Sit Down and Write 2--Wrap Up {with ROW80}

Once again, I have tanked miserably, but this time I have a legit excuse.  My personal life is in utter turmoil which has made writing (much less reading) very difficult to do.  I'm separating from my husband (and we probably will eventually divorce) and so my boys and I are moving in with my mom and we're doing this right away...like this week and next weekend....and I have 3000+ books.  What a great thing to happen during the holidays....not.  So, I will probably not be doing any writing until after the first of the year.  Looks like I'm going to have plenty to write about.  I'll have to join back in with ROW80 when it starts back up after the new year.

How did you all do with your writing?  Did you get a lot of reviews done?  How's your NaNoWriMo word counts (or just your progress on your WIP, if you're not doing NaNo)?  Please post the link to your wrap-up post below or let me know in the comments.  Thank you for joining me again.  I'm going to host again, just not sure when.  I'll be posting a poll in the sidebar soon to get opinions on what month we should do it.

Sit Down and Write 2 Check-In {with ROW80}

Okay, so I have nothing to report, but maybe you do! I'm hoping I can concentrate this week since I'm off of work starting Wednesday.  But I have a lot of stuff going on in my personal life right now that is probably going to result in a major life change for myself and my sons.  Not going into details, but you probably can guess.  I'm planning on getting some work done tomorrow...a bit of necessary research to get a story plan going and maybe by Tuesday or Wednesday, I'll be ready to put more words down on paper.

How's it going for you?  Link up your progress or leave a comment.  You can also leave the link to any reviews you've written.

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Sit Down and Write 2 Check-In {with ROW80}

How is everyone doing?  Share your progress in the linky below, or in the comments, if you haven't done a blog post.  If you're writing reviews, feel free to link them as well. =O)  I'd like to stop by and visit.

I have made a major decision regarding NaNoWriMo.  I'm giving it up! Now that doesn't mean that I'm not going to be working on my book.  It just means that I'm becoming way too overwhelmed and I have a ton of personal stuff going on right now (bankruptcy, no vehicle, sick kids) so I'm going to be a bit easier on myself.  I made a deal with myself.  I can quit NaNoWriMo if I promise to work on my book, in some way, shape or form, this month.  That may mean research, outlining, and most definitely means getting more words down on paper.  So my ROW80 goal is to get some kind of words down on paper every day, whether it's notes from research, a working outline (if I choose to use one), or straight novel content.  Believe me, I really hate that I seem to give up EVERY TIME on NaNo, BUT I have an incredible weight lifted from my shoulders.  I'm good with this decision.

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Sit Down and Write 2 Kick Off {and ROW80 Check-In}

Sit Down and Write 2 has started! Are you ready?  If you didn't link up your goal post in the sign-up linky, leave your link in the comments, if you do a goal post, that is.  I'm not going to have a starting line linky this time.  I will post the first check-in on Tuesday and I will be periodically manning Twitter with the hashtag #sitdownwrite so stop by if you need a break.  If you haven't already, you can still sign up any time during the write-a-thon HERE.

My goal for Sit Down and Write 2 is to get caught up on my NaNoWriMo word count (which is also my goal for ROW80 for the rest of this month).  Wish me luck...I'm going to need it.  I have to work, of course, and we're filing bankruptcy this week.  Fun...not.  I really have the mindset this time to get something accomplished.  Let's hope it stays!

Good luck on the goals you have set for yourselves!

Happy Writing!

Once more into the fray....

....and I'm not ready.  But it is what it is.  I figure if I keep signing up, eventually I'll hold myself accountable enough to actually finish or, at least, come close.  I'm also late to the party on this round of ROW80.  So, I guess we know what my goal is for the ROW.  I'm aiming for a 60 - 80 thousand word novel.  Not sure what that works out to daily word count wise, but I'll calculate that later.

I'm also hosting Sit Down and Write 2 this month so maybe that will give me extra incentive.  It runs from November 12 - 25.  If you'd like to sign-up, you can find out the details and do just that HERE.

