Sitting outside to write on a chill day, I couldn't help be distracted by the view. It's not oceans or mountains, but I still see some fine things. You can't help noticing that many are birds. I only miss my summertime friends, the turkey buzzard.
1. Cardinals
2. A red bellied woodpecker
3. Black capped chickadees
4. Neighbors visiting
5. Starlings
6. My bare Japanese maple
7. A tufted titmouse
8. Sparrows
9. A stalking cat (okay, that was yesterday, but still)
10. The barren "vulture tree"
11. My neglected Eastern Bluebird house
12. Grass that needs cutting
13. House finches
~
Showing posts with label Thursday 13. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thursday 13. Show all posts
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Vacation Wishes
As I type, I'm looking forward to a vacation. I hope:
1. That I won't be groped too badly by airport security
2. It won't be too hot and humid in Florida
3. Mom and Dad are both well for our two night stay
4. Dad has another good fishing day out his back yard while we're there
5. The Salvador Dali museum is as cool as I hope
6. There are some awesome things to buy at the museum shop
7. The hotel is as swank as expected
8. Beach time is cocktail hour
9. The big cat rescue visit is half as fun for the animals as for us
10. Restaurants are excellent and relaxing
11. Shopping might unearth some fun fashion finds
12. The cat sitter comes in and out without setting off the alarm system
13. I come home with a demeanor other than wanting to bark at everyone at work
~
1. That I won't be groped too badly by airport security
2. It won't be too hot and humid in Florida
3. Mom and Dad are both well for our two night stay
4. Dad has another good fishing day out his back yard while we're there
5. The Salvador Dali museum is as cool as I hope
6. There are some awesome things to buy at the museum shop
7. The hotel is as swank as expected
8. Beach time is cocktail hour
9. The big cat rescue visit is half as fun for the animals as for us
10. Restaurants are excellent and relaxing
11. Shopping might unearth some fun fashion finds
12. The cat sitter comes in and out without setting off the alarm system
13. I come home with a demeanor other than wanting to bark at everyone at work
~
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Inspiration from Author Chris Cleave
I make no secret of the fact that I'm an aspiring writer and am participating in National Novel Writing Month. Recently I read on the NaNo website an inspirational message from writer Chris Cleave and decided to share thirteen of my favorite sentences from that message. I can only hope he would approve. Here goes:
Often sheer euphoria at your own brilliance will keep you writing late into the night, and you can hardly sleep because what you’ve written is so damned good. Then you wake up the next day and read it, and you realize it’s a pile of self-indulgent crap. This happens to me two days out of five. Then you get the opposite case, where you beat yourself up because the ideas are coming so slowly and all your dialogue seems timid and pedestrian. A week later you might look back on that day as a pretty solid performance, where your characters were honest with each other and maybe even created a couple of touching moments.
The more I learn about the writing process, the more I suspect that there is no such thing as a bad day at the keyboard. Sometimes you need slow days where you work through a dozen ideas that aren’t destined to fly. It creates a kind of intensity that eventually goads your brain into giving you a good day. Or sometimes, if you keep having slow days, then perhaps the novel really is asking you a deeper question about whether your plot, or your characterization, or your theory about the human heart really is up to scratch. Experience is knowing when you’re having a slow day, versus when you’re having a slow novel.
The good days are when you perform; the slow days are when you learn to perform better. The only bad days as a writer are the ones when you are too cowardly or too lazy to sit down at the keyboard and give it everything you have.
If you can sit down at the keyboard every day in November and give it everything you have, then there is no writer on earth who is better than you.
~
Often sheer euphoria at your own brilliance will keep you writing late into the night, and you can hardly sleep because what you’ve written is so damned good. Then you wake up the next day and read it, and you realize it’s a pile of self-indulgent crap. This happens to me two days out of five. Then you get the opposite case, where you beat yourself up because the ideas are coming so slowly and all your dialogue seems timid and pedestrian. A week later you might look back on that day as a pretty solid performance, where your characters were honest with each other and maybe even created a couple of touching moments.
The more I learn about the writing process, the more I suspect that there is no such thing as a bad day at the keyboard. Sometimes you need slow days where you work through a dozen ideas that aren’t destined to fly. It creates a kind of intensity that eventually goads your brain into giving you a good day. Or sometimes, if you keep having slow days, then perhaps the novel really is asking you a deeper question about whether your plot, or your characterization, or your theory about the human heart really is up to scratch. Experience is knowing when you’re having a slow day, versus when you’re having a slow novel.
