F is for Friday Fun. In all of our adult rushing about and trying to get everything done and in order, we often to forget to take some time out for good old fun. Even if we enjoy the work we do, or if you are like some of my oddball friends are soothed by cleaning, you still need to let loose and laugh. On Thursday I took a break from words that were frustrating me and took the kids outside to play. We had fun, we were silly, it soothed my mind like nothing else A good tickling match and round of zerberts followed by relaxing for a bit and eating lunch had me in a much better place. It had the kids in a happier place too.
Friday, or any other day, deserves a break for a little bit of silly fun. Find something to do on this Friday to make you feel silly and laugh. Me? My silly Friday plans just might involve the kiddos and some Easter Egg decorating. Maybe. Or perhaps I will break out the paint, or play dough, or some equally insane project (or combination of projects) that will bring joy along with the inevitable clean up. Because the sheer fun and enjoyment will be worth it and make everyone in the house happy for a bit.
Sometimes I loose track of the fun and get caught up in the no's and details of the day and forget to have fun. This Friday, and hopefully every possible day, I will make my household a much more entertaining place and give in to the fun.
Showing posts with label A to Z Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A to Z Challenge. Show all posts
E is for expectations- A to Z Challenge
My E is for expectations. If you read my post yesterday (which I wrote on Tuesday and scheduled for publication) you know that I had big expectations for my day. Like most times you have big expectations, life steps up and can trough a curve ball. Instead of spending my Wednesday organizing, planning, and scheduling my time I spent it huddled in my bed savoring the dark and a bottle of Excedrin. Tuesday night a migraine crept up on me as a simple project turned into something much more complicated as I manned the busy children's desk for three hours. So Wednesday morning, instead of my expected free time, I just stayed as still and quiet as I could. Good times.
There are many other types of expectations we have for ourselves, our children, and our lives that seem to fall short. What soon to be parent had expectations of exploding diapers, sleepless nights, ER visits, and feeling like you will never be good enough to get it all done? None, every one of us might have known these things were a possibility, but thought our children would be perfect angels and sleep, eat, and potty train just like the experts say they should. Ha! I think none of these experts have ever had children of their own.
When starting school, any job, or joining any kind of group did you expect the grade school gossiping and whatnot that seems to invade any space that holds more than four personalities? If you are married, you expected the perfect wedding, honeymoon, and marriage. And you might very well have it, but I bet even the best of everything had at least one moment that did not meet your expectations.
The same is true in every king of creating or enjoying another person's creation. Reading a book that does not meet your exceptions is not always a bad thing, sometimes the surprise is a good thing. Same when you are writing and your characters or plot takes you somewhere you did not expect. Other art forms hold the same chance for wonderful surprises. Of course, there are the times when these breaks in expectation make you want to toss the source across the room. (I say that a lot, but have yet to actually do it, so don't worry too much). But anything that make you feel, good or bad, is worth reading, watching, looking at, whatever. That is what art it for.
Wow, that post veered off from my exceptions I built while I pondered it in the dark on Wednesday...
There are many other types of expectations we have for ourselves, our children, and our lives that seem to fall short. What soon to be parent had expectations of exploding diapers, sleepless nights, ER visits, and feeling like you will never be good enough to get it all done? None, every one of us might have known these things were a possibility, but thought our children would be perfect angels and sleep, eat, and potty train just like the experts say they should. Ha! I think none of these experts have ever had children of their own.
When starting school, any job, or joining any kind of group did you expect the grade school gossiping and whatnot that seems to invade any space that holds more than four personalities? If you are married, you expected the perfect wedding, honeymoon, and marriage. And you might very well have it, but I bet even the best of everything had at least one moment that did not meet your expectations.
The same is true in every king of creating or enjoying another person's creation. Reading a book that does not meet your exceptions is not always a bad thing, sometimes the surprise is a good thing. Same when you are writing and your characters or plot takes you somewhere you did not expect. Other art forms hold the same chance for wonderful surprises. Of course, there are the times when these breaks in expectation make you want to toss the source across the room. (I say that a lot, but have yet to actually do it, so don't worry too much). But anything that make you feel, good or bad, is worth reading, watching, looking at, whatever. That is what art it for.
Wow, that post veered off from my exceptions I built while I pondered it in the dark on Wednesday...
D is for Distraction- A to Z Challenge 2012
D is for Distraction, what is your biggest distraction when you are trying to work at home; writing, reading, or whatever your focus. I would say that the internet as a whole is my distraction. Checking email, playing on pintrest, tweeting, reading, and commenting. however, these things can also be used to promote my work and to learn things that I can use for future work, so more often than not I justify these distractions to myself, and sometimes do actually use them to my advantage. However, even my writing, crafting, and reading that I do at home and can consider work is a distraction in itself from my first and most pressing job, being a mom. This is why I try to schedule all of my distractions. I need to try harder at that.
I plan to do most of my writing and serious research for Wednesday mornings. Why? Because that is the one time that I am actually in my house alone. It is my day off from my part time gig as a librarian and both the kids are happily at preschool. You know what distracts me then? The desire to finish a book, to garden, the urge to seriously clean house, the time to grocery shop and run my errands- alone.
Needless to say sometimes I feel like everything is a distraction and I just cannot focus on anything. There are other times that I feel like I have it all balanced and I am super women. But I think all women are superwomen. The world expects us to be able to do everything, all at the same time. Often I find myself expecting the same from myself, hence the feeling that everything is more distraction than necessary, or that everything is vital and it is my lack that has me adrift. So today I will sit down and organize. I will set myself a schedule to avoid distractions and allow myself to focus more fully on each thing rather than bouncing between tasks. Unless.. Squirrel!
What is our biggest distraction and how do you handle it?
I plan to do most of my writing and serious research for Wednesday mornings. Why? Because that is the one time that I am actually in my house alone. It is my day off from my part time gig as a librarian and both the kids are happily at preschool. You know what distracts me then? The desire to finish a book, to garden, the urge to seriously clean house, the time to grocery shop and run my errands- alone.