Are you doing NaNoWriMo?  You can find me over there HERE.

Sit Down and Write 2--Details and Sign-Up

This write-a-thon is for any writing you need to get done.  If you're working on a novel and, perhaps, participating in NaNoWriMo next month (like me--buddy up with me--thetruebookaddict), it's for you.  If you have a ton of reviews to write coming off of (or during) the many read-a-thons that are always going on, this is perfect for you.  Any writing you need to get done...this is the thon to really buckle down.  I'm not going to be hosting any mini-challenges, but I will have check-in linkies posted every few days, if you are so inclined to share your progress.  You can link to your reviews or your progress posts.  Our Twitter hashtag is #sitdownwrite  If you're game for a couple Twitter chats, let me know in the comments.

Due to input from participants last time, the write-a-thon will now run for two weeks!  Starting and end times are the usual:  Monday (11/12) 12:01am CST until Sunday (11/25) 11:59pm CST.

Note:  You may have noticed that I changed the blog name from The Story Inside Me to Stories Inside.  The blog link and feed is still the same.  Just the name is changed.

Be sure to grab the button (top of post) and spread the word! I hope you will join me!

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Sit Down and Write Wrap-Up

Do you ever just feel like sitting and crying?  That is about how I feel right now.  I had such high hopes for this write-a-thon.  I really thought I was going to make some awesome progress on my novel.  Unfortunately, I was incredibly busy with work and then being a mom and spending about 4 hours a day in the car picking up and dropping off said kids.  By the time the day was done, I was exhausted.  Now, on top of all the disappointment of the past week, I have a bunch of personal crap going on that just may prove disastrous for my family.  Of course, I'm not giving up because I believe in staying positive.  I will not give up on my novel.  I'm just going to have to realize that writing it in a month is just not going to work for me.

So, how did you all do?  I will at least take great comfort knowing that you all were able to get your writing accomplished...whatever that writing was.  Share your wrap-up posts in the linky below.  You have until Tuesday, August 28 at 10:00am CST to wrap-up and be eligible for the giveaway.  I'd like to thank everyone who joined me this week and I apologize that I wasn't as present as I should have been.

I am considering hosting another write-a-thon in the coming months so let me know in the comments if you would be interested and what month would be good for you.  Thanks!

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Write-a-Thon Update (and ROW80 Mid-Week Check-In)

Things have not gone quite as planned...of course.  I've been working on this project for work for a week and a half and we're at crunch time now.  It's due Friday! So, my day time hours have been devoted to that.  Add in the four hours I spend in the car doing the pick up/drop off at school for my sons (they go to two separate schools now) and the evening homework, meals, etc. (my husband works 2nd shift so he's not home to help) and my time is literally squat.  And I'm exhausted so when I get the down time, I'm beat and falling asleep! Okay...buck up, Michelle.  Time for some serious readjustment to the rest of this week which will probably involve some burning of the midnight (all night) oil.  Hope I'm up to the challenge.  I will get words on paper this week, even if it's not as much as I had originally planned.

So, how is everyone else doing?  Leave me a comment and let me know what you've accomplished during the write-a-thon...or leave a link to your update post.

Happy writing!

Sit Down and Write Write-a-Thon: Starting Line

It's on! Are you ready?  Have you been working on a novel, short story, etc. that you want to finish?  Are you swamped with books to review after all these read-a-thons this summer?  Well, this is the week for you! Sign in at the starting line below (please link to where you're updating...blog, Facebook, Goodreads...to a starting line post preferably).  Stop in on Twitter (or use Tweetchat, Tweetdeck, Bottlenose) and use the hashtag #sitdownwrite  Maybe we'll have some impromptu writing sprints.

My goals:
My goal is to try to catch up on Camp NaNoWriMo, which would be about 4500 words a day this week and the rest of the month.  Can I do it?  We shall see! Like I said, even if I can get halfway done with my novel this month, I'll be happy.

What are your goals?

***Write-a-Thon Participant Giveway***

I will be giving away winner's choice of one of these three writing books that I love.

