doubtfire kind of way.
(Hey you guys survived eggs in oatmeal - you can survive this visual.  Yes, I am mean that way.)

After getting ready for work I thought: Not bad.

And this is only Day 5.  I am stoked to continue on this journey,

Day Four: Chester has an epiphany

I was not going to bore you guys with the day to day of this Jump Start adventure.  However, it is really helping me with the accountability of the whole thing.  Feel free to ignore me until the first of October - I won't be offended at all.  I promise.

As we were walking today Chester had an epiphany:  The Lady is not trying to run me down.  She's not trying to get ahead of me. That means.... I can sniff more. And indeed he did.  I'm fine with that.  I can march in place as easily as march behind the dog.

We were nearing the end of the walk and should start heading for the barn when Chester asked for One more block? Please??  Okay, but make it fast.  Danged if that dog did not speed up.  He's a smartie.

Dinner last night was roasted vegetables with a turkey patty.
It's not pretty looking but I'm showing you only for the sheer magnitude of food.
That's a dinner plate.  I kid you not. And it is missing the 1/4 of an avocado that I forgot to pick up.

I stopped at the grocery to pick up oatmeal and I saw this.  

Whoopers?  Dietitians Choice?  

Oh Harmon's, how I love your dietitians.

In all honesty the start of day three was a bit of a struggle for me.  I started out the post with: I woke up feeling fat, bloated and lethargic.  I decided I didn't want to dwell on the negative.  I was having a rough morning - boo hoo, don't let it derail you.  Taking a positive spin really helped.  I didn't leap off the diet wagon.  I kept forging a head. That's pretty good for me.  I'm known for my Monday starts.  I've had diets last as long as half a day.  Sad but true.  It brings me back to the accountability.

I don't want to report.  Day Four:  Ate Cheesecake.

Day Three: Food is good.

You would think that 800 calories is a severely limited diet.  But it's not really.  There are so many low calorie vegetables in these dishes that I am eating more than I usually eat, at least as far as bulk goes.

If you get hungry you can snack on vegetables from the approved list.  But so far, I've only been 'actually' hungry yesterday mid-morning.  I think that's because the workout was killer.  Burpies, chair dips and jump rope.  (done ol' lady fashion of course - but I gave it my all.)

I ate my veggies and was satisfied.

For dinner I had:

Spaghetti Squash Bolognese

It has ground turkey, Bob's marinara sauce, onion, celery, spaghetti squash and spinach.  It was delicious.

There is more to life than this Jump Start.  I am still working on my edits.  Slow process and the more I work on them the more I can see how I want my story to possibly go a different direction.

Day Two - Not your mama's oatmeal

It's not even Bob Harper's oatmeal.  No, I'm not cheating - exactly.

For breakfast I get oatmeal and five egg whites.

The oatmeal:
1 cup water
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 tbsp almond butter
dash of cinnamon
1/4 cup blueberries

Okay- now if you take THOSE ingredients but add two egg whites.
(Don't throw up.  Hear me out.)

I put the water, almond butter, cinnamon and two egg whites in a dish.  I mix it briskly with a fork to incorporate the eggs.  I then add the oatmeal and whisk some more.  When I'm feeling comfortable that everything is evenly mixed I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Then I stir it.  30 more seconds, stir. Repeat this process until your oatmeal is done. Time will vary depending on how thick you like your oatmeal. I sprinkle with more cinnamon.

I am using frozen blueberries and I add them about half way through.

It makes a very creamy oatmeal and I don't feel like I need to add almond milk.

I really enjoy this oatmeal.  To me it is dessert good.
Did I mention, I don't really like oatmeal.  But I like THIS oatmeal.

I then scramble the three egg whites.  Five egg whites on a plate is a daunting amount of egg whites.  Three is more doable. (picture not included ;)

If you a contemplating the Jump Start know that there are many other things you can eat for breakfast but I'm sensitive to most grains.  Oatmeal is the only one I've found I can tolerate, thus my daily oatmeal.

Day One: Time speeds up.

A funny thing happened on the exercise portion of this three week adventure.
Time sped up.