Needless to say sometimes I feel like everything is a distraction and I just cannot focus on anything. There are other times that I feel like I have it all balanced and I am super women. But I think all women are superwomen. The world expects us to be able to do everything, all at the same time. Often I find myself expecting the same from myself, hence the feeling that everything is more distraction than necessary, or that everything is vital and it is my lack that has me adrift. So today I will sit down and organize. I will set myself a schedule to avoid distractions and allow myself to focus more fully on each thing rather than bouncing between tasks. Unless.. Squirrel!
What is our biggest distraction and how do you handle it?
C for Creation; A to Z Challenge
C is for creation; creation of characters, plots, twists, music, illustrations, paintings and so on. How do you go about creating your art? Do you fly by the seat of your pants and just follow where the process takes you, do you plan and follow some strict structure, or do you fall somewhere in the middle?
I tend to be a seat of the pants kind of girl. I craft and write with a basic idea or inspiration in mind and just see where it takes me. It is in the editing and rereading that I fix things that do not work as part of the finished product. Whether it is a line of verse that does not flow well, and makes using as lyrics difficult, or a speckle of paint that disrupts what I have in mind, it is when I step back after the first rush of creating anything that I look at the whole thing. Sometimes it is the very mistakes, that speckle of paint, that really make the piece or inspire something else. I particularly find this true in creative writing and painting, much less so in essays and fact driven writing. Sometimes I find myself wandering off with no end in sight, and no real desire to find one. That is when I have to put something aside for a while and then come back with a more structured approach.
Please share your crafting methodology, your muse, your frustrations. Let us share our successes and frustrations, because we have all had some of each.
I tend to be a seat of the pants kind of girl. I craft and write with a basic idea or inspiration in mind and just see where it takes me. It is in the editing and rereading that I fix things that do not work as part of the finished product. Whether it is a line of verse that does not flow well, and makes using as lyrics difficult, or a speckle of paint that disrupts what I have in mind, it is when I step back after the first rush of creating anything that I look at the whole thing. Sometimes it is the very mistakes, that speckle of paint, that really make the piece or inspire something else. I particularly find this true in creative writing and painting, much less so in essays and fact driven writing. Sometimes I find myself wandering off with no end in sight, and no real desire to find one. That is when I have to put something aside for a while and then come back with a more structured approach.
Please share your crafting methodology, your muse, your frustrations. Let us share our successes and frustrations, because we have all had some of each.
Books- A-Z Challenge 2012
Books is a pretty obvious chose for my b word, but I just could not help myself. Books are precious. They are windows into great knowledge, to imagination, to fantasy, to reality, to whatever you love, or even what you hate, or do not care about at all. When you open up a book you never know what you will find.
Covers, and even descriptions, can make you think you are getting a simple story, but you quickly find yourself lost in complexities that were unexpected. Sometimes the opposite happens. I think any book has value, as long as it makes you think and/or feel. Even if the feeling you have s the urge to throw the book across the room, because it has elicited a response. It is the books that leave me cold, with the 'blah' feeling when I am done that hold the least vale for me. However, even in those books you can learn something. Like how not to write books that will not hold the interest people like yourself.
Even in non fiction, you can be surprised by what you find. In Quiet by Susan Caine I discovered bits and pieces of myself in her stories. In Paradise Lust I found hope, humor, and heartfelt souls looking for the Garden of Eden. I am not usually a big non fiction reader, mainly because I read to escape to conflicts and chaos that can often fill day to day life. Usually my non fiction consists of children's non fiction or books about practical subjects like gardening of herbal remedies to expand my practical knowledge instead of getting lost in the pages. So when a work of non fiction catches my attention, I think it is really special.
The really wonderful things about books it that they can take you places. A group of people reading the same book will be able to discuss and share what they thought of the book, and how t made them feel, but everyone will get something a little different from each. Our worlds and perceptions are so colored by our pasts, hopes, and current stresses that twelve people with the same basic tastes in books can have twelves very different responses to a book. When the enter the world of the book, they can picture very different scenery and characters despite reading the same words. I think the same holds true for all forms of art. It is the wonder of getting lost in a world partially created by your mind, started by someone else's words, that makes getting lost in art so amazing.
Covers, and even descriptions, can make you think you are getting a simple story, but you quickly find yourself lost in complexities that were unexpected. Sometimes the opposite happens. I think any book has value, as long as it makes you think and/or feel. Even if the feeling you have s the urge to throw the book across the room, because it has elicited a response. It is the books that leave me cold, with the 'blah' feeling when I am done that hold the least vale for me. However, even in those books you can learn something. Like how not to write books that will not hold the interest people like yourself.
Even in non fiction, you can be surprised by what you find. In Quiet by Susan Caine I discovered bits and pieces of myself in her stories. In Paradise Lust I found hope, humor, and heartfelt souls looking for the Garden of Eden. I am not usually a big non fiction reader, mainly because I read to escape to conflicts and chaos that can often fill day to day life. Usually my non fiction consists of children's non fiction or books about practical subjects like gardening of herbal remedies to expand my practical knowledge instead of getting lost in the pages. So when a work of non fiction catches my attention, I think it is really special.
The really wonderful things about books it that they can take you places. A group of people reading the same book will be able to discuss and share what they thought of the book, and how t made them feel, but everyone will get something a little different from each. Our worlds and perceptions are so colored by our pasts, hopes, and current stresses that twelve people with the same basic tastes in books can have twelves very different responses to a book. When the enter the world of the book, they can picture very different scenery and characters despite reading the same words. I think the same holds true for all forms of art. It is the wonder of getting lost in a world partially created by your mind, started by someone else's words, that makes getting lost in art so amazing.
Angsty anbout Angst; A to Z Challenge
Angst can be a wonderful story element, or it can be the downfall of a
story. Since so many of us feel some level of angst while writing, or
forced to stop writing to do something silly like cook, it is no
surprise that angst makes its way into so many plots. Angst can be
necessary to get a character thinking, or moving, and hence it is
important. However, I do not want to talk about angst gone right,
because to fully understand how it should be used, we need to look at
instances where it has gone wrong, and how to avoid falling into the
same traps.