I will be sending the book from Better World Books so it will be a gently used copy.  Don't worry...I have had a lot of experience with them and have never been disappointed with the used books I've received.  BWB ships free worldwide.  So guess what?  Giveaway is INTERNATIONAL! All you have to do to be eligible is sign in at the starting line, participate in the write-a-thon, and link up your wrap-up at the end.  Easy stuff, right?  I will give everyone until 10am CST Tuesday (8/28) to complete their wrap-up posts.

Link your starting line post here:

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ROW80 Check-In: It's on...write-a-thon!

Well, my write-a-thon starts in three hours! My goal is to try to catch up on Camp NaNoWriMo, which would be about 4500 words a day this week and the rest of the month.  Can I do it?  We shall see! Like I said, even if I can get halfway done, I'll be happy.

Won't you join me for the write-a-thon!?

ROW80 Midweek Check-In and Sit Down and Write Write-a-Thon

Yup...my first check-in for this round.  Why?  Because there has been no action on my part unless you want to call reading a book on writing as action.  I guess it is, in a sense.

I'm supposed to be doing Camp NaNoWriMo this month and you know what that means...about 2000 words (or so) a day.  I didn't go into it with much hope, but I do have a little trick up my sleeve that just might catch me up.

That's right! I'm hosting a week long write-a-thon next week! I'm hoping I can catch up my word count next week and possibly finish my book by the end of the month, but even if I don't, I'll be happy to just get a big chunk of it finished.

If you would like to find out more about the Sit Down and Write Write-a-Thon and/or sign-up, check out this POST.

So, what will my goal be next week?  I'm not sure yet.  I'm still working on finishing Book in a Month by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D.  It's excellent, by the way! I should definitely have a goal ready for Sunday's check-in, which will also be my starting line post for the Write-a-Thon.

{Sit Down and Write} Write-a-Thon--Sign Up!

Well, our little discussion on Twitter during the High Summer Read-a-Thon has come to fruition! The write-a-thon is on! This write-a-thon is for any writing you need to get done.  If you're working on a novel and, perhaps, participating in Camp NaNoWriMo this month (like me), it's for you.  If you have a ton of reviews to write coming off of (or during) the many read-a-thons this month (Olympic Read-a-Thon, Review Copy Cleanup, Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-Thon, Bout of Books 5.0), this is perfect for you.  Any writing you need to get done...this is the week to really buckle down.  I'm going to use the week to get caught up on my Camp NaNo word count, if need be.  I'm not going to be hosting any mini-challenges, but I will have a special giveaway at the end.  Anyone who participates will be eligible.  And, of course, we must have a Twitter hashtag.  How about #sitdownwrite ...perfect! I may even host a couple of Twitter chats so we can gripe about our writer's block or anything else. =O)

Starting and end times are the usual:  Monday (8/20) 12:01am CST until Sunday (8/26) 11:59pm CST.

Be sure to grab the button (top of post) and spread the word! I hope you will join me!

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ROW80: Round 3--Goals, sort of...

They've decided and the level is EPIC! Yes, check off another fail on my list.  This time it was JuNoWriMo.  I signed up for it (read this POST), unaware that I'd be starting a new job the first week in June.  Yup, new job equals major adjustments and unfortunately, the writing was not in the cards.  Not only did I fail at JuNoWriMo, but I also managed to totally tank Round 2 of ROW80.  Yup, I rock...not.

I'm going to be kind of vague with my goals right now because I'm still in training mode for the new job (I'm a virtual assistant...that's right...workin' from home, baby!) and my kids are still out of school and my husband works nights so I get no relief.  I will probably hopefully use July for more research and planning and I'm determined to work through Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way again (Morning Pages) and perhaps take a look at Vein of Gold.  Robin (My Two Blessings) is also going to be reading Veins this month.  I already have the start of my novel written so I can at least say that.  The bad thing is that I haven't touched it for months.  So I'm thinking...the kids go back to school August 1 and that will be my time to start getting some writing done.  Their earlier bedtime will allow me to write at night as well.  I'm contemplating Camp NaNoWriMo in August, but I'm not going to make that decision until close to when it starts.