The good days are when you perform; the slow days are when you learn to perform better. The only bad days as a writer are the ones when you are too cowardly or too lazy to sit down at the keyboard and give it everything you have.
If you can sit down at the keyboard every day in November and give it everything you have, then there is no writer on earth who is better than you.
~
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Thanksgiving Foods
Our family actually celebrated Thanksgiving in the US early. Still, I wanted to pay tribute to the holiday if only in a frivolous way. Here are thirteen foods besides the ubiquitous turkey that have graced the family table:
1. Mixed nuts - from the can, not the family tree, thank goodness
2. Cheese cubes
3. Vegetable tray
4. Green bean casserole
5. Cranberry sauce
6. Rolls
7. Sweet potato casserole
8. Cheese ball and crackers
9. Taco dip and chips
10. Dad's outrageous stuffing full of chestnuts and rice and bread
11. Pumpkin roll - a favorite of mine from my sister-in-law
12. Cherry cheesecake
13. Pumpkin pie and whipped cream, of course
~
1. Mixed nuts - from the can, not the family tree, thank goodness
2. Cheese cubes
3. Vegetable tray
4. Green bean casserole
5. Cranberry sauce
6. Rolls
7. Sweet potato casserole
8. Cheese ball and crackers
9. Taco dip and chips
10. Dad's outrageous stuffing full of chestnuts and rice and bread
11. Pumpkin roll - a favorite of mine from my sister-in-law
12. Cherry cheesecake
13. Pumpkin pie and whipped cream, of course
~
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Images From My Hot Air Balloon Ride
I''ve had these on my camera for a while and it's high time I share. They're by no means professional grade photographs of the dual balloon flights, but I hope you enjoy...
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Observations on Cats
I grew up having dogs around. We had a cat briefly, but the barn raised animal never did like city living. Eventually, I found myself living with a cat lover. Since I love all furry creatures pretty equally, this didn't pose a problem. Today, surrounded by the three female cats that make our house a home, I decided to share things I adore and some, not so much.
1. Any time you put something in front of a cat's nose, she cannot resist sniffing it.
2. A cat will turn her nose up at you if she's not in the mood for your company.
3. Our cats our almost always in the mood for our company.
4. Last night we had all three kitties and both humans on the love seat in front of the television.
5. Every day I leave is hard because I'd rather stay home and watch their antics.
6. Our cats have more toys than probably exist in some third world countries.
7. Felines don't need to go outside to do their business at inopportune times.
8. Soiled cat litter is no fun to swap out.
9. Fur is soft and fun to caress.
10. Fur balls tossed up on the carpet are not fun to step on.
11. Any human with a cat on the lap is entitled to ask for favors so as not to disturb the creature.
12. They eat better than we do.
13. I'm going to need serious therapy when any of our trio passes away.
What pet(s) do you have, or would if you could?
~
1. Any time you put something in front of a cat's nose, she cannot resist sniffing it.
2. A cat will turn her nose up at you if she's not in the mood for your company.
3. Our cats our almost always in the mood for our company.
4. Last night we had all three kitties and both humans on the love seat in front of the television.
5. Every day I leave is hard because I'd rather stay home and watch their antics.
6. Our cats have more toys than probably exist in some third world countries.
7. Felines don't need to go outside to do their business at inopportune times.
8. Soiled cat litter is no fun to swap out.
9. Fur is soft and fun to caress.
10. Fur balls tossed up on the carpet are not fun to step on.
11. Any human with a cat on the lap is entitled to ask for favors so as not to disturb the creature.
12. They eat better than we do.
13. I'm going to need serious therapy when any of our trio passes away.
What pet(s) do you have, or would if you could?
~
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Sentences from My NaNoWriMo WIP
Here is the opening to what I hope will become a novel for National Novel Writing Month. I hope you enjoy the snippet.
Story:
“What am I doing? I’m acting like a teenager trying to impress the boys,” Lita muttered at her reflection.
Her admonition didn’t stop her from further fluffing her short, highlighted hair or adding eyeliner to already large hazel eyes. She might be out of college but she was no old maid.