I think angst often gets over or misused in romance and young adult novels, because these are moments that require heavy angst levels, right? Wrong. Yes, unrequited love, the horrors of adolescence, and joys of schooling do cause high levels of stress. I know my teen years were far from my favorite. However, no one needs to read a book that is at least held half in one characters head as they over analyze and doubt everything about themselves. There are situations where heavy angst does work, but it is far too common to go over the invisible line in the sand that I have no map to.
How many times have you read a book and gotten so annoyed at one character's angst about how the love interest, appearance, weight, alignment of the stars, or other obsession will ruin their lives. It often makes me want to throw my book, or whatever I am reading a digital book on, across the room. One much beloved teen novel comes to mind, where one little miss spends the hole series mooning over a guy. (I will admit that I loved the whole series when I first read it, but after all the hype and looking back I just want to shake her and somehow unread the last book.) Angst should be a tool to motivate the characters. It can be used to get them thinking so that their thoughts are shared with the reader, but some action should follow the thoughts.
Stories about real women; women with curves, glasses, social status, or other assumed imperfection often run into the same issue. There is so much inner dialogue, or even external dialogue bemoaning the issue at hand that I just want to scream at them to do something about it. While there are some issues that hold no solution, there are still things they could do to improve their lives or at least their confidence. Again, I want to kick the characters and tell them to just get over it already and move on.
I have no magic bullet to fix this common issue. However, my rule of thumb is that if a conversation with a friend, sibling, coworker, or even your own internal dialogue followed the same path at that is laid out in the story makes you slap happy then there is too much angst.
And so ends my angsty rant about angst in fiction.
I think angst often gets over or misused in romance and young adult novels, because these are moments that require heavy angst levels, right? Wrong. Yes, unrequited love, the horrors of adolescence, and joys of schooling do cause high levels of stress. I know my teen years were far from my favorite. However, no one needs to read a book that is at least held half in one characters head as they over analyze and doubt everything about themselves. There are situations where heavy angst does work, but it is far too common to go over the invisible line in the sand that I have no map to.
How many times have you read a book and gotten so annoyed at one character's angst about how the love interest, appearance, weight, alignment of the stars, or other obsession will ruin their lives. It often makes me want to throw my book, or whatever I am reading a digital book on, across the room. One much beloved teen novel comes to mind, where one little miss spends the hole series mooning over a guy. (I will admit that I loved the whole series when I first read it, but after all the hype and looking back I just want to shake her and somehow unread the last book.) Angst should be a tool to motivate the characters. It can be used to get them thinking so that their thoughts are shared with the reader, but some action should follow the thoughts.
Stories about real women; women with curves, glasses, social status, or other assumed imperfection often run into the same issue. There is so much inner dialogue, or even external dialogue bemoaning the issue at hand that I just want to scream at them to do something about it. While there are some issues that hold no solution, there are still things they could do to improve their lives or at least their confidence. Again, I want to kick the characters and tell them to just get over it already and move on.
I have no magic bullet to fix this common issue. However, my rule of thumb is that if a conversation with a friend, sibling, coworker, or even your own internal dialogue followed the same path at that is laid out in the story makes you slap happy then there is too much angst.
And so ends my angsty rant about angst in fiction.
Z is for Zynga
Z is for Zynga, a company that sucks up far too much of my online time. I admit it, I play Farmville and Mafia Wars. I used to play more games, but I had to cut them out. I just did not care about the other ones and they were simply sucking up too much of my free time. There is just something about community games that suck me in. That is why I refuse to enter the world of WOW, Ultima, or any other massive multi player game. I would spend all my free time (ha, what free time!) lost in their worlds. Instead I lose myself in reading, writing and crafting. Much more productive.
Zynga is the company that continues to inundate Facebook and MySpace users with new games to entertain and addict us. I might have said goodbye to YoVille, Treasure Island and Vampire Wars; but friends have in turn added the new CityVille, Frontire Ville, Cafe World, and others that I quickly block. If you do not play these games, and have friends that do, I suggest using the handy "block application" feature that you can access by clicking on the x on the top right hand corner of related posts. Unless of course you would like to join the madness?? Mwahaw ha ha..
I often find myself happily playing away on Farmville or Mafia Wars while cursing Zynga at the same time. Rather like my relationship with chocolate. I do not really NEED it, but I am a much nicer person after I have had my fill.
Zynga is the company that continues to inundate Facebook and MySpace users with new games to entertain and addict us. I might have said goodbye to YoVille, Treasure Island and Vampire Wars; but friends have in turn added the new CityVille, Frontire Ville, Cafe World, and others that I quickly block. If you do not play these games, and have friends that do, I suggest using the handy "block application" feature that you can access by clicking on the x on the top right hand corner of related posts. Unless of course you would like to join the madness?? Mwahaw ha ha..
I often find myself happily playing away on Farmville or Mafia Wars while cursing Zynga at the same time. Rather like my relationship with chocolate. I do not really NEED it, but I am a much nicer person after I have had my fill.
Y is for Yummy
Y is for Yummy. There are many things than can simply be described as yummy. This time of year my favcorite are the Cadbury Mini Eggs... yummmm. I love those things. But my search for the bag of said treats at work last nigh set off a discussion of food in epic proportions. Other favorites vary through out the wold of chocolate, but I do love some salty foods as well. A hand full of chex mix will satisfy me every time. Fried chicken is my other less than healthy love, especially if mashed potatoes and gravy might come with. By 7:30 we were all very hungry. What did we end up taking about and craving? Tomatoes and cucumbers fresh from the garden. Simply cut up in a bowl with a splash of italian dressing. Gosh, now I'm drooling again.
I miss having an acre garden chock full of goodness, which is what I had as a child. My days on that farm spoiled me rotten. I cannot eat a tomato bought in a grocery store. It needs to be fresh from my garden at best, from a farmers market at the very least. Any fruit or vegetable tastes better when you know exactly where it came from, and what was used to help it grow and stay healthy. I am already craving the rewards from the garden that has done very little but regrow some grass and sunflowers. I want my yummy, yummy veggies.
What food makes you say Yummy? Everyone has one that triggers at least an internal yummmm.