How about you?  What are your ROW80 plans?

ROW80--finally joining the fray...and my "am I crazy?" moment

Yes, I have been grossly neglectful of my writing since Round 2 of ROW80 started.  I kept missing check in after check in.  Heck, I don't think I even did a goal post for this round.  Meanwhile, my novel languishes away waiting for my attention.  Well, here is my official goal post/check-in, even if it's the last month of this round.  So, what is my "am I crazy?" moment?  Yes, I went and did it.  Signed up for JuNoWriMo.  I know that the folks at NaNoWriMo are doing Camp NaNoWriMo in June and August this year, but I stumbled across JuNoWriMo which was created by authors Becca J. Campbell and A.E. (Anna) Howard.  Becca felt that November wasn't enough and decided that June was the month.  Now this may not be a great idea for me because I actually was just hired as an independent contractor Virtual Assistant (working from home, baby!) so I'm now a working girl again, but I have been feeling so guilty about my novel which I started during NaNoWriMo in November that I just feel like I need to do this.  Yeah, I'm crazy.

The beauty of JuNoWriMo is that you can have already started your novel.  Don't worry, I'm not cheating.  I'm only about a thousand words in anyway.  Now I only found out about this a few days ago so I don't know if I'm going to be ready by Friday.  The end of the month is always a heavy time for me on my blog what with trying to get book reviews written on the last day of the month (yeah, that's how I roll) and all.  But I'm doing this...that's it! I'm thinking that I may actually start the word count accumulation a few days in so I'm going to have to adjust my daily word count from 1667 to about 2000 daily.  This is my jumping off point, but may have to adjust accordingly.  I have to remember to go into this with an open mind and to remember that no one is going to kill me if I don't finish.  They say we are our own harshest critics and nothing could be more true about me.

Okay, so wish me luck on this endeavor.  Hopefully, I'll have something to report on Sunday (or maybe Wednesday).  If you're interested in checking out JuNoWriMo, go HERE and read more about it.

Image/poem from A Writer in Wonderland

ROW80/Round One--Final Check-In

I tanked Round One of ROW80.  Yes, that's right I'm admitting it.  No excuses to offer.  I just have not been in the writing mode (or mood) at all.  Not only did I not write regularly, but I hardly checked in either.  I think this was my rebellious time of 2012.  I will be signing up for Round Two.  I'm going to spend these eleven days reflecting on my self-imposed obstacles and coming up with a plan that I will stick to.  Wish me luck...I'm going to need it.

NaBloPoMo--Day 18 and 19

I won a perk from Klout for a Dreamworks Family Fun Night at the Opryland Hotel here in Nashville.    I have to share it with you because it was just so awesome! We received a package that included a one night stay at the hotel (man, the rooms are nice), free dinner, free ride on the Delta Queen riverboats, the boys got to meet Alex from Madagascar, and at the end of the night...a DJ dance party with Shrek, Fiona, and Puss in Boots and lots of yummy snacks and drinks and a free souvenir photo.  The cherry on top was a complimentary Shrek themed breakfast served to us this morning in the room.  What a breakfast too! Scrambled eggs (some of the best I've ever had), sausage and bacon, potatoes, Shrek shaped waffles and pancakes, fruit, muffins, danish, croissants, coffee, Shrek juice, and milk.  Yummo! We had such a great time and an added bonus was all the exercise I got walking all over the HUGE Opryland hotel and dancing at the dance party.  Such an awesome and it cost us absolutely nothing.  Pretty cool for people who are as broke as we are.  LOL! Here's a picture of my boys with Puss in Boots at the dance party last night:

NaBloPoMo--Day 17

What do you think of the saying, "A son is a son till he takes him a wife, a daughter is a daughter all of her life."

