Who Knew?

Who knew a year ago that I'd be walking down the street in a cat costume complete with makeup. Okay a few lines with an eyeliner pencil. Luckily it is Halloween and I think I could blend in with most of the crowd.

Sometimes it's hard to believe that it's been over a year since I've been in Georgia. I'm making great strides and garnering some good friends. Oh yes, by the way, I'm out of the rut I was in yesterday. I went to the library and worked some on my book/short story; got out of the house instead of being comfortable at home. That's saying something for me since it sometimes takes TNT to get me going.

Now back to handing out candy.

Might-y

When I tell people what I'm doing in my life they always comment on how busy I am. As happy as my life is I look back on it and see that the fundamental things about me haven't changed. I'm a planner but more often than not things get started and remain unfinished.

I was reading in a magazine this morning about women who take their small ideas and turn them into thriving companies. A tinge of jealousy emerged but also a what could I do like that? Maybe a heavy dose of confidence would spur me on. Maybe not leaving this computer on for long periods of time with the need to check it periodically would leave me time to come up with an idea. Maybe not watching the movies from Netflix the minute they arrive would free up some time. I've got a lot of irons in the fire but so far none of them have ignited.

Maybe not wallowing in what I haven't done and just get busy--ooh that word tripped a trigger. Busy doesn't always mean productive. Focus might be a better word.

Music Appreciation

I've started playing the piano again. Hopefully it will last for a while.

I noticed tonight that while I plunked away I wasn't getting all stressed out with the wrong notes I played. I just kept telling myself I haven't played these songs in a while and just take it slow. I do need a system for holding the music up so the pages aren't flapping around while I'm trying to play them.

I was also appreciating the fact that I was playing songs in the easy format instead of their original form.

I've come a long way.

Pounding the Sheets

Here I am poised to apply for a job. Am I in an office? Am I dressed appropriately? Not quite.

In today's world of modern technology I can search the Internet for positions that interest me from right here in my room.

Today I'm giving Craig's List a try. I was skeptical at first after reading an ad that only wanted someone who could last three months without any skills then they would have a job. I was also leery of telemarketing firms that disguised themselves trying to get people who wouldn't normally do so apply to their ads. I'm sure there are some legitimate companies and if it turns out that they're not I can always turn them down.

Civic Duty

Today I voted early. I know it would be more historic to actually vote on November 4 but who knows what will be going on in eight days. I thought by going at around 9:00 a.m. that I might miss the before work crowds. I drove to the Classic Center and the line was from here to Timbuktu so I drove to the actual voting place. It didn't look like there was a line but there was one inside. Since it's a little nippy out today it was nice to wait where there wasn't a wind chill factor. The whole process took about half an hour.

Puppy Love

This morning I was proud of Sally for letting me sleep until 7:00 a.m.; the midnight potty break had long been forgotten. It was strange though because even though the clock suggested that it was a lot later and the sun should at least be trying to show it's face; it was pitch black. Then it dawned on me that until the new rules were put into force that changed when daylight savings ended, today would have been the day to put the clocks back an hour.

As for puppy love, Sally is nestled next to me fast asleep on top of my bed while I blog. Yesterday I was sewing and she was playing with her toys right under the chair I was sitting in. Without Jack and Josie here for stimulation she was throwing her rubber chicken at me in hopes that I'd play for a while. Sally and I do enjoy a game of tug-of-war and catch on occasion.

Slip Sliding Away

I missed a day of my thirty day program. I guess that means I'll need to write twice today.

Taking Sally out for her morning constitutional is good inspiration to look at the leaves; note the weather; and otherwise get background for a story. It also makes me wish--at 5:45 a.m. that dogs could use toilets for something other than to drink out of--or heaven forbid, that maybe cleaning up a mess in the house isn't so bad. Outside is definitely preferable.

Quiet

As far as I'm concerned quiet is overrated. I guess with years of background noise from a TV I conditioned myself to only be able to accomplish a task if I had something else going on. On the other side of the coin, if I'm watching a movie etc. I'm rather mesmerized by that and don't concentrate on what I'm doing.

I could use the joyful noises of the family as an excuse. Heck, I could use anything! The only real thing between me and accomplishment is me.

The main thing I need is stimuli that inspires me. Like my writer's group; my new subscription to WEbook (a publishing website); and signing up for a writing seminar the first of the year.

For other inspiration I have the Visual Arts and Fibercraft Guilds at the Lyndon House.

Life is good; quiet or not.

Wednesday

Dogs are barking in the distance as I sit poised in front of my laptop. I am alone with my thoughts and wondering what the day will bring.

My horoscope says to get out and exercise because that will give me power over my life. Of course I only believe what it says when I think it fits the moment. If something happens that seems to directly relate to what the horoscope says; then I say it's right. It's just daily entertainment and not the gospel. If it were I'd be more of a worrier and counting on things that don't really matter.

I will walk today but I'll do it when I go to pick up Jack from school. A nice brisk walk in this beautiful Fall day would be a good thing.

Writer's Group

Last night I read the start of my "novel" to my writing group. I got mostly positive comments. Everybody really liked the first paragraph. Now I have lots of re-writing to do to get the rest up to snuff.

I feel I have some good feedback, especially from the woman who ran the group last night because she is having a middle grade children's novel published and working on her second one. Plus, she gave me a book on how to write books for children.

It was also pointed out that I just get so far with a story and then I'm on to something else. This is my chance to delve deeper and write more than four pages.

Twenty-Seven to Go

I've read that it takes 30 days to make a habit. I'm sure this is more than my second try at it but I'm attempting to make writing my goal.

I've started a lower-grade novel that I'm taking to my writer's group tonight for some helpful evaluation. My aim is not publishing this story but to get myself writing everyday and to write more than a page or two and think that I'm finished with a story. I hope it will also serve as a launching pad so that I can get other things in print.

Don't get me wrong, if this story gets published I would be ecstatic. I am no longer listening to my monkey mind which says I have nothing to write about.

Brrrr

What am I going to do when it really gets cold? It's just barely Fall and I'm already layering my clothes. Since the heat was on this morning I guess I'm not the only one. Of course there is a naked boy running around here which might explain it.

Today is a dog birthday party. Who would have thought? Sally and I are going to wish her best friends a happy birthday.

Happy Sunday!

A Cigarette and . . .

Any time I've seen writers in old movies they have a cigarette hanging out of their mouths, an old typewriter, and possibly two fingers worth of liquor. Since I'm not liquor literate I can't say what kind.

I don't smoke or drink and I haven't seen a typewriter in I don't know how long. Without a smoke-filled room, what will be my motivation.

I whine; I squirm; I think about buying how-to books to inspire me or tell me how to write. I can't say I don't know how to write because I've had people tell me they like my style--my sense of humor. Anything that makes it harder seems to be my motto. How about a Microsoft template to fill in the blanks?

There will never be a perfect situation for writing; always some disturbance or excuse. So as Stacy says, "just get a pencil and do it!"