I miss having an acre garden chock full of goodness, which is what I had as a child. My days on that farm spoiled me rotten. I cannot eat a tomato bought in a grocery store. It needs to be fresh from my garden at best, from a farmers market at the very least. Any fruit or vegetable tastes better when you know exactly where it came from, and what was used to help it grow and stay healthy. I am already craving the rewards from the garden that has done very little but regrow some grass and sunflowers. I want my yummy, yummy veggies.
What food makes you say Yummy? Everyone has one that triggers at least an internal yummmm.
X is for..
I will admit X is my biggest challenge in the A to Z. I knew this letter would give me trouble. My kids are at the age the alphabet is said, or sung, at least once a day. Sometime sung for an entire car ride. My son's favorite games are letter games, build a word, find something that begins with, and so on. Since most alphabet books and flash cards cheat on x I did not have much hope that I would be spared the same fate. So, instead of writing on a topic, I am going to give a list of interesting x words. Maybe I can use one of these next week when I begin the Z to A Challenge!
Xanadu- A word that came into our vocabulary in "Kubla Khan" by Samuel T. Coleridge, then cemented into popular culture and our minds by Olivia Newton John. Xanadu is a mythical, luxurious place.
Xeric is a term describing a location with desert like conditions, like my mind as I puzzled over what to right for X.
Xerophile is a plant that has adapted to live in an area with little water.
Xenophobia is the fear people have for people from different places. A fear of people that are somehow foreign and different for themselves.
Xylem is a part of plants, generally the tubes within the stems of woody plants which bring fluids up in the plant.
Xi is the fourteenth letter in the Greek alphabet, the Roman numeral for eleven and my sorority pledge class.
Xyst is not just a great word for your scrabble game, it is also a covered garden walkway or covered portico popular in Greek architecture.
Xenium is a gift given to a stranger or guest (thank you cross word puzzles!)
Xanadu- A word that came into our vocabulary in "Kubla Khan" by Samuel T. Coleridge, then cemented into popular culture and our minds by Olivia Newton John. Xanadu is a mythical, luxurious place.
Xeric is a term describing a location with desert like conditions, like my mind as I puzzled over what to right for X.
Xerophile is a plant that has adapted to live in an area with little water.
Xenophobia is the fear people have for people from different places. A fear of people that are somehow foreign and different for themselves.
Xylem is a part of plants, generally the tubes within the stems of woody plants which bring fluids up in the plant.
Xi is the fourteenth letter in the Greek alphabet, the Roman numeral for eleven and my sorority pledge class.
Xyst is not just a great word for your scrabble game, it is also a covered garden walkway or covered portico popular in Greek architecture.
Xenium is a gift given to a stranger or guest (thank you cross word puzzles!)
W is for Weeding
W is for weeding. Weeding is a necessity in life, one that most of us do not enjoy. I am not just talking about in the garden either. Libraries weed out material that does not circulate or is no longer accurate or is damaged to the point that it can not circulate. People weed clothes out of their wardrobes that they either cannot or will not wear again. We weed out activities, people, thoughts and other things that are either unnecessary or sometimes downright toxic from our lives. The process is sometimes painful, but it is something that helps the rest of our lives remain healthy and flourish. Just like the weeds can strangle the vegetables or flowers in your garden, the extraneous things we need to remove from our lives can make our minds and hearts weak and fragile. We need to get rid of the weeds in our gardens, and the rest of our lives, in order to reach our full potential.
While there is a certain satisfaction of ridding yourself of the unwanted and unneeded things in life, sometimes it is still hard to acknowledge those things and say goodbye to them. Weeding a garden can be backbreaking work; leaving you sore, dirty and tired. The same holds true for other forms of weeding. However, if we keep up with the weeding, do a little every day or as we notice the unneeded creeping in, then the process can be much easier and almost relaxing. Actually I find weeding my garden, or sorting clothes to remove items that can go to goodwill, therapeutic. Particularly when I know the items that I am removing from my garden or closet can go to good use, the weeds to compost and the clothes to goodwill.
The mental weeding can be much harder. Getting rid of anger, guilt, fear, resentment and relationships that are toxic can be much more difficult that the more tangible forms of weeding. However, these mental or emotional weedings can be even more important. While physical weedings can improve your life in a notable fashion, ignoring your inner weedings can cause much more trouble than ignoring the physical. So, today I am going to find a quiet time and make sure that I have not been ignoring my inner weeds. I am going to look at my heart and mind to make sure that I am up to date yanking out those inner issues and get to work with dealing with whatever I find. Join me?
While there is a certain satisfaction of ridding yourself of the unwanted and unneeded things in life, sometimes it is still hard to acknowledge those things and say goodbye to them. Weeding a garden can be backbreaking work; leaving you sore, dirty and tired. The same holds true for other forms of weeding. However, if we keep up with the weeding, do a little every day or as we notice the unneeded creeping in, then the process can be much easier and almost relaxing. Actually I find weeding my garden, or sorting clothes to remove items that can go to goodwill, therapeutic. Particularly when I know the items that I am removing from my garden or closet can go to good use, the weeds to compost and the clothes to goodwill.
The mental weeding can be much harder. Getting rid of anger, guilt, fear, resentment and relationships that are toxic can be much more difficult that the more tangible forms of weeding. However, these mental or emotional weedings can be even more important. While physical weedings can improve your life in a notable fashion, ignoring your inner weedings can cause much more trouble than ignoring the physical. So, today I am going to find a quiet time and make sure that I have not been ignoring my inner weeds. I am going to look at my heart and mind to make sure that I am up to date yanking out those inner issues and get to work with dealing with whatever I find. Join me?
V is for Victory
V is for Victory. I like to honor the small victories, and have a bizarre tendency to ignore the big ones. I celebrate the victory of both children sleeping through the night with a nice cup of tea or coffee. The victory of them both being asleep by 8 with a dish of ice cream or other suitable treat for myself. I celebrate finishing one crochet project with starting another. I celebrate a successful garden or growing season with planning my next one, and enjoying the fruits of my labor. I try to revel in the little things, because even when the big stuff goes wrong the little victories can still persist. They can keep me going when the rest of the day has me wishing I could curl up in bed and hide.