I have had several women friends who have sons and they told me that once they were grown, they grew apart.  I know my husband and his brother are not close with their mother at all, but that's not completely a fault of theirs.  On the other hand, my sister is still very close with her son and my aunt seems to be close with her grown sons as well.  On the daughter side, I know that I'm virtually inseparable from my mom and my sister is very close with her too, even thought she lives out of state.  I sincerely hope that this will not be the case with my sons.  I am working very hard to keep close relationships with them and I'm hoping that I can be accepting of the women they choose as their partners in the future.  So, I guess the saying is subjective.  It really depends on the individuals and the family circumstances surrounding them.

NaBloPoMo--Day 16

Respond to the proverb: "Treat your family like friends and your friends like family."

I've heard it said before, "You treat your friends better than you treat your family." I guess what it means is that we are just really comfortable with our families, and usually feel certain that we can speak to them and treat them however we want, whether it be good or bad. This is because our families (usually) love us unconditionally. This isn't always the case with friends. So, the proverb is stating the obvious. We should treat our families like our friends and treat our friends more like our families. Makes sense to me!

NaBloPoMo--Day 13, 14, 15 and ROW80 (FAIL) Check-In

ROW80 Check-In after the jump (below)....

What do you think of the saying, "blood is thicker than water."
I'm not sure what I think about this saying.  I mean, are there things that a family does that are unforgivable?  I think about people like Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy.  Their families loved them and I think, in Dahmer's case, that they still loved him even after all the horrible things he did.  I know I always say to myself that I will always love my sons, no matter what, but what if (God forbid) one of them was to turn out really bad or commit some horrible crime.  Would I be able to love them still?  I really think that this is something that a person just will not know until it actually happens to them.  So, what do I think of the saying?  Well, I know that we are more able to forgive our families than anyone else so in that sense, I would have to say that it's true.

Tell us about someone you love -- your partner, spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, best friend, dog...

Since I mentioned my sons above, I just want to set minds at rest that my sons are two wonderful individuals.  

My son, Gabe, has had a lot of problems and struggles over the years.  He has ADHD and severe anxiety.  School, and life in general, has been a constant struggle for him.  Yet he perseveres and continues on.  As he is getting older, he is becoming more conscientious and despite all his problems at school (he has been bullied and shunned by other kids), he never gives me a hassle about going and he keeps trying.  He was lucky enough to be picked to attend a magnet school for junior high and I'm so excited for his future! 

My son, Reece, Gabe's little brother (well, they're only 14 months apart) is my little smart one.  He has consistently been an A and B student for the past several years.  He learns very fast.  He also shares my adoration for reading which I am absolutely thrilled about.  He makes friends very easily and he is a very kind and conscientious child.  He still has a bit of immaturity which can lead to some bratty actions at times, but overall, he's a good kid.

They are loving sons and I love them more than anything in this world. <3

Joyce Brothers said, "When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses." True or false? 

I would have to say 'true'.  I wouldn't trade my family for anything in this world and I didn't have them, I know I would not be as happy of a person as I am.  I am very close with my mom.  She's really my best friend.  I'm close to my dad and my aunts and cousins.  Although my sister lives in another state, we are still very close and I'm also close to her kids, my nieces and nephew.  My husband and I are somewhat close (we've grown apart over the years).  Although things are not like they used to be, we still have a relationship that I can only describe as comfortable.  But the two members of my family who have truly made my happiness are my sons.  Being a mother has been the most wonderful thing to ever happen to me.  So yes, family happiness is the greatest happiness.

ROW80 Check-In

Yeah, you read the post title correctly.  FAIL  Not a big surprise coming from me.  I've failed at pretty much every goal I've set for myself for the new year.  I'm still trying and I'll never give up, but it's hard not to get discouraged.  One day leads into the next and before you know it, another week has gone by.  Another week of epic occurrences of not accomplishing anything productive.  *frown*  Ah well, a human being is a work in progress and this human being is going to be up on that easel for a long time.  But you know what?  Just like that painting is eventually finished, so will I be.  I have faith in that fact.