Editorial Note: (um - this should have been slowed down. Bwhahaha this is why I am not a Science Fiction writer.  In my fantasy world I could blame the backwards thinking on some evil wizard who has befuddled the damsels mind.  In reality - I call it a senior moment ;)

I walk my pup every morning and we are gone for 30-45 minutes.  I've never considered this exercise as it is more meander behind the dog and wait while he sniffs.

For the next three weeks I have to walk 30-45 minutes a day.  I decided that if I walk with a purpose I could walk my dog and exercise too. We headed out in the morning and I picked up my feet. Sort of marching along.  Then during the sniff portion I walked in place or bounced.  If it kept my heart rate up it was good.

As we rounded the home stretch that should have marked 45 minutes I checked my phone.  Had we entered a vortex?  We had only been gone 25 minutes.  Wha?

I suggested to my pup that we head down Laughing Cats.  He gave me that pleased look and was more than willing to stay out longer.

I have decided that it is my 'marching' that gives Chester the urgency to go faster.  This could be a win/win as my pup is a bit tubby too.

In case you were wondering I have given my own names to the streets.
There is Main, Cop (cop car lives on the block), Rose (corner house with a million rose bushes),  Wolf Corner,  there is also a street I named Laughing Cats.

When my pup was little there were two cats that lived at the corner house. They KNEW that Chester was on a leash and they went out of their way to torment him when we'd walk by, thus Laughing Cats.  One day I'd had enough of their bullying and I let the leash out its full length.  I should probably change the name to Not Laughing Now Cats, but it doesn't have the same ring.

Okay - so I jumped.

I'm not a serious dieter. I tend more towards trying eating healthy. From time to time I will change up my routine and lose ten pounds or so. Sometimes I keep it off. Sometimes they come back and bring friends.  Usually the friends wander away and I lose the already "lost" weight.  Sometimes I keep it off...

It is a cycle that has been in a downward spiral and so I'm not complaining.

Over the last two years I've lost (kept off) about two stone.  Yeah, I know I'm American I'm being purposefully obtuse. I've plateaued at my current weight for a while and decided it was time to shake things up a bit and see if I could lose another ten pounds or so.  The so would be better, but I'll take what I can get.

I caught the tail end of a Dr. Oz episode and saw that Bob Harper had a book out.  I LOVE BOB.  It was called "Jump Start to Skinny."   Three weeks.  That sounded exactly like something that would be useful for me to shake things up a bit.

Really, who does not love Bob.

I bought the book and discovered it was really more for someone who put off dieting until the last moment. This was Bob's attempt to help you lose the weight without resorting to the usual crash diets that can be detrimental to your health.  

As I read through it I thought - Bob is channeling Jillian. 

800 calories a day for women - that seems nuts.  He points out that this is not a long term diet.  It is to get you into that dress, to that reunion, to that thing that you want to look good for.  It is SHORT TERM.

I wasn't going to do it.  I don't have anything three weeks from now to motivate me to go to the extreme of 800 calories AND exercise?  

Then my inner self started thinking.  

I got the book for a jump start and it IS a jump start.

I girded up my loins - went shopping and jumped in.

I'll let you know how things go.

Well, Blogger certainly is blunt.

1. Sooo yesterday I talked about my fairy/ferry mishap.

   Christine Rains commented:

   1. 
      
   2. 
      Christine RainsSeptember 4, 2013 at 4:26 PM

      Congrats on finishing AugNo! Hey, you could totally change your story with that one fun typo. Hehehe!

      Reply
      
      
      I replied with the following:
      
      Replies

      1. 
         JaiSeptember 5, 2013 at 7:48 AM

         I was kind of thinking about that myself.
         
         "Where did you get the idea for such a terrific story?"
         
         "Oddly enough, from a typo."
         = )

         
         

         And THIS was Bloggers opinion on the subject:

         

         
         

         Blogger let me know this was an error and refused to post my reply.

         
         

         Really Blogger?  You could have been a bit more tactful.  

IWSG - Happy 2nd Anniversary

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG).

They meet the first Wednesday of every month to encourage each other, share doubts and insecurities.

Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh

You can go here to encourage other participants

Wow - that is amazing that the Insecure Writers Support Group is two years old.   Thanks Alex you've built a wonderful community of writers. I am so happy that I discovered IWSG.

What did I do last month.  Not a lot of blogging I'm afraid.  I did complete AugNo with 50K.  This month I am going to wade in to the 85K that I wrote between Camp NaNo and AugNo and see if I can do something with this mess.

I'm doing the read through right now and it is pretty hilarious.  On the first page I made a typo. My subconscious KNEW I'd made the error and I even dreamed about it.  But in the tradition of NaNo there is no going back only forward knowing you'll fix it during the editing phase.

The typo?  My MC was waiting for the fairy.  Which in fantasy could work.  What she really wanted was a ferry to take her to the island her aunt lived on, but hey a little pixie dust and the fairy would work too.

Orion, how I loath thee.

It is nothing personal mind you it is just....

I walk my pup in the wee hours of the mornings and I do enjoy looking up at the stars that light pollution has not obliterated.  However, this is one constellation I  don't enjoy seeing and I saw it the other night.

Orion - the harbinger of fall.
Fall - the harbinger of winter.
Winter - that freaking season of snow.

Orion = Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Orion, oh how I loath thee.

Super Sweet Blogger Award

Thank you for the award Crystal  I was wondering what to blog about now that I have the interwebs back.

The Rules:

1. Thank the Super Sweet Blogger that nominated you.

2. Answer 5 super sweet questions.

3. Post the award.

4. Nominate a bakers dozen (13) bloggers.

5. Notify your nominees. 

My Super Sweet Questions:   

1. What is your favorite dessert?  Casein Cake - but I eat it for dinner because it is mostly protein.
2.  Cake or ice cream? Ice Cream - but it upsets my stomach.
3. When do you like desserts most?  I'm not really a dessert eater.
4. Would you choose cookies or cake? Cookies
5. Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate

I'm being a Award Rebel.  I think you are all sweet and I don't know how I would even choose. I'm going to leave it up to you if you want to choose the award take it and run with it.

Awe look at this

I went with my daughter to her first pregnancy check up because her hubby couldn't get it off work.  I am sad that he couldn't go but I am so happy I got the opportunity.

They sent her down to the big ultra sound machine because the smaller one in the office was not doing a good job.

I took this picture so I could at least let you all have a picture.

 

 

 

I didn't know that I was going to get these:

 

My little grand baby is 9 weeks 3 days old.

I got to see his/her little foot kicking.

 

There were two things that really mad me giggle during the visit.

 

First:  My daughter is filling out the insurance forms and she comes to:

Responsible Party - she says, "Well, that's awfully personal don't you think?"

"No honey, they mean who is the insurance coverage under.

 

Second: The encounter I had with the nurse was priceless. 

We are down at the big ultra sound machine and the nurse said that since my daughter wasn't very far along they might have to do a vaginal ultra sound.

I said, "But I don't want to see her vagina I want to see the baby.

The nurse sputters for a moment before finally saying, "It's all very modest.  She'll be covered...."

I assured her I was just being funny. 

What can I say, I have a sick sense of humor.

Continuing the Walking Dead Theme

Why do I think this helps?

I apparently have decided that if I put the sole of my foot between me and the zombies on the screen I'll be okay. 

Really?

Most people would cover their eyes.... not me.
Foot in face dude.  Foot in face.

Yes, my dog is still having issues.

The Walking Dead gives my dog anxiety

Yes, I'm one of THOSE people.

I will re-read an entire series because half of a book  is airing on HBO.
Game of Thrones much?

I have two, three? promised TBR's before I start in on the Hunger Games re-read.
October release.  Yeah, buddy.
Have I mentioned the cat in the book vs the movie is NOT a match?
Did I mention that my oldest son read the entire series trying to figure out why I was fixated on the fact that the cat is an ugly squashed nosed yellow cat not a black and white one!!?

But I digress.

I decided to re-watch The Walking Dead in anticipation of the new season.
What I'd forgotten is the anxiety this causes my dog.
Apparently me screeching at the TV is bad.
But I can't help it.

