Halu-Halo

I am a winner

It took a bit of outlining, imagining, and a whole lot of ignoring of  other things to do this last month, but I did it.  I'm no longer a NaNoWriMo virgin.  I am a winner!

After I finished up the last of the words for today  (because the draft of this 2nd manuscript is not done; I have probably another two or three chapters to really slap a THE END to it), I rewarded myself with a pat on the back, (my version of) a short but fast run, and a chocolate bar.

And that Snickers bar was gosh darn good.  Better than good, actually - it was phenomenal.

That Snickers bar also gave me a little more energy to start re-reading my newly-printed-of my just-edited 1st manuscript.

I know there is a lot more to do, and even more for me to learn.  But as I held that fat stack of papers in my hands, gosh darn it, I felt stronger than ever.  My eldest three children ooo'd and aaa'd and they asked to read it.  They jumped around and thumbed through its pages.  I had a novel in my hands!  I realized that no matter how many rejection letters are fated to come before me,  I still have something for my children to read.  I will have at least 4 fans in my life.

That's not to say I won't be working hard to get published, because I will!  I'm just saying, I'm already feeling like a superstar in my kids' eyes.  And right now, that's really good enough for me. 

I am a winner!

Thanksgiving recovery

Means rest, from the week of planning, the day of cooking, the evening of eating, the night of putting up Christmas decorations, and finally, the aftermath of all of the cleaning.

But it was an awesome holiday for our family.

It was intimate (although loud and noisy), simple (even though I made more 9 dishes in addition to the turkey), and easy (even if we had to bring Baby J in to see a doc for an ear infection).

 

I can never get enough of this holiday, when there is absolutely no expectation but to cook and eat.  And be together with loved ones.  When reflection is really encouraged.  For a busy family such as ours, I welcome all of these things with open arms.

But I do have to brag, folks...in the spirit of Handmade Holidays, I present my first handmade present of the season, finished this weekend.

(It's a stroller sized quilt, started almost 2 years ago! Done as an practice of improv, using only  my scraps, to include the white/cream fabrics. The back is pieced as well, but I already have wrapped it up to be sent the first week of December.)

It's been a work in progress for a long time, until I decided who it needed to belong to, and then it took another 6 months.  I KNOW! (I don't need to hear it, I need lessons in time management).  

I suppose that's also what a couple of days of no expectations can do to a woman, it encourages her to tie up at least once loose end.

I hope that you've had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  And here's to officially welcoming the winter holiday season!

Doin' the Humpty-Hump

 Just turned on some music, to listen to Digital Underground and celebrate some milestones:

16 days: 

 

and halfway done with the binding:

"I'm steppin tall ya'll and just like Humpty Dumpty
you're gonna fall while the stereos pump me.
I like to rhyme, I like my beats funky, I'm spunky, I like my oatmeal lumpy.
I'm sick with this..."  (Digital Underground, "The Humpty Dance")

Excuse me while I go let off some steam and do the Humpty Dance in my living room.

Happy Hump Day!

I broke it off.

I don't know how to break this to you.

I've never done this be fore.

But we need to talk.

You're too good for me.

This just isn't going to work out.

I love you, but not that way.

I can't do this anymore.

It's not you, it's me.

We can still be friends.

 

Ready to break up with your halloween candy?  Here's where I'm sending mine.

Hope you had a wonderful Friday!

 

What my 9 year old taught me today

...as I was trying to edit my first novel like mad...

...while, at the same time, attempting to write the first draft of another...

...and staying optimistic that someone, somewhere will want to read what I've written...

...even if I am attempting this dream much later than most authors...

 

That even something crazy can be fun, and can be accomplished.

With plain ol' hard work.

(and a lot of licking, apparently)

Translated: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop

Answer: 1685

Have a peaceful night!