Checking in...

Well, I haven't posted since my birthday.  Oh! What a birthday it was!  Dinner at the SUPER-romantic, historical Sky Room and a movie with my wonderful hubby...who could ask for anything more? :D

It is funny how crazy busy you become, whenever you don't want to be and have been actively trying to UN-drama your life.  Has anyone else experienced this?  Between archery, Girl Scouts, school activities, homework, fundraising, community service and all the other stuff - I'm wiped out.

In addition, I've been lagging on my writing.  When the kids finally go to sleep (usually the youngest is down by 11pm, at the latest); I find I'm exhausted and often just sit and stare until I can no longer keep my eyes open - then trudge off to bed.  Kinda sad, right?

Well, I've made a commitment to get my first novel done in the next year - deadline: July 31, 2012.  I figure it's an apropos date since it's LIZ's birthday and she really got me going with the blogging! 

So let the countdown begin!  Now I can no longer make excuses and have to write even when I'm tired.  Deadlines (even the ones I put on myself) keep me motivated, how about you?  What keeps you writing even when you are tired/sick/stressed/overwhelmed?  Do any of you struggle with this?

Happy writing and thanks for reading!

I've been given an award!

My dear friend and sis-in-law, Liz - over at Laws of Gravity - has given me the

I believe it's a "One to Watch" type of award for new bloggers with less than 200 followers - and I fit that criteria (even if she thinks I'm going to be ineligible soon, due to having OVER 200 followers...I'm far from that and SO APPRECIATE her vote of confidence!)

Thank you, Liz! (Actual post here.)  

The rules are:  

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have a super great time in the blogosphere!

So here are my top three picks that I am just LOVING right now!

1. Jamila Jamison at Flights of Fancy - her posts are fun and entertaining, and I usually glean some new knowledge...who could ask for anything more?!?

2. Mel Fowler at Adventure Writes - I've really enjoyed the technical info on writing and her 1st campaign challenge piece is AWESOME!

3. Liz at Home is Where the Cat is - Oh she had me with her post on Taylor Kitsch, too funny and very honest - everything I've read I've loved!

4. Crystal at Little Bundle of Contradictions - I'm loving her Sisterhood of the Dawn series...check it out!

Now I am going to attach a disclaimer here...Only Mel's website tells me how many followers she has, so hopefully I didn't completely screw this up!

Learning How To Blog

So I am sitting here with my dear sis-in-law and she is voluntarily going to walk me through some cool new things that I can do with this blog. Right off the bat, I've learned that I've been writing in the "Edit Html" window when I should be using "Compose"...huh...who would've thunk it?

I guess my version of this blogging software is super old, so now I need to be using something else...we'll see how this all works out...the more I learn, the more complicated this becomes - which just makes me want to throw in the towel!  Because really, who has time for this shit anyway???

So...Since Liz is here, I might as well do the damn aforementioned MEME...

1. Are you a rutabaga?
 This is probably the stupidest, most idiotic question ever thought up; and those adult followers of "Yo Gabba Gabba" probably find it SO PROFOUND!
2. Who is your current crush?
My current crush is the same as my crush from 14 years ago...I am now and will always be...CRUSHING HARD ON MY HUSBAND!!!
3. Upload a heartwarming picture that makes you smile.
UMMM... honestly, the only thing that warms my heart is: 

4. When was the last time you ate a vine-ripened tomato?
 Cooked? two days ago. I made my famous home-made tomato sauce.  Raw however is another story...the last time I had a raw tomato in my mouth (vine ripened or otherwise) was July 8th.  I bit into a burger I had ordered (specifying that I cannot eat raw tomatoes or else I would have a severe allergic reaction) and low and behold...there was a tomato on the burger!  I immediately spit the bite out and it couldn't have been in my mouth for more than 2 seconds, and yet I still broke out in hives all over my face and neck - so NOT a pretty look! 
5. Name one habit that causes other people to plot your demise.
I would say it has to be my habit of being completely unforgiving to those people who make plans and then flake on them...or show up exceedingly late with no valid reason...I truly hate that!
6. What is the weirdest, most disgusting job you've ever had to do?
Maple Leaf Farms.  Very few people can say that they have worked at a duck processing plant, BUT I CAN!  I was responsible for "de-gutting" the ducks after they had been fresh killed, de-feathered, and had their throats slit to drain their blood...oh the stories I can tell about THAT summer job!
7. Where da muffin top at?
I do not believe I can call it a muffin top after 3 GINORMOUS kids...
8. What author introduced you to your genre?
I don't have a genre...
9. Describe yourself using obscure Latin words.
Obscurum per obscurius 

So, I'm done with this post and now I am to "TAG" someone else...well, since I'm so new and only know of 2 blogs (one being the person who tagged me!), I will choose my dear friend and medium LILITH/Sue Jorgenson.