With a look through her closet, she decided to drive to the party. The cream colored high heels would go well with her outfit but weren’t good for walking the many blocks to Rhonda and Pete’s house. Pale rose and ivory on her matched skirt ensemble set off the fading summer tan from her trip to Bermuda.
She snagged a bottle of wine from the counter along with her purse. A glance at the clock showed she would be fashionably late.
The ringing phone caused her to hesitate on the way to the garage door. She hated to miss a call from her mother, who would be equally happy to hear that her youngest daughter planned to socialize after a slow and agonizing breakup with her fiancé.
A glance at the caller id showed the name of the very friends she prepared to visit.
“Hello.”
~
Story:
“What am I doing? I’m acting like a teenager trying to impress the boys,” Lita muttered at her reflection.
Her admonition didn’t stop her from further fluffing her short, highlighted hair or adding eyeliner to already large hazel eyes. She might be out of college but she was no old maid.
With a look through her closet, she decided to drive to the party. The cream colored high heels would go well with her outfit but weren’t good for walking the many blocks to Rhonda and Pete’s house. Pale rose and ivory on her matched skirt ensemble set off the fading summer tan from her trip to Bermuda.
She snagged a bottle of wine from the counter along with her purse. A glance at the clock showed she would be fashionably late.
The ringing phone caused her to hesitate on the way to the garage door. She hated to miss a call from her mother, who would be equally happy to hear that her youngest daughter planned to socialize after a slow and agonizing breakup with her fiancé.
A glance at the caller id showed the name of the very friends she prepared to visit.
“Hello.”
~
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - My Short Story Titles
To help bring back my muse, I thought I'd share thirteen unpublished titles I've written. Someday I hope to have the courage to present my "Blood Moon" shapeshifter short story series to someone in the business.
Cat's Meow
Nine Lives
Wolf's Bane
Man's Best Friend
Letting the Cat Out of the Bag
Dog Days of Summer
The Wolf at Your Door
Beware the Black Cat Crossing Your Path
Obedience Training
Top Dog
Leopard Print
'Shift in the Wind
Dog is My Copilot
Cat's Meow
Nine Lives
Wolf's Bane
Man's Best Friend
Letting the Cat Out of the Bag
Dog Days of Summer
The Wolf at Your Door
Beware the Black Cat Crossing Your Path
Obedience Training
Top Dog
Leopard Print
'Shift in the Wind
Dog is My Copilot
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - A Lamentation in Thirteen Words
Why
can't
I
think
of
anything
to
write?
Where
is
my
muse
lately?
can't
I
think
of
anything
to
write?
Where
is
my
muse
lately?
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Moments in My Life
Here are many mundane and a few interesting things I've been up to lately.
1. Working too hard - What can I say? Somehow, the car business that affects my company seems to be booming. I need two of me and should be grateful.
2. Playing Scrabble - It's fun on an android tablet with the automatic scorekeeping and all.
3. Camping - We take an awful lot of gear for supposed "roughing it". Next, we'll have to hire movers. Still, it's a nice change of pace.
4. Paying the Maid Service - Why didn't I do this years ago? Seriously, it's worth the monthly cost.
5. Picking Up Cat Toys - It's amazing how they migrate from the "toybox" during the night.
6. Watching "Burn Notice" - We enjoyed the season ender of this great spy action/drama for a second time after the last quarter hour went mysteriously missing from the recording.
7. Visiting family - A neat reunion of the families was staged by my brother's in-laws. It's lovely to have a wonderful extended family.
8. Eating Out - This guilty pleasure needs to be put on the back burner. There are just so many good restaurants in the area!
9. Not Writing - What a downer this has been. I need to unearth my muse.
10. Getting My Hair Done - This is a much needed item I tend to put off because the two-tone look I like takes a good three and a half hours with cut and styling. It's always worth it when the stylist's done.
11. Sleeping In - Last done while camping, this is much coveted. I'm lucky to have the opportunity most weekends (within reason).
12. Feeding Fish - My two freshwater aquariums require regular attention but are well worth it.
13. Considering NaNoWriMo - Participating in November's National Novel Writing Month takes up a lot of my thoughts lately. I need to consider an appropriate project and commit to writing 1,600 plus words a day for 50,000 for the month.
What's on your agenda? I'd be interested to know.
1. Working too hard - What can I say? Somehow, the car business that affects my company seems to be booming. I need two of me and should be grateful.