I have decided that the only way I'm going to get anything done is if I remove myself from all distractions.  My kids are at school during the day, but my husband works 2nd shift so he's home while the kids are at school.  Then at night, the kids are home.  So I have family distractions and TV and internet....aaarrrgh!  I'm sure you all can relate.  Then there's the fact that we live in a small two bedroom aparment.  There really is no escape here.  I'm seriously considering renting me a small, climate-controlled storage space to use as my little writing retreat.  It may sound crazy, but I'm serious.  They're actually relatively affordable, but I'll most likely have to keep it a secret.  My husband will probably think it's dumb.  He just doesn't get the artist's life.  In the meantime, I'm going to...

--continue research

--reading on the craft

--do more planning to continue where I left off with the WIP

Thank you for listening to me whine.  ;O)

NaBloPoMo--Day 10, 11, and 12

Do you live close to your family?

I grew up in Michigan, living with my parents and my sister.  My whole life all our relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) lived in the south and we only saw them once, maybe twice, a year.  When my parents split up in 1985, my dad moved down to Tennessee to be near his family.  I moved down in 1991 to pursue a singing career (that's a long story) and to be close to my dad.  My mom and my sister remained in Michigan until my mom decided to move down when my second son was born.  She was tired of working retail and the job market up there was not good so she knew there were better opportunities in Tennessee, plus she could be close to her new grandsons (my sister's kids were already almost grown, or close to it).  So now I have my beloved mom here with me and I'm close to my dad, my grandparents (which is good because they are getting up there in age.  My grandfather is close to 90), my aunts and uncle, and my cousins.  The hard part is that my sis and her kids still live up north and we don't get to see them as often as we would like.  I guess it's a trade off, but it sucks!

For day 11 and 12....

I was saddened yesterday when I heard that Whitney Houston died.  I can't really say that I was surprised though.  She had really let her life go and it's yet another sad example of a person who lets a man and a substance(s) ruin her life.  Let me explain.  I do mean to say that Bobby Brown contributed to her downfall, but it was her responsibility to walk away from a debilitating relationship.    When she finally did, it was too late.  When she made her comeback...what was it, two/three years ago...she just did not have it anymore.  That kind of failure can be devastating to a person who once had so much talent.  And substance abuse only exacerbates a person's ability to stay strong, to overcome, and come back from a set back like that.  I pray that she did not kill herself, but ultimately, if she was still using drugs, she most definitely contributed to her own death.  Rest in peace, dear Whitney.  May you find the peace that you could not seem to find in life.

The Grammy awards! What a great show this year.  Not a boring moment, in my opinion.  Of course, Adele was the highlight for me.  I just love that woman! She has such a terrific voice and she seems like a humble and grounded person.  It was obvious that she was a bit nervous to sing after having just recuperated from major vocal cord surgery, but she really pulled it out.  Such an awesome voice.  I truly believe that she deserved every last one of the six Grammys she won tonight.  So looking forward to her future records.  Other highlights of the night for me were The Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl...be still my heart), Rihanna and Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, and the Paul McCartney performance at the end.  Also, liked the Glen Campbell tribute because of Blake Shelton (lurve him!).  I did not enjoy Nikki Minaj (ugh! So overrated) at all, but really that was the only performance that I could have done without.  Well, Sir Paul's first 'standard' performance left a lot to be desired.  Sorry....  In all, an excellent show.  I have the Grammy 2012 nominees CD on the way and I can't wait to play it and relive the moments again. =O)

NaBloPoMo--Days 7, 8, and 9

Who is your favorite person in your extended family?

I would have to say that would be my aunt, Gina.  We used to spend tons of time together from when I moved to Nashville in 1992 up until a few years ago when she became really busy working.  Now we don't spend as much time as we used to, but I will always remember all the fun stuff we have done together.  From the Halloween parties we used to host for her daughters (these were more than just parties...more like haunted horror houses...a lot of work, but a total riot) to just going to yard sales, shopping, or going to movies, we always had such fun together.  I keep meaning to talk to her more often.  I don't think we'll ever go back to the way things were.  Our lives have become so busy.  But we need to at least go to lunch together from time to time.  I miss our close relationship.