Four shows in and my pup has vacated the premises.

IWSG and If it's right, it's wrong.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG).

They meet the first Wednesday of every month to encourage each other, share doubts and insecurities.

Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh

You can go here to encourage other participants

Last month was Camp Nano and truth to tell I struggled a bit.  I am of the opinion that I never actually put the editor out of the house.  However, I am pleased enough with the mess I created last month that I'm finishing it up for AugNo.  All in all, I can't complain.

Where do you write?

 This idea was sparked by Unicorn Bell's blog post Where do you write?

Her blog got me thinking about my desk and the year I suffered writer's block.

It all started when my kids bought me a new desk for Christmas several years back.  The old one was so rickety they were afraid that it would fall apart if I sneezed.  It was pretty bad I must admit. Money was tight and as long as I didn't attempt to move it I was pretty sure it would hold.

It was such a sweet gesture but it caused me grief.
It didn't feel right. I'd sit down to write and everything felt wrong.  I didn't know what was wrong with me.  I love my little corner.  I have a window. I have my story board.  It is my own little space that is only invaded by Bob, my cat. There was no denying it, I had writer's block and it started with the new desk.  It took me a while to realize the problem.  Having the monitor on the right side was throwing me for a loop.

I couldn't get a new desk.  This was a gift from my children. 
What to do.  What to do.

I think I found a satisfactory solution. No?
I thought Bob would hang out on the platform where the monitor is supposed to sit. 
However, it seems he's not happy unless he's blocking the screen.

What about you?  Do you have a special place where you write?

AugNo and yeesh, that's not old.

Thanks to Shayla I discovered AugNo.  I wanted to use August to finish what I started at camp. My non-Nano routine is to write for an hour. If I write 100 words or 1,000 doesn't matter.  What matters is butt in chair for at least one hour. However, if I want to finish my rough draft in August it will take more than that.  AugNo will give me the need for word count.  So I'm off again for another month of wild writing.

 

I was reading the introductions on the boards and one gal commented that she was ancient (38).  Really?  That's ancient?  It got me thinking what was ancient really.

Ancient is using carbon paper to make copies of what I was typing.  If I screwed up I'd insert a piece of white correction paper to correct the top copy and then use a blade to carve the letters out of the three copies beneath it.  Needless to say I learned to type fast and accurate.

I still use the top row to type numbers.  Key pads to the side did not exist on typewriters.

Black and white TV was the norm.

Music was played on a stereo or portable player and the records were 45's or 78's, at least in my early years. Then there were LP's and 45's.  8 tracks were the big thing when I was in high school. (Google it)

Math was done on a slide rule. 

Ancient is knowing a childhood where during the summer we played outside the entire day.  Walked two miles to the swimming pool and never thought about 'stranger danger.'

Those are a few of the things I can think of. 
However, having said all this I don't feel ancient. 

How 'bout you?  You may not be ancient but what are some big changes you've seen.

A mind of its own.

The kids got me a very cool hose.  When it's not in use it shrinks. 

 

In order to get it to grow you twist the valve closed, turn on the water and the hose expands.  Once it has expanded you open the valve.  Very cool.

 

However, I must of been a little slow getting to the point where I open the valve and there was a giant bubble that blew.  Dang it.

 

I cut the hose to see if I could fix it like you do a regular hose.  Not happening.  I decided to just soak the ground until I could purchase a new hose.  When I came out to switch the hose, this is what I found.

 

 

 

Well, alrighty then.  Works for me.  

And the winner is...

Another Nano is under my belt. I do feel a bit like I cheated though.  I dropped my word count goal down to 30,000. 

I struggled with this one.  Hit a brick wall at one point and the word count suffered.  I took a step back and restructured what I wanted to do with my story and that got me going in the right direction again.

While I'm done with Nano I'm not done with my story.  I am really only at the Call to Adventure.  It was here I hit another wall.  So I pushed on through to get the 30,000 words, barely.   30,066.

As soon as I put paid to Nano my Muse said, "Hey, I've got an idea." 
Thank you Muse.  I now have a rough sketch of how I want my story to proceed. 