2. Playing Scrabble - It's fun on an android tablet with the automatic scorekeeping and all.
3. Camping - We take an awful lot of gear for supposed "roughing it". Next, we'll have to hire movers. Still, it's a nice change of pace.
4. Paying the Maid Service - Why didn't I do this years ago? Seriously, it's worth the monthly cost.
5. Picking Up Cat Toys - It's amazing how they migrate from the "toybox" during the night.
6. Watching "Burn Notice" - We enjoyed the season ender of this great spy action/drama for a second time after the last quarter hour went mysteriously missing from the recording.
7. Visiting family - A neat reunion of the families was staged by my brother's in-laws. It's lovely to have a wonderful extended family.
8. Eating Out - This guilty pleasure needs to be put on the back burner. There are just so many good restaurants in the area!
9. Not Writing - What a downer this has been. I need to unearth my muse.
10. Getting My Hair Done - This is a much needed item I tend to put off because the two-tone look I like takes a good three and a half hours with cut and styling. It's always worth it when the stylist's done.
11. Sleeping In - Last done while camping, this is much coveted. I'm lucky to have the opportunity most weekends (within reason).
12. Feeding Fish - My two freshwater aquariums require regular attention but are well worth it.
13. Considering NaNoWriMo - Participating in November's National Novel Writing Month takes up a lot of my thoughts lately. I need to consider an appropriate project and commit to writing 1,600 plus words a day for 50,000 for the month.
What's on your agenda? I'd be interested to know.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - My Hairdresser
One of the longest relationships in my life is with my hairdresser. She's really something and, since I need to visit her soon, the lady's on my mind. So, here are thirteen facts about her.
1. She’s a talented stylist
2. Her salon is in her home
3. Her husband and children are a delight to know
4. She enjoys my experimentation
5. Her prices are very reasonable
6. She is very caring
7. She’s as dependable as the sunrise
8. We laugh a lot together
9. Her knowledge of diverse subjects is fascinating
10. There is always some extended family drama that makes me grateful for my life
11. She introduced me to her long-time friends in the rock group Tesla
12. Her opinions are rock solid and never wavering, almost to a fault
13. She loves animals
~~~
1. She’s a talented stylist
2. Her salon is in her home
3. Her husband and children are a delight to know
4. She enjoys my experimentation
5. Her prices are very reasonable
6. She is very caring
7. She’s as dependable as the sunrise
8. We laugh a lot together
9. Her knowledge of diverse subjects is fascinating
10. There is always some extended family drama that makes me grateful for my life
11. She introduced me to her long-time friends in the rock group Tesla
12. Her opinions are rock solid and never wavering, almost to a fault
13. She loves animals
~~~
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Blessings
Today I thought I’d count my blessings. It’s been too long.
1. We have the financial means to meet our needs, obligations, and wants while still donating to charity.
2. I am relatively healthy outside of a sprained ankle (from walking the treadmill!).
3. Both my parents are alive and in my life.
4. My folks love my husband and vice versa.
5. My husband and I still enjoy one another’s company after twenty-two years together.
6. Our pets are healthy and happy; my fish even had babies I hope to raise to adulthood.
7. Well, one cat needs medication but it’s inexpensive and doing the trick when I can get it in her.
8. I own a reliable car and have no car payments.
9. We live in a safe, comfortable neighborhood.
10. My husband asked for a stress test that saved his life.
11. The triple bypass surgery went well and he’s recovered nicely.
12. My husband is in the best health since his Air Force days.
13. I wrote this at a clinic waiting for blood to be drawn but it’s a rare event for a simple health checkup.
May you have reason to give thanks today!
~
1. We have the financial means to meet our needs, obligations, and wants while still donating to charity.
2. I am relatively healthy outside of a sprained ankle (from walking the treadmill!).
3. Both my parents are alive and in my life.
4. My folks love my husband and vice versa.
5. My husband and I still enjoy one another’s company after twenty-two years together.
6. Our pets are healthy and happy; my fish even had babies I hope to raise to adulthood.
7. Well, one cat needs medication but it’s inexpensive and doing the trick when I can get it in her.
8. I own a reliable car and have no car payments.
9. We live in a safe, comfortable neighborhood.
10. My husband asked for a stress test that saved his life.
11. The triple bypass surgery went well and he’s recovered nicely.
12. My husband is in the best health since his Air Force days.
13. I wrote this at a clinic waiting for blood to be drawn but it’s a rare event for a simple health checkup.
May you have reason to give thanks today!