However, the victories and occasions that other people seem to celebrate I just shrug over and move forward. When I get kudos for anything work, writing or singing related I generally just shrug it off. For as much as I want to do well, and want other people to enjoy or appreciate my hard work, I somehow also do not want to be the center of attention. I want people to think well of me, but in the long run I guess it is not all that important to me. I write, sing, etc because I love it and like to think I have something to share. I am glad that people read what I write, and hope that they like it. And while I want people to read my material, and greatly appreciate any income it brings, most of the time finishing and publishing something is often victory enough for me. I want to sing well when i perform, but more so because I want to do well for me than because I think that the audience will know if I flub something. I know very well that small mistakes, and even same huge ones, can go completely unrecognized in a music performance. When all else fails you can always claim that it was a new arrangement of the piece you were really doing. I am not sure if this makes me a better writer or performer, but I like to think that my love of what I am doing will reign victorious, rather than my lack of technical perfection.
What does it take for you to consider something a victory? How do you celebrate?
However, the victories and occasions that other people seem to celebrate I just shrug over and move forward. When I get kudos for anything work, writing or singing related I generally just shrug it off. For as much as I want to do well, and want other people to enjoy or appreciate my hard work, I somehow also do not want to be the center of attention. I want people to think well of me, but in the long run I guess it is not all that important to me. I write, sing, etc because I love it and like to think I have something to share. I am glad that people read what I write, and hope that they like it. And while I want people to read my material, and greatly appreciate any income it brings, most of the time finishing and publishing something is often victory enough for me. I want to sing well when i perform, but more so because I want to do well for me than because I think that the audience will know if I flub something. I know very well that small mistakes, and even same huge ones, can go completely unrecognized in a music performance. When all else fails you can always claim that it was a new arrangement of the piece you were really doing. I am not sure if this makes me a better writer or performer, but I like to think that my love of what I am doing will reign victorious, rather than my lack of technical perfection.
What does it take for you to consider something a victory? How do you celebrate?
U is for Unexpected Revelation
U is for Unexpected Revelation. I had one tonight during choir rehearsal. While singing one of the show tune medleys, which will bore my husband to tears, I had the unexpected revelation that I love Broadway shows and music the same way I love books. Both tend to feature compelling stories. Some are serious, some are not. Some feature romance, some not so much. However, both offer me an escaped from the real world into one where the colors are a little brighter, the drama a little bigger, and the endings a little happier than one might expect to find in the real world.
This unexpected connection hit me while sing "Almost Like Being in Love". It was the similarity of shows like Brigadoon, Camelot and My Fair Lady (the ones we are working with for an upcoming concert) and the general feel of the romance novels that I love. Quirky characters, conflict, scenes that just make me laugh or smile like an idiot, and an ending that just make you feel good. This also awoke in me an unexpected craving for singing along with some show tunes in the car. Sadly when I had to switch up my car, the replacement does not have a cd player and my iPod has died. These unexpected complications make me sad.I now hunt to see if my old tape of Into the Woods will still play so that I can quench the craving in the morning.
This unexpected connection hit me while sing "Almost Like Being in Love". It was the similarity of shows like Brigadoon, Camelot and My Fair Lady (the ones we are working with for an upcoming concert) and the general feel of the romance novels that I love. Quirky characters, conflict, scenes that just make me laugh or smile like an idiot, and an ending that just make you feel good. This also awoke in me an unexpected craving for singing along with some show tunes in the car. Sadly when I had to switch up my car, the replacement does not have a cd player and my iPod has died. These unexpected complications make me sad.I now hunt to see if my old tape of Into the Woods will still play so that I can quench the craving in the morning.
T is for Thank you
T is for thank you, something that everyone needs to hear. Some people do not say it often enough, and many more do not hear it enough. I try to make an extra effort to say thank you to everyone that has done something that deserves a thank you. I remember my days working retail, my days in food service, my times working as a secretary or administrative assistant that all came with more aggravation than thanks.So, I make an extra effort to be sure to thank anyone that helps me in any way. The Dunkin' Donuts worker that hands me the caffeine I need to be civil on a working Saturday, the Stop n Shop employee that does the inevitable audit at self check out when I am in a rush, the person that holds a door open for me. I've been on the other side, I know how rude and selfish people can be, so I try to counteract the stresses of the day with a smile and thank you.
A simple smile and thank you can have a larger effect than a whole day of negative comments. I would much rather be the person that says thank you and makes a positive impact than contribute to someone else's bad day. Remember that they have most likely been dealing with cranky people all day, that they are most likely not getting paid a who;e lot to deal with it, and want to go home to be with their families as much as you do.
Take the time as give a smile and thank you to your waiter, the person that rings you up next time you go shopping, the bagger that smashes your bread, the person that is just doing their job. If they do not give you service, then stop and think about what kind of the day might have been having before you got there. Smile and give a thank you anyway. Help make some one else's day much better with very little effort. A simple thank you can change their day for the better, which could led them to doing the same for someone else, and so on.
Thank you for reading :)
A simple smile and thank you can have a larger effect than a whole day of negative comments. I would much rather be the person that says thank you and makes a positive impact than contribute to someone else's bad day. Remember that they have most likely been dealing with cranky people all day, that they are most likely not getting paid a who;e lot to deal with it, and want to go home to be with their families as much as you do.
Take the time as give a smile and thank you to your waiter, the person that rings you up next time you go shopping, the bagger that smashes your bread, the person that is just doing their job. If they do not give you service, then stop and think about what kind of the day might have been having before you got there. Smile and give a thank you anyway. Help make some one else's day much better with very little effort. A simple thank you can change their day for the better, which could led them to doing the same for someone else, and so on.
Thank you for reading :)
S is for Silliness
I have been miss cranky pants the last few days, so I have decided that a little silliness is in order today. So, I did my serious stuff before even getting dressed this morning. Cleaned the living room and kitchen bright and early this morning. I think that was just to offset my need for a fun day today, and the fact that last night my supervisor and I got a serious case of the sillies right before library closing time.