Do you have a friend who is practically a brother or sister?

My best friend, Lisa, who I've been friends with since 6th grade.  We were always super close and we remain so, even though she lives in Michigan and I live in Nashville.  It doesn't matter if we don't talk for months and months.  Every time we get together, it's like we have never been apart.  Those are the kinds of friends who are like brothers and sisters.  The ones who love you unconditionally and never stop being your friend no matter what.  That is what Lisa is to me.

Talk about this quote: "Fate chooses your relations, you choose your friends."

What this quote means to me is that family is family and no matter what, you love them because they're family.  They were chosen by fate and fate, in my mind, means it was meant to be.  They were meant to be your family.  On the other hand, when you choose your friends, you are making that choice.  You are choosing a friend who treats you good and right or a friend who treats you like shit.  Going back to the question above, true friends are like brothers or sisters, and they are chosen by fate, in my opinion.  But the 'friends' who have fallen by the wayside or abandoned you in times of need, who were chosen by you, were not chosen by fate because friends like that are not meant to be.  Make sense?

NaBloPoMo--Day 6

I'm not using the writing prompt that was posted today.  However, this month's team is relative so I will share with you my new grand-nephew.  Introducing....

Joshua Tyler

Born Friday, February 3, 2012

8 lb, 11oz 

19 3/4 inches long

My first grand-nephew (I have two grand nieces by my niece, Amber).  The first boy born in quite awhile.  I was beginning to think I was going to be the only one with boys. =O)  Isn't he precious?!

NaBloPoMo--Day 3, 4, 5

Do you have siblings?  What are they like?

I have a younger sister and a half brother.  I didn't grow up with my brother so I really don't know much about him other than that he is a good man, a loving husband, and a great father.  I wish we could have known each other more when we were growing up.  It would have been nice to have a big brother.  I do have him now though and that's what counts.

My sister and I were very close growing up.  We spent a large part of our childhood and adolescence living pretty far out in the country so there were many times that we were all we had.  I love my sister dearly.  She is a kind and giving soul.  So willing to sacrifice herself for others.  I worry about her because I think many people might try to take advantage of her kindness.  Don't get me wrong though.  She's no pushover.  She's just a very soft-hearted person, sometimes to her detriment.  She has always been there for me and I could not have asked for a better little sister.  I will always be proud of her and she will always hold a top spot in my heart.

Saturday and Sunday...free writing


I'm combining Saturday and Sunday because, as usual, I'm behind on this blog post a day thing.  I really must force myself to start writing these in the morning.  Then I can't let the day get away from me.

What a weekend! I went to see The Woman in Black on Saturday.  Wow! A great movie.  Very gothic, atmospheric, and creepy.  I was on the edge of my seat and hiding my eyes the entire time.  Daniel Radcliffe was very good in it.  I think he has a brill career ahead of him.  I also was supposed to be participating in a read-a-thon, but I did not do well on it at all.  Maybe I need to have a self-imposed read-a-thon by myself.  Something to consider.

How about that Super Bowl?! So thrilled that the Giants won.  I was going to have to join a convent if that Hail Mary pass would have hit its mark.  Thank goodness it didn't.  If I had to hear anymore Tom Brady this or Tom Brady that, I don't think I could have stood it.  LOL  In all though, it was a great game and I though Madonna's half time show was excellent (with the exception of Nikki Menaj, that is).  That woman is amazing for her age.  She's still got it, even after all these years.

NaBloPoMo-Day 2

Tell us about your father....

Not many are lucky enough to have a dad like mine.  When we were little, Dad had no problem taking me and my sister places.  He wasn't one of those dads that couldn't 'handle' the kids on his own.  My dad liked spending time as a family.  Whether it meant playing games, going on family trips, or just going to the movies, Dad always made it fun...and funny.  I really remember Dad making us laugh a lot.  I think the most important thing about my dad was that he was always there when we needed him and we could talk to him about anything.  The same holds true to this day.   Dad is always there when I need him.  A better father I could not have asked for.