~
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Albums I Own
Out of curiosity, I looked on my iPod to see how many female vocalists are listed. You see, I have a guilty preference for male voices. However, I found thirteen female artists with no problem. Just for the fun of it, here are the woman fronted groups and the albums I own in no particular order:
Flyleaf - Flyleaf
Otep - House of Secrets
Madonna - The Immaculate Collection
The Birthday Massacre - Walking With Strangers
Alanis Morissette - Flavors of Entanglement
Etta James - The Best of Etta James
Cyndi Lauper - Twelve Deadly Cyns
Jem - Finally Woken
Rasputina - Transylvanian Regurgitations
Garbage - Bleed Like Me / Version 2.0 (I like them so well I bought two titles)
Ace of Base - The Sign
Anna Nalick - Wreck of the Day
Ego Likeness - The Lowest Place on Earth
Bonus:
Connie Francis - Christmas Cheer
Flyleaf - Flyleaf
Otep - House of Secrets
Madonna - The Immaculate Collection
The Birthday Massacre - Walking With Strangers
Alanis Morissette - Flavors of Entanglement
Etta James - The Best of Etta James
Cyndi Lauper - Twelve Deadly Cyns
Jem - Finally Woken
Rasputina - Transylvanian Regurgitations
Garbage - Bleed Like Me / Version 2.0 (I like them so well I bought two titles)
Ace of Base - The Sign
Anna Nalick - Wreck of the Day
Ego Likeness - The Lowest Place on Earth
Bonus:
Connie Francis - Christmas Cheer
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - The Color Blue
Thirteen things that are blue; inspired by number 13.
1. The Caribbean Sea
2. Smurfs
3. My novelty pen from a colleague’s trip to Las Vegas
4. The background of MS Word on my company desktop
5. A vintage name patch from Walt Disneyworld
6. Part of a short story title I need to finish writing (“Into the Blue”)
7. The aptly named Blue Jay, a native bird of North America
8. Those distinctive veins in gorgonzola cheese
9. Jugs for our home water cooler
10. Brilliant Irish actor Cillian Murphy’s eyes
11. Blooms of the Heavenly Blue morning glory, a favorite flower
12. The ink on a good friend’s inspirational postcard
13. Tor Cyan, a Genetic Infantryman from futuristic British comic “2000 AD”
1. The Caribbean Sea
2. Smurfs
3. My novelty pen from a colleague’s trip to Las Vegas
4. The background of MS Word on my company desktop
5. A vintage name patch from Walt Disneyworld
6. Part of a short story title I need to finish writing (“Into the Blue”)
7. The aptly named Blue Jay, a native bird of North America
8. Those distinctive veins in gorgonzola cheese
9. Jugs for our home water cooler
10. Brilliant Irish actor Cillian Murphy’s eyes
11. Blooms of the Heavenly Blue morning glory, a favorite flower
12. The ink on a good friend’s inspirational postcard
13. Tor Cyan, a Genetic Infantryman from futuristic British comic “2000 AD”
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Jet Mykles
In celebration of an interview and contest on my group writer's blog (here: Nightlight), I decided to list thirteen reasons to read Jet Mykles's books.
1. Hot, romantic m/m - what can I say? I'm hooked
2. "Heaven Sent" - hot rockers with a classic Yaoi feel to their tales
3. Darl Elves - gotta love fantasy
4. "Reverb" - more rock 'n roll with a darker flavor
5. The "Leashed" series - shapeshifters!
6. Threesomes - she makes them seem workable
7. Realistic characters - including side characters
8. World building - she really draws me in
9. Johnnie Heaven - Heaven Sent's sexy front man
10. Lucas Sloane - Heaven Sent bass player
11. Darien - Heaven Sent drummer
12. Brent Rose - Heaven Sent lead guitarist
13. Heller Witting - Heaven Sent keyboard player
Can you tell I'm a fan of the "Heaven Sent" series?