I declare the rest of today Silly Friday. I will not stress about anything. I will be silly with the kids. Play outside (if the weather warms up as bit) and just enjoy the sunshine today. I do want to get some work done (I need to finish two books and write the related reviews), but only as a side line to silliness. If it does not all get done today everything will still be here Saturday, and Sunday and Monday and so on. Not the best attitude to turn a profit, but everyone needs a day off for silliness. Since I'm home with both kids and a pile of work it really is not a day off of anything, but I can sneak in as much silliness as I can to remain sane. Tomorrow is a library work day, so I can afford some silly today. Yes it is Good Friday, not really a day meant for fun and giggles. But I am going to anticipate Easter and just enjoy my day.
How do you celebrate a sunny silly day?
I declare the rest of today Silly Friday. I will not stress about anything. I will be silly with the kids. Play outside (if the weather warms up as bit) and just enjoy the sunshine today. I do want to get some work done (I need to finish two books and write the related reviews), but only as a side line to silliness. If it does not all get done today everything will still be here Saturday, and Sunday and Monday and so on. Not the best attitude to turn a profit, but everyone needs a day off for silliness. Since I'm home with both kids and a pile of work it really is not a day off of anything, but I can sneak in as much silliness as I can to remain sane. Tomorrow is a library work day, so I can afford some silly today. Yes it is Good Friday, not really a day meant for fun and giggles. But I am going to anticipate Easter and just enjoy my day.
How do you celebrate a sunny silly day?
R is for Reading
Read, read, read.I have been a big reader since I was little. Family stories have me reading independently at four or five, but I honestly do not remember whether this is simply family exaggeration or the truth. Maybe a combination of the two. However, I was always reading well above my grade level in school, so there could be some level of truth to the stories.
I am very glad that my two and four year old children already love books, and I spend a good portion of every day reading with them. My four year old loves to find and/or build words. His favorite television shows are not about trucks or trains; rather they are about words, letters and counting. I am glad that the love of reading, books and learning will be passed on to another generation. My mom instilled the passion in me, and I am glad that my kids are already showing signs of the same love of reading.
I will admit, and say quite loudly, that most of my reading is not what anyone could call educational. I do read some non-fiction about the people and things that I have some interest and passion about. However, a paranormal romance, urban fantasy, or anything else that is entertaining and distracting from my life is more than welcome. I avoid reading anything that is talked about and read by a large number of book clubs. I read Twilight before the hype, same for Harry Potter and the Stephanie Plum series. I do not want to read a book simply because Oprah has stamped it with her approval, but rather because I really want to discover what happens to the characters and the story on the pages interests me. I prefer to stay with authors that I trust, genres that entertain me, and the occasional book that simply intrigues me by title, cover or summary.
I have access to a wide variety of books, and have diverged greatly over the years. When I was in high school and college I was reading classic mysteries and current science fiction. There were quite a few historical romances tossed in the mix to. Then it was classics and high literature, partly because I was working on my literature degree. Then cooking and gardening related magazines and books as I struck out on my own. Then wedding related items, then baby related items and back to romance and paranormal. Now, I really try to shake things up and read a variety, but keep going back to my favorite authors to follow up on the series' that made me love them.
What do you read? What do you avoid?
I am very glad that my two and four year old children already love books, and I spend a good portion of every day reading with them. My four year old loves to find and/or build words. His favorite television shows are not about trucks or trains; rather they are about words, letters and counting. I am glad that the love of reading, books and learning will be passed on to another generation. My mom instilled the passion in me, and I am glad that my kids are already showing signs of the same love of reading.
I will admit, and say quite loudly, that most of my reading is not what anyone could call educational. I do read some non-fiction about the people and things that I have some interest and passion about. However, a paranormal romance, urban fantasy, or anything else that is entertaining and distracting from my life is more than welcome. I avoid reading anything that is talked about and read by a large number of book clubs. I read Twilight before the hype, same for Harry Potter and the Stephanie Plum series. I do not want to read a book simply because Oprah has stamped it with her approval, but rather because I really want to discover what happens to the characters and the story on the pages interests me. I prefer to stay with authors that I trust, genres that entertain me, and the occasional book that simply intrigues me by title, cover or summary.
I have access to a wide variety of books, and have diverged greatly over the years. When I was in high school and college I was reading classic mysteries and current science fiction. There were quite a few historical romances tossed in the mix to. Then it was classics and high literature, partly because I was working on my literature degree. Then cooking and gardening related magazines and books as I struck out on my own. Then wedding related items, then baby related items and back to romance and paranormal. Now, I really try to shake things up and read a variety, but keep going back to my favorite authors to follow up on the series' that made me love them.
What do you read? What do you avoid?
Q is for Quiet
I had a few moments questing for a q word, and I decided to go with one that I do not get to appreciate very often, quiet. Any parent out there knows that the moment you want ten minutes to finish a book, do some dishes, hear a news story or simply have a quiet moment you will be desperately be needed for something. Be it food, beverage, refereeing or something completely unexpected, the only thing you can depend on is that it happens just as you are wrapped up in something.
Do not get me wrong, I love my kids. They are insanely smart, incredibly cute and a constant source of comedy (just ask anyone from our church or my son's school). But, there are moments of consternation as well as pure love and enjoyment.In fact, the moment of quiet which inspired this post can late today. I was sitting in the rocking chair with my two year old, who just wanted to snuggle in the chair to fall asleep. My son was already snoring away in his bed, and my husband is still off playing poker with some friends. All the tvs were off, my daughter was dozing off and the cats were doing battle downstairs, but far enough away that it was not too loud. And I started thinking about how hard it seemed to be to simply achieve a quiet, safe moment and how wonderful those snugly moments are.
This week I'm reading a nonfiction book about a variety of people taking very different quests in search for the Garden of Eden. I really want to read this book- but every time I get into it there is a juice or potty or wrestling emergency that must be dealt with. I finally started a crochet project for myself, a sweater with a neat panel in the center of the front and back, and the same holds true. as soon as I fall into that nice, steady rhythm I am needed or someone must sit on my lap. Perchance I do not enjoy the quiet enough when in my office at work, because I desperately seem to be searching for it at home, when I can not find it. If the house is quiet... then I know there is trouble. The longer the quiet, the bigger the trouble. Yet, I seem unable to quit the quest for quiet.