I had thought of diving in for the next few days and knocking out another 20K but I decided I would just rather go back to my normal routine.  So that's what I'm doing..

Dad Gum It!!

I'd say something else but I'd like this blog to be as close to G rated as possible.

I was going to title it GOOGLE FAILED ME!!!!!!

I had a webinar that I was going to attend today.  2:00 Eastern.  Now, in my heart I knew it was noon but I doubted.  Do you ever do that?  You know something but doubt creeps in and you double check? 

Yep, that was me.

I googled to find the time conversion between mountain and eastern.  I was shocked.  The class I thought should have started at noon was starting at 4:00.  Well alrighty then.  I went to the market.  My mind kept telling me that something wasn't right.

When I finally puzzled it out using Mountain time vs Pacific time.  This one I know.  That's when I realized that google had failed me.  I was so dumbfounded that google failed me I went back to google to get a screen shot to prove this heinous error.

Oh dear.  I failed me.  We will call it Time Zone Dyslexia.  If you put in the correct information you will get the correct answer.  If you flip it backwards, sideways or turn it upside down.  Results may vary.

Good news is the people giving the webinar had a contingency plan in place for all of us Time Zone Challenged.  They will send me a copy of the webinar early next week.

I decided it was my Muse not wanting to awaken the internal editor.  The webinar was on showing not telling and during Camp Nano I am mostly telling.  I am also below the Red Bar of Doom.  I just barely got the stupid editor out of my life.  Words have been tough this month until Thursday when things began to click.  On Thursday I woke up and started knocking it out of the park.  

The editor scoffed at me and said, "You know that every sentence will have to be redone." 
"I know," I said. "It's Nano THAT'S what you do.  Now go away."
My Muse shooed him from the house and the words are flowing once again.

If I can have a 10,000 word weekend I will be above the Red Bar of Doom. 
This is the plan.  This is also an apology.  I had intended to stop by weekly not weakly.  I won't make any promises about making the blog rounds or even blogging until Camp is over.  I hope at that point to post a win.

I wonder if there is anyway I could use this blog for word count? 
Naw, didn't think so.

IWSG

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG).

They meet the first Wednesday of every month to encourage each other, share doubts and insecurities.

Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh

You can go here to encourage other participants

 

 

Hi again all you insecure writers.  {{Waves}}

 

June was a good month for me.  I spent my time preparing for Camp Nano and the preparation is paying off.  At least I've hit the ground with my wheels spinning.

 

I realize it is only day three but I had something very strange happen to me.  I can't write in the mornings.  I've always been a morning writer.  Since camp started I get up to write and nothing. The crickets are chirping in time to my blinking cursor on the blank page.  If I get 200 words it's a good morning.  However, once I get home from work the words flow. 

 

It will be interesting to see if the trend continues.  Perhaps it's all the pondering in the morning that leads to great word count in the afternoon.

 

How 'bout you?  Is there a particular time of day when you do your best writing?

 



 

Getting ready for camp

I've been a bad blogger and I'm afraid that I can't promise to be better.

I'm gearing up for Camp Nano

 and I'm not going to make myself crazy like I did in April. ;))

Getting ready for camp is fun.

Besides deciding what story to write

You have to pack your clothes.

 

Lay in supplies for the month.

 

Coffee, coffee and more coffee

 

 

Fast snacks - relatively healthy

 

Protein powder makes for fast meals and no meal planning.

 

Don't worry I eat my vegetables too.

 

 

Well, it can't ALL be healthy. 

 

 

Did I mention lots of coffee?

 

 

Gotta pack the portable story making device.

 

 

The most important step.

Lock your internal editor out of the cabin/tent/house. 

 

 

Send him on a vacation.

Tie him up and stuff him under the bed.

Whatever it takes.

For one month just say NO to the internal editor

 

 

I saw this and wondered if this was a sign that I should change my story.

 

 

 

Naw,  probably not.

It can't be much of a zombie killa as it isn't dented.

Maybe they back over the zombies.  I didn't check the rear.

 

I will try to stop by once a week to peek in on you and let you know how it's going.