~
1. Hot, romantic m/m - what can I say? I'm hooked
2. "Heaven Sent" - hot rockers with a classic Yaoi feel to their tales
3. Darl Elves - gotta love fantasy
4. "Reverb" - more rock 'n roll with a darker flavor
5. The "Leashed" series - shapeshifters!
6. Threesomes - she makes them seem workable
7. Realistic characters - including side characters
8. World building - she really draws me in
9. Johnnie Heaven - Heaven Sent's sexy front man
10. Lucas Sloane - Heaven Sent bass player
11. Darien - Heaven Sent drummer
12. Brent Rose - Heaven Sent lead guitarist
13. Heller Witting - Heaven Sent keyboard player
Can you tell I'm a fan of the "Heaven Sent" series?
~
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Signs of the Times
My partner and I recently went to a bar and grill that struck us as open and inviting. Later, upon trying to recall the name for posterity, I found online the following wardrobe restrictions that seriously opened my eyes. They all seem to relate to gang attire. It sure surprised this suburban girl. What do you think of all this?
-All hats must be straight forward/backward
-All loose neck jewelry must be tucked in
-No men's sleeveless shirts/tank tops
-No wave-caps/headbands
-No bandanas
-No athletic jerseys (except collared jerseys)
-No jump suits/athletic wear
-No baggy clothing
-No exposed men's underwear
-No sunglasses after sunset
-No hoods pulled over head
-Home and Away Jerseys allowed on game day only
-Clothing or jewelry which poses a safety risk to customers or employees is prohibited. You may not modify your wardrobe at time of entry to meet the dress code.
~
-All hats must be straight forward/backward
-All loose neck jewelry must be tucked in
-No men's sleeveless shirts/tank tops
-No wave-caps/headbands
-No bandanas
-No athletic jerseys (except collared jerseys)
-No jump suits/athletic wear
-No baggy clothing
-No exposed men's underwear
-No sunglasses after sunset
-No hoods pulled over head
-Home and Away Jerseys allowed on game day only
-Clothing or jewelry which poses a safety risk to customers or employees is prohibited. You may not modify your wardrobe at time of entry to meet the dress code.
~
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - My Clutter
I surveyed what resides on my desk and thought it worthy to share. Some is mundane but not all, as I hope you'll agree. Here goes:
1. A miniature jar of Play-Doh - this came from a local chapter of NaNoWriMo last November when I joined a great group of people writing a novel in November; it's a great stress reliever for playtime
2. My digital picture frame filled with photos of favorite drummer Ukyou Kamimura (Kami), now deceased member of the former Japanese visual kei band Malice Mizer
3. Logitech speakers for my laptop - a good, portable way to get good sound
4. A paper holder like a miniature paperweight with a curved slit for propping paper at the proper angle for reading at a keyboard
5. Advair 500/50 diskus for my asthma - thank goodness for good health insurance
6. One tire shaped squeeze ball - good to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome
7. A tea bag holder for when I'm done soaking the elixir in my drink
8. CD cases - a slew I need to put away after having downloaded them to my iPods
9. One of four Southpark coasters for my tea or other drink of choice - this is one of Stan while the rest of the guys' faces are strewn about the family room
10. A Red Rock Canyon postcard from precious friends - I should have joined that writing group on their excursion
11. TretraMin fish food flakes for the nearby aquarium - the eldest cat knocked it over out of curiosity and I need to buy more
12. A commemorative coffin shaped desk clock from Japanese rocker Gackt - the thing is so cool that it runs backward with a reverse Roman numeral face
13. Two tickets for a hot air balloon ride courtesy of my parents (!!!) - it's a gift I can use all over the country (where would you suggest?)
1. A miniature jar of Play-Doh - this came from a local chapter of NaNoWriMo last November when I joined a great group of people writing a novel in November; it's a great stress reliever for playtime
2. My digital picture frame filled with photos of favorite drummer Ukyou Kamimura (Kami), now deceased member of the former Japanese visual kei band Malice Mizer
3. Logitech speakers for my laptop - a good, portable way to get good sound
4. A paper holder like a miniature paperweight with a curved slit for propping paper at the proper angle for reading at a keyboard
5. Advair 500/50 diskus for my asthma - thank goodness for good health insurance
6. One tire shaped squeeze ball - good to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome
7. A tea bag holder for when I'm done soaking the elixir in my drink
8. CD cases - a slew I need to put away after having downloaded them to my iPods
9. One of four Southpark coasters for my tea or other drink of choice - this is one of Stan while the rest of the guys' faces are strewn about the family room
10. A Red Rock Canyon postcard from precious friends - I should have joined that writing group on their excursion
11. TretraMin fish food flakes for the nearby aquarium - the eldest cat knocked it over out of curiosity and I need to buy more
12. A commemorative coffin shaped desk clock from Japanese rocker Gackt - the thing is so cool that it runs backward with a reverse Roman numeral face
13. Two tickets for a hot air balloon ride courtesy of my parents (!!!) - it's a gift I can use all over the country (where would you suggest?)