Do not get me wrong, I love my kids. They are insanely smart, incredibly cute and a constant source of comedy (just ask anyone from our church or my son's school). But, there are moments of consternation as well as pure love and enjoyment.In fact, the moment of quiet which inspired this post can late today. I was sitting in the rocking chair with my two year old, who just wanted to snuggle in the chair to fall asleep. My son was already snoring away in his bed, and my husband is still off playing poker with some friends. All the tvs were off, my daughter was dozing off and the cats were doing battle downstairs, but far enough away that it was not too loud. And I started thinking about how hard it seemed to be to simply achieve a quiet, safe moment and how wonderful those snugly moments are.
This week I'm reading a nonfiction book about a variety of people taking very different quests in search for the Garden of Eden. I really want to read this book- but every time I get into it there is a juice or potty or wrestling emergency that must be dealt with. I finally started a crochet project for myself, a sweater with a neat panel in the center of the front and back, and the same holds true. as soon as I fall into that nice, steady rhythm I am needed or someone must sit on my lap. Perchance I do not enjoy the quiet enough when in my office at work, because I desperately seem to be searching for it at home, when I can not find it. If the house is quiet... then I know there is trouble. The longer the quiet, the bigger the trouble. Yet, I seem unable to quit the quest for quiet.
P is for Public Library
P is for of my favorite places on Earth, the public library. Where else can ANYONE have access to computers, the internet, reference assistance, a variety of movies and audio books,programs for children and adults, playspace for the young children, newspapers and periodicals, people to offer reader's advisory and so many books! The BOOKS people!! So many to choose from, and if the one you want is checked out you can put a hold on it and they will coll (or email) you when it is ready for you. If your library doesn't own it (and it is not brand new) they can get it for you from another library. All of this for FREE unless you return something late. Where else do you get this kind of service? I will never understand the people that do not utilize at least one public library, because you can use any one in your state for free as long as you get a card for the town you live in first.
Public libraries have been my home away from home since I was very young. I can still remember the cool circular window I used to sit in and read as a child. Unfortunately that window disappeared in a renovation to allow for more book space, but I loved that window. I loved my childhood library so much that four towns later and more years than I care to mention I now work in the same library I spent my Elementary School years in.
I will never understand the push to limit funding to libraries and the services they offer. People use the library to search for and apply for jobs, for access to things they might no longer be able to afford to buy for themselves. A place to stay warm/cool/dry in bad weather, a safe place to lose themselves in the written word, or just have a quiet place to sit and think. There is just something wonderful about a library. A feeling of peace, but maybe that is just me. I spent two hours working at the children's desk yesterday. First day of school vacation with programs and everything going on. Even in the chaos surrounding me, it seemed peaceful. Not quiet, but still somehow peaceful.
How much do you love your public library? If you haven't been there in a while, go for a visit and remind yourself how wonderful they are, because if federal and state government funding keep shrinking they will be less wonderful in the future. For instance, if Connecticut stops funding for the CCAR program, Connecticut residents can say goodbye to inter library loans, returning books to libraries other than where they came from, and any other service that involves transporting materials between libraries.
Check out your library, join their friends organization, and support them through advocacy to the local government if you want to keep them. Most are already running on minimum staff and budget. If you complain that they do not have enough copies of your favorites, then it is probably because their budget has been slashed to the point where they CANNOT afford to buy more than the bare minimum of desired materials.
I will now climb down off my librarian soap box and get to reading down the stack of books and my collection of galleys awaiting me.
Public libraries have been my home away from home since I was very young. I can still remember the cool circular window I used to sit in and read as a child. Unfortunately that window disappeared in a renovation to allow for more book space, but I loved that window. I loved my childhood library so much that four towns later and more years than I care to mention I now work in the same library I spent my Elementary School years in.
I will never understand the push to limit funding to libraries and the services they offer. People use the library to search for and apply for jobs, for access to things they might no longer be able to afford to buy for themselves. A place to stay warm/cool/dry in bad weather, a safe place to lose themselves in the written word, or just have a quiet place to sit and think. There is just something wonderful about a library. A feeling of peace, but maybe that is just me. I spent two hours working at the children's desk yesterday. First day of school vacation with programs and everything going on. Even in the chaos surrounding me, it seemed peaceful. Not quiet, but still somehow peaceful.
How much do you love your public library? If you haven't been there in a while, go for a visit and remind yourself how wonderful they are, because if federal and state government funding keep shrinking they will be less wonderful in the future. For instance, if Connecticut stops funding for the CCAR program, Connecticut residents can say goodbye to inter library loans, returning books to libraries other than where they came from, and any other service that involves transporting materials between libraries.
Check out your library, join their friends organization, and support them through advocacy to the local government if you want to keep them. Most are already running on minimum staff and budget. If you complain that they do not have enough copies of your favorites, then it is probably because their budget has been slashed to the point where they CANNOT afford to buy more than the bare minimum of desired materials.
I will now climb down off my librarian soap box and get to reading down the stack of books and my collection of galleys awaiting me.
O is for Overboard
O is for overboard, over indulging, and getting in over my head. I go overboard in all my favorite things; my coffee, chocolate, new craft projects, garden buying and ideas, books to read, projects to write and things to learn. I get all these great ideas in my head, all of these great plans, and somehow end up expecting to do more than I actually can. I can blame part of this on life and family, things rarely go as planned when there are young children in the house, and i often forget to figure in the time that will be added to any project by their desire to 'help' me or that I will need to relocate to playing referee, short order cook, and furniture.
Over indulging in books is something I have trouble feeling bad about. I enjoy every moment I dedicate to making the vain attempt to keep up the the to read pile that seems to grow exponentially. For every book I bring home or galley I gain access to and finish, two or three more seem to take their place. It is one way I go overboard that I can fully enjoy, with no guilt other than over the amount of time it might take me to get to something. Same goes for crafting, I never feel bad about having so many projects waiting their turn, only that each has to wait so long to be completed. I am glad to say that I have finished crocheting my daughter's blanket and my son's sweater, a hanging basket support and got started on a sweater for myself last night. Then I have more to do, but one project at a time.