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - How Much Stuff is Too Much?
I’ve taken to watching a show about hoarding lately. The tales are sad but hard to turn off and make me realize that there are collections in my home that could stand to be thinned out. While my buying isn’t out of control, I do have these things in abundance. Many will probably surprise no one within the writing community.
1. Books
2. Pens
3. CD’s
4. Greeting cards from loved ones
5. Notebooks
6. Clothing
7. Hair accessories
8. Halloween decorations
9. Comic books
10. Cat toys
11. Jewelry
12. DVD’s
13. Mugs
-
1. Books
2. Pens
3. CD’s
4. Greeting cards from loved ones
5. Notebooks
6. Clothing
7. Hair accessories
8. Halloween decorations
9. Comic books
10. Cat toys
11. Jewelry
12. DVD’s
13. Mugs
-
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Father's Day Special
I am probably not alone in appreciating my father for this Thursday's list. I can only hope that you have a special dad with whom to share mutual affection. Here are thirteen cool things about mine:
1. Dad calls me regularly so that we keep in touch even when I get wrapped up in life and neglect picking up the phone.
2. He treats his children’s spouses like they’re his own. Dad (and Mom) basically adopted my husband.
3. He cooks most of the Thanksgiving meal for the whole clan from turkey to pumpkin pies.
4. He employed all of his adult children at various times and did his best to act as a fair boss.
5. He refitted a vintage bicycle so I could ride in comfort cheaply.
6. He graciously trades valuable services for neighbors’ small favors.
7. He loves dogs and all his kids’ various other critters
8. He built a basement underneath our existing ranch house when I was a toddler.
9. He maintained numerous simultaneous jobs so our mother of four could stay home for the full-time occupation of child and household care.
10. He’s built three (!) cat trees for my pets. Those things cost a fortune and each is unique.
11. He used his time, energy, and expertise to renovate our second floor deck. That bought us years before we need to replace the expensive thing.
12. He drove my mom clear across the state so they could both kindly stay with me while my husband underwent major surgery.
13. Last but not least, Dad and Mom left the hospital that recent day while giving me the impression they were heading straight home. Instead, he took the time to mow my lawn so I had one less thing to worry about during my husband’s recovery.
Thanks, Dad, for being you!
1. Dad calls me regularly so that we keep in touch even when I get wrapped up in life and neglect picking up the phone.
2. He treats his children’s spouses like they’re his own. Dad (and Mom) basically adopted my husband.
3. He cooks most of the Thanksgiving meal for the whole clan from turkey to pumpkin pies.
4. He employed all of his adult children at various times and did his best to act as a fair boss.
5. He refitted a vintage bicycle so I could ride in comfort cheaply.
6. He graciously trades valuable services for neighbors’ small favors.
7. He loves dogs and all his kids’ various other critters
8. He built a basement underneath our existing ranch house when I was a toddler.
9. He maintained numerous simultaneous jobs so our mother of four could stay home for the full-time occupation of child and household care.
10. He’s built three (!) cat trees for my pets. Those things cost a fortune and each is unique.
11. He used his time, energy, and expertise to renovate our second floor deck. That bought us years before we need to replace the expensive thing.
12. He drove my mom clear across the state so they could both kindly stay with me while my husband underwent major surgery.
13. Last but not least, Dad and Mom left the hospital that recent day while giving me the impression they were heading straight home. Instead, he took the time to mow my lawn so I had one less thing to worry about during my husband’s recovery.
Thanks, Dad, for being you!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - Crayon Castles
If you're a parent who has several thousand dollars burning a hole in your pocket, here are thirteen bedroom creations available to purchase from the talented people at Crayon Castles. Even if these might be out of your price range, I must suggest that you check out crayoncastles.com for smaller accent furnishings and neat ideas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)