I should feel guilty about going overboard with some of my weaknesses, like the chocolate and coffee. But, I cannot bring myself to feel bad about the stash of chocolate in my desk drawer or how stealthy I have become in sneaking a Hershey kiss or other sweet treat without the kids noticing. My waistline might refuse to shrink because of this over indulgence, but I still figure than if these weaknesses are my worst, than I am doing pretty good. Chocolate and caffeine are my drugs of choice. Coffee replaces the alcohol of the college days. Crafting takes the place of most snacking, it is hard to snack while working with yarn. Books and the internet more than take the place of clubs and parties. If my only addictions are chocolate, caffeine, and things that can only benefit myself and the world around me than I am doing okay.
Where do you go overboard?
Over indulging in books is something I have trouble feeling bad about. I enjoy every moment I dedicate to making the vain attempt to keep up the the to read pile that seems to grow exponentially. For every book I bring home or galley I gain access to and finish, two or three more seem to take their place. It is one way I go overboard that I can fully enjoy, with no guilt other than over the amount of time it might take me to get to something. Same goes for crafting, I never feel bad about having so many projects waiting their turn, only that each has to wait so long to be completed. I am glad to say that I have finished crocheting my daughter's blanket and my son's sweater, a hanging basket support and got started on a sweater for myself last night. Then I have more to do, but one project at a time.
I should feel guilty about going overboard with some of my weaknesses, like the chocolate and coffee. But, I cannot bring myself to feel bad about the stash of chocolate in my desk drawer or how stealthy I have become in sneaking a Hershey kiss or other sweet treat without the kids noticing. My waistline might refuse to shrink because of this over indulgence, but I still figure than if these weaknesses are my worst, than I am doing pretty good. Chocolate and caffeine are my drugs of choice. Coffee replaces the alcohol of the college days. Crafting takes the place of most snacking, it is hard to snack while working with yarn. Books and the internet more than take the place of clubs and parties. If my only addictions are chocolate, caffeine, and things that can only benefit myself and the world around me than I am doing okay.
Where do you go overboard?
N is for NO
N is for no, a word I say a lot at home these days. No, you can not have another treat. No, you can not have cake, pie, cookies, etc for breakfast (not only because there is not any of that in the house, but that is beside the point). No, you can not hang from the ceiling and tear the house apart. Sigh.
However, some nos I have been saying lately, while mainly to myself, are positive. No, I may not have cake, pie, etc for breakfast because we do not have any and then I would also have to share with the kids, lol. No, I will not let other people's negativity ruin the opportunities that present themselves to me. No, I will not mope, pout or complain (too much) when things do not go my way. No, I will not let depression, PMS, anger or frustration over take my mood or my life. I will step up and take responsibility for my choices, my actions and the consequences. I will let go of the things I have no control of, and do what ever I can to improve my life, and the lives of those around me. No, I will never by Pollyanna- but no one needs to know that but me. I am a realist and occasionally a pessimist, but I often keep the negative wrapped up inside and show the brighter side to others. I figure I must do a good job at it, because most coworkers and such over the years have pegged me as a total people person, a sunshine and roses kind of girl. I am not. I could have lived my entire life as a hermit if permitted to do so. Except for work, family and close friends I might have. But no.
However, some nos I have been saying lately, while mainly to myself, are positive. No, I may not have cake, pie, etc for breakfast because we do not have any and then I would also have to share with the kids, lol. No, I will not let other people's negativity ruin the opportunities that present themselves to me. No, I will not mope, pout or complain (too much) when things do not go my way. No, I will not let depression, PMS, anger or frustration over take my mood or my life. I will step up and take responsibility for my choices, my actions and the consequences. I will let go of the things I have no control of, and do what ever I can to improve my life, and the lives of those around me. No, I will never by Pollyanna- but no one needs to know that but me. I am a realist and occasionally a pessimist, but I often keep the negative wrapped up inside and show the brighter side to others. I figure I must do a good job at it, because most coworkers and such over the years have pegged me as a total people person, a sunshine and roses kind of girl. I am not. I could have lived my entire life as a hermit if permitted to do so. Except for work, family and close friends I might have. But no.
M is for Meander
M is for Meander. my mind tends to wander and meander quite a bit. However, I and not usually a person that shops, walks or travels in any way that could be called meandering. I have a goal or destination, I want to get there and get out. I do not meander around the mall *shudder*. I do not stroll or meander when I go out for a walk to enjoy the weather. I still move at a pace that is intent on going, getting somewhere, even if I have no specific location in mind. Now, this gets me in trouble. How? It is hard to walk at that pace with a four year old walking by your side, even harder with a two year old at your side, completely impossible if both are in motion at either side. When they were young enough to put in the double stroller with no complaints it was fine, but now one or both want to walk. So enjoyable strolls are at a minimum unless I have another adult body with me. However, stores with carts are still viable journeys with the kids in tow.
The only time I meander while shopping is when shopping for garden and craft supplies. I am awful when it comes to picking which plants, seeds, and other items I want to use. Then I could wander up and down the aisle or scour a nursery for hours to find just want I am looking for, or to find something different and unique. The same holds true in a craft or yarn store. I love just looking to find a new yarn; interesting textures, variegations, ideas for projects, new crafts too try. Oh, I'm getting the urge to craft right now.. must stop myself and finish tonight's reading and writing. Craft tomorrow.
Did I mention that I mentally meander regularly? As if you had not noticed! That's why you love me.
The only time I meander while shopping is when shopping for garden and craft supplies. I am awful when it comes to picking which plants, seeds, and other items I want to use. Then I could wander up and down the aisle or scour a nursery for hours to find just want I am looking for, or to find something different and unique. The same holds true in a craft or yarn store. I love just looking to find a new yarn; interesting textures, variegations, ideas for projects, new crafts too try. Oh, I'm getting the urge to craft right now.. must stop myself and finish tonight's reading and writing. Craft tomorrow.
Did I mention that I mentally meander regularly? As if you had not noticed! That's why you love me.
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